May 6, 2025 • 18 mins
Dance class isn’t just about trying to nail the combo and perfecting your technique. It’s also about how we treat each other while we’re in the room. In this episode, I’m talking all things dance class etiquette: the stuff we don’t always say out loud, but definitely notice.
From where you stand to when (and if) you film — this one’s full of small things that make a big difference.
No shame, just real talk about how to be a more thoughtful and considerate dancer — for your teacher, your classmates, and yourself.
Check out my Return to Dance docuseries!
Support my Instagram — where I post daily dance inspo, insights and fun! @backtogreat
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
(upbeat music)
(00:02):
Welcome to "Hey, Dancer."
My podcast where I talk about all things dance
and most specifically, class, to be honest,
because in my return to dance journey,
if you don't know, I'm a former professional dancer
who quit and then returned three decades later,
and my return has been, you know,
(00:22):
most significantly in class.
So that's what I'm gonna talk about, probably a lot.
But I'll be on set soon, okay?
It's gonna be happening.
Anyway, today's topic is a huge one
for the class experience.
It's about just being considerate to your fellow dancer,
to the teacher, to yourself, to be honest.
Lord knows I have experienced a lot of things in class
(00:47):
that would not fall under the category of being considerate.
So let's talk about it, shall we?
Before I get into it though, please follow and subscribe,
rate, review, and like the podcast.
I pay attention to all of it.
It goes a long way.
And now let's get into the nitty gritty here.
And by the way, did I say my name?
I have no idea if I did.
(01:07):
I guess I'll find out when I edit this.
But my name is Miller Daurey, if I didn't say.
Okay, so number one, I'm starting with the thing
that maybe arguably my biggest pet peeve,
and that is, do not block someone's reserved space
in the mirror.
It should be so obvious.
It's common-sensical, and yet no, no.
It happens all the time, all the freaking time.
(01:29):
I do not know why.
You get to dance class, and you know, you do the warm up.
You know, it's your space.
It's more aggravating and shocking when the class is like half full.
And someone gets right in front of you,
and you cannot see yourself in the mirror anymore.
And then you get into the choreo.
Don't we all know you have your space in the mirror?
It's your window.
It's like anywhere else.
(01:49):
It's a group fitness class at the gym,
or even just lifting weights at the gym.
You know those sort of free weight areas, and someone is like,
you know, they're doing curls or whatever.
You're not gonna, you know, do curls right in front of them
and block them from seeing themselves in the mirror.
I mean, it's just, isn't it just kept and obvious?
And yet, no, not for a lot of people.
It's sort of, it's sort of shocking.
(02:11):
The amount of times I've been in class,
and even a busy class, you know, where you're standing there,
and you got your space in the mirror,
you can see yourself because for a lot of dancers,
it is an integral part of their training
and how they learn.
How you self-correct, you know, you see what you're doing.
The teacher is like, okay, you know, keep your shoulders down,
and then you can look in the mirror and like, okay, yeah,
my shoulders are down.
(02:31):
You know, whatever it is.
And then someone is standing right in front of you.
Wait, what?
I mean, it should even go so far as to like,
when you're standing and dancing,
and it's almost like formations kind of,
and I'm not gonna take up somebody's window
who is behind me and in front of me.
Do you know what I'm saying?
I wanna see myself.
I want them to see themselves.
(02:53):
It should be like a ripple effect almost, you know,
going line by line toward the back of the room.
Everybody is kind of figuring it out
so that everybody gets their window, you know?
And it's possible even in like a really busy packed class,
but it's more shocking when this happens in a half full class.
I mean, I've had experiences where,
(03:13):
and it's like, am I in candid camera, not even kidding,
where I got my space in the mirror,
I can see myself in the teacher, it's like five, six.
And then right at the five, six, seven, eight,
some dancer literally runs in out of nowhere
and stands right in front of me.
And I'm like, what?
And then it completely takes me out of the entire moment.
(03:35):
I'm like in my head, I'm in shock.
So come on, do not stand in front of dancers.
Like understand, you know,
the spatial awareness aspect of things, come on, please,
just don't stand in front of somebody.
Let them see themselves, you see you,
and let's be nice and gracious about it.
