Much to my shock, a friend of mine spouted this statement to me the other day. Slowly, achingly, I’ve been striving to not only perform, but to engage with a level of dance teaching as part of my dance practice. I enjoy it immensely but have as yet to step into the role in London. I believe there’s a lot of credit to be given to teachers, and thus it surprised me that this statement: “Those who can, do, those who can’t do, teach” still exists.
Surely this idea is outdated?
Many of my most influential teachers are practicing artists too. The fact is, it’s not always viable to only perform/choreograph. Sometimes, there’s just as much to learn and develop if you teach. Teaching dance is a way of enriching your own practice, consolidating your technique, and passing on information gleaned from the blood sweat and tears of countless years of being in the industry. A reason I hadn’t moved into teaching before now in London was I felt myself to naive to convey my knowledge rather than be above it. I wanted to experience things and learn rather than impart wisdom I felt I had yet to gain. It’s only now, as time has passed, I can acknowledge the validity of what I know, and use my enthusiasm for children to convey the love of what I do.
I truly admire artistic teachers, those who are artists themselves, and those who wish to convey all that they know. It’s a world filled with idiosyncrasies, and it takes a certain talent to be able to enrich the individuality of a child to create an artist. Something not always learned, it’s often intuitive, a drive beyond conscious comprehension. I’m nervous to move into the sector myself, but excited to reach a level of self-understanding when I can validate what I know, and be given the opportunity to develop my own practice even further.
And just in time for my little rant… check this out: Ballet Scene: Another Way to Soar