“The biggest challenges I confronted were a call to be in the present and to trust that spirit recognizes spirit, even in zoomland. During one dance residency this year, I was teaching a 3rd grade zoom class and we were exploring the elements of nature. I really didn’t know how this lesson was being received, it was hard to track what was happening in the many little boxes. When we arrived at the fire element, one student suddenly unmuted herself, jumped up, and sang, “This girl is on fiiiiiiiiiyahhhhhh!!!” In that moment she gave us a gift of joyous presence, and it became our fire dance soundtrack. I return to this moment often and it still makes me laugh out loud and marvel at how we truly can trust that when we show up, dance creates magic.”

photo from one of Maura’s dance teaching videos

Maura Whelehan she/her/hers
Teaching Artist
SF Ballet Dance in Schools and Communities
SI Alum 2014

This year I taught students online in synchronous zoom classes with everyone at home, with students in school, and hybrid versions. I also created asynchronous video lessons (indoors and outdoors) of various lengths. I did not return to in person teaching.