On to the next, do not ask people,
(03:56):
especially strangers to film you in class.
In this comments with a caveat,
especially if it's early on in groups.
Just don't, it's gross, it is tacky.
If you want someone to film you,
ask them toward the very end of class,
the last couple of times you're running groups,
and ask very politely with no expectations,
(04:17):
and maybe offer them something like, hey,
would you mind filming me?
I would love to film you in return, that kind of thing.
Again, the amount of times I've had a phone
shoved into my hand, like early on in class, like, oh, hey, film me.
I'm like, what?
Now I posted this on social media, you know,
like this one idea before, and some people are like,
(04:37):
oh my God, but I love when you know people ask me,
I wanna help, it's all about helping your fellow dancer,
and I want people to film me.
It's like great, it's like we're a family,
and it's like a community, maybe to a degree,
but you gotta like read the room,
and when a total stranger comes up to me,
again, early on in groups, I just can't reconcile that.
(04:58):
That it's just so icky onto the next.
Don't interrupt the teacher, you know?
I see this happening all the time, a teacher is teaching,
and then someone without raising their hand,
just volunteer something or ask a question,
and I'm like, where are the manners?
When I have a question, I wait until an appropriate time,
(05:19):
I raise my hand always and only,
unless of course it's like a class I've been going to
for a long time, and I gotta report with the teacher,
and the teacher is like pausing for a moment,
and then I might say, hey, can I ask a question?
Like, I'll be polite about it,
but almost always I raise my hand,
and if the teacher of course asks and prompts you,
(05:39):
and you questions, then yes, then you ask,
but the amount of times people just like,
interrupt the teacher over and over again,
sometimes it's just, wow,
so I've had a lot of people crash into me
while doing the choreography,
and either they don't really know the choreography too well,
and they're going in the wrong direction,
and then even with that, their movement is like very, very big,
(06:03):
so this is my next tip, respect personal space,
so that you're being mindful of your movement.
If you've got good spatial awareness,
you know when the class, you know,
your likes or deans in there,
you're not gonna go like really big on something,
because you might crash into somebody,
so just be aware, it's literally a constant thing,
you know, to know when to pull back,
(06:23):
not just in the choreo for textures and all that,
but I'm talking just so that you don't crash into somebody,
you know, gotta have respect for everybody's space and class.
On to the next, make sure your phone is off,
or the sounds are off, notifications are off,
oh my god, the amount of time is our phone is ringing,
you hear somebody's text, you hear the beep,
all the things.
(06:43):
When I just did the beep sound,
did you think that maybe it's like your phone was like going off?
I don't know, I'm really gifted when it comes to making sounds
like that, in case you were unsure.
Anyway, phones off basically in your dance bag,
away, and on that note, when you're not dancing like it's not your group,
don't go to your phone, come on, especially if you're not going to your phone
(07:04):
to film something, you're right at that moment,
you're just going to your phone to check stuff,
like your texts and stuff,
let's not be so dependent on our devices.
Dance class should be a place that is, you know,
an escape from the rest of the world,
so yeah, don't go to your phone.
Okay, next tip, always think the teacher after class.
Now, I've had class experiences where there was a long line,
(07:27):
and I didn't really want to wait.
I've had experiences where I didn't like the class,
and I still think the teacher,
because you gotta show respect in that way,
be the bigger person if the class you didn't think was that fantastic.
Regardless, most of the time, it's probably a good or decent class.
Most of the time the teacher is working their tail off,
(07:50):
show some respect, always say, thank you,
and if for whatever reason you were unable to,
I've had times where I had to get out,
because there was a meeting I had to be at,
and I didn't have time to wait in the long line, you know,
to think the teacher,
and so I would shoot the teacher at DM after class,
and show my appreciation there.
That way, very important, always think the teacher.
(08:12):
Now, this comes with a caveat,
because of course there are going to be those experiences
once in a blue moon, those rare times,
where class felt really bad because of how it was run.
Not every teacher is going to, you know, work their tail off,
and give a class that is there to serve the students.
(08:33):
I've had those classes, the teacher was there to film,
their content, the student was an afterthought at best again.
