Dance Show
By Mme Mofazali
Ms. Desentis embarked on her teaching journey at the age of 16, initially serving as a teacher assistant at the dance institution where she had trained. Upon earning her dance degree, she began conducting extracurricular dance classes at the "Carlos Lazo" theater with the National Autonomous University of Mexico. While doing so, she was also pursuing a bachelor’s in industrial design, balancing her commitment to both academic pursuits and teaching dance.
In 2009, after obtaining her degree, she started teaching at a school, instructing students from grade 1 to 11, and delivering arts appreciation lessons to eighth-grade students. Her passion for dance education led her to further her studies in 2010, enrolling in a bachelor’s program in Choreography at the Escuela Nacional de Danza Clásica y Contemporánea del Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes. This rigorous academic venture ran parallel to her teaching responsibilities, focusing on high school and university-level instruction.
With over fourteen years of experience, she has taught various dance genres, including Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, and Latin dance forms. She has also directed interdisciplinary workshops that integrate dance and design, emphasizing the creative synergy between these disciplines.
By Mme Mofazali
Ms. Desentis embarked on her teaching journey at the age of 16, initially serving as a teacher assistant at the dance institution where she had trained. Upon earning her dance degree, she began conducting extracurricular dance classes at the "Carlos Lazo" theater with the National Autonomous University of Mexico. While doing so, she was also pursuing a bachelor’s in industrial design, balancing her commitment to both academic pursuits and teaching dance.
In 2009, after obtaining her degree, she started teaching at a school, instructing students from grade 1 to 11, and delivering arts appreciation lessons to eighth-grade students. Her passion for dance education led her to further her studies in 2010, enrolling in a bachelor’s program in Choreography at the Escuela Nacional de Danza Clásica y Contemporánea del Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes. This rigorous academic venture ran parallel to her teaching responsibilities, focusing on high school and university-level instruction.
With over fourteen years of experience, she has taught various dance genres, including Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, and Latin dance forms. She has also directed interdisciplinary workshops that integrate dance and design, emphasizing the creative synergy between these disciplines.
Ms. Desentis joined Collingwood in August 2022, and her favorite part about teaching dance is collaborating with students to create new works and witnessing their growth as they discover their artistic voices. Her teaching approach is rooted in fostering creativity, critical thinking, and empathy, aligning with Sir Ken Robinson's philosophy on the importance of nurturing our creative capacities.
At Collingwood, dance is offered as both an extracurricular and curricular activity. We have classes for the Senior and Junior Dance Companies before school and as electives during the regular class schedule. These elective classes follow the comprehensive BC curriculum, which allows students to delve deeply into dance, critically explore, and create.
For those looking for less formal ways to try out dance, the program offers various clubs that are open to everyone, regardless of experience, and provide opportunities to rehearse during lunchtime and after school.
Students love the creative aspect of dance classes, where they can bring their ideas to life in a laboratory of collective choreographic creation. Through this process, they explore, learn, and create choreographies, perform in a professional Blackbox theatre, and participate in school events. This experience equips them with skills in conceptualization, project development, and adaptability, preparing them for various future endeavors.
At Collingwood, dance is offered as both an extracurricular and curricular activity. We have classes for the Senior and Junior Dance Companies before school and as electives during the regular class schedule. These elective classes follow the comprehensive BC curriculum, which allows students to delve deeply into dance, critically explore, and create.
For those looking for less formal ways to try out dance, the program offers various clubs that are open to everyone, regardless of experience, and provide opportunities to rehearse during lunchtime and after school.
Students love the creative aspect of dance classes, where they can bring their ideas to life in a laboratory of collective choreographic creation. Through this process, they explore, learn, and create choreographies, perform in a professional Blackbox theatre, and participate in school events. This experience equips them with skills in conceptualization, project development, and adaptability, preparing them for various future endeavors.
Some reflections from past students:
I have really enjoyed Dance Class so far this year. In this class, I have learned to see dance in a whole new perspective. I used to think of dance as just a sport or way to have fun exercising. But over the course of this term, I have learnt that dance is so much more than that. There is a meaning, feeling, and undertone behind each routine which makes it so special because it really leaves a mark. There is so much mood and feelings behind each routine that makes them so unique.
Dance class is a lively environment where my strong core competency is collaboration. I love collaborating with groups because everyone's ideas feed off one another and create not only a strong idea, but a strong unit of comradery. For example, I collaborate in dance while making choreography by determining whose ideas are not being shared and who needs an opportunity to be pulled into group discussion by including others. I also demonstrate my collaboration skills by being an active participant in listening to others and adjusting our ideas to fit everyone's collective success.
I have really enjoyed Dance Class so far this year. In this class, I have learned to see dance in a whole new perspective. I used to think of dance as just a sport or way to have fun exercising. But over the course of this term, I have learnt that dance is so much more than that. There is a meaning, feeling, and undertone behind each routine which makes it so special because it really leaves a mark. There is so much mood and feelings behind each routine that makes them so unique.
Dance class is a lively environment where my strong core competency is collaboration. I love collaborating with groups because everyone's ideas feed off one another and create not only a strong idea, but a strong unit of comradery. For example, I collaborate in dance while making choreography by determining whose ideas are not being shared and who needs an opportunity to be pulled into group discussion by including others. I also demonstrate my collaboration skills by being an active participant in listening to others and adjusting our ideas to fit everyone's collective success.
