Pictured: Francois Peron with 9 year-old Rachel Rohrich at Park Cities Dance The Long Haul


In order to maintain a well-rounded staff studio owners must find ways to nourish and expand their teachers’ talents. Artistic freedom is one of the reasons Lannin says her teachers keep returning. “I try to give everyone the freedom to teach their classes, pick their recital music and costumes and give them opportunities where they can be creative or be part of one of our four dance companies,” Lannin says.


DiGiuseppe Bowman adds that it helps to be approachable. “If my teachers have a problem or concern they know they can talk to me directly,” she says. Unfortunately, things do come up and teachers do leave so it’s important that you have some kind of plan just in case this situation arises.


For Lannin this entails finding a replacement before she makes the announcement because this is the first question parents are going to ask. “Then I send a nice letter to the specific students from myself and also one from the teacher explaining the need for them to leave,” Lannin says.


Porter has also had to cope with teachers leaving a few times. “I am honest with the kids to the extent I can be” she says. “Usually it’s because someone has other top professional work to accept else- where, so we wish them well and enjoy our next new great find!”


Katie Dravenstott is a freelance writer and dance teacher. If you have a busi- ness concern or story idea, please e-mail her at katie.dravenstott@gmail.com.


DANCE! NORTH TEXAS a publication of the dance council of north texas vol. 14 • no. 3 www.thedancecouncil.org august 2011 page 17


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