Archive for the ‘Rhee’s Blog’ Category

Certainly most of us appreciate strong technique and the dedication of dancers and teachers, because they set a new standard we all can strive to attain.

Yet when I see dancers with disabilities or a group of senior-citizens tappers- and of course that 3-year-old pretending to be a ballerina- I am reminded that anyone who touches the heart of an observer is a real dancer.

Rhee Gold

Ok, so there is a curve in the road. Don’t panic.

DANCE down that road to DISCOVER that it could be the best curve of your LIFE

Rhee Gold

Change lives

be the dance teacher he’ll never forget

Rhee Gold

For me dance is life!

It’s a gift that becomes entrenched in the soul. Those of us who feel this way have trouble describing it to those who don’t, but I think of it like this: there’s a point when the movement and the music grab hold of you and fill you so completely that you become more than a body moving through space; you become art!

…Rhee Gold

I am a Dance Teacher.

I am thankful for the opportunity to pass on my passion for the art of dance.

… Rhee Gold

Dance is not about the number of pirouettes or other ‘tricks’ that you can do.

Instead it’s about the opportunity to move an audience as you express the emotions of life through the art of dance.

A simple walk or a port de bra coming from the soul is all it takes.

…Rhee Gold

Be Unique

Sometimes we don’t recognize our own reflection in the mirror.

It usually happens when we are trying to be someone we are not.

… Rhee Gold

I am a Dancer

My BODY and my SOUL are my ART

…Rhee Gold

I am thankful for the opportunity to express the emotions of life through the art of dance.

Rhee Gold

I am a dance teacher….. her future is my passion!

Rhee Gold

She’s disheveled, hides in the back of the classroom because she feels different from the other kids.

Her leotard is always dirty, her bun is a mess, and she never smiles.

~As a dance teacher are you uncomfortable?

~Do you (deep down) wish that she would ‘drop’ because of your uncomfortableness?

A little investigation…

The child is raised by her elderly grandfather who is working full time bagging groceries to finance raising his granddaughter; including her dancing lessons.

His job lets him leave for 15 min. to pick her up from school and get her to dance. And he’s not good at laundry and making a bun is not his specialty either. But he’s trying really hard.

~Maybe next week you could make a bun for her and tell her how beautiful she looks?

~Maybe next week you could drop a leotard in her dance bag… she’ll never know who did that for her, but you will.

~ Maybe next week you can grab her by the hand and share a smile with her?

~ Maybe you are the person she needs in her life?

YOU ARE A DANCE TEACHER, YOU HELP CHANGE THE WORLD.

…Rhee Gold

So what is great dance and who created the meter by which we judge it?

Is the student who comes to class once a week, who has a passion that you can feel when she enters the room, at the same place on the meter as the girl who is there every day, taking every class, and has no passion but believes she is awesome?

Would the 6-year-old cancer patient who is in dance therapy, moving her arms over her head pretending to be a ballerina, land anywhere on the meter?

If a 62-year-old man who always wanted to tap dance finally gets himself a pair of tap shoes, along with the guts to walk into a class, will he feel the same sense of accomplishment as the ballet company soloist who is finally performaing the piece she only dreamed of a few years back?

I hear dance people say, “Oh, she’s fierce,” when they see a dancer execute some fabulous trick, while they pooh pooh the 62-year-old guy in tap shoes.

I’m thinking that it’s ALL great dance, but only those who know the ‘passion that dance is” really get it.

Rhee Gold

As we begin a new year let us celebrate our common bond.   Our love, respect and gratitute for the Art of Dance.

Rhee Gold

Sometimes we get caught up in our own success so we don’t stop long enough to appreciate those who helped us to climb the ladder. Consider each step on the ladder to be one of those people who believed in your dream and let them know how much you appreciate their support. Have a great day–Rhee

Those preschool classes are your future. Give them (and their moms) experienced teachers who are passionate about the age group to create a future of consistent growth and positive word of mouth. Give them an inexperienced 16 year-old teacher and you will always wonder why your enrollment never increases. Just a thought . . . have a great day—Rhee Gold

It could be a simple smile or a compliment that makes it a great day for your students/dancers. Today is as good a day as any to make that happen. AND remember how lucky you are to have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of so many young people. How cool is that?! –Rhee

Be sure to say every child’s name at least once in every class, and make sure you make eye contact with each of them, too. Simple to do and it makes all the difference to the kids. Have a great day–Rhee

Make it your goal is to instill a passion for the art of dance in every child . . . what’s really cool about this objective is that the “passion” isn’t limited to those who can do five pirouettes, it’s something that once-a-week student can accomplish, too. That’s what teaching dance is all about! Have a great day–Rhee

You are not only a dance teacher; you are a mentor and a leader. This means that you set the example for your students. Please think about what you post on your Facebook page . . . be sure that it is appropriate for your students (who look up to you) to see. Don’t tell them you got lucky last night or that you are going on a drinking binge this weekend. Have a great day–Rhee

When you create choreography for your students, be sure that you are creating a work of art featuring what your dancers do best. When dancers can’t execute the movement correctly, they might as well just stand on stage and shout out, “look at what I can’t do!” Have a great day–Rhee

(Class: x flr. progressions)
Teacher: Susie, when are you ever going to stretch that frt. foot?
or
Teacher: Susie, upper body looks good, now stretch that frt. foot and you’ll have it made.
Just a thought . . . have a great day–Rhee

I see people selling their strategies to make your students winners . . . I’m thinking that your students are already winners because they have dance and a teacher like you in their lives? Have a great day–Rhee

Spending time gossiping about the teacher or school up the street is a waste of time. Instead, spend your valuable time focused on making your school the best it can be and you’ll experience the success that you are looking for Have a great day–Rhee

