|
 Teacher
in the Spotlight:
Tanya
Bleil-Geiselman
Owner, president, and dance instructor, Just for Kicks School
of Dance Inc.; director,
Allegro Dance Troupe, Port Orchard, WA
AGES TAUGHT: All ages. The youngest was 14 months.
GENRES TAUGHT: Ballet, tap, jazz, children’s combo, Mommy and
Me, musical theater, and lyrical. My favorite is tap.
TEACHING DANCE FOR: 17 years. I began as an assistant at 14,
then became a full-time instructor. At 15 I began teaching
dance in my parents’ basement to make money for college. I
signed up 26 kids, and the number grew to 150 in a year. I
rented a studio in Manchester at age 18.
WHY SHE TEACHES: The first time I began working with kids and
helping them dance, I knew it was my passion.
GREATEST
INSPIRATION: My mom. She is at every performance and she is
the inspiration for a lot of dances. She convinced my dad to
turn their basement into a dance studio, so I owe it all to
her. Also, I love Kimberly Lyons from Hollywood Connection.
She runs a very successful convention, remembers everyone, and
makes a point of making our students feel special.
PHILOSOPHY OF TEACHING: Kids need to develop a love for dance.
I say something positive to each student during class. In the
younger kids’ classes, I include dance-based games. It’s funny
how 12-year-olds will say, “Remember when we used to leap over
the candy canes? Can we do that again?” I also bring as much
personality into my routines as possible. I love for the kids
to be animated because it looks like they are having fun. In
our studio we say, “Dance is 90 percent pizzazz and 10 percent
skill.” That may not hold up in a competition, but I want them
to look like they are enjoying themselves.
WHAT MAKES HER A GOOD TEACHER: I love kids and I want to see
them succeed. I know most of them on a personal level. I hope
that they know how much they mean to me. People often say our
studio is like a home and we are all a family.
FONDEST TEACHING MEMORY: I teach a little girl who has
cerebral palsy. When she first came to me she couldn’t lift
her right arm. Now she can turn with her arms in high fifth.
Her mom says that physical therapy didn’t help nearly as much
as dance has.
BEST PIECE OF ADVICE FOR STUDENTS AND/OR TEACHERS: Never give
up. There are going to be times when you are unhappy or feel
like you aren’t good enough, but if you persevere you will be
glad you did. As far as dancers who want to quit—dance will
never leave you. Once it’s in your blood, it stays. I see so
many students who quit dance and later say they wish they
hadn’t. I tell their parents to let them quit, and then I have
them come to the recital. When they see what they missed out
on, they don’t have to be forced to come to class again. They
want to be there. WHAT
SHE WOULD DO IF SHE COULDN’T TEACH DANCE: I would be a whale
or dolphin trainer. That looks like the coolest job! You’re
still performing but you’re bonding with those amazing
creatures.
MORE THOUGHTS ON DANCE AND TEACHING: A tradition with our
dance team is that we do a circle before every performance
where I give advice and say a prayer with the kids. It’s
something they feel they “have” to do in order to look their
best onstage.
Photo courtesy Pennie Bleil
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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