Teacher Tidbits Corner - Laura Rafferty

Teacher Tidbits Corner - Laura Rafferty

 Dec 2021

Showcase Reflections 

There's a great quote that says, "If you want to know where your heart is, look where your mind goes when it wanders." For me, when I daydream or right before I fall asleep, I am always thinking about how to string together hammock or lyra poses to make different flows. Zina knows what I'm talking about! After telling her about my aerial nerdiness last year after completing my level 3 test out, I think I said, "If you need another teacher to help choreograph for the showcase, I would love to try it." Fast forward months later and Zina asked me if I wanted to choreograph the Hammock Level 2/3 piece. I had never choreographed anything before in my life and was really honored that she trusted me to do it. Thank you, Zina for giving me this opportunity and for all your guidance along the way! It was more challenging than I thought it would be, but I loved every minute of it and learned a lot. Here are 10 things I learned from my first choreography experience...

10) Timing is really important. Like, really, really important. If the timing is off, it can make it look like everyone just decided to freestyle their own routine.

9)  You believe in your group and see their potential even when they are frustrated - we should all feel that way about ourselves too.

8)  It is okay to stop the music and say, "What was that?!" As long as they think you are kidding, it still gets in their heads a little and helps them focus.

7)  There is a magical practice that happens and makes you feel like everything is gonna be alright.

6)  Unfortunately, that magical practice happens much later than you hoped.

5)  There's also a practice that makes you feel like you wanna walk to the bar next door and become a regular.

4) You become so proud of your group and all their hard work, and when they nail it in the final performance, you feel like they are your children and just graduated high school.

3)  Videos during practices are extremely helpful in seeing the "big picture"...and also helpful to point out their mistakes..mistakes that are sometimes being made over and over again. Of course, say it very nicely and follow it with, "You got this!" They won't know you really wanna pull your hair out.

2) Choreographers also can get nervous when filming the final performance.

1) Everyone should always carry confetti in their pocket at all times, just in case the moment should arise.