Abstract
This memoir offers a series of stories that stand out from a long life in dance, a life in which dance has supported happiness, enabling a philosophy of being. I highlight how dance has been a way of life more so than an artistic vocation, describing my career-long commitment to the inclusion of dance and creative movement in early childhood education. Through autobiographical narrative, I recount the origins, turning points, and overall process of this dedication to young children’s quality of educational life. Dancing and moving to learn affords children opportunities to grow positive self-esteem, recognize capabilities, problem-solve, and cooperate with differently-abled others, all while learning their curriculum. From youth to elder, themes of persistence and following one’s dream weave throughout the memoir, including a recent success story in my New Jersey school district.
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Acknowledgment
I am grateful to Jane Bonbright and Rima Faber of the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) for their support in publishing my 2002 book, Alphabet Movers.
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Benzwie, T. (2019). Memoir of a Dancing Life. In: Bond, K. (eds) Dance and the Quality of Life. Social Indicators Research Series, vol 73. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95699-2_29
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95699-2_29
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