Local dance instructor meets industry stars at educational conference

Stars on 9 Dance Center, located on Route 9 east of Georgetown, is celebrating 10 years in Sussex County.

One of its dance educators, Cathy Jansen, recently attended the annual Dance Teacher Summit held at the New York Hilton in New York City, one of the most comprehensive gatherings for dance educators in the nation. Its faculty includes world-renowned teachers, choreographers and industry professionals from Broadway, television, professional dance companies and top dance education studios worldwide.

Jansen, the senior teacher and studio manager for Stars on 9, participated in master classes, workshops and seminars covering the latest trends in dance education. She focused on specialized choreography techniques for early childhood, child, teen and adult dance classes. She also participated in roundtables on studio management and leadership strategies, as well as exploring the latest innovations in the dance industry at the trade show.

The keynote speaker was Misty Copeland, a world-renowned ballerina who shared exciting new ballet techniques for the classroom, and Jansen had an opportunity to meet her. Among the thousands of attendees, Jansen was the only teacher to bring along copies of Copeland’s books, which the star graciously signed and dedicated to the students at Stars on 9 Dance Center. Jansen plans to use these children's storybooks to enhance her ballet classes at the dance center.

Copeland is celebrated as the first African American prima ballerina with the NYC-based American Ballet Theatre, and she gave her final performance Oct. 22, at the Lincoln Center.

Another highlight of Jansen’s experience was her personal conversation with Derek Hough of "Dancing With the Stars,” when they shared stories and concerns about the changing trends in private dance studios. The pinnacle moment came when Hough approached her on the ballroom floor during a class and asked her to dance. After their dance, they posed for photos together, creating a memorable moment of personal engagement and professional connection.

“I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to represent Stars on 9 Dance Center and to continue learning from some of the most accomplished artists in the field,” Jansen said. “Teachers need to keep learning and progressing to bring back new inspiration, methods and energy to share with their students. Professional development is the cornerstone of teaching. I'm excited to share everything I’ve learned with our spectacular students.”

Janet Layden, owner and artistic director of Stars on 9 Dance Center, said, “[Jansen’s] dedication to continuing education benefits every student who walks through our doors. The inspiration, knowledge and techniques she brings back ... will continue to enrich our dancers with strong self-confidence, inspire greater creativity and foster connections to the latest innovative trends in the dance world. Her energy and love for dance shine through everything she does. She shares that enthusiasm, passion and total commitment to her profession with every student."

Jansen’s attendance at the Dance Teacher Summit ensures that students at Stars on 9 Dance Center benefit from visionary techniques, fresh ideas and renewed inspiration in their classes, keeping the small-town studio connected to the larger, ever-evolving dance world.