DANCE TEACHING METHODS AND CURRICULUM DE
Gayle Kassing and Danielle M. Jay have taught dance technique and pedagogy, dance methods, and curriculum design in dance teacher education preparation programs in both physical education and fine arts departments for more than 25 years. Many of their former students are now professionals in K–12 dance education programs.
Drs. Kassing and Jay have helped write state curriculum guidelines and dance teacher certification tests and have presented nationally on teaching methodologies. The two have coauthored one previous book, Teaching Beginning Ballet Technique. Dr. Kassing—a former publications director for the National Dance Association (NDA)—is the media author of Interactive Beginning Ballet Technique, an interactive multimedia CD-ROM for students. Both have received Outstanding Young Women of America awards from the Outstanding Young Women of America Program. Both authors hold PhDs in dance and related arts and belong to the NDA and National Dance Education Organization. Dr. Jay has served on the committee that selects the NDA Dance Educator of the Year award.
Dr. Kassing lives in Champaign, Illinois, where she is an acquisitions editor in Human Kinetics' division of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. As a professional dancer, she performed ballet, modern dance, and musical theatre. Dr. Kassing has taught dance in university physical education and fine arts departments and elementary public magnet schools. She administered university dance and fine arts programs and was a Florida Artist in Residence for two terms. She has conducted dance workshops in public schools for state departments of education, in graduate programs, and for professional organizations. In her free time, Kassing enjoys spending time with her family and close friends, walking, reading, and traveling.
Dr. Jay is a professor of dance education at Northern Illinois University. A student of ballet since the age of three, she has studied with Margaret Craske and Celene Keller at Jacob's Pillow; with David McLain, David Blackburn, and Oleg Sabline at the University of Cincinnati; and with Grace Thomas, a soloist with the Radio City Ballet. Dr. Jay lives in Sycamore, Illinois; her favorite leisure-time activities include spending time with her relatives and close friends, reading, and choreographing.