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Teacher in the Spotlight: Shelly Beech
Owner and teacher, Art of Motion Dance, Bartlesville, OK
 NOMINATED BY: Jana Brown, former student
and assistant: "She is an amazing teacher, bursting with
energy. Anytime I needed her, she was always there. She is
the type of teacher I strive to be, a forever teacher; she
never loses interest in her former students. Did I mention
that she is a one-woman show? She is the only teacher for
about 250 students!"
AGES TAUGHT: Preschoolers through advanced
students
GENRES TAUGHT: Ballet, pointe, tap, jazz,
lyrical, and creative movement
TEACHING DANCE FOR: More than 25 years
WHY SHE TEACHES: It is part of who I am. It
is also what makes my family who they are. My husband, Ken
Wehmeyer, a musician and sound engineer, is the studio's
office manager and part-time tap tutor. My son Hayden, 12,
assists with the younger students.
GREATEST INSPIRATION: My first teacher,
Elizabeth Shelley Williams, exposed me to fabulous
instructors, including Gus Giordano, Jo Rowan, and Al
Gilbert. I admire Lyn Cramer and Libby Lovejoy, two teachers
who are a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. Businesswoman
Dawn Weiss makes studio ownership look like a walk in the
park. I adore my friend Angela Mezzacappa, whose file
cabinets full of dance articles and choreography have helped
me out more than once.
PHILOSOPHY OF TEACHING: I borrowed this
from Pat Holbrook: "Every student who wishes to take dance
as a form of exercise or enjoyment, or those wishing to
pursue a professional or performing career all receive the
same careful training." My goal is to produce students with
a strong foundation in ballet, tap, and jazz. The life
lessons they pick up--self respect, discipline, leadership,
and poise--will benefit all their future endeavors.
WHAT MAKES HER A GOOD TEACHER: Teaching all
my own classes. It's important for students to understand
how all forms of dance relate to each other. If we are
working on spotting and arms in ballet class by doing
cha�n�s across the floor, I carry that over into tap class
and work on turning flaps across the floor, stressing the
musicality. Then, two days later in jazz, they learn cha�n�s
with up-and-down levels or varying speeds. Kids don't always
learn on the first pitch. When you've shown a concept to
them three different ways in one week, you're bound to get a
hit. I almost forgot the most important things: quick
problem-solving skills and a sense of humor.
FONDEST TEACHING MEMORY: When my son won a
Tremaine scholarship, it was a pat on the back that I was
doing a good job as his teacher. But nothing comes close to
the pride of a mother when your child puts himself on the
line and does well. He had auditioned twice before and
learned to deal with rejection. When he won, he was gracious
and supportive of his classmates, saying, "If I can win a
scholarship, you could too. We take from the same teacher."
It was priceless.
BEST PIECE OF ADVICE FOR STUDENTS AND/OR TEACHERS:
Never burn a bridge. Karma can bite you hard on the
derri�re.
WHAT SHE WOULD DO IF SHE COULDN'T TEACH DANCE:
I'd return to the art scene of New York. Maybe pursue
oil painting or collaborate with other artists as a printer.
MORE THOUGHTS ON DANCE AND TEACHING: A very
small percentage of students will go on to careers related
to dance. I'm amazed at and proud of how many strong,
successful young women pass through my doors. Tell a
3-year-old she can succeed at anything as long as she
tries--as a 10-year-old she won't give up, and at 18 she'll
be accomplishing her goals.
Shelly Beech shares the teacher's role with son
Hayden and husband Ken Wehmeyer.
Photo by Craig Williams
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