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So I thought I could dance

Published: Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Updated: Tuesday, May 11, 2010 22:05


People have been dancing forever. We danced for the gods, for our ancestors, to celebrate a bountiful harvest or special occasion, and in many cases, just for the hell of it.

There is a show on television called "So You Think You Can Dance" in which dancers compete against each other, much like on "American Idol." The show is entertaining enough, until the judges and viewers start criticizing beautiful dancers for missing a jump or a turned in foot. 

If you asked these dancers why they are on the show, they may say something like how much they love it or how it is an outlet for expression. But if that were true, I would be up there with them. 

In today's world, people dance because they are talented. 

We all know them, the kids who have been ballerinas since they were three and dropped out of school to join professional companies. The girl who eats a quarter cup of cheese on her salad. Their feet bleed and they never sleep, all for the love of dance. 

But not everyone can have this life. Only the select few, the lucky ones, who are talented enough to compete professionally. The ones who live by an idea that in my opinion, ruined the art of dance. They are the ones with perfect technique. 

So where did technique come from? I highly doubt the Native Americans or African tribes were concerned with proper technique. By "technique" I mean the list of rules that all talented dancers must follow, like point your feet or spot your turns. If you ever watch an episode of  "So You Think You Can Dance" you will get a big lesson in technique.

Personally, I blame it on the emergence of ballet in 15th century Italy. It began as a dance of the court, and as it spread across Europe it became the first dance with its own rules and vocabulary. 

While I have been in and out of class and the stage for over seven years, I would hardly consider myself a "dancer." Any talent I possess is pure consequence of hard work and extremely good coaching. I do not pretend to have any natural talent or predisposition for dance or any concern for my "technique."

A longer history of music lessons and choir classes has given me a well-trained ear for musicality and rhythm. But none of that can get you to switch leap. 

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1 comments

Anonymous
Thu May 13 2010 01:42
I am a dancer. It has taken me a long time to say that because I too wasn't one of those girls who started dancing at age 4. In fact, I didn't start taking formal dance classes until I was an adult and I too went through stages of discouragement from those around me who had better technique. But I can say now that I am a dancer because it has also taken me a long time to realize that you don't have to be a prima ballerina with perfect triple pirouettes to call yourself a dancer. I believe we are all dancers and we all have movement valuable to share. And I believe you can be successful in dance with flaws of the body. Look at Bob Fosse, who turned his lack of turnout and hunched shoulders into a signature style. Or Axis Dance Company who works with performers with and without disabilities.

I think you have a slightly narrow view on what it means to be 'successful' in dance. There is still a thriving and enriching world of dance out there that is more than American Ballet Theater and T.V. talent shows. There is dance that still maintain the culture, the integrity, the expression, and the art that dance should stand for. And there are people dancing professionally who don't have amazing technique and continue dancing into the end of their lives!

Unfortunately, due to the mainstream/commercialized stigma of SYTYCD and the like, the general public has this perception of perfection when it comes to 'dancers'. But that's only a small piece of the puzzle. The dance world is so much bigger than that! I urge you to explore this idea of what is dance even further. It is an important question to ask. But even more important to take the time to answer.

And I've seen you dance Miss Finmand...you are a dancer.







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