Barton’s Dance Instruction & Management Program prepares current and future dance educators to work in this rewarding profession. Instructors who have a comprehensive knowledge of dance technique in different styles, an understanding of dance pedagogy, and proven arts management skills are in high demand in this competitive, growing industry. Courses are taught in a welcoming environment for both current and prospective educators of all dance styles.
Hiring qualified dance instructors is essential in today’s competitive recreation industry. Families of dance students expect teachers to be able to provide instruction that is:
- Safe and developmentally appropriate.
- Current with dance training innovations.
- Part of a well-rounded business plan.
- More than teaching dance steps. Instead, they empower their students with life-changing personal growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does earning the Dance Instruction & Management Credential take?
The flexible low-residency structure of the program enables trainees to complete the 30 credit hours on a schedule that works best for them. Courses can be taken in the summers, during evenings and even condensed in long weekends, making the program a convenient option for returning professionals.
What can I do after earning my dance credential?
Barton’s dance credential leads trainees to the following employment opportunities: dance instructor at dance studios and recreation facilities, dance team coach, choreographer, arts administrator, and dance studio owner. Current K-12 educators can gain dance and movement training to add to their curriculum. The credential has an AA Degree option for trainees who decide to transfer to a university dance program to continue their dance education.
What will I learn?
The program offers courses that addresses every aspect of the dance education industry.
- All foundational dance techniques.
- Specialized dance techniques such as en pointe.
- Injury prevention and dance kinesiology.
- Dance history and its context in society.
- How to design effective lesson plans for all ages and levels of experience.
- Dance management skills that includes marketing, finance, grant writing, non-profits vs. for-profits and much more.
- The Dance Internship class gives trainees a chance to earn credits as they gain guided hands-on learning experiences.
Partners & Memberships
- Aly’s School of Dance (Great Bend)
- Euphoria Dance Center (Great Bend)
- Styles Dance Center (Hays, KS)
- Danceography (De Soto, KS)
- ArtisTree Dance (Hutchinson, KS)
- Bethel College Academy of Performing Arts (Newton, KS)
- Kansas Creative Arts & Industries Commission
- National Dance Education Organization
- American College Dance Association
Curriculum Guides
Curriculum Guides
Curriculum Guides
Associate in Art
Dance Instruction and Management
Certificate
Dance Instruction and Management - 30 hours
Meet Danika Bielek
Meet Danika Bielek
Danika Bielek began dancing in a modern dance class at Phoenix Community College when enrolled as a visual art major. Very quickly her creative energies had shifted into the moving arts and changed her major. She graduated from Arizona State University with a B.F.A. cum laude in Dance Performance/Choreography as a scholarship recipient (Young Choreographer Award). While at ASU, she benefited from training and performing with significant instructors, companies and choreographers such as modern dance pioneer Daniel Nagrin, Kee-Juan Han (Indianapolis & Boston Ballet), Madame Xenia Christova (Kirov Ballet), Bebe Miller (Bebe Miller Company), Joe Goode Performance Group, “Uncle” CK Ganyo (Ganyo & Dancers), Marion Kirk-Jones (Horton Dance Company), and Cliff Keuter (Paul Taylor Dance Company). Throughout her training at ASU, Ms. Bielek studied at The Phoenix School of Ballet and at Ballet Arizona. She continues her dance professional development by “studio hopping” in NYC, networking with other dance professionals, taking summer classes at Ballet Arizona, and attending a wide range of workshops in all dance styles nation-wide.
Ms. Bielek began her performance career with Phoenix, Arizona's oldest modern dance company, Desert Dance Theater. Additional performances include dancing works by Kelly Roth, Bill Evans, Cleo Parker Robinson, Peak Ballet, and Rosangela Silvestre, founder of the exquisite Silvestre Technique (Brazil). Later, she performed as a modern dancer soloist with classical and jazz musicians. As a choreographer she has choreographed directed student dance companies, founded her own modern company, Composite Dance (Colorado), has guest choreographed for contemporary companies, ballet companies, and multiple musicals and operas. Commercial choreography credits include choreographing the Heart Ball event for the American Heart Association and being a featured choreographer on the PBS’s series Dance Horizons.
Teaching has been one of Ms. Bielek's greatest interests and is honored to have over 20+ years working as a dance educator. She teaches contemporary and classical modern dance techniques (specializing in classical modern techniques of Horton, Limón, Taylor-Style, Graham, and Dunham), ballet/pointe, men’s ballet technique, jazz dance, dance for musical theatre, movement improvisation, dance history and specializes in choreographic instruction. She has taught students from beginners through pre-professionals of all ages. One memorable instructional experience was enhancing Olympic Athletes’ training through dance technique (Colorado Springs, CO). Most recently, she has been in training under the Dance for PD (Parkinson's Disease) program with the Mark Morris Dance Center (Brooklyn, NY) and founded the Rhythm Connections for PD of Central Kansas. She has taught dance as a form of therapy for many purposes- whether it be maintaining a mind-to-body connection in aging adults or building self-confidence in abused children.
Past positions held include Dance Department Chair at Pikes Peak Community College (Colorado Springs, CO), Executive Director and Dance Director of the Bethel College Academy of Performing Arts (Newton, KS), dance instructor at ArtisTree Dance Studio (Hutchinson, KS) and is one of the rehearsal directors for the Prairie Nutcracker.
Ms. Bielek is excited to work with dance students at Barton Community College as the Performing Arts Dance Instructor/Coordinator. Duties of her newly developed position include program development, directing the student dance company Barton Dance Theatre, developing the Dancing for Mobility program, choreographing musicals for the Theatre Department and, doing what she loves most, teaching dance!