Those experiences are few and far between,
they are rare, be discerning,
and in those moments where it really doesn't feel right
from your heart, your soul, your gut,
to say thank you, then don't, and that is okay too.
(08:56):
Now, onto the next, this one also comes with a caveat,
when you're in groups, and you're now not dancing, right?
It's not your group performing, don't just do nothing.
Be present.
Now, for me, I need to mark the choreography.
If I'm not marking it all times,
I'm a little bit paranoid that I'm going to forget,
because it's amazing how quickly it can go away from the brain.
(09:17):
My point is, is that even when I'm marking,
I'm watching the dancers, and I'm giving them an energy,
you know, that I'm present with them,
I'm just marking because I got to do it,
but as soon as they finish, I'm going to applaud, you know,
I'm not screaming and hollering,
which is wonderful if that's the way you like to roll,
if that's the class you're in, that's the vibe,
amazing, my style is more like, I'm either marking,
(09:40):
or I'm watching intently, regardless,
I'm always paying attention, I think that's the point.
And when they're over, like when they're finished,
I will applaud.
The point is, is just always acknowledge the group
in some capacity, right?
Okay, I don't know what point this is, maybe number nine or 10,
don't coach other dancers in class, don't correct them,
(10:02):
don't give them a direction.
Oh my God, such a pet peeve, that's happened to me in a couple
of classes, I remember this one time, I was really off,
like I just knew that I wasn't good, I was really struggling,
and I knew that I was fast, I was like going too quickly,
and ironically, it was one of those classes
where I did really well, and people watched me a lot,
(10:22):
so if they're watching me, and I'm off,
then they might be off, which is like a weird kind of pressure,
but anyway, I was going way too quick,
and then we finished, and this dancer said to me,
you're going too fast,
you're going way too fast, and I was like,
yeah, no shit, Sherlock, I know that,
it was not the dancer's place to say that,
it was really uncomfortable, and made me feel kind of stupid,
(10:44):
but also I thought, what a bad reflection on them,
like no, no, no, you don't do that,
to this dancer's credit after class,
they walked up and they apologized to me,
so I did appreciate that, so that was really great.
I've had moments as an actor, being on stage,
in rehearsal, where an actor will direct me,
and say XYZ, one time that happened with a famous actor,
(11:05):
I will not say who, and the stage manager caught it,
and then went off on this actor,
and was like, you do not do that, that is not your job.
For some reason, artists feel like sometimes,
they can direct you, like they're the director,
or they can choreograph you, like they're the choreographer,
and it's not their place to do so,
so don't be doing that, onto the next.
(11:27):
Now, if you're standing in front,
learning the choreography,
which is what I need to do,
that's the only way I can learn.
They're sort of an unspoken rule,
I think that you are the visual guide,
like you kind of know what you're doing,
because the people, and back, back, back,
maybe can't see the teacher,
so they're kind of relying on you,
so you know, you might f up here and there,
you're not gonna be greater perfect,
you're learning also, but there's the idea
(11:49):
that you have an idea of what is going on,
but if you're standing up front,
and it's way above your pay grade,
and you're really, really, really lost,
then at some point, you need to leave the front.
You need to switch places.
Now, this has happened to me,
and I still need to be in the front,
so instead of standing center-ish,
I'll go off to the side, side, side,
(12:10):
so now I'm very clearly nobody,
somebody is watching,
is that makes sense?
Nobody who somebody is watching,
and yet I can still see the teacher, you know,
like pretty okay.
And also, if you're standing in front,
this is sort of another tip, I guess,
to be kind of considerate, dance full out.
You know, I mean, again,
I mean, if you're a sardine in class,
and you can't, I get it,
but because you are that visual guide,
(12:32):
yeah, like dance, you know, full out.
I am a fan of dancing full out as much as possible,
and not marking it,
because you wanna get the choreo built into your body,
into your system, as it is supposed to be,
as quickly as possible.
Onto the next, be on time.
Hello, I come from the school of,
on time is late and early is on time.
(12:53):
Do you know what I'm saying?
Just be on time.
Don't be that person,
who is just barely getting into class,
we're halfway through the warmup,
we're in the middle of the second count of eight or something,
and then you sunter on in.
