Exploring the Master of Dance Pedagogy

16.10.2025 0 Like 0 kommenttia

Paulina Latva (@pauliinalatva) discusses how the Dance Pedagogy Master’s program can shape a professional dance career and influence the world.

You can find Paulina on Instagram to follow her work and see where she is performing next. Or visit her beautiful webpage. The full interview is also available as a podcast episode.

A Deeper Look into Pedagogy

For Paulina, dance isn’t just about steps; it’s about embodied learning and the dynamic interaction between people. She explained that the program moves beyond technique to explore topics like power structures in the classroom and how dance can be a tool for communication, especially with people who can’t use words. This is a key focus in her studies.

The two-year program starts with a more structured first year, covering history and theory, with a strong emphasis on in-person studies. A major part of this year is the first internship, which can be a teaching placement or an artistic research project. Paulina chose to focus on artistic research, exploring the “in-between” space of dance and circus with an aerialist at a Helsinki circus center.

Dance as a Tool for the World

When asked about trends in the field, Paulina pointed to the growing recognition of dance as a tool for embodied learning, which is gaining traction in educational settings and even healthcare. She mentioned that dance can help us get to know ourselves and each other on a deeper, nonverbal level, as our bodies are wise and full of ways to connect without words.

For aspiring teachers, Paulina’s advice is to be passionate and open to feedback. She believes that you are always a student as a teacher, and learning by doing is a great way to start. She also highlighted the importance of having an education in dance to professionally ground your practice.

Rituals for Creativity

To stay grounded and avoid burnout, Paulina makes a point to schedule a “day of nothing” each week. This time, free of appointments, allows her to recharge and reconnect with her own creativity. She finds inspiration in music, visual arts, and nature, and she loves spending time alone to recharge from her busy, social life as an artist.

Looking to the future, Paulina wants to continue her work in international, interdisciplinary projects. She hopes to work with like-minded people as a dancer, choreographer, and in pedagogical projects. She also shared the name of her current solo demo process: “Ritual of Now,” a title that perfectly sums up her philosophy of living and creating in the present moment.