Studio & Classroom
Teaching
Ashlyn has taught as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the School of Dance at UNC Greensboro since 2024, following more than five years as Adjunct Faculty in Belmont University’s Department of Theatre and Dance (2015–2017 and 2021–2024).
Courses
Courses Taught
UNC Greensboro · 2024–present
Graduate Teaching Assistant, School of Dance
Introduction to Dance
General education course introducing selected dance styles through readings, studio experiences, discussions, and concert attendance. Students build movement-description skills and learn to evaluate source validity as researchers.
Ballet for Musical Theatre
Continued development of ballet technique—directions of the body, alignment, functional turnout, breath, and the French ballet lexicon—with repertory exploration designed for musical theatre majors.
Jazz for Musical Theatre
Introduction to the style and rhythmic structures of jazz dance, with technique specific to musical theatre performance and expression. Emphasis on musicality, style, and managing solo and group presentational dynamics within repertory exploration.
Contemporary Dance Praxis I and II
Progressive dance training from a somatic (mind and body) approach, building strength, coordination, and musicality on anatomical principles. Designed for BA and dance minor students; my approach draws on Bartenieff Fundamentals, ecosomatics, and basic anatomy to explore initiation, effort, and ease.
Jazz Dance: From the Street to the Stage
Explores the African Diasporic roots of jazz dance and its political and social origins in Africanist and American dance traditions through movement sessions, lectures, and class projects. General education course for dance majors and non-majors, emphasizing critical evaluation of sources tied to experiential learning.
Pilates for a Healthy Body
An introductory study of Pilates as a body/mind practice that develops physical competency and enhances quality of life through exercise, breath awareness, and functional anatomy.
Teaching Practica and Assistantships
- DCE 241
- Music for Dancers (Atiba Rorie). Created and taught lessons developing basic listening skills among dance majors with mixed musical backgrounds, including scat-based improvisation tasks for embodying rhythm.
- DCE 253
- Dance Composition I (Marielis Garcia). Studied pedagogical methods for a major-level composition class and assisted with grading and feedback on students’ choreographic projects.
- DCE 307
- Dance History: Mapping Diaspora (Chelsea Hilding). Learned methods for decolonizing course content and prepared and taught lessons on Argentine Tango and Lindy Hop that connected theory with practice.
- DCE 343
- Dance Repertory (Janet Lilly). Served as rehearsal assistant for the 12-week process of Ritrovato, contributing one three-minute section within the 14-minute work at Professor Lilly’s invitation.
- DCE 405
- Choreographers and Choreographies (Dr. Ana Paula Höfling). Graded weekly assignments, hosted office hours, mentored undergraduate writing and presentation skills, and prepared lectures and discussions on assigned dance studies texts and viewings.
- DCE 465
- Screen Dance (Robin Gee). Organized and assessed student submissions, coordinated equipment check-out for student projects, and facilitated work sessions in Premiere Pro.
Belmont University · 2015–2017 and 2021–2024
Adjunct Faculty, Department of Theatre and Dance
Ballet I
Introduction to classical ballet technique with emphasis on placement, alignment, and basic vocabulary. Open to dance minors and general education students; a prerequisite for the minor in dance.
Ballet I for Musical Theatre
Ballet I tailored to first-year musical theatre majors (BFA and BM), building fluency in basic ballet vocabulary and body awareness to support actors and movers in auditions.
Jazz I
Introduction to American jazz dance styles and techniques, emphasizing weight placement, use of focus, and building strength for dynamic movement. Open to dance minors, musical theatre majors, and general education students; a prerequisite for the minor in dance.
Modern I
Introduction to modern dance technique focused on developing strength, flexibility, coordination, and functional alignment. Open to dance minors and general education students; a prerequisite for the minor in dance.
Jazz II/III
Intermediate and advanced American jazz technique focusing on stylistic diversity and musicality. Open by placement audition to dance minors and general education students.
Dance Performance (Repertory)
Required for dance minors performing with the Belmont University Dance Company (by audition only). Auditions, weekly rehearsals, and performances of concert dance pieces, with a focus on ensemble work.
Gallery