BRENDA BOBBY

Summer is approaching and water toys are everywhere! During my days as a studio owner in Upstate NY, I often looked for inexpensive props to use for training my dancers in the studio. The Dollar Tree was (and is) my go to for cheap finds for classroom aids. I developed a ton of exercises using a pool noodle to train dancers in everything from Port de Bras to acro alignment. The noodles were easy to “customize” by cutting them to the correct size for each dancer. I used these techniques over the years at countless studios, teacher trainings and master class workshops and decided to create a workshop video for teachers. During this time of “at home training”, the exercises can all be done in a small area and could be a fun and engaging way to train during virtual teaching.

The Noodles are $1 each and you can get at least 2 props for each dancer out of one noodle. It might be something that teachers pick up and “deliver” to their dancers doorstep with a little note to create some excitement about online class and add a little personal touch.

Many of the exercises I have seen being done with a yoga block ( which is also a great classroom tool). I personally like the noodle because the material is less dense than a yoga block. Dancers tend to be overachievers and use counterproductive pressure when given a prop. The pool noodle will bend if too much pressure is applied, so muscle engagement is activated without being overworked.

The biggest struggle I had recording the video was having a student demonstrator. With the corona pandemic, I do not have access to the dancers I normally work with. I have a client, a non dancer, that I work with on acro /gymnastics at her home during the quarantine, but she is a very new, beginner level client. Most times, teachers have advanced level assistants/demonstrators who can make everything look easy and flawless and I was afraid a less polished demonstrator may reflect poorly on the program. But after some thought, I decided that using a new, beginner student could actually be MORE helpful to teachers viewing the workshop. Most of the students they will be working with will show some of the same “mistakes” and my cueing/correction could actually make the training more insightful for teachers.

The workshop is a 30 minute video recording created for dance educators. To access the video content contact me and I can get you registered. I have reduced ALL of my video workshops to only $10 until June 1st, in support of teacher continuing education during our stay at home orders.

The 25 exercises are probably things that you have seen and done before. However, the approach and use of the props I think can shed some new light for both dancers and teachers. There are literally 100s of exercises you can come up with using the noodles, and my goal is to inspire others to think out of the box when it comes to training. I would love to hear some skills/drills others come up with and use! Please share your exercises in the comments.

This is a VERY stressful time for everyone, and when things get tough our first priority is to stay healthy! That doesn’t mean that students cannot work at home on structured activities. I have put together a little game for dancers / acro students with the focus being on core stability, balance, & flexibility. The board has 25 activities (most are holding postures) that can be done in living room or bedroom. When the board is completed correctly it should take about an hour to complete ( about the same length as a class). All of the exercises can be helpful to all levels of dancers and you can make more advanced progressions if necessary, ie: side plank ( advanced version may have student lift top leg and hold with big toe to hand). Non dancers can also play along: siblings, babysitters, mom, dad…. I will create another for next week should we still need to shift our classroom to home schooling again. Stay positive, and use this time to enjoy the ‘break’ from normalcy.

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It’s no secret that LA is the place to be for cutting edge commercial dance. Home to the best and up and coming choreographers, dancers in SoCal have amazing opportunities to take class and keep up with the latest dance trends. Many are already working in “the business” . In the age of INSTA everything, the process of training seems to be a lost art, yet is essential to really have a long, healthy, successful career . Seeing this obstacle, I have created a training program for the focused, serious dancer to keep working technique while not missing out on other opportunities. Acceler8 is a 2 hour per week training program using a blend of methods and my 25 years of teaching experience that focuses on proper alignment, posture, rotation, flexibility, core stability and strength. This program is not meant to replace a studio training program, but enhance technical training . The Inaugural Session begins in 2020. Dancers from anywhere in LA can apply for the program. For more information, or to apply for the program, please contact me directly. Space is limited to 8 dancers per session.

Over the summer I hosted my first Acro Workshop for Teachers. After watching acro added to almost every genre of dance while judging for Hall of Fame, I decided that I would like to help others use the tools I have learned and developed over the last 20 years of teaching. I am a HUGE advocate of safe training. I know that no teacher intends to harm their dancer, but without the knowledge and tools, acro is one of those styles that can have lasting negative effects, if not taught properly.

My first workshop in August was very well received, and sold out in my small hometown in Upstate NY. After the event, so many attendees asked when I would hold another. I knew that I wanted to continue to connect and work with other dancer educators, but didn’t want to be on the road so much. I had contemplated doing a podcast or vlog, but I wasn’t sure I would reach the right audience without a following, so I decided I would try LIVE facebook workshops.

