By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Dance instructors from across the state met with state officials in Hays last week to talk about statewide promotion of dance and training for dance instructors.
Mina Estrada, conference facilitator, bemoaned dance tends to be the low rung on the arts ladder in terms of funding behind visual arts and theater.
There are no statewide education credentials for dance teachers, and there are a few dance programs in the state associated with the K-12 public school programs. Even where there are, however, those teachers are working under substitute licenses.
The participants said any credentials or education programs would need to take into account that dance education in rural areas is different that in metro areas.
Studios in rural areas often offer some type of combination classes in which multiple styles are taught. In metro areas, students can choose classes focusing on specific dance styles.
Studio owners also said location in rural areas can limit both the number of students a studio might be able to draw, as well as qualified dance instructors.
Tim Gregory, owner of a ballroom dance studio in Manhattan, said he has struggled to find space large enough for his classes that he can afford. He has a small studio at his home. His space, however, limits the number of students he can have at any one time.
Kansas colleges have dance programs, but dance scholarships are scarce compared to sports scholarships.
"With dance, you can go teach," one of the participants said. "If you graduate college and you play basketball, there's not really jobs. You could be a coach. [Dancers] can go teach at a studio a lot easier than if you build up a sports career.
"With dance, you've really learned a skill. I work hard to ensure my dancers have a skill they can carry on."
The dance representatives extolled the benefits of dance, not only as a means of artistic expression, but as a lifelong passion.
Gregory said his life was changed when he attended a swing class with a friend. He intended to just watch, but the class need another person because they had an odd number of dancers.
"To me, if you really catch that dance bug, it changes your life. It changes your perspective in life," he said.
Students as young as preschool are learning manners, sharing and basic math. Children through adults learn social skills, build confidence and learn an appreciation for music.
Chris Hernandez, who teaches traditional Mexican dance in Topeka, said his students learn about the cultures that spawned the dances. He said dance also helps teach youth discipline.
One of the younger participants said she didn't start taking dance until she was in the eighth grade because her parents couldn't afford the lessons. She said she wished there was more financial support of studios so they could offer scholarships.
The conference participants also expressed concern about the lack of music education in K-12 schools. A lack of exposure to music in public education means prospective dancers come to them unprepared to work with music, participants said.
The instructors said they want to maintain creative freedom and freedom from regulations, but more education opportunities would be welcome.
Several of the dance instructors discussed the importance on including kinesiology and safety training into dance curriculum.
Mina Estrada, conference facilitator, said as a girl, she and other dance students practiced jump splits on concrete floors. That has had repercussions on her body as an adult.
The team had no other place to practice, and she believed her instructor was good-intentioned but had no idea of the damage that was being caused.
Sarah Burkhead of Danceography in Great Bend has a degree in kinseology. She said bringing in strength training, as well as educating students on the muscles in their bodies, is important.
Many said they wanted more education opportunities for themselves and their students, but said a lack of funding and cooperation between studios made that difficult.
The group discussed the possibility of having a statewide conference at which education opportunities could be provided.
The National Dance Education Organization already has curriculum for classes. If Kansas had a state affiliate, they could draw on that agency for curriculum for classes that have already been developed.
Individual instructors also discussed sharing talent on a more local level. Some instructors specialize in ballet or jazz, but they might have students who are interested in hip-hop classes. They expressed interest in bringing in instructors from other studios to offer more diversity in class schedules.
Becky Schaeffer, owner of Becky's School of Dance in Hays, said she would like events to be local or regional, which she said would help bring more exposure to local studios.
Burkhead said paying for a conference and the associated travel would be a financial burden and she doubted she would be able to attend.
She said she makes less than people who work at McDonald's, and suggested offering scholarships for instructors for conferences.