I lost count on how many weeks we have been on lock down. I get confuse on what day of the week we are at some times, and I keep hoping that we will come back to socialize soon. It has been difficult not to feel my students’ energy in class and I miss performing (my humble moment to share my art).
I have sensed the lost of excitement from my students because we are usually getting ready for the showcase at this time of the year. This is the opportunity they have to share and express what they learned during this year’ session, and this time, after 4 years, we won’t be able to do it. At this point, I feel that some of them cannot find the reason to practice the choreography, and I understand. We worked for so many hours to craft and plan the steps, music details, outfits and rehearsals and all to end not performing in front of an audience. Our lives are upside down, and for some it is difficult to remember the sequence of a dance.
But, I remember how many times I have taken classes and learned uncountable choreography during my life and never got the chance to perform them. I think, if the situation was different, the perspective would be different.
Or maybe, I haven’t address my teaching in the right direction?
When I start a year session, we do it with technique, and toward the first quarter of the year, I redirect the class to a choreography so the students can connect the technique with it.
But, beyond the choreography and technique there must be a feeling. In flamenco, if you don’t feel, you cannot transmit. You can have an impeccable technique, but without that “music-feeling” connection, it will be only an empty dance.
If you are reading this article, and you are taking any dance class right now, I want you to ask yourself why are you doing it? What’s your goal? What are your expectations?
I can think on a couple of right answers now, such as, I dance to keep my body in shape; or perhaps, because I like to express through movement and release stress; I love music and I like to transmit that feeling with my body, etc.
But we are in a different living scenario right now, and we can’t get together and share what we have learned.
I feel that we need to redirect our goals and expectations with the activities we used to do before the pandemic, and find deep inside our hearts why do you connect with that dance class you are taking.
In my case, I dance, not only because is my career, but because it is the only way I can connect to the real me. I dance to myself and not only to an audience. It is the only way I can share how I feel deep inside in a specific moment. No matter how much choreography I know, my movements are mine! I give myself through my movements and every class, performance, or day is different! I love dancing and I cannot stop doing it because it keeps me alive and make my days happier!
Why do you dance!??
RSS Feed
