Teaching Tip: Getting Students Comfortable with Improvisation

By Ali Duffy, PhD, associate professor of dance at Texas Tech University and founder and artistic director of Flatlands Dance Theatre

 JANUARY 2021

Improvisation can be a great tool as a dancer, teacher, and choreographer. How do you prepare students to feel comfortable with it? Here are a few ideas I'd like to share with you from my experience of working with university students. I invite you to comment below about how you prepare students to expand on their improvisational abilities.

Learn more from Dr. Duffy in her book, Careers in Dance. 

Prior to her work in academia, Dr. Duffy performed internationally on Holland America cruise ships (RWS Entertainment) and for independent contemporary choreographers on both U.S. coasts. She has also taught and adjudicated for the National Dance Alliance and worked as a dance critic for World Dance Reviews. Her career in dance is endlessly supported by her wonderful family, and she is ever grateful for her brilliant husband, Carlos, and beautiful son, Noah.