DanceAbility Teacher Certification

Four Week Teacher Certification Course

Week 1: Introduction to DanceAbility

Students learn how to identify the physical possibilities and “common denominators” of each new group they work with to ensure that no one is isolated. They learn how to lead the core set of DanceAbility exercises which can be done no matter how diverse the group. Through many different exercises, students learn about basic considerations for communicating, relating, and how to shape dances through improvised movement.

Week 2: Integrating Contact Improvisation

In this week, students learn about improvising in contact and explore the following concepts: rolling, using momentum, providing structures for taking weight, learning how to lean and give weight, counterbalancing, relaxing, and engaging in physical bodywork care. Students continue deepening their understanding of non-isolation/inclusion and movement communication through structured improvisations and discussion.

Week 3: Artistic Collaboration & ‘Variations on the Theme’

During this week, students learn how to adapt their lesson plans and teaching styles depending on participants’ specific characteristics. Exercises are presented which are appropriate for children, for groups containing people who are blind or have visual impairments, and for groups with people who are deaf or have hearing impairments. Student-teachers also learn how to empower their students by facilitating small groups to collaboratively create their own performance pieces. Student teachers learn how to teach, evaluate, and give feedback on choreography and on shaping performances.

Week 4: Integrating the Material and Practical Tips for Teaching

In this final week, student teachers learn recipes for how to put together different kinds of DanceAbility workshops including how to assess the appropriate length of workshops for interested groups and how to choose appropriate material. The general public is invited to one or two days of classes that student teachers design and team-teach. Alito Alessi gives the student teachers feedback on their class plan before they teach. Afterward, they receive feedback from their fellow students and Alessi. We also design a site-specific Street Performance Parade or a performance or demonstration for the general public on one of the last days.