The Manager

Manager – A person who is responsible for the work performance of one or more people. Managers’ basic job is to organize human and material resources to help the organization achieve its stated goals and objectives.

In arts organizations, there are a few different types of managers.

Line manager – Responsible for getting the product or service completed. Ex: The head carpenter

Staff managers – uses their special technical skills to support the efforts of the line personnel.  Ex: The technical director or the production manager

Functional manager – Has responsibility over a single area in the organization.  Ex: A company manager who is responsible for the performers

General managers – found in more complex organizations with many functional areas. (marketing, fund raising, production and administration, etc.)

Administrators – Someone empowered only to carry out functional tasks defined by others (Used in non-profit organizations)

Source: Management and the Arts, William J. Byrnes

The Power of Dance

Dance has a different meaning for everybody.  Dance can express joy, pain, and almost any other emotions.  Dance can bring together communities and celebrate diversity.  What is your dance?

 

What Kind of a Teacher Are You?

Can you relate with this experience…?  You (The dance instructor) are doing warm ups for dance class and suddenly a student decides not to participate.  As you are dealing with this problem, other students started talking and soon the class becomes chaotic.  You feel that you have lost control of the class.

Teaching dance to children can be a challenge.  Especially when behavior and class management becomes an issue.  Although there are no exact solution to every problem, we can be a better teacher by first understanding the four teaching styles.  Here is a quick summary of each teaching style:

Authoritarian – The authoritarian teacher is strict and needs to be in control.  The authoritarian values obedience, respect, rules and a set stand of conduct.

Permissive – The permissive teacher listens to the student and pays close attention to their feelings, desires, actions and impulses.  Permissive teachers value relationship building, care and reasoning.  The permissive teacher does not force too much of a demand.

Authoritative – The authoritative teacher is firm when needed but also recognizes the student’s need and qualities.  The authoritative teacher values encouragement, rational, discipline when needed.

Detached – The detached teacher does not really care about the students.  The detached teacher is there just for the job.

Diana Baumrind first originated this theory relating to parenting styles.  Read more about Baumrind and  parenting styles, CLICK HERE