Presence Matters: Line Dance Instructors' Development

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Jackie Tally, Natasha Cormier, Julie Spence Finlaw

As line dance instructors, we don’t need to strive for perfection - we need to strive for connection. Mistakes happen; what matters most is how we recover and keep moving forward!

Hit like if you’ve ever made a mistake while teaching! Hit share to share this myth. 🙂

What if one of the most powerful teaching tools wasn’t the step sheet — but your presence? Learn more about my Presence Matters approach at the link below!

Questions? Feel free to message me here or by email. 🙂

Presence Matters ​ Ready to Be the Best Line Dance Instructor You Can Be? Hi! I'm Gerard Murphy , and I’m so excited to share the launch of a brand new project: Presence Matters: Line Dance Instructor Development...

I'll just leave this here. Nothing more I can say. Stepping back for some time to think and rethink... ☹️

So, yesterday I received a private message that included this comment:

"I'm confused as to what you've done that makes you so special enough to be invited abroad to places like England and Denmark to teach? You must be really pushing your way in."

I have to admit, reading those words left me shocked and more than a little hurt. At first I thought I'd just ignore it. But I'm at the stage in my life where I now appreciate the importance of speaking up.

Anyone who truly knows me knows that "pushy" is probably one of the last words they'd use to describe me. At least I hope so.

I've always believed that opportunities aren't demanded.
They're earned.
For over 30 years, I've tried to build genuine relationships, contribute positively to the line dance community and work hard to provide value wherever I'm invited.

Every invitation I've received has come from event directors who reached out to me not because I pushed my way in, but because they felt I had something worthwhile to offer their dancers and instructors. And because in many cases we had an established relationship or I was referred to them by another.

I don't share this to defend myself or seek sympathy.
I share it because words matter.
We rarely know the years of effort, the relationships and the quiet work behind someone else's opportunities.

To everyone who has believed in me, encouraged me, invited me, and trusted me over the years, I humbly say thank you.

I never take your support for granted and I hope to continue earning it, one workshop, one class and one connection at a time. ❤️

See you on a dancefloor somewhere soon...

I'm honored to be bringing my Presence Matters workshops to these fantastic events! Where will I see YOU?!

⭐ELD Expo, Bournemouth, England
⭐Autumn Line Dance Party 2026, Hundested, Denmark
⭐Motor City Dance Classic 2026, Detroit, USA
⭐Vegas Dance Explosion 2026, Las Vegas, USA
⭐Palm Springs Winter Break 2027, Palm Springs, USA
⭐Canadian Line Dance Classic 2027, St. Catharines, Canada
⭐Restart Modern Line Festival 2027, Halifax, Canada

DM me here if you're interested in hosting an instructor specialty workshop at your next event!

Gratitude to event directors:
Billy Curtis, with Ashley Syms-Rees
Mona Leth
Derek Steele, Tiffany Steele, Jason Miller and Eryn Miller
Jackie Miranda and Doug Miranda
Bracken Heidenreich
Vanessa Johnston

Teaching adults isn’t about proving how much you know or how skilled you are, it’s about creating an environment where others feel safe to learn, grow and succeed.

What is one thing you do that helps your dancers feel they can truly thrive in your class?

When you intentionally build connection, exude genuine charisma and teach with quiet confidence, your dancers become more engaged, more relaxed and more receptive to learning.

That’s the art of teaching with impact!

Every time you step in front of a class, you’re public speaking — whether you think of yourself that way or not!

If you’d like to strengthen your confidence, connection and communication as an instructor, keep an eye out for my Presence Matters workshops at upcoming events in the USA, England, Denmark, and Canada.

I’d love to welcome you! 🙂

Every dancer deserves to feel welcomed, seen, heard, valued and supported. As instructors, we have the opportunity to create that kind of experience — one class, one conversation and one name at a time! 💙