Teaching Update: September

September was an interesting month for me. I split the time allotted for teaching the dance with my instructor, Elissa. She went over cymbal work while taught the class my dance. She took ill and it fell upon me as her assistant to take over instruction of the class completely. While teaching my choreography, I must also break down each step is students are having a hard time with it. Some students get it mostly on the third or fourth try. Some do not. It worries when a young woman does not know her body and how to move it. It deeply bothers me that after hours of private instructions, a student still looks like a marionette. I am aware that not every student learns at the same pace, just like I am aware that not every student comes into the dance class with the same experience. This handful of dancers is, alas, my challenge. By the middle of November, I must turn them into student dancers with enough coordination to blend in to the group. At this point, they stand out. Way out. They are still and yet enthusiastic about learning more and becoming better. October will be also trying. I must teach a completely separate dance and still work on the one they must learn for the end of the semester. I shall keep the faith.