Backstage Coach®
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BOOKS
Dance education books provide a unique resource to empower learning for students and teachers.
Since the beginning of my dance career, I’ve been sharing what I’ve learned about performance and teaching in articles for dance publications for educators. Over the years, I have continued to write and to research about my dance experiences, and I have turned these initial works, along with new ideas, into instructional books. I hope to inform your learning with best practices in dance education that elevate your performance and teaching.
THE DANCE/DRILL TEAM HIGH KICK GUIDE
OF DANCE IMAGES AND TERMINOLOGY This book serves to complement the lessons in The Dance/Drill Team High Kick Tutorial: Dance Education in the Art of the High Kick. Dance images are cross-referenced to terminology from each lesson to provide a visual reference that strengthens our understanding of what it is we do in the performance of a dance/drill team high kick.
Over 100 photographs illustrate dance vocabulary, in combination with written descriptions, to inform and inspire the dancer. Think of this book as a visual dictionary or an educational resource of dance/drill team terminology for not only the high kick and front split, but also basic positions of the arms and feet. Each lesson begins with a featured photograph of kicks, jumps, and leaps that highlight the athleticism and artistry of the dance/drill team performer. The Dance/Drill Team High Kick Guide of Dance Images and Terminology closes with group photography that captures the spirit of all five dancers who participated in the making of this book. This celebration of the performers illuminates the essence of the dance/drill team experience. “If you are looking to expand your knowledge on dance/drill team and the high kick, then this book will do that and then some! I recommend it to dancers of all ability levels because there is sufficient amount of knowledge in here. There is nothing more challenging yet beautiful than the performance of a high kick. The extensive work put into developing the perfect high kick is every bit worth it when the crowd stands to their feet to applaud.”
--Bailey Summer Stark, Dancer, Kilgore College Rangerettes | Dance Captain, Texas A&M Dance Team |
THE DANCE/DRILL TEAM HIGH KICK TUTORIAL
DANCE EDUCATION IN THE ART OF THE HIGH KICK The Dance/Drill Team High Kick Tutorial is designed to educate dance students and teachers in the art of the high kick. The instruction is grounded in both classical-based and dance/drill team terminology as related to basic anatomy. The layout of the seven lessons is organized to efficiently guide the user through the tutorial with the goal of easily digesting the information.
Multiple points of entry into the lessons provide an accessible framework for learning about the performance of the high kick and splits that include imagery and technique, the dancer’s tips and activities, and reflection questions. The tutorial culminates with rubrics to assess the performance of the high kick for an individual dancer as well as an entire team. Gina's book is a great resource for dance educators and dance students. Her book makes a clear connection between classical-based and dance/drill team terminology in regards to high kick technique. I especially enjoyed the dancer's tips and activities!
- Kim Cardwell, Dance Educator and Director | Dance/Violet Belles Director, Timber Creek High School/Dance "Performing and executing a flawless high kick routine is such a beautiful, visual, precision gift to an audience in the dance/drill team world. Dancer safety is of utmost importance in teaching the "art of the high kick" and it takes specific knowledge to ensure that a dancer is trained physically as well as mentally to execute proper kick technique. I would have loved to have had this resource during my 40-year coaching career. I highly recommend Gina Sawyer's book, The Dance/Drill Team High Kick Tutorial: Dance Education in the Art of the High Kick. " --Nika Orm Carter, Retired Director and Creator of the Weatherford High School Blue Belles |
HOW TO DIRECT A DANCE/DRILL TEAM
PRACTICAL IDEAS AND RESOURCES FOR THE DANCE/DRILL TEAM DIRECTOR Created for new and veteran instructors alike, this comprehensive handbook includes suggestions for developing an organizational philosophy, structuring the team, organizing performance activities, increasing your budget with fundraisers, and facilitating auditions.
The book is divided into two parts. The first is a guide or your “instruction manual” for the role you fulfill. The second part contains ready-to-use resources, such as a sample constitution, audition forms, score sheets, and dance production information. The book has been launched on amazon.com where it is available for purchase! “Drill Team, a unique phenomenon with strong Texan roots, is a vibrant piece of American culture. This essential guide takes one through an entire season and offers advice and ideas for veteran and novice directors alike.”
– Cortney Davis, Dance/Drill Director, McMillen High School, Plano |
AMERICAN DANCE TEAM LEADER
THE NO. 1 AUDITION GUIDE FOR DANCE CAPTAINS, LEADERS, AND OFFICERS This is our #1 Best Seller! I have coached many officer hopefuls using these materials to guide them towards their leadership goals. With so many resources all in one book, dance/drill team directors often use it to inform their school’s officer auditions and workshops.
This book is unique to the expectations of officers in Dance/Drill Team. Practical activities and information include the Leadership I.Q. Test, Answer Key, Interview Do’s and Don’ts, Fifty Practice Questions, Sample Dance and Interview Score Sheets, and a Teacher Evaluation. “The handbook is really informative. I am much more confident after taking the test and there were things I would never have known to do.”
– Lindsay, First Lieutenant, Rockwall High School Stingerettes |
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