Dance 

Education

So proud of our Cohort 4 graduates for all their brilliant work, artistry, and growth during the 23-24 Jacob's Pillow Curriculum in Motion Institute.  Bravo Bravo Bravo!

photo: Rachel Wurman

Michael guiding a Language of Dance (LOD) Movement Alphabet warm up at a citywide professional development session with NYC PS Dance Teachers, Nov 14, 2023 @ the Gibney studios

Michael and cohort 4 of the Jacob's Pillow Curriculum in Motion Institute co-creating Rosh Hashanah dance ritual, Sept 2023

photos: Celeste Miller

Jacobs Pillow Curriculum in Motion Institute 

Co-Director and JPCIM Founding Artist

Michael has been collaborating with Celeste Miller for the JPCIM program since 1999, when he first began using the CIM method with Celeste at Monument Mountain Regional High School in the Berkshires, MA.

Curriculum in Motion Institute Module 5 with the wonderful cohort 2 at Jacob's Pillow in July 2022.  photos: Danica Paulos

Michael shared a recent email from Ann that he had received just a couple of months before she passed.

LOD Teacher Strategies and Student Skills Table

Language of Dance Language Components graphic

Michael with LAUSD traveling elementary dance teachers

Testimonials: dance teacher from elementary - university


"Dance class has been wonderful. We learned all about movement and levels. Statues are really fun when you do them together. The coolest thing about class is YOU! You are the best dance teacher ever.  You are awesome in every way."

Room 10 Welby Way Magnet elementary school, LAUSD

“This was a great program for our students. It helped them to be more conscious about their bodies and their environment. The students were able to use their imagination. I truly enjoyed the program.” N.O. First grade teacher, LAUSD


"Thank you so much for all of your hard work in bringing dance into our classroom.  The children always look forward to Tuesday, which I think they would gladly rename “Dance Day.” I especially want to thank you for doing such wonderful activites which bring out the best in each individual.  My shy “wallflowers” are becoming more outgoing and my “rambunctious go-getters” are learning discipline and the value of teamwork. It’s been a wonderful 12 weeks."

-S.S. 3rd grade teacher, Welby Way Magnet elementary school, LAUSD


"Mr. Richter is a very gifted dance tecaher who knows how to integrate dance and the curriculum. He is excellent in teaching students as well as adults." -J.K., elementary school teacher, LAUSD


"Michael was the key source to motivate students to have a happy and positive experience in creative movement. He created a safe environment for students to express themselves." - K.C., elementary school teacher, LAUSD


"Michael helped my quiet students come out of their shell and feel more comfortable around one another, which led to higher achievement in other subjects." - J.A., elementary school teacher, LAUSD


"Mr. Richter is very capable. He has good management skills and an excellent grasp of pedagogy and children's development." - M.B., 5th gradel teacher, LAUSD


"Mr. Richter was extremely accomodating with my special education students. They were active participants due directly to Mr. Richter." -A.S., 3rd - 5th special ed. teacher, LAUSD


"The best dance teacher that I have seen in 16 years of teaching.  He had a lot of enthusiasm and it rubbed off on us." - B.F., 2nd grade teacher, LAUSD


"Having you be with our daughter for her pre-school education has amplified our fun level. We appreciate the way you appreciate our daughter and how much she loves you." - C.C. actress, student's mother, HLFJCC, Los Angeles


"I had a fun time learning about dance it was so cool. I really like all the activities you planned for everybody. I guess you thought about what would be fun for all of us. I want to thank you for all your hard work." I.C. student, LAUSD


"I have so much respect and appreciation for your work as a dance teacher and coach. For me, you are a continuous source of positive energy, patience, and commitment and I thank you for just being you." L.B., dance specialist, LAUSD


"His kindness and understanding are his strengths. Moreover, the confidence that he gives to his students, because he is patient and persistent." - university student, UABCS


"Michael made a great effort to acknowledge each statement as a dancer in her/his own right. The class helped me get in touch with my creative side, without masquerading ideas I picked up as my own. This was one of the most enjoyable and enlightening experiences I have had throughout my college career." - UCLA student in Modern Dance


"This has been a wonderful experience for me! Michael has given me the opportunity to express myself and overcome my fear of doing so." - UCLA student in Modern Dance


"Michael brought the best out in all of us. It was neat to see how all of us, so different from each other, worked together with the organization of this class." - UCLA student in Modern Dance


"I like this class because here I get a chance to be creative and concentrate on my emotions. It has become a very important part of my life; I think about dancing constantly." - UCLA student in Modern Dance


"Michael was very valuable as an instructor. He allowed us to learn through experience rather than cramming the course material down our throats. The class environment was very open." - UCLA student in Modern Dance


"This class has been the most useful in my education thus far. Prior to your class, I learned theory and information... but with the information you've provided, I feel I am able to successfully utilize creative dance in the classroom." A.A., CSUN student in Creative Dance for Children


"I feel I left his class very well equipped to begin experimenting on my own in my own classroom. Mr. Richter is an excellent teacher. NOt one second was ever mispent in this class. - D.M., CSUN student in Creative Dance for Children


"Professor Michael is an excellent teacher. He is hard working and has a way of making his students do the same. The strengths were in the excellent activities we did and that we can do in teh classroom." CSUN student in Creative Dance for Children


"Instructor was very creative and innovative." CSUN student in Creative Dance for Children


"Michael Richter was caring and very enthusiastic about giving us the best skills possible. I feel that I have more to offer as an educator becaue of him." CSUN student in Creative Dance for Children


"You were a fabulous teacher. If you wouldn't have pushed me so hard, I wouldn't have broken out of my shell. I have not had confidence in myself for a long time, and you changed that by showing me that I can do things." CSUN student in Creative Dance for Children


"The teacher put great effort in preparation and grading efficiency. I appreciated it and it also inspired me to put forth a greater effort. Mr. Richter's enthusiasm and intelligence are a great example for us teachers in training.  Most of all, I appreciated his passion for his trade." CSUN student in Creative Dance for Children


"Thank you for your dedication to teaching and the vast amount of energy you spend with our students. It is obvious you care about teaching and learning. You call your students by their names and listen to their comments willingly. Your communcation style is inetractive. You have a very special way to get students moving without inhibition." - H.B. Chair, Dept of Kinesiology Personnel Committee


"Thank you Michael for being our fearless leader and finding these astonishing books." -L.B., somatic coach

LOD Foundations - parts of speech

Michael offers a framework for understanding motif notation (Language of Dance) as Parts of Speech (grammar).