My in- person event was a very general presentation and I was not able to cover all that I wanted. And to be honest, not everyone wanted the same material. I decided to focus on one specific “trick” for each LIVE session. This way, teachers can sign up for only the information they are looking for. This structure allowed my to make it very affordable and cover alot of material in one hour. I knew that dance teachers have little “extra” money, but I wanted to charge a registration fee to create some accountability for those registered. Keeping the fee to $15 per workshop seemed fair and allowed me to cover my time and expenses as well. My first LIVE event I sold tickets through Eventbrite as well as Venmo. I decided to try the venmo exclusively this time, because it is easier and costs me less. I may decided to use eventbrite agin the future when the attendance is too much for me to handle independently. I still wonder if people felt more secure when using a ticketing vendor, let me know below which registration method you would prefer.

My first LIVE event was September 13, 2019 on Cartwheels and Side Ariels. I expected maybe 5-10 people to sign up. When over 25 people (from as far as Germany and Australia) registered for that first event, I knew that I was filling a void that was needed and got the bug to create more events. Digitally I am somewhat slow, but doing the event via a private facebook group LIVE was the easiest way for me to get started and for participants to engage. I hope to learn and grow so that I can eventually host these events in a more professional platform, but for now Facebook is working. ( IF it ain’t broke, then don’t fix it).

My second event is Oct 4, 2019 and focus is back bending and back handsprings. I plan to offer these live workshops as long as there is a demand for them. IF you have a topic you would be interested in discussing in one of these live workshops, drop a comment or email me!

What’s on Your Summer Reading List?

Reading? Who has time to read these days? And while its true reading does take time, modern technology has made reading something you can do while driving, cooking, or getting ready for your day. Taking time to invest in yourself and your business can be done right from you smart phone or tablet and might just be that thing you needed to take yourself, your relationship or your business to the next level.

Remember at the end of the school year, when you couldn’t wait to be homework free, then you were hit with the dreaded Summer Reading List? I never enjoyed reading and rarely got through more than one or 2 books on those lists each year. But as I became an adult, I discovered audio books and it changed my life. I began with a personal development book that a friend “gifted” from Audible. I always hated the idea of self help, but the term personal development was a title that I found more positive and acceptable. I started the audio book while driving in my car. Instead of  music, I could listen to a chapter or 2 each day just running my daily errands. After that first book, I was hooked. Not only for personal development, but for business development and relationships as well. 

As a studio owner, I often took it to heart when a student left or a teacher decided to quit. I was constantly questioning myself and wondered if I was getting any of it right. I struggled to view the studio as a business, and consequently did not make a profit the way a business should. So after that first book, Eat That Frog, I started to look at other titles that I identified with. I joined Audible, a subscription based app for 1000s of titles at your fingertips. After nearly 3 years as an Audible member, I thought maybe there are others that needed that gift that I got years ago. So if you don’t have your list, here are some of my personal favorites to get you started on your summer reading.

Because I often did not think of the studio as a business, I was often robbing Peter to pay Paul, and dreaded the summer like the plague. Shifting my mindset and thinking more like a business woman made a huge difference in development and productivity.

Some of my favorites on Business Development & Productivity:

The Entrepreneur Rollercoaster

The 12 Week Year

Eat that Frog

The Power of Habit

Dare to Lead/ Daring Greatly

As most artists are, I was very critical of myself.  Although I seemed like I had it all together from an outsiders perspective, I constantly questioned my abilities as a businessperson, artist, educator, and parent. Is easy to feel alone and insecure and these things are often taboo subjects, but reading and hearing other people’s experiences and perspectives really helped me regain confidence in myself and all areas of my life.

Some of my favorite Titles on Personal Growth & Development:

The Gifts of Imperfection

Girl Wash Your Face

The Secret

Rising Strong/ Daring Greatly

Relationships are one of the most difficult things to manage. Relationships with parents, students, staff, family, community members, peers and haters really can push your emotional boundaries. These 3 books by far, have changed the way I live and view interpersonal relationships and because of their powerful reminders I re read these books several times each year.  Some of my favorites on Interpersonal Relationships:

The 4 Agreements

5 Love Languages

Braving the Wilderness

I find Audible a great tool that is convenient and easy to use. They have a great program that allows members to gift a free book to friends who are not yet members. I would love to share one of my favorite with you, so leave me a comment or message me and I will send you your first (hopefully of many) audio books you can add to that summer reading list!

Do you have a favorite book that you would like to share?  I would love to discover more titles in the personal/business development area. Drop a comment below, and I will check your must reads this summer too!