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TOCA TEACHER · Lesson 11 · Teaching

Build independent dancers, not students who need you

Constant correction feels generous. It quietly creates dependence.

Dawou Tarraxo, pioneer of Tarraxo. Build independent dancers, not students who need you

Let good enough repetitions pass. Delay your feedback. Ask the student what they felt before you tell them what you saw. Teach them to recognise their own errors.

Independence is the evidence that learning happened. Your goal is progress that continues when you leave the room.

The goal of a dance teacher is a dancer who can practise alone.

Build independent students, step by step

  1. A STUDENT WHO NEEDS YOUR VOICE FOR EVERY REPETITION IS NOT YET FREE.
  2. Constant correction can create dependence.
  3. Let good-enough repetitions pass.
  4. Delay your feedback.
  5. Ask the student what they felt first.
  6. Teach them to recognise their own errors.
  7. Independence is evidence of learning.
Could your students practise without you?

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This lesson comes from the book

Page 89 of The teacher's guide by Dawou Tarraxo, the TOCA Method page this lesson comes from
The teacher's guide · page 89

The student’s book takes dancers from the first foundations to real feeling. The teacher’s guide gives instructors the structure to pass it on. Both in English, French and Spanish, on Amazon and Apple Books.

The student’s book The teacher’s guide

The method

T O C A

Two bodies. One connection.

TTouchThe connection with your partner. Feeling through contact, never through force.
OObservationListening to your partner’s body, energy and tempo.
CControlMastery of your own movement. Precision without tension.
AAwarenessFull presence: with yourself, your partner and the music.