By Emma Brisk
Ballet’s strict discipline might leave little room for laughs, but Professor Andrew Carroll blends years of technical training and his love for comedy to leave lifelong impressions on his students.
Carroll, an associate professor of dance at USF since 2010, has shared the ballet technique he honed during his professional career with students. He teaches all levels of ballet, history, and partnering. His classes blend technical discipline with personality and unexpected humor, brightening the dance studio.
The technical demands of ballet, like perfecting barre exercises, require tremendous physical strength, focus, and repetition. Amid this intensity, Carroll lightens the atmosphere with personal anecdotes and humor, easing the tension between a correction and a student’s tight grip on the barre.
“He chose a long story about a bird’s claws just to say, ‘lighten up on the barre,’” said junior dance major Arielle Cosenza. “But I think that’s very Andrew.”
Through his constant jokes and playful corrections, Carroll shows that strict technique doesn’t have to come at the expense of joy — a lesson he hopes all his dancers carry into any profession, ballet or beyond.
“This life is so hard that if you are not kind to your peers and as a teacher to your students, it’s even worse,” said Carroll. “The nature of this training carries well into any kind of occupation.”
Carroll is unapologetically himself, and his infectious positivity resonates with students and builds an environment that empowers them to stay resilient when times get tough.
“You can hit little valleys in the middle of your journey where you don’t want to come in or you don’t want to put in the work, but he shows up every day and has fun,” said Cosenza. “Whether he’s telling us to or not, it rubs off on us and I’ve learned a lot from him in that regard.”
Ballet is a demanding art form that requires not only graceful performance but also continuous refinement of athleticism through intense training. The fundamentals of ballet can be particularly challenging, with many students facing frustrations as they work to perfect their technique.
Pursuing technical milestones, like achieving higher jumps, helped Carroll push through the challenges of his dance journey from a student to a professional. His energetic teaching style and upbeat personality inspire students to chase those same moments of technical breakthrough that deepened his own passion for ballet.
“If you’re not tenacious and persevere in your dance classes, that you are the best version of yourself that you can be,” said Carroll. “You want to be able to go into an audition, even if you are not taken, knowing that you did your absolute best and not think ‘ugh, I wish I worked harder in class – maybe I would have done this better.’”
For many of his students, Carroll’s style is a refreshing change from the conventional methods of teaching they’ve experienced in the past.
“I’ve had teachers that are really good at pointing out what you do wrong,” said Taylor Krier. “Andrew, he does do that, but in a more supportive way.”
Carroll balances lighthearted humor and thoughtful critique, helping students foster positive relationships and inspiring their journey into a professional dance career.
“He lets us enjoy dance and I think that’s the most inspiring thing about him,” said freshman dance major Sarah Reid. “He really wants us to be working but enjoy it.”
Carrol’s sense of humor and work ethic aren’t the only things that set him apart—his hands-on, individualized approach to corrections makes a lasting impact on his students.
“A lot of teachers I’ve had in the past can be general and will say corrections for the entire class,” said Macy Labar. “Andrew will say your name in a specific correction and apply it to you, you have to come out and demonstrate as well.”
Even with a minimum of 12 dancers in each class, Carroll is committed to individualized feedback. These customized critiques are vital, providing consistent support to his students and making them feel confident in refining their technique.
“It’s hard to watch everybody because you need to see how any one person is doing something that there’s still other people in the room,” said Carroll. “Making sure that everybody has something to work on.”
Caley Costello, a junior dance major, credits her significant progress in her dance journey to the unwavering support Carroll has shown since her freshman year.
“He’s always really encouraging and giving a lot of corrections to us that help improve my dancing every day,” said Costello.
Outside the classroom, Carroll mentors students who turn to him for guidance on their career paths and personal challenges. The bonds he builds with them often extend far beyond graduation, he takes pride in watching alumni chase their dreams—a part of teaching he finds most fulfilling.
“For a lot of these dancers, I’m so thrilled that they are seeing the world,” said Carroll. “Getting that kind of unique opportunity that a lot of people just don’t get, so I stay connected with them to see where they are next.”
His continued connection to alumni speaks to the impact of his presence, but it’s the vivid stories and sharp wit in the studio that students will never forget.