No, no, no, no, be on time.
Okay, punctuality, it matters.
It makes a difference.
People are paying attention.
That dance teacher is a future amazing choreographer,
(13:14):
and they're not gonna forget that you walked in,
and you, I remember this one dancer at this studio,
I would take at, he always walked in so late,
and the teacher would like joke about it up.
There he is.
Do you think that that person will ever book a job
with this choreographer ever?
Hell no, no.
Here's another way to show your considerateness in class,
(13:36):
is that a word, considerateness, consideration?
Anyway, respect the vibe the teacher sets.
Some teachers are super playful and chill,
and some are like really serious.
So in a really serious class, don't be a jokester,
you know, and then in the class where the teacher is like,
really chill and playful,
you know, maybe don't be super serious.
(13:56):
I mean, you gotta be you.
I'm a big fan of being you.
But you know, again, read the room and try to adapt.
This will really help you by the way, when you're on set,
you know, because people want to feel like they connect with you,
and if the vibe is like super chill on set,
but you're really serious or vice versa,
you know, it just may not flow too well.
(14:16):
All right, moving on, don't film the teacher,
or the combo without permission.
Now I have had classes where I went all the time
and was a really chill vibe,
and I knew that it was fine to film the combo
once the teacher performed it like toward the latter part of class,
and I would do that, I would film the combo and the teacher
(14:39):
because I knew in this one class I'm thinking of, for example,
that that combo would be done again a couple days later,
and I wanted to work on it from home.
And so I could do that, but it was allowed,
you know, everybody was doing it, it was chill,
and so again, I read the room,
but don't just show up to a class for the first time,
(14:59):
see nobody else pull out their phone to film the teacher,
and now you're filming the teacher doing the combo,
or whatever, no, no, no, no.
Now I know this kind of sounds like kindergarten or something here,
but onto the next, don't talk in class.
Just don't, oh my God, the amount of times.
I hear a teacher like trying to communicate
(15:19):
and trying to give direction and trying to explain something in the choreo,
and you hear, (humming)
I'm like, wait, wait, what? Who is that?
Oh my God, how many times have I been in classes where the teacher
just stops and it's like, all right, well, who's talking?
Can everybody be quiet?
It's just so disrespectful, it's so unprofessional.
(15:39):
So unless the teacher is talking to you and asking you a question,
asking the class for feedback, don't talk, you know?
I mean, you know, the cute little aside to somebody like,
oh my God, this is so fast, or just whatever it is.
Okay, sure, fine, maybe.
I mean, you're human.
But for the most part, don't talk, you're there to learn,
and it's a class, it's a respectful environment.
(16:02):
It is a place to just honor the teacher and just to listen,
and to learn, to learn, to learn.
The class is for you, you know, it's your class,
but it's not about you.
And then, I guess I'll just end on this.
There's probably a hundred more, but, you know,
we don't have all day.
Be mindful with your stuff, you know, your dance bag,
(16:23):
your shoes, your water bottle, your snacks, your phone,
whatever it is.
Keep the floor as clean and clear as possible.
Let's keep it nice and clean and tidy.
Keep everything in your dance bag,
keep your dance bag nice and clean and tidy.
And when you take out things like water bottles
and shoes, put them back in their proper place, okay?
Or just keep your little like, you know,
(16:44):
how in class you might have your little space, your little corner,
just keep it nice.
Don't have things all just unkempt in everywhere, you know?
Come on now.
That energy actually of the clutter from all the things,
it really does affect class in ways you probably don't even realize.
It's a neurological thing, but now I'm getting too deep.
Thank you so much for being here.
If you have anything to add to this, I would love to know.
(17:06):
So let me know in the comments down below on YouTube
or Spotify or shoot me a DM at Back to Great.
And if you enjoyed this podcast, make sure you share it
with your dance fam and follow and subscribe
and like and comment all those things.
Again, I so appreciate it.
And I just love this.
I love having a podcast.
I love building this community.
(17:26):
It's very exciting to me, especially during this healing journey
of mine, while I'm not in dance class.
This is a way for me to, you know, connect with dancers.
