MK: What have you learned personally from teaching?

RF: I have learned that it’s always important to remember what it was like to be a student and remember to teach others from that perspective. I have also learned that it is always important to constantly do a “temperature check” in the classroom to always gauge where the students are at and always be willing to change how and what you are teaching in order to meet them where they’re at and keep them engaged and challenged.

MK: Do you have a specific moment or memory from teaching that has been particularly inspiring or significant for you?

RF: One favorite moment I had was when I walked into my Friday night class at ODC feeling tired from working all day and posted in the middle of the mirror was an anonymous note written to me saying, “Dear Raffaella, Thank you for teaching us to dance. I love who I am in your class each week.” This really touched me and lifted my spirit. I will never forget that note and the countless other cards and letters I have received over the years from students recounting how therapeutic my dance class has been for them, especially for getting through hard times in their lives. I am happy to know that my class has become a source of therapy for many. I also love the moments when you watch a student have their “a-ha” moment where everything clicks for them and they stop just thinking about the dance and actually disconnect from their mind and start feeling the dance and movement. It’s truly inspiring to watch that process.

MK: What sets ODC apart from other dance communities and schools?

RF: It is a very inviting space and has a professional feel to it, as well as having a great offering of both contemporary, traditional, and global dance classes. It has a wonderful community sense and the caliber of artists are top-notch.