“At the tender ages of 3 - 5 dance is not about classical training or the aspiration to be a dancer. Instead, teaching movement in these early years is critical for a child’s physical, emotional and social development.”

Allegra Lillard, Author of Dance For Joy

What is Dance for Joy?

I had magical and imaginative teachers as a young child who instilled in me a passion for dance. That passion propelled me into my life’s work as a dancer and a teacher. 

Through dance I have learned that teaching is about sharing, observing, doing, experiencing, and passing down information infused with joy. 

I have no doubt that when joy is included in education a foundation of curiosity, energy, and happiness is created and the potential for growth is limitless. 

With this belief, I set out to document ideas and activities I have discovered, developed, and experimented with while teaching young children.

This collection became Dance for Joy, A Creative Movement Curriculum for Ages 3-5 Years. It is not a curriculum in the traditional sense, but rather, a guidebook or toolbox. Just like dance, the concepts, strategies, and activities are meant to be fluid and evolve. 

Testimonials

  • “When I think of Allegra Lillard, dancing fractals of love and light come to mind! Allegra’s Dance for Joy curriculum brings all the domains of early learning to life through dance, music, rhyme, and play; Children and teachers alike become entranced and filled with magic in every class. The world and our early childhood providers need Dance for Joy now more than ever!”

    -Catherine Oppenheimer (Founder of NDI New Mexico and New Mexico School for the Arts)

  • “I love that we left with you reminding us that when we teach to keep a sparkle in our eye, a spring in our step and joy in our hearts. To me, that was a wrap up of how to teach with love and be in the moment with the students.”

    -Alyx Sanchez (NDI New Mexico, Albuquerque)

  • “I am now a firm believer in incorporating more mindful moments into any class I teach and introducing it as an essential part of my class dynamic. I also learned that being positive and gentle can get a good result and outcome out of children/dancers. Transitions are important regardless of age and can be used as a good refocusing tool.”

    -Lauren O’Brien (NDI New Mexico, Santa Fe)

  • “I really was very happy with the live experience opportunities as well as the materials given during the workshop. It made me excited to teach young children again when I used to feel a little stressed about it. THANK YOU, ALLEGRA!”

    -Bailey Ostdiek (NDI New Mexico, Santa Fe)

  • “The biggest take away for me from the workshop was the good feeling I had at the end of each class.”

    -Tina Anderson (NDI New Mexico, Santa Fe)