Shawn here!

I’m on my final leg of dance competition season. Woohoo!

Here’s this week’s tip. But first:

If you’re ready for real, practical teaching strategies that actually work (without years of trial and error), my Dance Teacher Playbook is packed with exactly that. Have you seen it?

After hosting dance competition in Ottawa last week, one thing is crystal clear:

Most dancers are holding back.

Technique? Check. ✅

Costumes? Covered. ✅

But that fire? That raw, passionate, competitive hunger—was missing in so many routines. And let’s be real. When it comes to that winner mindset…

…Many teachers don’t know how to pull it out of them.

But I do.

My last emails talked about how to handle a L. This one’s about the W.

Here’s one of my favourite tips:

🔥 "Assign an Alter Ego."

Have dancers name and step into a bold, fearless version of themselves. Their stage persona. Just like Beyoncé has “Sasha Fierce,” give them permission to channel someone confident, expressive, and unstoppable. Before each run-through, ask:

“Are you dancing as YOU… or your alter ego?”

This quick mindset shift helps dancers tap into performance energy they didn’t know they had. And guess what? I’ve used it for over two decades. It works.

This summer, I want to train your tap dancers personally to bring that passion front and centre. On stage, and in life!

Shawn’s Summer Tap Intensive (Coming to Ottawa or Calgary… I’ll have a better event name in a few weeks)

I’m opening early interest for a bold, in-your-face, growth-packed tap dance experience designed to:

• Build performance confidence

• Unlock musicality and passion

• Strengthen technique AND mindset

• Help your dancers stand out in competition

This isn’t your average summer class. It's a full-body, full-mind, full-heart reset. And I want to bring it to Ottawa, Calgary, or both?

I’m listening. If you have tap dancers who could benefit, reply to this email RIGHT AWAY, or DM me on IG. If there's enough buzz, I’ll open early-bird registration soon.

Help me help your dancers crush it next season. Thanks in advance!

Shawn B

P.S. Every dancer who joins the intensive gets a free signed copy of my book You Came To Slay! And yes, we’ll be using it in real time. This isn’t just a cute keepsake... It’s a tool they’ll use to help build a stronger mind, stage presence, and sense of self. Let’s gooo!

New here? Want more tips like this? Join my newsletter Dance Teacher Insider— for motivation, tools, and resources to help your dancers slay every season. It’s free!

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