Dianne Kesslinger
Teaching Experience
Austin Community College, Austin, Texas (5/96 - Present)
Professor, Assistant Department Chair
Kinesiology (KINE) Department:
Yoga I: Instruction in hatha yoga using the Iyengar method promoting harmony of mind, body, and spirit. Participants enhance flexibility, strength, balance and control through asanas and learn breathing techniques, relaxation exercises and meditation.
Conditioning Stretching/Flexibility: A physical conditioning course that emphasizes correct techniques to improving flexibility, alignment, balance, and coordination from pilates, athletics, yoga, balance ball, tai chi, and dance.
Conditioning-Walk/Jog: A physical conditioning course that emphasizes fitness through walking or jogging. Correct techniques in striding and pacing oneself will be introduced in addition to discussion of the benefits of aerobic exercise, nutrition, weight management, and associated topics.
Cardio Conditioning: Aerobics for developing cardiovascular strength, endurance, muscular strength and flexibility. Various methods are used including aerobic dance, steps, slides, cross training, kick boxing, hand weights, medicine balls, cardiovascular machines and weight room equipment.
Ballet I: An introduction to the fundamentals of classical ballet emphasizing barre work, placement, alignment, stretches, simple adagio and allegro movements, terminology, and a brief history of ballet.
Jazz Dance I: Introductory course on jazz dance technique, placement, alignment, footwork, stretches, and different styles of jazz dance such as musical theater, broadway, funk, television, and Broadway styles. Offer performing opportunities of dances choreographed specific to the beginning jazz college student.
Social Dance: Initiated first social dance class to Austin Community College (ACC). Teach waltz, foxtrot, swing, rumba, tango, polka, cha cha, salsa & two step. Promote correct form and partnering techniques.
Aerobics Instructor Certification course: A combination of lectures on anatomy, kinesiology, choreography, etc. to prepare students for the ACE certification, as well as a practicum on learning how to teach aerobics. Created internships both at ACC, local fitness centers, and "“Y”s" for hands on experience. Internships at fitness centers have led to jobs for graduates of the aerobic instructor course.
Aerobics I: Aerobics for developing cardiovascular strength, endurance, muscular strength and flexibility. Various methods are used including aerobic dance, steps, slides, cross training, kick boxing, hand weights, medicine balls, cardiovascular machines and weight room equipment.
Wellness Coordinator: Organized wellness program to promote health and fitness for faculty and staff. Provide fitness assessment, personal training, aerobics and cross-training classes, and workshops on topics such as nutrition, smoking cessation, weight control, stress management, ergonomics, etc.
Artistic Director: Produce dance performances each semester that provides students the opportunity to perform. Choreograph dances in jazz, ballet, and social dance and invite instructors from the kinesiology and dance department to participate, creating a rich performance of various dance forms. Collaborate with the radio, film, and television department to videotape the shows and televise on ACC's television station.
Dance (DANC) Department:
Ballet II: A continued study of the technical fundamentals of ballet. Designed for the student with at least one semester of previous ballet training.
Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio (8/94 - 5/96)
Dance Instructor
Ballet I: Instruction in classical ballet emphasizing the technique and artistry of ballet at the beginning level. Floor barre is introduced for alignment, flexibility & strength, followed by barre, center work, and travelling combinations.
Ballet II-III: Intermediate and advanced ballet for students with previous experience.
Pointe: Pointe technique class including teaching pointe variations from classic ballets.
Jazz Dance I: Beginning jazz dance for students at the introductory/beginning level.
Jazz Dance II-III: Jazz dance for students with previous experience. Technique emphasizes Luigi, Dunham, and Giordino jazz styles.
Modern Dance I: Provide students with the knowledge and practice necessary to gain skills and experience in the theories, styles and techniques of modern dance.
Choreography Workshop (Artistic Director): Artistic Director and choreographer for dance concerts performed at the campus theater. Choreograph dances to promote performing experience, stage presence, working in ensembles, spacing, and timing. Advise student's on their own choreographed dances leading to performance.
Ballroom Dance: Social dance instruction for the waltz, foxtrot, swing, cha cha, polka, and rumba, including correct placement and partnering techniques.
International Folk, American Square & Country Western Dance: Instruction in international folk dance, American square dancing and country western dance.
Methods of Teaching Ballroom Dancing: Course in pedagogy for teaching ballroom dancing. Includes presentation skills, teaching methods, how to evaluate students, partnering, leader and follower roles, and basics for six ballroom dances and multiple variations for each dance.
Methods of Teaching Folk & Square Dance: Course in pedagogy for folk, square and country western dancing designed for kinesiology and dance majors.
Aerobics: Teach women's gymnastics' team aerobics for conditioning and development of cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, body composition and flexibility through a variety of aerobic, strengthening, and stretching activities.
Intermediate Aerobics: Intensive aerobics course consisting of warm-up, aerobics, cool-down, strengthening, and stretching. Lectures emphasized fitness principles and analysis of the structure for aerobics classes.
