Blythely Dancing

I'm now sharing my Teaching Values Statement on my website, along with an updated version of my CV and am interested in providing mutual feedback with other dance educators and teaching artists. What do you think is important in teaching and what are your strengths as an educator? How do you frame your experiences when applying for funding and employment?  http://blythecs.wix.com/blythe-stephens

My stand for 2016 is connection, so I'm reaching out, sharing what I'm up to, and welcoming contact and support. For up-to-date information about my artistic and professional work, please also see my other websites: Wix- blythecs.wix.com/blythe-stephens  Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/A-Blythe-Coach-159204794109227/  LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/blythekirkpatrick Twitter- ablythecoach I'm currently working on my online presence, aligning and updating my profiles, portfolio, and writing. I hope to soon share more samples of my work, such as syllabi, lesson plans, student work, and recent references, testimonials, and evaluations. Stay tuned for more dancing and coaching fun to come!

Happy Fourth of July! It's a day to celebrate our freedom and independence. I'm not saying that these United States are perfect, but we do have a lot to be grateful for. I often think of the liberties we enjoy here, in this age, that could easily be taken for granted. We get to decide where we live, what we do for work and play, what we wear, what we eat, who our friends and romantic partners are, how, when and if to have children, what religion, if any, to practice... and we have the freedom to make mistakes learn from them. Sometimes we get overwhelmed by all the choices we are free to make! It is such a blessing to have multiple appealing options in life, a treat to choose our favorite or what seems to be the best at the time, and make so many choices throughout our lives. I believe that with all these wonderful choices comes responsibility. Responsibility to consider the consequences of our actions for our future selves, for others, and for our planet. Happy o...

I absolutely love the positive “It Gets Better” campaign that has arisen from the tragic deaths of gay teens who have experienced brutal bullying. It is not right for young lives, who have so much ahead of them, be lost! Yet it is easy to lose sight of possibility in the face of so much hurt. The "It Gets Better" message is relevant to all sorts of young people, not exclusively those who have been bullied for being queer, although that can be particularly tough- any kind of difference can bring ridicule. To have so many people speaking out about what gifts maturing has brought them is an exciting shift for a youth-centric culture. In their messages, the celebrities and everyday people are sharing how they celebrate what growing up brings, how they've had the courage to embrace who they really are, and how they've created a supportive community, pursued their passions, found love, etc. Recently I’ve been lucky enough to be helping a small alternative high schoo...

The fireworks have burst, champagne corks popped, folks resolved to make exciting changes in their lives… and I have reflected, envisioned, committed, and eaten my black eyed peas. What does your New Year process look like? This New Year, I took stock of the last year’s accomplishments and challenges in creating my vision and practices for the future, as well as a bit further back, reading through old journals and notes back to 2004. 2010 was one of my most eventful and challenging yet, and in some areas I have been disappointed with my progress. Happily, taking just a slightly longer view revealed that I have been moving on an upward spiral towards my dreams, even with the tough times of life along the way, and some out and out failures! I continue to get more clear about what I want, and move step by step, of course stumbling and trying again, toward it. Here are some particularly relevant bits of my reflections and milestones over the last 7 years: February 2004- “I fee...

West Hawaii Dance Theatre Offers January Ballet Classes with West Hawaii Dance Academy Alumna BLYTHE STEPHENS January 22,24 & 29, 2011 Blythe began her dance education at WHDT from the age of 5-16, going on to graduate from North Carolina School of the Arts. She holds a BA in Philosophy from Whitman College and performed extensively with Whitman Dance Theatre and Whitman Dance Productions. Now residing in Portland, OR, she is the President of the Dance Coalition of Oregon, performs with Mythobolus Mask Theatre and The Dolly Pops, and teaches ballet at the Collins View Dance and Arts Center. Saturday Schedule 11:00-12:30pm Ballet Technique 12:30-1:30pm Pointe 1:30-2:00pm Performance Group Monday Schedule 3:30-4:15pm Ballet Ages 7-8 4:15-5:15pm Ballet ages 9+ 5:15-6:30pm Ballet III/IV 6:30-7:15pm Performance Group Phone (808)329-8876 West Hawaii Dance Theatre...

"We learn by practice. Whether it means to learn to dance by practicing dancing or to learn to live by practicing living, the principles are the same. One becomes in some area an athlete of God." - Martha Graham “I like living.  I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, wracked with sorrow, but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing.”  - Agatha Christie “Do not fear mistakes- there are none.” - Miles Davis “We are here to abet creation and to witness to it, to notice each other’s beautiful face and complex nature so that creation need not play to an empty house.” - Annie Dillard “Sometimes our light goes out but is blown back into flame by an encounter with another human being.  Each of us owes the deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this inner light.” -Albert Schweitzer “If the world were merely seductive, that would be easy.  If it were merely challenging, t...