Coaching Philosophy

I believe in coaching the whole person, holistically, through the understanding that each student-athlete is different and has a life outside of dance. I believe that coaching should be informed by scientific research. I will always prioritize competency in academics. I will encourage open communication between the athlete and myself, to increase positive communication and trust.

Objectives: I promise…

• Healthy Minds and Bodies: To instruct student-athletes using the most up to date research on Performance Psychology and Exercise Sciences to ensure healthy minds and healthy bodies.

• Academics: To set expectations around academics, encourage healthy habits, to engage in frequent conversations with student-athletes about their standing, and to quickly assist when/if they need assistance.

• Kindness: To empower athletes to learn good communication and leadership skills. To prioritize the support, encouragement, and empowerment of the athletes.

• Equity: To create an equitable culture that embodies anti-racism, anti-hate, and anti-ableist work, while creating a safe space for all regardless of gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, disability, or religion.

Healthy Minds and Bodies

I place a great emphasis on coaching Sport and Performance Psychology and I understand that coaching a dancer’s mind is just as important as coaching their physical skills. This includes spending equal time learning about the mindset of each dancer and engaging in discussions about important Performance Psychology topics such as cognitive restructuring, anxiety and energy management, motivation techniques, concentration control, and positive self-efficacy. These conversations help the dancer’s mental health through their dance training, and more importantly in their lives outside of dance. I use Exercise Science, Physiology, and Anatomy to train dancers as athletes. To avoid injury and chronic pain, I believe dancers must train their bodies to alleviate muscle imbalances and muscle weakness that could inhibit their development. As youth athletes, they should be given a training plan that provides safe, progressive overload, adequate rest, and informed instruction on how to safely complete every step. I value safety and proven strategies over quick skill progression in all skills, including technique and flexibility.

Academics

I believe the student comes before the athlete, meaning academics are valued as much as athletic skill. I also believe being a part of an athletic team can directly improve academic achievement and have a positive social effect.

Coaching with Kindness

I believe that athletics can develop young athletes into high functioning, kind, and courageous adults. I think athletes deserve kindness and support and should always be treated with respect. To set a foundation of trust and mutual support I make sure to sit down with the dancers before the season starts to set specific expectations. Then, the dancers know what is expected of them and they can communicate any struggles they may be having and I can step in to assist.

Equity

My job as a leader is to foster a culture of equity and inclusion. This includes teaching from an antiracist, anti-hate, and anti-ableist lens. When teaching a dance style, I believe it is important for students to know the history of the style, including specific artists who created the style, why they created the style, and what culture the style originates. I believe it is important for instructors to understand the importance of naming certain steps and giving credit to the originators and the historical background for why a step was created. I believe that dance is an art, and as artists, dancers should know why they are doing certain movements. It is important to create a space where all body types, genders, sexualities, including gender nonconforming individuals, feel safe and respected. I believe that dance is not just for one body type and it should include all.

Values

I coach with the values of love, acceptance, and integrity. I work to set an example of positive self-love and acceptance, while sharing love and acceptance with the athletes I coach. I also work to be an authentic coach, who allows others to be their full, genuine selves.