De Anza College, Cupertino, CA (6/93 - 8/94) & Summer Sessions 1995, 1996
Instructor
Aerobic Rhythms: Hi/Low impact aerobics. Classes include fitness testing for muscle strength, flexibility, cardiovascular endurance, and body fat. Structure for class includes a warm-up, cardiovascular work-out, conditioning exercises, weights, dynabands, cool down, stretch and relaxation exercises. Lectures given on fitness principles, injury prevention, diet, etc.
Cross-Training: Development of cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, body composition and flexibility through a variety of strengthening stations and aerobic activities.
Weight room/Strength Development: Weight room training in developing muscular strength and endurance.
Steps: Steps used as a means for improving cardiovascular fitness. Knowledge of proper step technique are covered and ways to improve all aspects of fitness.
Walking: Exercise walking class for all ages and fitness levels.
Stretching: Substituted using yoga and various stretching and relaxation exercises.
Canada College, Redwood City, CA Summer Session 1995 & 1996
Instructor
Dance Aerobics: Aerobic conditioning, strengthening and stretching through dance and calisthenics. Lecture on basic fitness principles, anatomy, and injury prevention.
Mission College, Santa Clara, CA (1/91 - 8/94)
Instructor
Beginning Ballet: An introduction to the technique and artistry of classical ballet through barre work, adagio, allegro, turns, and combinations. Choreograph and rehearse students for performances, lecture on the history of ballet, and conduct student internships on teaching methods.
Intermediate Ballet: Classical ballet for experienced students at the intermediate level.
Aerobics, Steps, Cross-Training: Aerobics classes, choosing a variety of mediums for cardiovascular and strength conditioning. Courses included fitness testing and lectures on basic health and fitness concepts.
Aerobic Dance: Aerobic conditioning, stretching and strengthening through dance. Lecture on fitness, basic anatomy and injury prevention.
Jazz Dance: Substituted teaching jazz dance using warm-up, isolations, center, and travelling combinations. Choreographed dances for students to practice and perform.
Modern Dance: Substituted for modern dance incorporating warm-up, center work, travelling and choreographed combinations.
University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA (10/76 - 10/88)
Instructor
Ballet: Instructor in ballet, beginning through advanced levels. Class structure includes barre work, stretches, center, travelling combinations, turns and jumps. Choreograph contemporary dances and taught classics such as Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, the Nutcracker, Giselle, and Pas de Quatre.
Modern Dance: Modern technique, improvisation, and exploration of expression through movement, basic movement skills, and correct body alignment.
Aerobics: Classes include fitness testing, a warm-up, cardiovascular work-out, conditioning exercises, weights, cool down, stretch and relaxation exercises.
Stretch & Tone Conditioning: Fitness course with emphasis on development of muscular strength and flexibility. Course included instruction on weightroom equipment and free weights.
Exercising Efficiently: Exercise course designed for the beginner or rehabilitative individual, which was evaluated, approved, and recommended by licensed physical therapists.
Stretching: Incorporated yoga and fitness stretches with relaxation exercises.
French-American International School, San Francisco, CA (10/76 - 6/86)
Instructor and Administrator
Sports & Creative Arts Program: Coordinator for sports and creative arts program that offered swimming, tennis, dance, martial arts, gymnastics, art, and photography. Integrated a comprehensive dance program as part of physical education within school’s curriculum teaching modern dance, ballet, and international folk dancing.
San Francisco Ballet School, San Francisco, CA (9/79 - 2/80)
Instructor
Ballet & Modern Dance: Instructor for S. F. Ballet's "Dance-in-Schools" program, which brought creative movement to over 1600 students in the public school systems.
Los Angeles Ballet School, Los Angeles, CA (1974 - 75)
Instructor
Instructor for beginning through intermediate ballet and pointe.
Stanley Holden Dance Center Los Angeles, CA (1974)
Instructor
Ballet instructor for beginning adults.
Professional Publications
VIDEOS, PAPERS, & LECTURES:
Video & Television:
ACC's "Dance Collage", Austin Community College, Spring 2000
Live Performance videotaped at NRG campus and televised on ACC's television station
ACC's "Movin' to the Millennium", Austin Community College, Fall 1999
Live Performance videotaped at NRG campus and televised on ACC's television station
ACC's "Dance Showcase", Austin Community College, Spring 1999 - Fall 1996
Live Performance videotaped at NRG campus and excerpts televised on ACC's television station
"The History of "Pas de Quatre": Comparisons of the Nineteenth to Twentieth Century Ballet Styles" (1995)
Unpublished Papers:
"Principles of Ballroom Dancing" - Booklet, Bowling Green State University, (BGSU) (1994-95)
"Pointe Technique: Exploring Its Origins and Development" BGSU, (1995)
"Elsslermania: America's Adoration for Fanny Elssler" BGSU, (1995)
"Pas de Quatre Revisited: Incorporating the Romantic Style and Temperaments for Performance Today" BGSU, (1995)
Manuscript on San Francisco Ballet's Dance-in-Schools Program. San Francisco State University (SFSU), (1992)
"Ballet for Adults." Excerpts in Open Education Exchange. (1977)
PRESENTATIONS TO PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:
Presented at the Midwest AAPHERD Convention, January 1996:
"Dancing through the Centuries: A History of "Pas de Quatre" and Comparisons of Nineteenth to Twentieth Century Ballet Styles."
Published: January 22, 2025