EDUCATOR

Principal Dance Faculty, AMDA Los Angeles – 2004-Present 

Teaching Philosophy

Classical dance education, (Ballet, Jazz and Modern disciplines born from western centric dance aesthetic) begin with mimicry, aided by the incorporation of a mirror to ensure perfection. For many years I was inheriting students who were so focused on an external result, they were actually immobilized. They had lost their joy. In wanting to return them to the freedom and desire that began their journey, I started to dissect my own odyssey.

It was in fact a linear trajectory of having to find my own freedom within structure that began with mental picture imagery, a meditation, in traversing the ‘in betweens’ of my body on the inside to create the shapes and pathways on the outside. This focus, never fractured by the mirror, solidified my technique, that later when expanded into personal connection, exploded it! (Thank you, Mr. Robbins!) Not only did this make me viable, but it also created visceral liberation and the joy that resulted in a career and clear focus that helped me traverse the world for everything else. 

There are no mirrors on stage. Mimicry is helpful at first but there is an organic order to becoming an artist. It is a dance all by itself. It is traversing and embracing the journey- the chaos that actually makes space for something to happen.

My desire is to illuminate and facilitate this by continuously cultivating joy throughout the process for all, to make art that grows, the artist and the artform!

Shoutout LA article

Core Skills

Articulation for beginners through professional levels as well as education of teachers.

Metaphoric principles

Storytelling

Understanding of the individual instrument and the specific pathways to success per student

Effective use and cross pollinations of many dance disciplines

Broad understanding of success and use of dance discipline to augment all art forms

Direction, Choreography and Staging- Full length productions and/or isolated pieces for dance, musical theater and plays

Collaboration

Supervision and Management of faculty and student population

Supervision and quality control for production

Content creation

Portfolio curation

Curriculum Vitae

Student Quotes

If I can be completely honest, this whole class has really been a game changer for me in ballet, but also in the way I think about dance and performance as a whole. you and I have talked about finding subtlety in my movement for as long as I can remember. I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that I was not engaging the proper muscles in order to find the length and breath in the movement. My goal this semester was to find that subtlety, and not only have I felt it, but I have had teachers and other students complimenting my use of dynamics. Another thing that has really stuck with me is the way you empowered me in class. I grew up with ballet and felt fine doing it, but I never felt great about myself and most of that stemmed from the fact that I don’t look like a typical ballerina, so I thought that I would never be able to feel that length and breath in my own movement. You, however, continued to remind me that if I really thought about where I was engaging from and finding breath in my body, I would be able to take up more space.”
F. Georges 

You once said “using art to feel emotions is actually a better way of dealing with pain than stuffing them and letting them consume us,” and I’ve never forgotten that.

Jillene

“Tracy has presented concepts that I have never heard before which has me thinking smarter not harder. I have seen so much growth in the way I think about my energy and how it exudes out of my body. Some things that come to mind– thinking about dancing like I am 6 feet tall, taking up my space, feeling ownership over my work, feeling the movement instead imitating the movement…

I think I took away more about my love and ownership of dance rather than nit picking my technique. The technique has been so important and I have improved so much, but at this stage of my career I think it is about owning my craft and not apologizing for dancing as myself. Once I broke down the wall of trying to “look like a ballerina” the technique and movement became natural.

I have felt a shift in my dancing BECAUSE OF THIS CLASS!!
E. Cotton 

I’ve always had a difficult relationship with ballet. It was the one style of dance that I just never seemed to “fit.” Growing up in strict ballet environment definitely didn’t help my old mindset at all either. But as I looked back on Zoom last week, I saw myself really dancing and not being afraid to take up space. I could list all the technical aspects I’ve progressed in as well such as my turnout, use of the back, groundedness, etc- but this is so much greater to me because I feel it. It’s a freeing sensation that I never quite achieved through ballet until this semester. We’ve spoken so much about connecting to our music and narratives, allowing ourselves to make the movement mean more than “steps.” This is a lesson that I’ll never forget, and something I hope to never stop discovering and being curious about.
M. Ervin

You told me once in the midst of a slight breakdown to – “Use that anger & frustration to fuel your movement to the next level” & then said “If you have some left over, go punch a wall… just don’t damage anything you’ll have to pay for” 😉 (I wrote that one down)
Julie

“You gotta levitate” made all the difference 🙂
Sandee

“A…A1/2….A3/4″…;)
Theresa

The one that stands out in my mind – When talking about musicality: “Listen to the music! Dare to be late for crying out loud- you might surprise yourself.” 🙂
Jeni B.

I see a lot of growth in myself from the beginning of the semester. I have consciously carried all that we talk about in our class through the rest of my classes, and I’m starting to see the tip of the iceberg of potential and growth that I can achieve. I feel so much more aware and in control of my body, and I can make such small adjustments that have the ability to shift things that aren’t working for me. I take so much more pride in my presence and carriage of my body – it’s visible in the amount of expansion I’ve found in movement, and it’s physically changing the way I move to make things easier and more accessible to me with time. The awareness of my feet has been a game changer! Something I will always need to work on, but just beginning to pay more attention to the way my feet are working into the floor has given me so much more stability and power. I also notice my mindset has changed. Instead of thinking of things as “impossible” or focusing on how many times I’ve messed something up, I redirect my thinking and remind myself that I have so much more facility than I give myself credit for, and that if I imagine myself doing something, it comes to me more easily. Thank you for your never ending guidance and care!
S. Serdykov

