Last weekend I attended the final day of the Dance/USA conference held in Houston this year. The first morning session was a topic that is near to my heart – cultivating dance-literacy. Included in the discussion were thoughts and experiences on increasing awareness and knowledge of dance art through dance on the Internet, dance on television, dance in community building and engagement initiatives, dance in politics, and dance in our K-12 and university educational systems. Though I found the discussion enriching, I was a little disappointed that no one mentioned the population of dancers and dance educators that exist in private studios.
Why private studios were not part of this discussion is an interesting topic, but one that I will save. Instead I’d like to share some thoughts about why creating opportunities for students to see live concert dance should be a priority for teachers, studio owners, and parents, and some ideas about how to make concert dance more accessible.
Read This…
Power of Performance: Building inspiration in students through concert dance
in DanceStudioLife Magazine‘s May/June issue.
I can finally link to this wonderful article by my friend Nancy Wozny! Before, I had to tell readers to pick up a copy or subscribe to the magazine (which I highly recommend anyway!). In the article three teachers from very different locations within the U.S. describe how and why they encourage students to see live performance.
It’s a topic I’ve discussed in various ways before. However, the quotes in this article richly support my own thoughts. Therefore, I’ve decided to feature several of them here.
Why Encourage Students to See Concert Dance
- Inspiring increased drive and dedication in class
- “When they come back after seeing a show, their focus and drive are off the charts. They see what they can become if they work hard. Although students might be the best in their class, they don’t often see how much further they need to go.” – Melissa Dobbs; Metropolitan Fine Arts Center in Washington, DC.
- It is good for your business
- These experiences show that you care about educating whole and well-rounded dancers. Parents really do appreciate dance studios that make education (not just performing, competing, or even training) a priority.
- These experiences show that you care about educating whole and well-rounded dancers. Parents really do appreciate dance studios that make education (not just performing, competing, or even training) a priority.
- Seeing dance principles applied
- “There’s something about seeing professional dancers do the things that I am telling them all the time that makes it really sink in. Honestly, I see better dancing after they have seen the magic that can happen onstage.” – Louanne Courtright; Louanne Courtright Dance Studio in rural Michigan
- Promoting the ability to discuss dance intelligently
- Should students plan to dance at all in college (as a major, minor, or otherwise) they will need to be able to critically discuss and write about concert dance. Developing these skills in a topic of interest (such as dance) will help students in whatever academic and career paths they choose.
- Should students plan to dance at all in college (as a major, minor, or otherwise) they will need to be able to critically discuss and write about concert dance. Developing these skills in a topic of interest (such as dance) will help students in whatever academic and career paths they choose.
- Learning about theater etiquette
- As students go out into the wider world, like it or not, they are representatives. What they do or do not learn about etiquette, manners, and conduct reflects on the teachers, communities, and institutions that have reared them.
- As students go out into the wider world, like it or not, they are representatives. What they do or do not learn about etiquette, manners, and conduct reflects on the teachers, communities, and institutions that have reared them.
- Exposing students to different dance perspectives, aesthetics, and cultures
- “She recalls the case of one student, Spencer Ramirez, who was committed to jazz dance — that is, until he started going to see modern dance. ‘His whole world opened up after seing contemporary dance,’ says Dobbs. Now a student at The Julliard School, Ramirez was changed by what came into his awareness while sitting in the audience.”
- Opening students’ minds to the greater dance world
- “I also want our students to know that dance is more than what’s on television and at competitions.” Melissa Dobbs; Metropolitan Fine Arts Center
- Developing lifelong supporters of the arts
- “I want to develop students who grow into lifelong supporters of the arts. If you are not doing that, you are not giving a full dance education.” Michelle Spezio; Spezio’s Dance Dynamics in western New York
A neglected relationship or not, dance artists and dance art feed and influence the work and training within dance studios. And, dance studios are training both the artists and audiences of the future. Choosing to foster this relationship is better for all.
How to Encourage Students to See Concert Dance
Ultimately, I feel encouragement is about removing resistance and making concert dance forms more accessible.
- Organize excursions to local university or dance company performances, or weekend trips to larger cities for live performance opportunities
- Hold fundraisers to cover costs
- Invite touring artists to conduct master classes or workshops at your studio (Students are more likely to attend concerts featuring artists with whom they have a personal connection)
- Announce and post flyers at your studio about upcoming events
- Work within your local community to bring arts opportunities to the area
- Watch and discuss performances on video/DVD. (Viewing parties could be organized as a special event or excerpts could be viewed in class to supplement what is being covered.)
There are more great ideas in the DanceStudioLife article!
You might also take a look at the following articles on Dance Advantage. They offer methods of facilitating concert dance experiences and how to incorporate exploration of dance art in your classes:
- Live Dance Challenge
- Teaching and Exploring the History and Evolution of Dance
- What I Did Over Summer Vacation
- Watching and Discussing Dance
Nichelle Suzanne is a writer specializing in dance and online content. She is also a dance instructor with over 20 years experience teaching in dance studios, community programs, and colleges. She began Dance Advantage in 2008, equipped with a passion for movement education and an intuitive sense that a blog could bring dancers together. As a Houston-based dance writer, Nichelle covers dance performance for Dance Source Houston, Arts+Culture Texas, and other publications. She is a leader in social media within the dance community and has presented on blogging for dance organizations, including Dance/USA. Nichelle provides web consulting and writing services for dancers, dance schools and studios, and those beyond the dance world. Read Nichelle’s posts.
