15/06/2026
Finding the Right Teacher: My Personal Thoughts After Years of Dancing
This is simply my personal opinion after starting my dance journey at the age of 13. Through years of studying, training, competing, performing, and continuously learning, these are some of the lessons I've come to appreciate.
Finding the Right Teacher
One of the most important decisions in your dance journey is choosing the right teacher. It is not only about finding someone who can dance well but also someone who can communicate in a way that helps you understand and grow.
For me, finding the right teacher also means finding the right words. Every student learns differently.
I am a visual learner. I need to see the movement before I can understand how to apply it to my own body. Some students, however, learn better through explanations and theory. Neither approach is wrong.
The ideal teacher, in my opinion, is someone who can do both: explain the concept clearly and physically demonstrate the movement.
One-on-One vs. Group Classes
Personally, I prefer private one-on-one classes over group sessions.
At this point in my dance journey, I feel that group classes often focus more on learning choreography, combinations, or routines. While there is value in that, what I truly seek is technical improvement.
I would rather spend my time refining posture, body mechanics, timing, balance, connection, and movement quality than simply memorizing another sequence of steps.
That is my personal preference, and it may not be the same for everyone.
Basics Are Everything
I firmly believe that the basics are the foundation of great dancing.
Advanced skills are built upon simple movements executed correctly over and over again. Repetition of proper technique creates muscle memory and consistency.
No matter how experienced you become, returning to the fundamentals is never a waste of time.
Great Dancer vs. Great Teacher
A good dancer is not automatically a good teacher.
Likewise, a good teacher may not necessarily be the best performer.
Teaching requires patience, communication, observation, empathy, and the ability to adapt lessons to different students.
Performance and teaching are different skills, and both deserve respect.
Face-to-Face Learning Still Matters
Although online tutorials, YouTube videos, and virtual classes have made dance education more accessible, I still prefer learning in person.
A live class allows immediate feedback. A teacher can correct posture, timing, body alignment, energy, and movement in ways that a screen simply cannot.
Watching a video is helpful, but being physically present with a teacher creates a completely different learning experience.
Respect Every Teacher
I've learned that every teacher has something valuable to offer.
No lesson is completely wrong. Every instructor brings different experiences, philosophies, and techniques.
As students, we should absorb knowledge with respect and then determine what works best for our own bodies, abilities, and artistic goals.
There is no need to criticize different teaching styles just because they differ from our own preferences.
Every Dancer Goes Through Stages
As dancers mature, we all pass through different stages.
At one point, you may become overly confident. You may believe you know more than everyone else or think you're better than others.
Many dancers experience this phase.
With time and experience, however, humility often follows. You begin to understand your own body, recognize your strengths and limitations, discover your personal style, and appreciate what truly works for you.
Growth is not only technical—it is also emotional and mental.
Experience Is the Greatest Teacher
Some things cannot simply be explained.
You can listen to lectures, attend classes, and receive corrections, but eventually, you must experience the movement yourself.
You have to live it, struggle with it, repeat it, fail at it, and finally understand it through your own body.
That process cannot be rushed.
Timing Matters
Learning also has its proper timing.
There is a progression from beginner to advanced, and skipping important foundations often creates bad habits that become difficult to fix later.
Some techniques make sense only after you've built the necessary fundamentals.
Trust the process and allow yourself to grow step by step.
Final Thoughts
One of the best investments a dancer can make is spending time with a great teacher—not only to learn technique but also to understand the deeper love and artistry behind dance.
At the same time, remember that no single teacher has all the answers.
Keep learning. Stay humble. Respect every mentor. Continue exploring. And most importantly, enjoy the journey.
Because in the end, dance is not just about perfect movement—it is about continuous growth, self-discovery, and lifelong learning.
