Cultivating Critical Thinking in Dancers
with Caitlin Sloan (The Brainy Ballerina)
with Caitlin Sloan (The Brainy Ballerina)
The greatest lesson dance educators can teach their students is how to learn.
In a world where dancers are often told to listen and blindly comply, we need to train students to think for themselves. This presentation will give dance educators actionable advice to transition from a passive to an active learning model in their classroom.
We will cover:
- how to use open-ended questions to help dancers take responsibility for their training
- where to build in opportunities for dancers to provide constructive and detailed feedback
- the use of guided improvisation to develop smart decision making skills
- areas where educators tend to operate on autopilot
- how we can change up our teaching to engage dancers’ brains
By giving dancers opportunities to be partners in their education, we cultivate not just smart dancers, but strong capable adults who are prepared for whatever career path they choose.
On-Demand Details
Purchase the recording of this session and watch on-demand. Perfect for studio owners who want to get their team together for a training session, or for freelance dance educators, who want quick and easily accessible professional development.
Cost:
$20 – Solo price
(Single ticket price for individual participants)
$49 – Group price
(Single purchase price for studios and organizations)
FREE for Leap 'N Learn Members – Access via the Member Site here
Meet the presenter
Caitlin Sloan
Caitlin Sloan, founder & CEO of The Brainy Ballerina, is a Dance Educator and Career Mentor based in Madison, WI. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Grand Valley State University and Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Missouri. Caitlin danced professionally with companies including Ballet Tucson and Missouri Contemporary Ballet. She served as Director of The School of Missouri Contemporary Ballet and has also been on the faculty of Central Indiana Academy of Dance and the School of Madison Ballet. Caitlin founded The Brainy Ballerina to empower aspiring dancers with the tools they need to succeed in a professional career both on and off the stage. Through 1-1 career mentorship, virtual private lessons and digital resources, dancers gain the skills necessary to build a smart and sustainable career in the dance industry.