DANCE TEACHERS
Sue Hodson

I started dancing at the age of five and trained in ballet, contemporary and modern dance. I began ministering in Christian dance at the age of 19 and have had the pleasure of leading workshops both nationally and internationally. As a founder member of ICDF, I was part of the group, under the leadership of Rosemary Raw, tasked with organising and starting the Christian Dance Fellowship in South Africa. In 1989 and 1992 I had the privilege of dancing in Israel as part of the Feast of Tabernacles and thereafter, travelled to the UK and USA to
dance and minister there. I have directed my own ballet school, The Christian Dance School, and was a member of the Christian dance company, Christlight.

In my later years, I received the Flame Award from the ICDF for my contributions to Christian Dance. I have, together with Jacomi Du Plessis, pioneered the Living Dance Ballet and Jazz and Contemporary Syllabi, in South Africa. We are now examiners and love every minute of it. What a privilege to see the development of Christian teachers and dancers. My desire is to see teachers of all styles coming together and learning from one another, as we glorify Jesus in our dance.

 

AIMS:

1. Professional Development: To provide ongoing professional development opportunities for dance teachers, such as training sessions, certification programs, and educational resources. Via, Workshops and Seminars, Certification Programs, Online Learning Resources and Mentorship Programs.
2. Networking and Support: To create a supportive community where Christian dance teachers can share resources, experiences, and best practices.
3. Cultural Exchange: To foster cultural exchange and understanding by connecting dance teachers from different countries and backgrounds, encouraging the sharing of diverse dance styles and traditions.
4. Resource Development: To develop and distribute resources such as curricula, instructional videos, and music that align with Christian values and can be used in dance schools.
5. Research Contributions: The network could become a hub for research in dance and faith, contributing new insights to the field and improving practices based on empirical evidence.
6. Leadership Development: Equipping dance teachers with leadership skills to take on prominent roles in their communities and beyond, fostering a new generation of leaders in dance.