‎1% of your students will move on to professional or teaching careers, yet they are all capable of feeling the passion that dance is . . . make it your priority to pass on the passion! Have a good one–Rhee

Those little dancers look up to you . . . some dream that they will be just like you someday. How cool is that?! Have a great day–Rhee

MISTAKE: Look at someone’s business model and copy it. That other person has a certain personality, life experiences, influences, mentors, education, etc. and that’s all part of their recipe for success. You can’t make that your own, it can’t be done. However, if you base your business model on who YOU are, what you have to offer, and what makes you UNIQUE from the others, I’ll bet you’ll achieve the success you seek. Have a great day–Rhee

Let’s say that you are marketing your school or your classes . . . if within that marketing you throw in a snide remark about the competitor(s), you have added negativity to your own advertising that will hinder your success. It is best to market by informing the world about what you do best, and forget about jabbing the competition. You are too confident in yourself and your own success for that. Have a great day—Rhee

She’s 12 years old, loves to dance and feels confident because she’s pretty good at it. Teacher makes the choice to put the girl’s class in a 2-piece costume . . . girl is too big for a 2-piece costume. She begins to lose her confidence. When she hits the stage she becomes totally inhibited. 12 year old girl who loves to dance quits and has a little less confidence compared to when she started dance. Is this scenario playing out in your school? Just a thought, have a great day–Rhee

TEACHERS: Great choreography isn’t about emulating the latest trend or the award you may win. Greatness is present in the choreographer who has the ability to make every dancer look good (and feel confident) regardless of the skill level of the students. You accomplish this by creating works in which the audience can’t tell the difference between the strongest and the “not as strong” students because of your genius choreography. Have a great day–Rhee

If you only worry about the money, you will continue to worry for a long time. If you work your butt off being awesome at what you do, the money will come because everyone wants to be a part of what passionate people got going on. Have a great day—Rhee

In the first two episodes of Male Voices, we hit the tough issues head on. In the next few you’ll discover the lighter side of life for male dancers and why they hang on to their dreams. Episode #3, “Tights and More,” offers an unprecedented look into the guys’ thoughts and opinions on everything from what it was like to wear that first pair of tights to the differences between male and female dancers.

See more episodes of Male Voices at www.dancelifetv.com

In episode #1 of Male Voices, we discovered that many young male dancers need strength, determination, and a good support system in order to build the confidence needed to overcome the stereotypes imposed on them by our society. Within that support system, fathers play a key role. Episode #2, titled ‘Acceptance,’ offers a fascinating look at how important a dad’s role can be in the life of his dancing son. And you’ll gain some surprising insights into the struggles some fathers face when their sons choose dance over sports.

See more of the Male Voices 6 part documentary series at www.dancelifetv.com

Rhee Gold, producer of DanceLifeTV.com, announces a new six-part documentary series titled Male Voices, featuring the boys of The Gold School. Filming over a three-month period, Gold and his crew followed nine male dancers ages 13 to 18 through performances and classes and spent hours listening to their stories.

“I’ve always felt that the world needs a better understanding of what life can be like for teenage boys who dance,” Gold says. “This series is a journey from the tribulations these guys feel when they start out to the euphoria they experience now when they dance. And it’s so real.”

In the first episode, viewers meet the boys and discover what led them to dance. The glimpse into their reality begins with compelling discussions about bullying and teasing, how they coped with such negative behavior, and why they ended up stronger because of it. The series continues with hot topics like how the boys’ fathers feel about their sons’ dancing and the boys’ opinions on the differences between male and female dancers. From their memories about putting on that first pair of tights to thoughts on what it’s like to partner a girl, these boys offer viewers intriguing insights into their world.

For more information, contact Rhee Gold at rhee@rheegold.com.

See more of the Male Voices 6 part documentary series at www.dancelifetv.com

New Television Series is Looking for Dance School Owners CASTING: Major television production company is now casting teachers and choreographers with over-the-top personalities running their own dance studio. You must be experienced and be able to instruct in various styles of dance. Individuals and family owned dance studios welcome. We are looking for both males and females. This project is in development for a major cable network. To be considered, please send the following:

• A face and body picture
• Your full contact information
• Any video links that showcase your personality
• Send info to. zguy2112@gmail.com

Rhee Gold’s PROJECT MOTIVATE is coming to our Chapter!!!

Rhee is bringing his amazing, powerful, and motivating seminar to Arizona!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Time: 3-9 pm

Place: Spisak Dance Academy
5255 West Phelps Road Suite 2
Glendale, AZ 85388

Dinner will be provided (Lisa!).

NON Members’ fee: $99 includes dinner

Contact; April Nelson
DMAARIZONA36@aol.com

Are you sometimes filled with self-doubt, afraid of failing or never reaching your dreams? Stop right there and take a look at how far you’ve come. This episode of “Danspirations” will help you set aside your fears and understand the importance of knowing your own strengths. It will remind you that you had the confidence to get where you are—which means you’ve got what it takes to keep going—and that your passion for dance is your guiding light, helping you do everything in your power to give kids the best dance education possible. Watch this, and get inspired all over again!

Back to DanceLife TV viewer guide

“Thinking Out Loud” is the name of a new series of episodes from DanceLifeTV.com. Like the Dance Studio Life department of the same name, it will explore the varied perspectives of selected people in the dance world. In this pilot episode, Rennie Gold shares his views on the pros and cons of the dance competition experience. With a history of growing up participating in competition and now participating with his own dancers, Gold offers throught-provoking views on having the right mind-set when it comes to the competition experience.

Back to DanceLife TV viewer guide