Arts
Dance Education Canada is proud of our teacher development in that it includes an understanding of how children learn and grow, and how to help them realize the fullest extent of their talents. Often in these excellence driven environments, the traditional approaches to teaching and learning, that still exist today, can include approaches to teaching dance that induce fear through intimidation and can be spirit breaking. Can excellence be achieved in a positive supporting encouraging environment? We at DEC know that yes, it can, and so does our guest. Today we will speak with dance teacher and author Gavin Larsin as she provides us with some tips, tricks, tools and strategies to help dance educators realize that there are alternate paths to excellence that foster healthy child development. GUEST: Born and raised in New York City, Ms. Larsen received her professional dance training at the School of American Ballet, the Pacific Northwest Ballet School and the New York School of Ballet. She has danced professionally with numerous notable companies including the Pacific Northwest Ballet, the Alberta Ballet, the Suzanne Farrell Ballet as a soloist and the Oregon Ballet Theatre as a principal dancer. She retired from performing in 2010 to focus on teaching, coaching and writing about dance. Her writing has appeared in several notable publications and has been a contributing writer for Pointe, Dance Teacher and Dance Spirit magazine.. In 2015 she was honored with a fellowship to the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation to pursue her work as a writer. Her memoir, Being a Ballerina: The Power and Perfection of a Dancing Life, was published by the University Press of Florida in 2021. INSTA: @gavinalarsen LINKEDIN: Gavin Larsen WEBSITE: gavinlarsen.com Disclaimer: Any and all ideas and information presented in the following podcast are those of the presenter. The presenter is not an employee or representative of Dance Education Canada (DEC), and is participating in this podcast on a voluntary basis. The ideas and information they express do not necessarily represent the views of the DEC or its partners, employees or affiliates. The ideas and information expressed herein are for general educational purposes only. They should not necessarily be applied to specific individual situations. DEC recommends consulting an expert or professional regarding specific medical, legal or business concerns. DEC makes no representations about the accuracy or suitability of this content. Please note that Canada's National Academy of Dance Education is now operating as Dance Education Canada.