dance in education - the programme

Dancing as you teach, teaching as you dance

A dance teacher is an artist who is trained and qualified to work with others in any kind of environment, anywhere in the world, to create a solid, well-constructed dance performance.

This is the vision that has inspired the creation of the new Bachelor of Dance in Education Programme of the Rotterdam Dance Academy. It is a top-quality, innovative programme that brings together artistry and teaching. In September 2007, the first class of future professional teachers began this new programme. Would you like to dance while you’re teaching and teach while you’re dancing? Visit our website and apply to participate in an audition.

Intercultural contact
In our society, we hear increasingly about globalisation and cultural assimilation, and so the process of intercultural contact and exchange is as natural as it is inspiring. The Bachelor of Dance in Education Programme of the Rotterdam Dance Academy will encourage you to seek your own strength so that you’ll be able to participate in this type of intercultural exchange. Who you are and what you can do form the foundation from which you work.
We see working with people from other cultures and who may have different ambitions as a challenge, not a problem. In order to work with the cultural strengths of others, you need to possess an adventurous and open spirit, as well as a sharp ability to observe both processes and results. You also need to feel passionate about bringing personal themes in a social and cultural setting to life on stage. That is what enables you to communicate with the audience.
When you have completed this programme, you will have learned creative and analytical ways to combine different dance techniques. You will have acquired the skills of a choreographer. But above all, you will have the necessary teaching and coaching skills in order to inspire confidence in your dancers and to bring out the best in them. You will be able to guide and inspire them to enjoy working together to reach a common goal: the performance.

Dance techniques
The technical craftsmanship of a trained dancer’s body and the creative and teaching skills that you use to create dance and theatre are the central pillars of this programme. In addition to classes in western and fusion dance techniques, the programme offers seminars given by experts about intercultural dialogue. Internships, both in the Netherlands and abroad, are also a part of the programme. The practical aspects of creating your own projects also receive considerable emphasis. We support an emphasis on practical work by paying attention to theory. You will take classes in subjects such as cultural philosophy and intercultural communication, but also in cultural entrepreneurship, music education and anatomy.

1. Exploration
During the first year, you will become familiar with the profession by observing people involved in creating intercultural theatre in the Netherlands. You will also receiving dance training in a variety of techniques (western, non-western and fusion techniques), improvisation, composition, and repertoire. You will also study teaching methods.
2. Depth
In the second year, the emphasis of the programme is on learning to teach dance techniques and to create choreographies. You will also gain practical teaching experience in a short internship.
3. Professionalisation
In the third year, you will make the transition from practical learning to doing longer projects by working on projects and internships both in the Netherlands and abroad. There is also attention to developing cultural entrepreneurial skills and managing your own projects.
4. Specialisation
In the fourth year, you will choose an area of specialisation: whether it be working in a big Dutch city or in a non-Western country. You will choose a particular area of work. The programme is practically focused with attention to project management and networking in your chosen field. You will complete your studies by creating a complete theatrical production that will be presented in theatres.

Perspective for the future
When you graduate, you will be a teaching artist. You will possess the knowledge and skills to make the process of intercultural dialogue visible in performances and educational projects. You will be able to do this both in your own environment and outside of it. You will have developed your own vision as well as strong professional skills. You will be a world citizen with a trained eye, receptive to the originality and strength of the people with whom you work.
There is a great demand for dance teachers. When you graduate, you will be qualified to teach in the full spectrum of dance institutes in the Netherlands and to create performances in a variety of environments, from large Dutch cities to townships in South Africa.