Rhee Gold's DanceLife Blog

By Dance Teachers for Dance Teachers

As all that we are about, the DanceLife Blog is another opportunity to support and inspire dance teachers and studio owners. You'll discover business ideas, self-care advice, awesome classroom tips, along with some witty stories . . . by dance teachers for dance teachers!

Bettonvil, Ann

Ann Bettonvil is the Artistic Director/Co-Owner of The Studio in Brampton, Ontario and is a graduate of the Music Theatre Program at Sheridan College where she graduated at the top of her class. Ann is a triple threat who is trained in singing, acting and dance; and is the recipient...

Haithcox, Ginger

Ginger Haithcox is a dual-certified Life Coach and Financial Coach, dedicated to helping dance studio owners build peaceful lives and lead profitable businesses. She is the host of Life Coaching for Dance Studio Owners, where she shares insights on mindset, money, and self-care to empower studio owners in achieving sustainable success. With...

Herring, Amanda

Amanda Herring LOVES her job! She is passionate about sharing the love of dance while inspiring and encouraging everyone who walks through her door. She loves BIG and has a heart for new dancers joining a class for the first time. She takes pride in offering stellar service to dance...

Simpson, Pam

Pam Simpson has been the founder, president, and driving force behind Forte Arts Center, for the past 31 years. In addition to building her business from a small, one-room studio to a large, multi-location organization that offers dance, tumbling, and leadership programs as well as private music lessons, Pam is...

Trench, Andrea

Andrea Trench is dedicated to helping dance teachers create and deliver content that is research-based and developmentally appropriate. Her primary focus is classroom management, conceptual teaching, and foundational movement skill development in early childhood dance education. In addition, Andrea uses her 12 years of experience as a partner in a...

DanceLife Blog & Vlog

Set & Reach Your Goals in the New Year

Pam Simpson, owner of Forte Arts Center in Morris, IL is in her 30th season and over that time has mastered the art of goal setting. Pam shares some tips on how to not only identify and set goals, but how you can put systems in place to help you achieve them in the new year.

50 Preschool Prop Activities

Andrea Trench, early childhood educator and owner of Discover Dance, shares some great tips for preschool prop activities in your dance classrooms. She knows props and songs go hand in hand, and she has you covered with lots of fun ideas!

Amp Up Your Accountability

Pam Simpson, owner of Forte Arts Center in Morris, IL is in her 30th season and still learns more about herself and her business each day. Pam shares about the importance of accountability and how an accountability partner can help keep you on track with your goals for you, your classroom and your business.

Preschool Classroom Success: Space Markers

Andrea Trench, early childhood educator and owner of Discover Dance, knows that when working with our littles in the classroom, the flow of the class and the physical flow of the students is key to success. She shares about an effective strategy she has used: space markers.

Love Your Body

Pam Simpson, owner of Forte Arts Center in Morris, IL is in her 30th season and has had the privilege of working with many great students. Today, she tackles the important topic of positive body image for young dancers and how we, as dance educators, can encourage and support this both in and out of the classroom.

To Downsize, Or Not To Downsize?

Amanda Herring understands that change is hard, but is often necessary or inevitable. Amanda shares her insights on how dance educators should approach the idea of downsizing. Amanda Herring is the owner of Center Stage Dance in Hernando, MS.

Private Lesson Success Tips

Pam Simpson, owner of Forte Arts Center in Morris, IL is in her 30th season and recently has seen that having students retain and remember what they learn becomes more and more difficult. She shares some tips for all dance educators to help students be more successful in their private lessons.

10 Resting Activities for your Early Childhood Dance Classes

In her latest vlog, Andrea Trench, early-childhood dance education specialist, shares some great activities that help to promote a restful and quiet spirit in your little dancers. This gives them to time to think and better understand themselves and what is going on around them when doing movement.

Making Changes Confidently

Amanda Herring, of Center Stage Dance in Hernando, MS, understands that change is hard, but is often necessary or inevitable. Amanda shares her insights on how dance educators can be confident and flexible when faced with change.

Preschool Classroom Success: Obstacle Courses

Andrea Trench, early childhood educator and owner of Discover Dance, is a master at developing strategies to engage students and get them back “on track” in class. In this latest blog entry, Andrea discusses the use of obstacle courses to educate, engage and develop skills.

A Plan Can Save the Day

Pam Simpson, owner of Forte Arts Center in Morris, IL is in her 30th season and every year requires strategizing and planning. Pam shares so helpful tips for dance educators to use to get the week ahead in order and enter into the studio and classroom with confidence!

The Venn Diagram Life

I often joke that I live within a Venn Diagram. As studio owners, we can perhaps break our lives into three, round circles – Work, Housekeeping, Family & Leisure. Of the three areas illustrated in the diagram, I can successfully manage two. The third one? Well…that circle goes flat. I can be in great shape…

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