Feminist pedagogy in the contemporary dance technique class: a personal case study

In this personal case study, feminist pedagogy provides a theoretical framework through which to critically reflect upon the evolution of my own teaching practice, with the hope of contributing to the ongoing discourse regarding feminist and collaborative pedagogies within dance education. The benefits and challenges of teaching with a democratic approach, as well as strategies that I have implemented within my practice that align with feminist pedagogical principles, are discussed in depth. The insights and observations considered are from my personal perspective as a teacher and as such, reflexivity is used throughout to underpin my discussion by acknowledging how subjectivity informed my process. In this article, I reflect upon my experience of working with Foundation Degree students at a specialist Higher Education Ballet school where I have worked as a Cunningham-based contemporary dance tutor for the past six years.