A look back: Summer holidays 2025 🇬🇧 ELEVATE

Dance pedagogy at the cutting edge of research

We place great importance on ensuring that our teaching is not only passionate but also scientifically sound. That is why we regularly invest in international professional development – with a clear focus on the UK. There, intensive research of the highest standard has been carried out for many years in the fields of dance medicine, training science and pedagogy. This expertise feeds directly into our work: from effective warm-up routines and targeted stretching to injury prevention.

Discussion topic 2025: ‘Stretching – better before or after dance practice?’

It is precisely these kinds of questions that demonstrate how nuanced and evidence-based our approach is – and why we, as teachers, remain consistently on the ball. Our aim is to integrate the findings from Birmingham into our teaching in a way that is both understandable and practical.

More than just technique: health and responsibility in the classroom

Alongside physiological topics, this year’s programme focused primarily on two key areas:

• Injury prevention and health in training: How do we structure training stimuli, recovery and progression so that our students learn in a sustainable way – without overloading themselves?
• A discrimination-free environment: How do we ensure that everyone is seen, respected and protected – regardless of their background, gender, body image, religion or identity?

For us, this is essential: dance is not just about technique, but also about connection, trust and appreciation. This ethos shapes decisions in our daily teaching practice – from the warm-up to stage preparation.

Why ELEVATE (IDS) is special

ELEVATE
is not a ‘traditional’ conference. Under the umbrella of IDS
– the world-renowned provider of dance training and equipment – international teachers, educators and experts come together to exchange ideas in a collegial
and interdisciplinary setting
. The result: ideas that go beyond trends and set genuine standards. Without making a big deal of it: this kind of professional development is exceptional – and we take the liberty of claiming to be right
at the forefront of it. Further information on the event can be found on the official ELEVATE
website.

Exchange, networking, inspiration

The direct dialogue with colleagues from renowned educational institutions was particularly valuable. We discuss, observe, laugh – and go home with concrete ideas: better teaching objectives, clearer training plans, more nuanced feedback. This exchange strengthens us in our daily work with the students – both professionally and personally.

A glimpse behind the scenes of our ongoing development

Under the artistic and pedagogical leadership of Jacqui Dunnley-Wendt, we are continuously developing our school. This time, Julia Seel was by her side – a strong duo who translate international insights directly into our lessons. As a result, our classes are now benefiting from the latest insights from Birmingham – tangible, reliable and inspiring.

Questions we took away from Birmingham

• Which warm-up and stretching routines support different dance styles most effectively – and for which target groups?
• How do we measure physical strain and recovery in everyday school life to prevent overexertion?
• Which teaching and feedback methods promote self-confidence and concentration?
• How do we embed anti-discrimination structurally – from classroom rules to complaints procedures?

We are already working on incorporating these aspects into curricula, lesson plans and internal guidelines – so that progress doesn’t just sound good, but is tangible every day.