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On My Mind:
Words From The Publisher
By Rhee Gold, Publisher
It's All A Matter Of Respect
“She’s a
dolly-dinkle dance teacher!” “He’s a high-school gym teacher
who’s trying to teach dance!” “She’s a higher-ed teacher—she
might know history and kinesiology, but she can’t train a
dancer!” “That school is just into competition; I have no
respect for them!” I’ve heard all these remarks—and many more
like them—from teachers who span all sectors of dance
education.
Why all the
backstabbing? It seems as though dance teachers need to feel
good about themselves by finding someone or some group that is
not as well intentioned or qualified as they are. But that
mind-set doesn’t move the community forward. It stifles it.
Those who
pass judgment on their peers may be in for a shock when that
dolly-dinkle novice turns into a fine teacher who launches
many of her students into professional careers. They may not
realize that the high-school gym teacher they ridiculed will
inspire half a dozen of his students to take dance from
someone who can give them more than he can. Perhaps that
higher-ed teacher will motivate a student to direct her own
cutting-edge dance company, or that competition school had one
of its dancers snapped up by a judge who was casting for a
national tour of a Broadway show.
For my
entire career, I’ve been an advocate for respect among dance
educators. I urge people to realize that each of us has a
positive impact on the future of dance. We may have our
personal reasons for why we do what we do, but all of us share
a passion for dance and teaching and feel proud when our
students succeed. Most dance educators, in my opinion, want
the same thing: to instill a passion for the art of dance in
the next generation and hope that they reap as much joy from
it as we do. That is our common bond!
This
edition of Goldrush is about all of us. It focuses on
teachers from various sectors of dance education and explores
their beliefs, trials, successes, and career paths. You’ll
discover how much you have in common with them and how they
are making a positive impact on dance and the young people
they inspire. And you’ll be reminded that we all share the
same indescribable feeling that we can’t explain (in words) to
those who don’t dance.
Let each of
us be thankful that we have the gift of dance in our lives and
learn to respect those who express it differently than we do.
Enjoy!
Special
Section: The Inspired Teacher
A Changed Woman
The Higher Ed Voice: A Recipe
For Rejuvenation
Inspiration Lost And Found
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