Cornerstone Dance Initiative presents Dancing With Your Ears: Musicality for Dancers, part of The Cornerstone Workshop Series.
Led by Justin Rustle, this professional-development workshop will unpack several techniques for teaching and training musicality and musical literacy for dancers of all levels and technical backgrounds. Beginning with a short overview of common musical terminology, the workshop will focus on the internalization of rhythm and the development of students’ ability to hear, interpret, and artistically respond to music.
Participants will explore practical tools for teaching musicality in the studio, including concepts such as time signatures, phrasing, tempo markings, and approaches to developing listening skills that can be applied across a variety of dance styles. No prior knowledge of music or music theory is necessary.
This workshop is designed for dance educators, assistant teachers, choreographers, and advanced dancers ages 16+ who want to deepen their understanding of music and develop stronger, more intentional musical choices in class, rehearsal, choreography, and performance.
Dancing With Your Ears will take place on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, from 6:30–8:30 PM at The Center for Ballet Arts in Fairfax, VA.
Early Bird registration is $45 through August 5. Regular registration is $55. Participants attending with a colleague may use code DANCETOGETHER5 for $5 off individual workshop registration.
Registration and additional information are available at cornerstonedanceinitiative.com/calendar