This is a way for me to exercise and utilize
my dance muscles until I'm actually back in class,
which no worries.
(17:47):
This will all be continuing, but this is a great thing to have
to help supplement my craving for all things dance.
All right, until next time.
(gentle music)
(gentle music)
(upbeat music)
(bell chimes)
(upbeat music)
(00:02):
Welcome to "Hey, Dancer."
My podcast where I talk about all things dance
and most specifically, class, to be honest,
because in my return to dance journey,
if you don't know, I'm a former professional dancer
who quit and then returned three decades later,
and my return has been, you know,
(00:22):
most significantly in class.
So that's what I'm gonna talk about, probably a lot.
But I'll be on set soon, okay?
It's gonna be happening.
Anyway, today's topic is a huge one
for the class experience.
It's about just being considerate to your fellow dancer,
to the teacher, to yourself, to be honest.
Lord knows I have experienced a lot of things in class
(00:47):
that would not fall under the category of being considerate.
So let's talk about it, shall we?
Before I get into it though, please follow and subscribe,
rate, review, and like the podcast.
I pay attention to all of it.
It goes a long way.
And now let's get into the nitty gritty here.
And by the way, did I say my name?
I have no idea if I did.
(01:07):
I guess I'll find out when I edit this.
But my name is Miller Daurey, if I didn't say.
Okay, so number one, I'm starting with the thing
that maybe arguably my biggest pet peeve,
and that is, do not block someone's reserved space
in the mirror.
It should be so obvious.
It's common-sensical, and yet no, no.
It happens all the time, all the freaking time.
(01:29):
I do not know why.
You get to dance class, and you know, you do the warm up.
You know, it's your space.
It's more aggravating and shocking when the class is like half full.
And someone gets right in front of you,
and you cannot see yourself in the mirror anymore.
And then you get into the choreo.
Don't we all know you have your space in the mirror?
It's your window.
It's like anywhere else.
(01:49):
It's a group fitness class at the gym,
or even just lifting weights at the gym.
You know those sort of free weight areas, and someone is like,
you know, they're doing curls or whatever.
You're not gonna, you know, do curls right in front of them
and block them from seeing themselves in the mirror.
I mean, it's just, isn't it just kept and obvious?
And yet, no, not for a lot of people.
It's sort of, it's sort of shocking.
(02:11):
The amount of times I've been in class,
and even a busy class, you know, where you're standing there,
and you got your space in the mirror,
you can see yourself because for a lot of dancers,
it is an integral part of their training
and how they learn.
How you self-correct, you know, you see what you're doing.
The teacher is like, okay, you know, keep your shoulders down,
and then you can look in the mirror and like, okay, yeah,
my shoulders are down.
(02:31):
You know, whatever it is.
And then someone is standing right in front of you.
Wait, what?
I mean, it should even go so far as to like,
when you're standing and dancing,
and it's almost like formations kind of,
and I'm not gonna take up somebody's window
who is behind me and in front of me.
Do you know what I'm saying?
I wanna see myself.
I want them to see themselves.
(02:53):
It should be like a ripple effect almost, you know,
going line by line toward the back of the room.
Everybody is kind of figuring it out
so that everybody gets their window, you know?
And it's possible even in like a really busy packed class,
but it's more shocking when this happens in a half full class.
I mean, I've had experiences where,
(03:13):
and it's like, am I in candid camera, not even kidding,
where I got my space in the mirror,
I can see myself in the teacher, it's like five, six.
And then right at the five, six, seven, eight,
some dancer literally runs in out of nowhere
and stands right in front of me.
And I'm like, what?
And then it completely takes me out of the entire moment.
(03:35):
I'm like in my head, I'm in shock.
So come on, do not stand in front of dancers.
Like understand, you know,
the spatial awareness aspect of things, come on, please,
just don't stand in front of somebody.
Let them see themselves, you see you,
and let's be nice and gracious about it.
On to the next, do not ask people,
(03:56):
especially strangers to film you in class.
In this comments with a caveat,
especially if it's early on in groups.
Just don't, it's gross, it is tacky.
