From Reflection to Collaboration: A Free Voting Worksheet for Your Student Choreography Concert

In the last post, we talked about the importance of giving dance students time to reflect on the choreography they create. When students pause to think about their inspiration, their intention, and the feeling behind their movement, they begin to see themselves as artists—not just dancers

learning steps.

But reflection shouldn’t stop once the choreography is finished.

The next powerful step in the process is inviting students to respond to the work of their peers. When dancers watch each other’s choreography and thoughtfully consider which pieces they feel excited to perform, they develop a deeper appreciation for the creative process.

To support this next stage, I created another helpful resource: a free Student Choreography Voting Worksheet designed to make concert selection simple, organized, and meaningful.

Turning Reflection Into Collaboration

Once students have submitted their choreography and shared their ideas, the class often enters a new phase: deciding which dances will be included in the concert.

This step can sometimes feel chaotic. With so many creative pieces and enthusiastic dancers, it can be difficult to gather clear input while keeping the process fair and efficient.

A structured voting system allows students to continue practicing reflection—this time as an audience and collaborator. Instead of casually choosing dances, they are encouraged to think about:

• Which choreography excites them

• Which pieces they connect with artistically

• Which dances they would enjoy performing

The Student Choreography Voting Worksheet helps guide this thoughtful process while also making life much easier for dance teachers.

What Does the Voting Worksheet Include?

The worksheet invites students to vote for the top five dances they would most like to participate in.

For each choice, students record:

• The choreographer’s name

• The title of the dance

• A short explanation of why they chose that piece

This simple step encourages dancers to articulate their preferences. Instead of simply circling a favorite, they reflect on what draws them to a particular dance.

For example, a student might write:

"I want to participate in ‘Dance of the Fireflies’ by Jane Smith because the choreography feels light and expressive, and the music makes the movement really exciting."

These short responses help students engage more thoughtfully with the choreography they observe.

The worksheet also includes a section where students can suggest additional dances they feel should be included in the concert, ensuring that every voice has a chance to be heard.

Why Student Voice Matters

Inviting students into the selection process does more than help organize a concert—it strengthens their investment in the performance.

When dancers feel their opinions are valued, they are more likely to feel:

• Excited about the concert

• Connected to the choreography they perform

• Supportive of their classmates’ creative work

This kind of involvement transforms the concert from something students simply participate in to something they help shape and create together.

A Time-Saving Tool for Dance Teachers

While the worksheet encourages student engagement, it also makes the selection process much more efficient for teachers.

Instead of navigating informal conversations or unclear preferences, you receive structured, organized feedback from your dancers.

This allows you to quickly:

• Identify the most popular choreography

• Understand why certain dances resonate with students

• Create a concert lineup that reflects both creativity and enthusiasm

In short, the worksheet turns what can feel like a chaotic process into a clear and manageable system.

How to Use It in Your Class

If you used the Student Choreography Submission Worksheet from last week’s post, this next step fits perfectly into the process.

After students present or submit their choreography:

1. Distribute the Student Choreography Voting Worksheet.

2. Give students time to review the pieces thoughtfully.

3. Have them record their top five choices and explain their reasoning.

4. Collect the sheets and quickly tally the results.

Within minutes, you’ll have a clear picture of which dances your class is most excited about performing.

Creating a Meaningful Concert Experience

A student choreography concert is about more than showcasing dances—it’s about celebrating creativity, collaboration, and artistic growth.

By guiding students through reflection, creation, and now thoughtful response, you help them experience the full artistic process.

If you’d like to simplify your choreography selection while empowering your dancers’ voices, you can download the Student Choreography Voting Worksheet and start using it in your class today.

Here’s to a concert filled with creativity, collaboration, and confident young choreographers!

Keep dancing, friends!

Whitney