Owner/teacher, The Dancers Workshop, Wall, NJ

NOMINATED BY: Her daughter Erin Pasko: “My dance teacher and mother, Barbara Parren, owns a small dance studio in Wall, New Jersey, where she has taught dance to students for 18 years. She has been through many disasters with her studio landlord, theaters, costume designers, competitions—and with us rowdy, moody, bossy, and needy teenagers. Yet Barbara has always been optimistic and uplifting. She has always put herself second to the students and their families when it comes to money, schedules, and other concerns. Even being a single mother in a rocky economy, she has stuck by her tiny dancers to teach the art they crave to learn. I and all the other dancers at The Dancers Workshop will forever love Barbara Parren.”

AGES TAUGHT: 3 through adult.

GENRES TAUGHT: Acrobatic, ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, modern, and tap. 

TEACHING DANCE FOR: 34 years.

WHY SHE TEACHES: I love to dance and love young people. Being around them makes me feel young. What better company could I possibly surround myself with?

GREATEST INSPIRATION: In the past I have been inspired by the teachers who have taught me, but now my inspirations are all the great teachers at my studio and especially my daughter Erin. Her drive and ambition help me to continue mine. She inspires me every time I see her dance.

PHILOSOPHY OF TEACHING: I give my students praise and criticism, counterbalancing each. I am devoted to my craft and all of my students, and I always try to end each dance class on a positive and happy note, no matter what.

WHAT MAKES HER A GOOD TEACHER: To have someone nominate me is an honor as much as it is a surprise. I think what makes me a good teacher is the devotion and love I have for my students, belief in myself and my knowledge, and my faith in God, who gave me the gift of patience and the talent and opportunity to have such a wonderful and fulfilling career.

FONDEST TEACHING MEMORY: I have so many (as I’m sure we all do as teachers), but to choose just one, it would have to be my 13th dance recital. My very first student was leaving and going off to college. It was a feeling of success, inspiration, and overwhelming gratitude that I had inspired someone to dance for 13 years and had instilled a love of dance in her that would and has carried her through her whole life.

BEST PIECE OF ADVICE FOR STUDENTS AND/OR TEACHERS: I am not in a position to give other teachers advice, but I advise my students to always give more than they think they can, go the extra mile, don’t ever settle.

WHAT SHE WOULD DO IF SHE COULDN’T TEACH DANCE: I would definitely be working with children and teens, perhaps as a therapist.

MORE THOUGHTS ON DANCE AND TEACHING: I would like to say to the young dancers to appreciate what you have now and never take advantage of what is given to you. Dance each day as if there were no tomorrow!

DO YOU KNOW A DANCE TEACHER WHO DESERVES TO BE IN THE SPOTLIGHT? Email your nominations to David@rheegold.com or mail them to David Favrot, Dance Studio Life, 10 South Washington St., Norton, MA 02766. Please include why you think this teacher should be featured, along with his or her contact information.