If you want someone to film you,
ask them toward the very end of class,
the last couple of times you're running groups,
and ask very politely with no expectations,
(04:17):
and maybe offer them something like, hey,
would you mind filming me?
I would love to film you in return, that kind of thing.
Again, the amount of times I've had a phone
shoved into my hand, like early on in class, like, oh, hey, film me.
I'm like, what?
Now I posted this on social media, you know,
like this one idea before, and some people are like,
(04:37):
oh my God, but I love when you know people ask me,
I wanna help, it's all about helping your fellow dancer,
and I want people to film me.
It's like great, it's like we're a family,
and it's like a community, maybe to a degree,
but you gotta like read the room,
and when a total stranger comes up to me,
again, early on in groups, I just can't reconcile that.
(04:58):
That it's just so icky onto the next.
Don't interrupt the teacher, you know?
I see this happening all the time, a teacher is teaching,
and then someone without raising their hand,
just volunteer something or ask a question,
and I'm like, where are the manners?
When I have a question, I wait until an appropriate time,
(05:19):
I raise my hand always and only,
unless of course it's like a class I've been going to
for a long time, and I gotta report with the teacher,
and the teacher is like pausing for a moment,
and then I might say, hey, can I ask a question?
Like, I'll be polite about it,
but almost always I raise my hand,
and if the teacher of course asks and prompts you,
(05:39):
and you questions, then yes, then you ask,
but the amount of times people just like,
interrupt the teacher over and over again,
sometimes it's just, wow,
so I've had a lot of people crash into me
while doing the choreography,
and either they don't really know the choreography too well,
and they're going in the wrong direction,
and then even with that, their movement is like very, very big,
(06:03):
so this is my next tip, respect personal space,
so that you're being mindful of your movement.
If you've got good spatial awareness,
you know when the class, you know,
your likes or deans in there,
you're not gonna go like really big on something,
because you might crash into somebody,
so just be aware, it's literally a constant thing,
you know, to know when to pull back,
(06:23):
not just in the choreo for textures and all that,
but I'm talking just so that you don't crash into somebody,
you know, gotta have respect for everybody's space and class.
On to the next, make sure your phone is off,
or the sounds are off, notifications are off,
oh my god, the amount of time is our phone is ringing,
you hear somebody's text, you hear the beep,
all the things.
(06:43):
When I just did the beep sound,
did you think that maybe it's like your phone was like going off?
I don't know, I'm really gifted when it comes to making sounds
like that, in case you were unsure.
Anyway, phones off basically in your dance bag,
away, and on that note, when you're not dancing like it's not your group,
don't go to your phone, come on, especially if you're not going to your phone
(07:04):
to film something, you're right at that moment,
you're just going to your phone to check stuff,
like your texts and stuff,
let's not be so dependent on our devices.
Dance class should be a place that is, you know,
an escape from the rest of the world,
so yeah, don't go to your phone.
Okay, next tip, always think the teacher after class.
Now, I've had class experiences where there was a long line,
(07:27):
and I didn't really want to wait.
I've had experiences where I didn't like the class,
and I still think the teacher,
because you gotta show respect in that way,
be the bigger person if the class you didn't think was that fantastic.
Regardless, most of the time, it's probably a good or decent class.
Most of the time the teacher is working their tail off,
(07:50):
show some respect, always say, thank you,
and if for whatever reason you were unable to,
I've had times where I had to get out,
because there was a meeting I had to be at,
and I didn't have time to wait in the long line, you know,
to think the teacher,
and so I would shoot the teacher at DM after class,
and show my appreciation there.
That way, very important, always think the teacher.
(08:12):
Now, this comes with a caveat,
because of course there are going to be those experiences
once in a blue moon, those rare times,
where class felt really bad because of how it was run.
Not every teacher is going to, you know, work their tail off,
and give a class that is there to serve the students.
(08:33):
I've had those classes, the teacher was there to film,
their content, the student was an afterthought at best again.
Those experiences are few and far between,
they are rare, be discerning,
and in those moments where it really doesn't feel right
from your heart, your soul, your gut,
to say thank you, then don't, and that is okay too.
(08:56):
Now, onto the next, this one also comes with a caveat,
when you're in groups, and you're now not dancing, right?
