Join Marisa f. Ballaro and Whitney Jacobs of MOVEwise at the 2026 NDEO Conference in Albuquerque, NM! Session details below:

At the heart of this session is the conviction that improvisation nurtures student voice, choice, and creativity. Through movement experiences, personal reflection, and group discussion, attendees will leave with practical tools, classroom strategies, and renewed inspiration to create inclusive spaces that honor diversity and unlock the artist within every child.

Unlock the Artist Within: Create, Play, Move invites participants to step into the role of student, experiencing four proven improvisational structures—”Shape Show/Shape Swap/Shape Build,” “Shape Tag,” “Dance Lands,” and “What’s In Your Kinesphere?” These simple yet sophisticated frameworks allow children to explore movement in ways that are authentic to their own abilities, choices, and voices. Because there is no “right or wrong,” improvisation becomes a laboratory for creative ideas where all answers are good answers. Students are encouraged to move within their physical capabilities, take creative risks, and see themselves reflected in the ideas of others. The result is a classroom culture rooted in empathy, respect, and authentic community—one that adapts to those in the room rather than enforcing a prescribed model of learning.

One often practiced dance education model - "do as I do" - is characterized by a teacher-centric approach where students follow the teacher's lead and replicate the movements being taught. This singular model can unintentionally limit access, exclude diverse learners, and narrow what counts as “dance.” Students may feel they must move like someone else to be successful, leaving little room for individuality, creativity, or confidence. This session offers an alternative: choice-driven improvisation is an inclusive, developmentally responsive, and empowering practice. Simplified but not simple, the structures gradually shift ownership from teacher to student and foster environments where every learner—regardless of background, body type, or ability—can thrive as a dancer.