About
I often tell folks that I teach for 'The Face": The expression a student gets on their face when they accomplish something that they've been working so hard on achieving. That is such a rewarding moment for me as well!
Mr. Richards began his ballet training in 1991 at the University of Oklahoma under the tutelage of Mary-Margaret Holt, Dennis Poole, and Stephen Jenkins, where, in 1993, he was awarded the Yvonne Chouteau Award for Outstanding Ballet Dancer. Mr. Richards went on to dance professionally with Ballet Oklahoma, Nevada Ballet Theater as a soloist, and Ohio Ballet. He also guested for multiple companies, including Ballet Arkansas, Norman Ballet, Cleveland-San Jose Ballet, and Ft. Worth-Dallas Ballet. Upon retiring, Mr. Richards attended Southern Methodist University, where he obtained a Master’s of Fine Arts Degree in Choreographic Theory and Practice. Following graduation in 2001, he taught all over the Dallas/Ft. Worth area before being named Chair of the dance department at the Community College of Baltimore County in 2005. Under his guidance, the program received national accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Dance, the first community college to ever do so. It was named by Dancer Magazine in 2008 as one of the nation's top 3 community college dance programs. Upon leaving CCBC in 2010, Mr. Richards taught at Interlochen Academy of the Arts in Michigan for a year and a half as Guest Artist in Residence before moving to Seattle and teaching all over the Puget Sound. In 2012 he became the founding Artistic Director of INCEPTION Dance Theater, the first company-in-residence at the historic Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute. Mr. Richards recently served as the Acting Executive Director for Virginia Ballet Company and School.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
The first session is dedicated to getting to know each other. The first class is always a bit slower, to give both myself and the student time to adjust and adapt.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Mr. Richards began his ballet training in 1991 at the University of Oklahoma under the tutelage of Mary-Margaret Holt, Dennis Poole, and Stephen Jenkins, where, in 1993, he was awarded the Yvonne Chouteau Award for Outstanding Ballet Dancer. Mr. Richards went on to dance professionally with Ballet Oklahoma, Nevada Ballet Theater as a soloist, and Ohio Ballet. He also guested for multiple companies, including Ballet Arkansas, Norman Ballet, Cleveland-San Jose Ballet, and Ft. Worth-Dallas Ballet. Upon retiring, Mr. Richards attended Southern Methodist University, where he obtained a Master’s of Fine Arts Degree in Choreographic Theory and Practice. Following graduation in 2001, he taught all over the Dallas/Ft. Worth area before being named Chair of the dance department at the Community College of Baltimore County in 2005. Under his guidance, the program received national accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Dance, the first community college to ever do so. It was named by Dancer Magazine in 2008 as one of the nation's top 3 community college dance programs. Upon leaving CCBC in 2010, Mr. Richards taught at Interlochen Academy of the Arts in Michigan for a year and a half as Guest Artist in Residence before moving to Seattle and teaching all over the Puget Sound. In 2012 he became the founding Artistic Director of INCEPTION Dance Theater, the first company-in-residence at the historic Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute. Mr. Richards recently served as the Acting Executive Director for Virginia Ballet Company and School.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Ages 8-12: $40/hr
Ages 13-18: $50/hr
Adults: $35/hr
How did you get started teaching?
After dancing professionally for several years, I obtained an MFA in choreographic theory at Southern Methodist University and began teaching in earnest. Three years later I was the department chair of the dance program at the Community College of Baltimore County.
What types of students have you worked with?
All shapes, sizes, ages, and backgrounds. I've taught rank beginners to top-flight professionals. I do not teach students under the age of 8.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Here are some good questions to ask a new teacher:
1. What is your background?
2. What is your experience teaching my age/technical level?
3. Do you approach training in a kinesthetically sound manner?
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
What are you looking to achieve? Are you a casual dancer, or do you have professional aspirations? Do you have any physical/learning challenges?