It's not your group performing, don't just do nothing.
Be present.
Now, for me, I need to mark the choreography.
If I'm not marking it all times,
I'm a little bit paranoid that I'm going to forget,
because it's amazing how quickly it can go away from the brain.
(09:17):
My point is, is that even when I'm marking,
I'm watching the dancers, and I'm giving them an energy,
you know, that I'm present with them,
I'm just marking because I got to do it,
but as soon as they finish, I'm going to applaud, you know,
I'm not screaming and hollering,
which is wonderful if that's the way you like to roll,
if that's the class you're in, that's the vibe,
amazing, my style is more like, I'm either marking,
(09:40):
or I'm watching intently, regardless,
I'm always paying attention, I think that's the point.
And when they're over, like when they're finished,
I will applaud.
The point is, is just always acknowledge the group
in some capacity, right?
Okay, I don't know what point this is, maybe number nine or 10,
don't coach other dancers in class, don't correct them,
(10:02):
don't give them a direction.
Oh my God, such a pet peeve, that's happened to me in a couple
of classes, I remember this one time, I was really off,
like I just knew that I wasn't good, I was really struggling,
and I knew that I was fast, I was like going too quickly,
and ironically, it was one of those classes
where I did really well, and people watched me a lot,
(10:22):
so if they're watching me, and I'm off,
then they might be off, which is like a weird kind of pressure,
but anyway, I was going way too quick,
and then we finished, and this dancer said to me,
you're going too fast,
you're going way too fast, and I was like,
yeah, no shit, Sherlock, I know that,
it was not the dancer's place to say that,
it was really uncomfortable, and made me feel kind of stupid,
(10:44):
but also I thought, what a bad reflection on them,
like no, no, no, you don't do that,
to this dancer's credit after class,
they walked up and they apologized to me,
so I did appreciate that, so that was really great.
I've had moments as an actor, being on stage,
in rehearsal, where an actor will direct me,
and say XYZ, one time that happened with a famous actor,
(11:05):
I will not say who, and the stage manager caught it,
and then went off on this actor,
and was like, you do not do that, that is not your job.
For some reason, artists feel like sometimes,
they can direct you, like they're the director,
or they can choreograph you, like they're the choreographer,
and it's not their place to do so,
so don't be doing that, onto the next.
(11:27):
Now, if you're standing in front,
learning the choreography,
which is what I need to do,
that's the only way I can learn.
They're sort of an unspoken rule,
I think that you are the visual guide,
like you kind of know what you're doing,
because the people, and back, back, back,
maybe can't see the teacher,
so they're kind of relying on you,
so you know, you might f up here and there,
you're not gonna be greater perfect,
you're learning also, but there's the idea
(11:49):
that you have an idea of what is going on,
but if you're standing up front,
and it's way above your pay grade,
and you're really, really, really lost,
then at some point, you need to leave the front.
You need to switch places.
Now, this has happened to me,
and I still need to be in the front,
so instead of standing center-ish,
I'll go off to the side, side, side,
(12:10):
so now I'm very clearly nobody,
somebody is watching,
is that makes sense?
Nobody who somebody is watching,
and yet I can still see the teacher, you know,
like pretty okay.
And also, if you're standing in front,
this is sort of another tip, I guess,
to be kind of considerate, dance full out.
You know, I mean, again,
I mean, if you're a sardine in class,
and you can't, I get it,
but because you are that visual guide,
(12:32):
yeah, like dance, you know, full out.
I am a fan of dancing full out as much as possible,
and not marking it,
because you wanna get the choreo built into your body,
into your system, as it is supposed to be,
as quickly as possible.
Onto the next, be on time.
Hello, I come from the school of,
on time is late and early is on time.
(12:53):
Do you know what I'm saying?
Just be on time.
Don't be that person,
who is just barely getting into class,
we're halfway through the warmup,
we're in the middle of the second count of eight or something,
and then you sunter on in.
No, no, no, no, be on time.
Okay, punctuality, it matters.
It makes a difference.
People are paying attention.
That dance teacher is a future amazing choreographer,
(13:14):
and they're not gonna forget that you walked in,
and you, I remember this one dancer at this studio,
I would take at, he always walked in so late,
and the teacher would like joke about it up.
