Blogpost 9 : It Takes a Lot of Effort

I once thought that being a great dancer is having the knowledge of all genres of dance: ballroom, hiphop, funk, popping and etc. But I was wrong. It takes a lot of effort to become a great and professional dancer.

 Before I joined APCDC, I have gone through deep realizations and doubts: if I can handle my time, or if I can balance dance and academics. I also thought that in joining the dance company is just learning dance routines and practicing for competitions and performance request. But when the time that I got in, I realized I was wrong. Joining in dance crews or dance companies, you must go through trainings first to become very successful. You must also push and strive harder not just for yourself but also for your dance family as well.

I found an article entitled “The Alexander Technique: It’s Role in Dance Training” by Glenna Batson in alexandertechnique. The article is all about Alexander’s technique in dance training coordination. It also conveys information of the main points that dancers usually train for better movement.

“Traditionally, various dance techniques have evolved out of the stylistic (muscular effort) preferences of their inventors --- the "Vaganova" technique, after the famous ballerina Agippa Vaganova, the "Graham" technique, after modern dance pioneer Martha Graham, and so forth. Ideally, the dancer's training goes beyond attempts to mold the dancer to a certain style or set of neuromuscular patterns. Instead of simply looking "right" or doing the movement "correctly," the dancer learns to move from an embodied source -- fully receptive and responsive to the moment of movement. Such training frees the dancer from rigid holding patterns or other constraints that bind thought, feeling, and action. The emergence of somatic approaches and "release" techniques, and their incorporation into dance training supports the trend toward finding more free, autonomous ways of moving.”

I totally agree with the author’s statement in this article that dance training results a molded dancer into a certain style of dance. Knowing myself as a dancer, dance training has given me so much improvement as a person starting from amateur to a professional. And I can say this article push me further for excellence in my talent, which is dance.

Another article that I found that is similar to the other one is entitled “The Truth About Well Rounded Dancers” by Nichelle in danceadvantage. The articles entails what it takes to be a well-rounded dancer and facts and myths about it. There are some facts that really informed a lot which are, “One hour of solid, well-thought training in a single dance form is better than ten hours of experience, Training, whether focusing on ballet, contemporary, jazz, or tap techniques can always be built upon with the addition of other styles, An experience can rock your world but it can’t substitute for consistent effort and instruction, Good training roots exposure and experience, and allows versatility to flower.”

It indeed takes a lot of effort to be the person you wanted to be. Don’t just easily give up. Push yourself towards but always keep your feet on the ground. Success can be taken step by step and cannot be easily achieved without effort. You must learn to value what you love and develop what you want to do. Just work hard and dance hard.  

Blogpost 8: Gearing up for Dance

Basically we know that in dancing, you should be very keen in your clothing. Like for a specific genre of dance, there is particular clothing that is required. Each style needs a suit that is very comfortable to wear in that dance. Your attire defines your body, of how you move through it and also defines the dance that you are in to.

There is one time when I get to be one of the dancers in a performance request in school and was given a task to find costume for our dance. Our co-member gave us the costume pegs so that we easily get to mix-and-match the clothes that we already have. The theme of the event is the revolution of dance starting from the 60s to present. I was assigned to find attire that is related to the 80s. The costume peg was bright colors, floral, loose, ruffles, big accessories and etc. I get to find a very hippie and colorful leggings, an indigo colored loose top and a pink tank top under it. I also borrowed a pink and bedazzled chuck taylor shoes from my block mate. In each dance that we do, with their assigned costume peg, it helps the audience to comprehend what the dance is trying to say. With the attire we wear, the audience automatically knows when that specific dance has occurred.

I found an article entitled “The Importance of Proper Dance Clothes” in dancedirect. This article tells about the significance of the clothes we wear for a specific genre of dance. It also showed how the right choice of clothing is essential to dance.

“All the dancers know that proper dance clothes should work well with the dance. They serve to enhance the dancer’s body, provide smooth movement without any limitations and improve the dancer’s abilities. The right outfit should be easy to dance in and correspond to a specific dance technique. Choosing dance clot

hes you should consider your body type, how the costume moves with your body, what type of music you dance to and what image you would like to create on stage…No matter what dance style you are keen on, it is important to choose the type of material that will add to your movements and surround you with comfort. It is better to select dance clothes made of breathable fabrics, such as cotton blends, which will be able to move freely with your body. Lightweight materials tend to move faster and easier, while lycra is perfect for a close fit. If any part of your body needs special care, then you should think about wrap-around dance sweaters, fleece lined pants and tops or wool unitards.”

I really agree on the author’s statement of the importance of clothing in dance. For me as a dancer, I know that I should be aware of what is my choice of clothing in a specific dance. It helps me to move freely, dance without limitations and helps me show what my dance is really all about.

Another article that is related to this is entitled “What to wear” by Vicky Penn in hitthegrounddancing. This article provides the things to do and not to do in choosing your own clothing in dance. The author’s opening statement briefly summarized the whole article which is, “Whenever you dance, be sure to wear clothing that allows easy movement and considers safety and other issues for both partners.”

In dance, you should also be safe on what you wear. Others wear clothes that are too long and are very hard to move freely. Others wear clothes that are too short and will be very uncomfortable to the dancer. Others tend to wear accessories that are big that will really distract you from dancing.

Be very sensitive in choosing your own clothes in dancing.  You should be aware of how your clothes will be when you dance, if they are comfortable and safe. In dancing you can be stylish enough yet also be very safe and comfortable.