Teacher
My Experience
I have taught at Thrive School of Dance for the past 4 years teaching from ages 3-18. I love getting to share my passion for dance with the next generation of young dancers.
I am grateful to have grown in my understanding of pedagogy through courses such as Ballet, Tap, and Jazz Pedagogy at Oklahoma City University. I also teach hip hop in addition to these styles! These courses have helped me to become a teacher who facilitates successful learning for my students through preparation, delivery, feedback, and classroom management.
Jazz Notation
ATF Notation
Song: Venus by Bananarama
Starting position: Facing SR
M | CTS | Movement | Arms | Head | Misc. |
1 | 1+2 3, 4 | R triplet L ft steps out to 2nd, pop R heel | Reach up to sky to down @ sds R arm shamp w/L arm in 2nd, wrap R arm in front of body wrap L arm behind w/both in fists | Fwd Fwd, dwn to L corner | Attack |
2 | (5), +, 6 (7), +, 8 | HOLD, releve 2nd, pop L heel HOLD, releve 2nd, pop R heel | HOLD, cross jz hnds in front, pull to fists at hips HOLD, cross jz hnds in front, pull to fists at hips | Fwd Fwd | Sharp |
3 | 1, 2
3, 4 | R step fwd AST chest rolls R to L, cut L ft under R ft as chest contracts R step fwd, cut L ft under R ft | Arms @ sds but shoulders react as chest moves
Arms breathe fwd, arms slice @ sds | Fwd
Fwd | Chill |
4 | 5, 6, 7, 8 | Walk R, walk L , walk R, walk L | Arms are dancer’s choice | Choice | Confident |
5 | 1+2 3, 4 | R PDB under Touch L ft to R ft, Step L fwd in fondu | Arms in natural opposition Arms fold out to “L” shape w/R arm front and L arm sd by count 4 | Fwd Fwd | Grounded |
6 | 5-6 7, +8 | R double outside pirouette Jump out to 2nd, two claps | Arms in 1st Arms @ sds, two claps | Spotting Fwd | Controlled |
7 | 1-4 | R jz sq | Arms swing in opp | At low arm | Free |
8 | 5-6, 7-8 | R pivot turn to face SL R pivot turn to face SR | Arms of choice | Spotting | Smooth |
Learning Objective: To feel confident as we use dynamics through our movement.
Imagery: Imagine on the single arm shamp that it is like a lasso. There is a quick whipping action that is then suspended in the air. Imagine on the smooth parts that you are moving through honey, there is still resistance but it is more liquid than the sharp moments.
Correction: Make sure to use our plies in the jz sq after the pirouette
Tap Notation
Lesson Plan for Tap Pedagogy Mini-Class
Date: 2/24/25
Age and Level of class: 13-14-year-old / 5th-year advanced
Quite signal: I will stamp, stamp. They will stamp with both feet and slide them together
Goal: Weight changes
Type of exercise: ATF progressions
Name of Music and Artist: Hit the Road Jack by Charles Percy (-4)
Meter: 4/4
Imagery: Imagine on all stamps that your foot got stuck in honey or gum so that it is stuck there, helping you keep your weight on that foot. For leap and a riff, imagine you are pedaling your bike backward so that you can get on top of your legs and can hit all the sounds.
Cautionary Reminders: Watch out for the transition from the bell clicks as your energy wants to keep going left, but you have to slow your motion and anticipate using the right leg to shuffle.
Notation:
M | Counts | Movement | Head and Arms | Misc. |
1 | +1 / + / 2 +3 / + / 4 | R flap / L heel drop / R heel drop L flap / R heel drop / L heel drop | Arms swing in opp. | Face SR |
2 | 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 | R scuff / R spank / R knock / R stamp | Arms in opp. | Face SR |
3 | 1 / + / 2+ / 3 / +4 | L stamp / bell click / R stamp L stamp / bell click / R stamp L stamp | Personal arms choice | Face SR |
4 | +5 / +6 / 7 | R shff / R toe heel / L stamp | Arms in opp. | Face SR |
5 | 1+a2 / 3+a4 | R leap and a riff / L leap and a riff | Arms in opp. | Face SR |
6 | 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 | R stamp / L knock / clap / L stamp | Arms in opp. | Face SR |
7 | 1a2+a3 / 4 | R maxi ford with a pickup / R knock | Arms in opp. | Face SR |
8 | 5+ / 6+ / 7 / (8) | R toe heel / L toe heel / slide feet together / hold | Arms in opp, | Face SR |
Repeat M 1-8 all the way ATF |
Creative Transition to Center: Each pair of two will toe heel turn to the center so that they end up in two lines!
BalleT Notation
Name of exercise: Pliés
Music: Enchanted Hits For Ballet Class Vol. 2, When You Wish Upon a Star (Plié) (+8%)
By Nate Fifield
Time Signature: 3/4
Learning Objective: To not let our shoulders fall forward in front of our hips
Creative explanation: Remember to feel like your body is inside a toaster. We don’t want to get burnt on either side! So, stand nice and tall like a beautiful ballerina.
Cautionary Reminder: Make sure those heels stay planted in the plié, don’t let them come off the floor
Notes: None
Starting position: Feet in parallel 1st with hands on hips
Preparation: None
Measures | Counts | Steps with arms |
1-2 | 1-3, 4-6 | Plié in parallel, straighten legs (hands on hips) |
3-4 | 1-3, 4-6 | Plié in parallel, straighten legs (hands on hips) |
5-6 | 1-3, 4-6 | Plié in parallel, straighten legs (hands on hips) |
7-8 | 1-3, 4-6 | Relevé, lower down straight legs |
9-16 | 1-6, 1-6, 1-6, 1-6 | Repeat measures 1-8 |
17-20 | 1-6, 1-6 | TTT to the R with arms in 5th |
21-24 | 1-6, 1-6 | TTT to the L with arms in 5th |
25-28 | 1-6, 1-6 | Grab “flowers” with feet in parallel, throw “flowers” through the air, grab “flowers” with feet in parallel, throw “flowers” through the air |
29-32 | 1-6, 1-6 | Place feet in small 1st position with hands on hips |
33-64 | 1-6 (x16) | Repeat measures 1-32 from 1st |
