In this session participants will develop a 5-7 minute warmup customized to use with their own students PreK and up based on the pedagogical principles of Brain Dance.

Increase your ability to differentiate movement activities for individuals of varied abilities, skill, stamina and levels of flexibility. Increase student focus, body and emotional management to facilitate all learning.

Dr. Lieschen Fink  is a retired teacher who worked with students in Kirkwood, Riverview Gardens, Ritenour and Hazelwood School Districts, Lieschen received her Doctorate of Education Administration and Education Leadership, and  Specialist degree in Administration and Superintendent Certificate from the University of Missouri St. Louis, her Masters of Education in Humanities/Allied Arts from Truman, adn her Bachelor of Science in Education - Physical Education and Art K-12, with a minor in Dance Studies. Active as adjunct faculty at the collegiate level, a Dance and Fitness instructor, teaching artist and substitute teacher, Lieschen continues to serve the many areas of her passion.

Leverage the power of music and movement as we Integrate movement patterns with history for R&B and Rock n' roll selections with connections to Missouri composers and musicians to take home and use with students in class. Adaptable for all age levels. Simple steps help build student confidence and success with these high energy and low risk activities.

Summer Beasley  began her dance training at the age of 3. She continued on her dance journey through college at Webster University BFA  and Lindenwood University MFA. She has performed and choreographed across the U.S. and has performed internationally with Karlovsky & Company Dance. She completed a 200 hour yoga teacher training with Pam Schulte and a 95 hour children’s yoga teacher training with Lisa Roberts. Currently, she teaches dance, creative movement, and yoga at at Mary Institute-Country Day School (MICDS) in the St. Louis area.

Participants learn ways of building community, cooperation and confidence in their students.  Connect with patterns in the music and movement with an exploration of this Square dance and Folk Dance tradition, and uncover ways that this practice connects with your existing curriculum. 

About the Missouri Federation of Square and Round Dance Clubs of Missouri.

There are 56 squaredance clubs throughout Missouri. Our federation provides support via funding, insurance and scholarships, for square and round dance. Round dance is like choreographed ball room dance. A full set of lessons takes approximately 12 weeks once a week. There are 5 levels; basic, mainstream, plus, advanced and challenge. Squaredance is the state folk dance. It is not clogging but shares moves with other forms of dance such as contra. Most dances include squaredance, line dance, 2 step, round dance and waltz. Square dances consist of a 5 minute patter that is random calls to music and a singer that takes western, po, rock songs and substitutes some phrases with squaredance moves. Health wise squaredance helps stave off dementia and Alzheimer’s improves coordination, improves cardio with low impact exercise, and improves flexibility and balance. Squaredance is recommended for rehab after heart attacked and joint surgeries. Squaredance originated in the USA. It developed from English longways dances, brought over with settlers. It started out as barn dances and because of not having speakers each square had a separate caller. Once speakers were introduced squaredances took off and became very popular. In recent years the squaredance phenomenon has seen a decline but we still dance all over the world. It’s very popular in Europe and Asia. No matter where you dance the calls are in English. 

How has the study of dance brought skills which lead to success beyond the studio, music class, or gym? Where might you find dance resources to enhance your instructional practice? In this session we'll endeavor to answer those questions with some real-life success stories and a showcase of Missouri dance resources.