The Greater Washington Dance Center is committed to training not only exceptional dancers, but exceptional teachers as well. Through our three-year pedagogy program, dancers study dance anatomy, kinesiology, the science of training muscles, curriculum, classroom management, elements of child development and real-world classroom training. After progressing through our multi-year program, dancers graduate with a marketable skill they can take with them to college and beyond.
Year One: Pedagogy l
The dancers meet once per week in a classroom setting to study dance anatomy. The majority of time is spent on gaining an understanding of the skeletal and muscular system, focusing primarily on the spine, pelvis, legs, ankles and feet. The class focuses on elements of alignment and stability, and touches on kinesiology, the science of movement.
Year One: Pedagogy l
The dancers meet once per week in a classroom setting to study dance anatomy. The majority of time is spent on gaining an understanding of the skeletal and muscular system, focusing primarily on the spine, pelvis, legs, ankles and feet. The class focuses on elements of alignment and stability, and touches on kinesiology, the science of movement.
Year Two: Pedagogy ll
The dancers meet once per week in a classroom setting to study details of ballet curriculum for ages 3 through 8. In addition to the classroom work, the dancers are required to observe young dancer classes with our faculty to see the elements of our curriculum in action. These observations are then brought back to the classroom for discussion.
Year Three: Assisting
Once the dancers have completed Pedagogy l and ll, they are given the opportunity to work within the classroom as assistants to our faculty learning the importance of classroom management, more in-depth details of curriculum and working with students one on one. Assistants are paid positions at the Greater Washington Dance Center further enhancing the learning experience developing the skills of communication, accountability, adaptability, teamwork and attention to detail.
The dancers meet once per week in a classroom setting to study details of ballet curriculum for ages 3 through 8. In addition to the classroom work, the dancers are required to observe young dancer classes with our faculty to see the elements of our curriculum in action. These observations are then brought back to the classroom for discussion.
Year Three: Assisting
Once the dancers have completed Pedagogy l and ll, they are given the opportunity to work within the classroom as assistants to our faculty learning the importance of classroom management, more in-depth details of curriculum and working with students one on one. Assistants are paid positions at the Greater Washington Dance Center further enhancing the learning experience developing the skills of communication, accountability, adaptability, teamwork and attention to detail.
Final step: Student Teaching
As the final step in the Greater Washington Dance Center’s teacher development program, dancers may be given the opportunity to lead their own classes. Our student teachers work within our curriculum framework and under the watchful eye of our experienced teachers. Periodic observations and check-ins are required in order to help the teacher develop their classroom skills and classroom pacing.
As the final step in the Greater Washington Dance Center’s teacher development program, dancers may be given the opportunity to lead their own classes. Our student teachers work within our curriculum framework and under the watchful eye of our experienced teachers. Periodic observations and check-ins are required in order to help the teacher develop their classroom skills and classroom pacing.
GWDC Pedagogy Program featured in POINTE magazine!