In a field like dance, where the body is the helm of the experience, understanding the people in the room— their histories, interests, and aspired trajectories—is where the lesson begins. The lesson is in the people, in the bodies. Students are more able to learn, experiment, and take risks, when they feel safe, heard, trusted, and supported. As a past student said, “[Tara] was able to create an environment where it felt safe to learn, which in turn helped me learn more.”
“Encouraged us to explore new, non–traditional environments”
Minors Composition Student
“Built a classroom environment of respect, understanding, and friendship”
Tara was an EXTRAORDINARY instructor. Every time we started class, I could tell she genuinely cared about not only our understanding of the material but also for our bodies and our feelings about the things we were learning. Tara built a classroom environment of respect, understanding, and friendship, even after the switch to online classes, through detailed instructions and providing so many alternatives. I can tell Tara cares about how much I’m growing as a dancer but also as a person, and I appreciate that.
Ballet Student
“Consistently felt challenged and excited by the movement vocabulary”
Loved this course! Tara structured the class to meet the varying technical levels of participants; I consistently felt challenged and excited by the movement vocabulary.
Contemporary III Student
“Super engaged…very genuine”
Tara was always willing to help students and provide resources beyond just going to class everyday. When virtual classes started, she was super engaged, checked in on us often and provided us with very helpful resources. Tara is very genuine and I enjoyed her class and teaching style.
Yoga Practice Student
“Tara is an excellent professor but even better human.”
Tara went above and beyond in this course this semester. She listened to us everyday, did a check in with us at the beginning of the class and made sure we were all doing okay in our personal lives. She challenged us and made us feel like dance was still alive even in our bedrooms. I had never composed any dances and I finished this class with numerous videos of my own work. I now have a portfolio from all my projects where I created my own choreography. Tara is an excellent professor but even better human. She cares about what she does and makes an effort to make her class feel a sense of community. One of the greatest professors I have ever had.
Minors Composition Student
Download -> Tara Lee Burns CV