Confessions of a Dance Coach: Things My Students Will Never Know.

OK, so let me just say upfront: this is going to be a fun one for me to write, because I’m pretty sure none of my students, past or present, will ever read this (or at least I hope they won’t). A little backstory for you: I started teaching dance at 16, purely by accident. This was 2010, I was just a kid taking ballet and jazz at school, taught by a teacher who honestly didn’t like anybody. So when my friend randomly asked me to teach for a show she was putting on for Greek Easter, I was clueless but said, “Why not?” And boom—that’s when my heart synced up with my little dancing, gay feet, and I knew: *this* was it. This was what I wanted to do.

Fast-forward 15 years. I’ve taught hundreds of students and collected a lot of stories (and secrets) that we dance teachers usually keep to ourselves. So here’s a little insight for you—no filter.

First off, I gotta say this one thing (and don’t take it personally): **we don’t always like all of you.** There, I said it! I mean this in the nicest way possible. But teenage attitudes? Let me tell you—there are days when all you want is to throw a tantrum right back. Sometimes you get students who are *amazing* 90% of the time, but that 10% where they’re dragging their feet and sighing… let's just say it tests your patience.

But one thing I’ve always tried to keep in my classes is a vibe of honesty. When my students are feeling down or just not giving 100%, I’ll ask them what’s up. I remember what high school was like, and I know dance class doesn’t magically erase those bad days. So, yeah, I might get a little real with them, trying to hype them up with the most ratchet music I can get away with and moves that channel all that big “f**k you” energy. I like to think they trust me more because of it.

Now, that’s all the *fun* stuff. But teaching? It’s not all choreo magic. There’s the studio owner’s (sometimes ridiculous) vision to deal with, like that one studio in the middle of suburbia where we did a year-end show that always featured…*a schoolgirl outfit.* Yeah, try teaching hip-hop in that—it was a struggle.

And let’s talk about kids' classes. If you know, you know. Ages 6-11? Constant *focus*, zero attention span, and the energy level of a full-blown rock concert. I love kids—don’t get me wrong—but trying to keep 11 of them moving in the same direction is like herding cats on sugar highs. And for some reason, every one of them smells like a mix of crayons and chaos. Nothing says “dance class” like a roomful of mini tornadoes while you try to keep them focused on *one* step. Spoiler alert: it’s impossible.

My real groove has always been with teens and young adults. I love the music options, the freedom to go a little more intense, and the fact that they can actually…you know…focus. Daycare dance parties? Been there, done that, survived it. *Barely.* Let’s just say I won’t be going back.

But don’t get me wrong—I love my job, even when it’s chaotic. It’s not 100% perfect every day, and anyone who thinks teaching dance is just about creating “art” has clearly never dealt with a 7-year-old melting down over standing on the wrong spot. But it’s all worth it for those moments when you see students *get* it, feel the music, and let go.

So if you’re a dance teacher, know this: you’re not alone. Every day may not be rainbows, but we’ve got the best job in the world. It’s a superpower, and as long as I’m here, I’ll be dancing through it all.