Dear Parents,
I know everyone is in the full swing of busy activity between holiday shopping, errands, school and family events. At Discovery, we had an exciting first meet of the season (see details below). Meanwhile, in our dance classes, we are preparing for our Winter Concert on January 11th.
I recently read the article, “Let’s Play!: The Place of Play in Ballet Pedagogy” in Dance Teacher Magazine. I’ve always enjoyed using props and musical instruments to engage my students. Over these last 3 weeks, I have been exploring the story of The Nutcracker with my students using tambourines, flowers, shakers, bells, and scarves to bring the story alive. I notice that the students explore the props in different ways, and their sense of creativity and freedom as they move. For older students, I have played games in ballet as pairs or groups, exploring either color or statue imagery. They problem-solve and improvise, feeling confident as they move together. With all of the structure and routine in our everyday lives, it’s important to balance with play, even in the formality of ballet class.
I hope everyone has a healthy and happy holiday season! Thanks for being a part of our community.
Warm Wishes,
Katie Kheel
discovery programs 2025