Comments for Dance Advantage

Comment on Listening to Dance — An Exercise in Viewing Art by Nichelle (admin)

Nichelle (admin) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:43:55 +0000

Thanks, James! I completely acknowledge what you’ve mentioned here. Just to expand and continue with my sketchy thoughts on the topic… dance IS more explicit to a degree and this does make it a slightly different animal. Those new to dance or those still learning how to watch dance (particularly abstract or non-narrative dance) maybe need to step back from interpretation/meaning and just open themselves to the experience. They can then embrace a more individualized interpretation, strengthening their enjoyment and appreciation of the art form. I offer the familiar or more natural method of listening/experiencing music as a comparison just to illustrate this more sensory or observational approach.

Do keep thinking on this this (I am)… I’d like to hear more of your thoughts!

Comment on Listening to Dance — An Exercise in Viewing Art by James | Dancing Geek

James | Dancing Geek — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:09:47 +0000

One obvious difference would seem to be that dance is both visual and auditory, even if only the squeaks and thuds of the floor and the sounds of the breath. Music allows a sort of guided fantasy to appear in our minds, with dance that fantasy is perhaps already being played out for us to watch. It would seem that dance is more explicit? I shall do more thinking on this, thank you for the inspiration.

Comment on 7 Secrets of Super Performers (Improving Your Performance Skills) by manmohanjit (Manmohanjit Singh)

manmohanjit (Manmohanjit Singh) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:57:34 +0000

7 Secrets of Super Performers (Improving Your Performance Skills) http://tinyurl.com/awmceq

Comment on Baby on Board — Teaching While Pregnant by soullldiva

soullldiva — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:59:26 +0000

Thanks so much for posting this information, Nichelle! This is a great article. I danced (although I did not teach, much harder) while pregnant with my son until I was 8 months along. I maintain that this helped him in his early love for dance now, he’s always wiggling to music. I just never danced out of my body’s ability, didn’t jump or take any unnecessary risks. In fact, my dance teacher said that my dancing actually improved during my pregnancy! Cheers!

Comment on Ballet, One Exercise at a Time by Amarjeet

Amarjeet — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:42:06 +0000

Hi,

its good to see about Ballet Dance.

Comment on Role Reversal: What are the Pros and Cons of Dance Competition by Nichelle (admin)

Nichelle (admin) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:55:30 +0000

Vivian, I really do understand your feelings. It’s hard sometimes to feel like you are being held back or behind other students. And there are a lot of amazing dancers showcased on YouTube, TV, etc. – it’s great to want to aspire to that level. But those tricks… there’s nothing special about them. They are ultimately just an extension of the basics. Skipping over, or not bothering to master the basics before jumping ahead is limiting – like building a house on sand, eventually injury and bad habits are what will hold a person back.

Competing or not, good technique is what will free you from limitation – there’s really no way around that. Whether you love your studio or not, if you feel like you’d like to be at a more advanced level, then you need to assess what kind of time you are willing to put in to achieve your goals (you get out what you put in so there’s something to be said for how many hours you spend on class/technique vs. choreography). Also consider what kind of sacrifices you may need to get there (traveling to a studio further away, dropping out of other activities), what kind of teachers can help you hone your technique and put you on the path you want.

Competition does offer additional performance experience so if that’s part of the goal, great. But those amazing YouTube dancers aren’t great because they go to a competing school. If they’re truly amazing, it’s because they’ve thoroughly committed themselves to working hard, focusing on dance (sometimes exclusively), and surrounded themselves with strong teachers (who know that it’s better to have a strong foundation – to build on rock rather than sand).

Thanks so much for your frank response to the post and its comments. It’s a good reminder for teachers to hear what, I know, many other students are thinking and feeling. Thank you for adding your voice!!

Comment on Role Reversal: What are the Pros and Cons of Dance Competition by Vivian

Vivian — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:33:13 +0000

I currently attend a studio which does not involve competition. I have mixed feelings about this.

I love my studio: I feel that I can really focus on technique instead of “tricks”.

On the other hand, I often wish they could teach these so-called “tricks”.
Watching tons of competition performances on youtube shows me some amazing things. I can point out a good amount of jumps and turns that I’ve never seen at my studio, even among those at the most advanced level.

Sometimes I wish I went to a competition school, because I truly love to perform. I feel a little bit in the dark, a little bit unexposed.

So I have mixed feelings. I like the focus on education at my studio, but wish I could get rid of the limits.

Comment on Trick or Treat Tracks for Halloween by Nichelle (admin)

Nichelle (admin) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:45:15 +0000

Halloween is one of my favs too. I hope you’ve discovered something new! Thanks for stopping by

Comment on How to Be a Great Teacher’s Assistant by Nichelle (admin)

Nichelle (admin) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:41:39 +0000

ANI, I’m very glad that you found the post helpful. Kids really can be overwhelming at first but you will learn and grow and get better at it with practice and patience! Feel free to email me if you have additional questions. I’d love to hear how things are progressing for you!

Comment on Trick or Treat Tracks for Halloween by soullldiva

soullldiva — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:51:09 +0000

What a fantastic assortment of Halloween songs, my favorite time of the year. Great suggestions, I’ll have to see what to add to my collection. Thanks!

Comment on How to Be a Great Teacher’s Assistant by ANI

ANI — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:05:17 +0000

thanks for the help
i had my first day as assistant teacher today and i was really overwhelmed by the younger kids
and i learnt i need to be a lot more vocal and take more initiative
im excited for tomorrow to show that i can do it!

Comment on A Window into Dance Teacher Wages by Nichelle (admin)

Nichelle (admin) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:56:59 +0000

Yes, wages are highly variable depending on location, type of school, etc. but additional insight is definitely always helpful (and welcome)!!

Comment on A Window into Dance Teacher Wages by Catherine

Catherine — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:39:23 +0000

Very interesting! I think this is a good idea–it’s tough to know what other people in the field are making. Especially without being rude and asking!

Comment on Introducing the Iliopsoas by Nichelle (admin)

Nichelle (admin) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:29:25 +0000

Thanks very much for your comments!

Some of Franklin’s imagery can feel a little out there. BUT you never know what’s going to work for some people. Most students, I’ve found, have trouble relating to really internal imagery. Getting them to visualize muscles, bones, etc is tricky enough. Organs, etc. might be pushing it but Franklin’s books offer a wide variety. I “steal” his images for my classes a lot.

Dianne, just recently wrote a response to someone on the “leg from underneath” myth and may try to post that here just to clear it up further!!

Comment on Where Can Teachers Continue Their Education? by Linda Parker

Linda Parker — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 04:56:37 +0000

Being a teacher in Montana I found it really hard to continue my education. I couldn’t afford to travel a lot and DVDs were very expensive. I had started my own dance library of instructional and performance titles and have since begun to rent DVDs. I now have thousands of DVDs covering most genres of dance and fitness and ship them throughout the US. KineticFlix has received so many great testimonials telling us how valued this resource is for teachers all over the country.