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 Teacher in the
Spotlight: Nina Koch
Studio owner and teacher • Dance Dynamics, East County
Performing Arts Center, Brentwood, CA
NOMINATED BY: David Koch, her husband: “Nina has grown the
studio—one of the newest—to be the biggest in our area. She
has achieved more success in 5 years than some people have in
20! She is such a great teacher and business owner that she is
preparing to open a second location. She is ambitious, smart,
a great mom, and a keen businesswoman!”
AGES TAUGHT: 2 to adult
GENRES TAUGHT: The studio offers classes in ballet, jazz, tap,
hip-hop, and modern as well as music classes. I teach tap and
jazz.
TEACHING DANCE FOR: 18 years
WHY SHE TEACHES: I love it. There was a very short time in my
life when I was not dancing and I knew something was missing.
I wasn’t happy. That is when I knew I was meant to teach.
GREATEST INSPIRATION: I am inspired by the children I work
with every day.
PHILOSOPHY OF TEACHING: If you have high expectations for
children they will exceed them. I strive to offer an
environment where children are challenged and nurtured at the
same time.
WHAT MAKES HER A GOOD TEACHER: I talk to the kids, not at
them. I am tough, but my dancers always know that they are
loved and respected.
FONDEST TEACHING MEMORY: Teaching creative movement to
children with special needs. Watching them discover and
experience something new and progress through the program was
a gift.
BEST PIECE OF ADVICE FOR STUDENTS AND/OR TEACHERS: My advice
for students would be not to let the opinion of a teacher,
judge, or a director affect how you feel about being a dancer.
If you have passion, feed your passion. You have to dance for
you, not for the opinions of others. You will always encounter
criticism and disappointment. Listen and learn what you can,
but don’t let it define you as a person or dancer. As for
teachers—so many of them think they are the best at what they
do. That may be true, but don’t let ego get in the way of
learning. Everyone has something to teach you.
WHAT SHE WOULD DO IF SHE COULDN’T TEACH DANCE: I would do what
I am doing now, running my studio. I love the business side of
it.
MORE THOUGHTS ON DANCE AND TEACHING: Dance is not just about
teaching steps and technique. It is about teaching life
lessons for children to take with them forever, whether they
dance professionally or not. As dance teachers we have a
responsibility to give our students opportunities. If you
don’t let them participate in dance activities outside your
studio, you are doing them a disservice. That is detrimental
to their learning. Have the confidence to let them go and they
will come back to you.
Photo by Janell Gruner
DO YOU KNOW A DANCE TEACHER WHO DESERVES TO BE IN THE
SPOTLIGHT?
Email your nominations to Cheryl@rheegold.com or mail them to
Theresa Grenier, Rhee Gold Company, 10 South Washington St.,
Norton, MA 02766. Please include why you think this teacher
should be featured in
Dance Studio Life, along with his or her contact
information.
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