Ballet West Academy’s New Virtual Seminar Empowers Teachers to Build Their Own Curriculum
Utah-based Ballet West Academy is setting out to revolutionize dance education with its innovative Curriculum Design Seminar—a four-day virtual program designed to empower dance educators with a unique approach to ballet instruction. Originally taught internally for four years, the seminar is now branching out to instruct experienced teachers and academy directors who create curriculum and syllabi for their own studios. The general cognitive-development information will also be especially valuable for teachers beginning their journey or those building their experience with children.
Though many of the examples and references within the Curriculum Design Seminar will be offered in the context of a ballet class, the general education concepts can apply to all dance styles. The seminar will be led by Stacey Forsyth Mahan, associate director of curriculum for Ballet West Academy, and Evelyn Cisneros-Legate, director of Ballet West Academy.
One important aspect of the program is that it isn’t about telling teachers what to teach—it instead provides tools to help them build a ballet curriculum that works for their studio. There will be a strong focus on child development and benchmarks for learning, considering age and maturity associated with learning ballet.
“While the expectations of dancers continue to change, the ways in which children naturally grow and develop have not changed,” Cisneros-Legate says. “Therefore, we started by looking at research in general education and child development to bridge this gap.” She adds that the seminar incorporates an important need in training: knowledge of social emotional development, because understanding this greatly benefits the learning and well-being of children and teens.
Ballet Academy West’s Curriculum Design Seminar
Cost: $400 for seminar only; $500 for seminar and follow-up consultation. Inquire for pricing about affiliate programs with an in-person visit to your school by BWA faculty.
Location: Live online sessions (concurrent)
Time commitment: February 24–27, 11 am–1 pm EST/9 am–11 am MST. Two hours a day for four days, plus possible follow-up consultation sessions.
Frequency: The first session will be offered in February 2025. Additional sessions will be offered in the future.
academy.balletwest.org/curriculum-design-seminar
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