I just wanted you to know that in the two weeks I had your class I learned more about self expression through the body then I think I have ever learned – you are definitely the definition of a true teacher and artist and someone that inspires beyond belief – hope your doing well!
Andrew Isaac Burrill

Hey Tracy! I just wanted to say thank you. I have booked an international tour. I was in the dance call backs for this and we were taught a lyrical piece and all I could think about was you yelling “shoulders back and chest to the sky Kristina!” Thank you so much for always giving 100% in the classroom. You really have no idea how much impact you have on us.
Kristina

Today I became once again that little kid who didn’t know a damn dance step or anything about music theory. I lost time. Who needs it? it’s just in you. Thank you Tracy Silver reminding me what music is once again.
Juan Caballer

…Your love for this craft we chose is both inspiring and infectious….Thank you for allowing me to explore and grow as an artist a creator and most of all as a human being. You will forever hold my admiration for your ability to bring concepts to life on the stage and to raise the bar in the classroom….
D Franceschi

Thank you so much for your wisdom and guidance. You’ve opened my eyes a s a dancer and a singer….two things I’ll never forget…’back body’ and POV! The best 2 cents of my 4th semester here!
P Turner

You have such a marvelous elegance and flair that I admire so dearly. Your passion and intelligence simply radiates throughout your craft and it allows those you teach to feel safe being enthusiastic.
C Hunter

Two things I learned from you, because we would be here all day if I made a list of it all:

Quote from you from 2nd semester – “be interested not interesting.”

Fine tuning your instrument by taking the time to acknowledge what is working and what isn’t, and having the patience to resolve it, rather than blaming yourself for it. (This is a run-on sentence, I’m sorry)
So much love,
Kate

I think that for me what I’m taking from this class is definitely the “imagining the scenario” because that really helped me connect the movements with the music. It was a game changer for me. Whenever I did it, suddenly my whole dance changes, I give emotion to the dance, I remember the steps better because I’m not thinking about the next thing, I’m in the moment, and the dance just comes to life.
Alyana Henriques

“When I was visiting New York over the summer I was called in to audition for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway. Not only did I get a CALLBACK for the lead, but it was a MOVEMENT callback for ACTORS. I went back to all of the skills Tracy had taught us in our dance and movement class, and I can absolutely say that without her class, and emphasis on storytelling. I would not have had the confidence or capability to listen, move well and most importantly TELL THE STORY. It was intense, quick paced choreo, but I did it, and did it WELL because of Dance and Movement with Tracy Silver.”
Jonathan Moreno

“First and foremost, I want to thank you for everything you have taught me about dance, life and myself honestly. You have opened my eyes to a whole new way of dance and it has helped me grow immensely. You have helped me transform into the dancer I am today and I will be eternally grateful for that. I will never forget our times during rehearsal where you would call me “Bam-Bam” and where we would work together to find the best solutions. Thank you for all the notes, knowledge and humanity. You have taught me how to be an artist and how to use my length to the fullest. You have pushed me in ways many teachers haven’t and you have taught me that patience is the key to growth.”
Nicco Marcantonio
“This past semester I have learned so much. All of the corrections you have given in class have really helped me understand my body. I understand body placement, posture, and alignment much better now. I finally get that my mind and my body have to work together in order to achieve maximum mobility. Before I was just focusing on what my physical outside movements were doing and not realizing that I had to work from the inside out. Once I recognized this new technique it instantly changed the way I was able to dance.”
Morgan Bronk Lutz

“From my first days at AMDA to my last, you’ve been an important mentor to me and have greatly shaped the person and dancer I am and continue to become every day. I will forever have your voice engraved into my brain saying “lift up to go out” “more back” “suspension” “use your back body” “more side body”. I hope you know your notes and thoughts have stuck with me and will be something I continue to work towards and carry on with me throughout my career.

Thank you for teaching me patience and beauty in stillness. For teaching me that its okay to do nothing, even if you feel incredibly vulnerable and uncomfortable. For teaching me to be comfortable in the uncomfortable and to never settle.
I’m so honored to have gotten the chance to learn from you and perform your work. You’re so inspiring and I’m forever grateful that AMDA brought you into my life.

Thank you for everything and much much more.”
Love,
Claire Kampschroeder

“I believe Mrs Tracy Silver is in need of the biggest “thank you” I have to offer. Thank you for challenging me. Thank you for educating me not only in this craft, but in this life as a whole. You have shown me that it’s more important to love what you do than to be the best. (But being the best wouldn’t hurt, either!) Because of you I have found a new love for ballet, and I constantly have every one of your notes playing in my mind throughout all of my other disciplines. You are simply not human!”
Savannah Kelly

“I have grown in my musicality and being patient enough with my body that I actually hear the music. The music is becoming an influence to my movement and not just some background noise. This has helped me open up my focus and become present in my movement. When I am aware of my surrounding  and how things look around me is when I feel present and like I can now dive into my body and feel from within.”
E. Vicana

“Met a kid in Brooklyn at an audition who reminisced with me about the great Tracy Silver. My love to you Teach. Noone at AMDA made me believe in magic more than you!”
Love Court

“Tracy has taught me so much about letting dance and performance be a full body, multi-dimensional experience. She pushes me to conquer the details, let myself breathe into the movement, and most of all letting the dance be a real performance, every time.”

Hannah Johnson

“Tracy taught me to rely on my intuition over the mirror. Feeling the right position has changed my awareness of my body and has allowed me to do things I never knew I was capable of.”

A. Rowe