by Martha Madison
In the very early years of the Dance Arts School, I began to realize that not all teachers of dance place an emphasis on preserving the integrity of the art form. I discovered dance in my late teens and did not grow up in a studio environment. When attending my very first convention, the atmosphere was not appealing to me. It was obvious that for many of the teachers the excitement of performance dominated their sense of purpose.
I knew that I was an educator first. At the time, I was enrolled at WKU as an elementary education major. It was through that experience that I learned teaching meant much more than an introduction to the subject matter. It was more important
that a student develop a sense of professionalism, community, and good character.
Our teachers and students could remain current with the new trends in our industry by attending competitions and conventions; however, it is in their home dance school that history, anatomy, and a discovery of their own individual movement style became an important aspect of the performance. Through the art form of dance they could discover their individual talents and identity. It did not matter whether they were great or even good dancers but that their movement came from the heart.
As our school has grown over the past 50 years, the legacy of this teaching philosophy has remained current. Many of the students who were enrolled with us the longest are now academic or dance educators. Dance Arts graduate and co-director Ashleigh Keefer recently introduced us to the international retreat, Dance Excellence. It was through Ashleigh’s network with professional dancers and teachers as she organized her own dance convention, Bella Moxi, that the pre-professional division of our school, SOKY Dance Ensemble, received an invitation to the annual Dance Excellence retreat.
This unique gathering of teachers, students, and parents is by invitation only. SOKY Dance Ensemble members spent their April spring break week in Los Angeles with professionals and dancers from all over the world who are liked minded in the teaching style of the students’ home school, Dance Arts. The classes, lectures, and movement experiences were amazing! The growth in each student that parents and teachers observed is most evident. The students improved their dance skills, and more importantly, they validated the purpose of the Dance Arts School to preserve the integrity of the art form of dance by instilling in everyone a sense of professionalism, community, and good character.
Summer 2018
Weekly classes, Dance Camp, Ballet Intensives
Open enrollment: Tuesdays & Thursdays 4-7 p.m.
About the Author:
Martha Madison began her career as a dance educator in 1966. She studied dance at Western Kentucky University and the University of South Florida. She is certified through Dance Educators of America Teacher Training School and is currently director of Dance Arts Bowling Green.
