Ms. Popino is a dance teacher at Iselin Middle School. This interview is about her dance class and how she runs it. Her dance career is also discussed.
Panther Press: Hello Ms. Popino.
Ms. Popino: Hello Vanshika.
Press: Are you ready to get started?
Ms Popino: Yes.
Press: Who or what has inspired you to be a dance teacher?
Ms Popino: When I was in 6th grade I enjoyed dance and when I went to college, I decided to pursue my master’s within dance education. I would say my mom really pursued me and motivated me to take this path.
Press: Why did you choose to be a dance teacher?
Ms Popino: I have always had a passion for dance and I want to share that with others. I really wanted to make sure that students who didn’t have access to the arts or any dance education to have that opportunity because dance in private sectors can be really expensive. So I wanted to give opportunities for exploration and creative outlook within the public schools.
Press: Do you like to dance to any dances or songs and why?
Ms. Popino: I like a lot of music genres like I grew up listening to Springsteen as my personal favorite but when it comes to dance, it is more into improvisational, modern music meaning that like instruments or maybe no music at all. For choreographing here in Iselin Middle School, I really like to use pop songs that students can relate to.
Press: Do you like to work with students?
Ms Popino: I do like working with students. I think it’s nice getting to know kids, getting to know their creative outlooks and their ideas maybe that I wouldn’t have thought of.
Press: How do you make your dances?
Ms Popino: Well I mostly try to make my dance based on the beat. So like if it is a fast song, then I have to teach the students what they are supposed to do and practice with the song, so they get the hang of it.
Press: How long have you been a dance teacher?
Ms Popino: I have been working here at Iselin Middle School for 3 years, this is my 4th year and is my first job after college.
Press: Did you have any training to become a school dance teacher?
Ms Popino: Yes, I got my Master’s in dance education, so I did a 2-year graduate school program to study education for dance specifically.
Press: What is your favorite style of dance?
Ms Popino: My favorite style of dance, I would say is Merce Cunningham’s modern technic.
Press: Why is it your favorite dance?
Ms Popino: I really enjoy the structure as well as something called chance operation. So this idea that what is dance and does it have to be performed that way or is there other ways and avenues to look at it from a different perspective.
Press: Do you keep working on a dance to do in the Dance Company in your free time and why?
Ms Popino: During my free time no. I would work on Sunday for the Dance company for 2 hours and then Monday through Thursday and then dance for the dance company and what steps you have to do in the dance.
Press: Thank you for your time Ms. Popino.
Ms Popino: Thank you. Have a wonderful day.