There he is.
Do you think that that person will ever book a job
with this choreographer ever?
Hell no, no.
Here's another way to show your considerateness in class,
(13:36):
is that a word, considerateness, consideration?
Anyway, respect the vibe the teacher sets.
Some teachers are super playful and chill,
and some are like really serious.
So in a really serious class, don't be a jokester,
you know, and then in the class where the teacher is like,
really chill and playful,
you know, maybe don't be super serious.
(13:56):
I mean, you gotta be you.
I'm a big fan of being you.
But you know, again, read the room and try to adapt.
This will really help you by the way, when you're on set,
you know, because people want to feel like they connect with you,
and if the vibe is like super chill on set,
but you're really serious or vice versa,
you know, it just may not flow too well.
(14:16):
All right, moving on, don't film the teacher,
or the combo without permission.
Now I have had classes where I went all the time
and was a really chill vibe,
and I knew that it was fine to film the combo
once the teacher performed it like toward the latter part of class,
and I would do that, I would film the combo and the teacher
(14:39):
because I knew in this one class I'm thinking of, for example,
that that combo would be done again a couple days later,
and I wanted to work on it from home.
And so I could do that, but it was allowed,
you know, everybody was doing it, it was chill,
and so again, I read the room,
but don't just show up to a class for the first time,
(14:59):
see nobody else pull out their phone to film the teacher,
and now you're filming the teacher doing the combo,
or whatever, no, no, no, no.
Now I know this kind of sounds like kindergarten or something here,
but onto the next, don't talk in class.
Just don't, oh my God, the amount of times.
I hear a teacher like trying to communicate
(15:19):
and trying to give direction and trying to explain something in the choreo,
and you hear, (humming)
I'm like, wait, wait, what? Who is that?
Oh my God, how many times have I been in classes where the teacher
just stops and it's like, all right, well, who's talking?
Can everybody be quiet?
It's just so disrespectful, it's so unprofessional.
(15:39):
So unless the teacher is talking to you and asking you a question,
asking the class for feedback, don't talk, you know?
I mean, you know, the cute little aside to somebody like,
oh my God, this is so fast, or just whatever it is.
Okay, sure, fine, maybe.
I mean, you're human.
But for the most part, don't talk, you're there to learn,
and it's a class, it's a respectful environment.
(16:02):
It is a place to just honor the teacher and just to listen,
and to learn, to learn, to learn.
The class is for you, you know, it's your class,
but it's not about you.
And then, I guess I'll just end on this.
There's probably a hundred more, but, you know,
we don't have all day.
Be mindful with your stuff, you know, your dance bag,
(16:23):
your shoes, your water bottle, your snacks, your phone,
whatever it is.
Keep the floor as clean and clear as possible.
Let's keep it nice and clean and tidy.
Keep everything in your dance bag,
keep your dance bag nice and clean and tidy.
And when you take out things like water bottles
and shoes, put them back in their proper place, okay?
Or just keep your little like, you know,
(16:44):
how in class you might have your little space, your little corner,
just keep it nice.
Don't have things all just unkempt in everywhere, you know?
Come on now.
That energy actually of the clutter from all the things,
it really does affect class in ways you probably don't even realize.
It's a neurological thing, but now I'm getting too deep.
Thank you so much for being here.
If you have anything to add to this, I would love to know.
(17:06):
So let me know in the comments down below on YouTube
or Spotify or shoot me a DM at Back to Great.
And if you enjoyed this podcast, make sure you share it
with your dance fam and follow and subscribe
and like and comment all those things.
Again, I so appreciate it.
And I just love this.
I love having a podcast.
I love building this community.
(17:26):
It's very exciting to me, especially during this healing journey
of mine, while I'm not in dance class.
This is a way for me to, you know, connect with dancers.
This is a way for me to exercise and utilize
my dance muscles until I'm actually back in class,
which no worries.
(17:47):
This will all be continuing, but this is a great thing to have
to help supplement my craving for all things dance.
All right, until next time.
(gentle music)
(gentle music)
(upbeat music)
(bell chimes)
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