About
Julia Buckroyd's The Student Dancer interrelates the areas of pedagogy, social work, counselling, and psychology in connection to teaching and learning of dance. In her book Buckroyd investigates how these areas can contribute to the understanding of the human dimension of dance education and how can they be included in the professional dance school practice.
Based on abundant research on the frequency of diseases, smoking, injuries, and eating disorders among dancers and students, the author claims that today's dance education is harmful to students' psychic health and that it needs to be changed. Including examples of good practice and many ideas, arguments, and propositions, Buckroyd discusses questions such as:
- self and the body,
- adolescence and dance education,
- group learning,
- male dancers,
- eating disorders,
- shifting to other careers.
Buckroyd's much needed book is an important expert treatise for teachers, students, and managers of professional dance schools, though it can also be valued by professional dance groups. Parents of dance students as well as students and pedagogues of other performing art fields can also benefit from the book's important insights.
Julia Buckroyd is Emeritus Professor of Counselling at the University of Hertforshire and therapist in private practice. She has worked as student counsellor at dance schools for over 15 years, among other schools also at London Contemporary Dance School. She has published many articles on the well-being of dancers and dance learners and is the author of two books on eating disorders: Eating Your Heart Out and Anorexia and Bulimia.
Credits
Translation: Irena Prosenc Šegula
Proofreading: Monika Jerič
Verification: Maja Delak
Series editors: Maja Delak and Mala Kline
Book editor: Karla Železnik
Graphic design: Mauricio Ferlin
Print: Studio Kvadrat, Ljubljana
Support
Publisher: En-knap, Transitions 2004
Distribution: Emanat
Financial support: Ministry for Culture RS, The British Council