Emerging Dance Philosophy
Education is the process by which we learn. To be educated means to grow, to be inspired, transcended, altered, expanded, and intellectually stimulated. It is through our education that we are able to educate others. The education of dance applies to this in a wholly complete way. Professor Sarah Lee Gibb said, “Dance is an exciting and vibrant art that can be used in the educational setting to assist in the growth of the student, and to unify the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of the human being.” Though many often overlook it, dance has the potential to be one of the most effective ways to educate and be educated.
As educators, the responsibility lies with us to pass on our wisdom and knowledge in an effective and lasting way. Dance can be taught to children, adolescents, teenagers, college students, and adults. This means that we must have the ability to teach in a way that is appropriate for the situation. Margaret N. H’Doubler makes a valid point about the key to education when she says, “The most completely developed person is the one who has trained in all his powers with equal dignity and consideration, in order that he may be physically, intellectually, and emotionally integrated.” To me, this emphasizes our role as educators to train our students in a way that will unify every part of them.
As students, our role is to be open and perceptive to our educators. While part of the responsibility lies with teacher to prepare adequate lessons to learn from, a large responsibility lies in us. I know that I have to come in to a class with a clear mind and a desire to learn. If I truly want to be affected by the class then I need to be willing to take risks, make mistakes, and try and try again. I also know I need to be a willing participant and trust my educators to take me to a place I have not ventured to before. Ultimately the student and the educator must work in harmony to come to a place of progression and success. One cannot do it without the other.
As educators of dance the prime genre we will be teaching is modern dance. While it is hard to pin down a clear and concise definition of what modern dance is, it is still extremely important to have some sort of preliminary to know where to take it next. Modern dance is an art form that relies fully on originality, kinesthetic truth, and authentic self-exploration. It is a genre of dance typically done in bare feet and known as ballet’s “rebellious younger sister”. It came about as a return to a celebration of the natural body by moving in grounded, organic ways. It has constantly evolved over time and remains consistent in its focus on emotional drive rather than codified steps. Today it is often referred to as Contemporary dance. While it still has a direct correlation to Modern dance, this more recent term implies evolution and the idea of fusion forms.
In addition to everything above, what I have come to value most in my training in the modern dance field and what I hope to educate others in is the creative process. It is through my technique, improvisational, and composition classes that I have come to a truer understanding of what I have to offer as a dancer and a person. Freedom of creativity in modern dance is where I find that unity of the mind, body, and soul. I think that allowing ourselves to move freely and without inhibition allows us to go to a place of peace and acceptance. This is an opportunity I want to present in my Modern dance classes every time I teach. I believe it is an integral part of what dance education is all about, and how anybody can take something valuable and lasting from dance without having to become “a dancer”.
I mentioned technique, composition, and improvisation earlier. They are considered the three core concepts to Modern Dance. Technique is the set steps and required technical aspects of modern dance that one must be trained in and gain. It is the repertoire that a dancer is evaluated on in technique class. It requires things such as repetition, memorization, correct alignment, vocabulary, and hopefully a steady improvement. Composition is the phrase used that correlates with choreography. Composition involves skills such as performance, choreography, theme, timing, and exploration. The education in composition is important to dance education because it expands beyond the technique and opens up the door to taking risks and willingly exploring specific ideas further. Lastly is the importance of improvisation. Improvisation is where experiencing the creative process can be the most effective. Improvisation includes terms such as instinct, inspiration, risk, impulse, and total commitment.
My philosophy on dance education is still emerging and evolving. I am coming to a clearer idea of it through my own personal exploration, and through the readings we have done. Joan Russell, a leading dance educator in England really spoke to me when she said, “We are not concerned with training dancers or with producing a skilled technical performance. We are concerned with education through movement, with fostering the child’s love of movement, and with giving scope for discovery, imagination, and intuition.” I think my emerging philosophy has begun to follow this train of thought. I am very excited to see what discoveries I have yet to make.
Gibb, Sarah Lee. What is Dance Education.
H’Doubler Margaret N. Dance, A Creative Art Experience. Chapter 3, An education through dance. Pg. 63
Russel, Joan. Dance-An integral element in education. Sara Lee Gibb. Pg. 69.
