― Martha Graham
Dancing like any other sport can be played at many different
levels. Some dancers are just beginning, while others have a lot of experience,
even so there are a large amount of dancers who have a lot of experience,
however are not yet at a competitive performance level. With hard work, a great
amount of dedication, and a fine attention to detail a dancer will thrive to
the top and extend beyond their dreams to achieve successful outcomes in their
dance career.
To begin, dance for the not so serious member, beginner or a
very young child is considered to be recreational. Typically only one to a
small selection of classes a week. Not as dedicated to becoming prestigious for
the time being, but getting into the dance world to learn the fundamentals,
have fun, or stay active.
We then jump to the advanced, competitive dancer. This
dancer has a lot of experience, and applies knowledge to the production of a
routine. They hold technique, passion, musicality, and fluidity. Dancers in this
category can be seen as the hardest workers within a given company, they strive
to become better and grown in the extremes year after year. Many reside to
compete in local, regional, national and world wide dance tours, competitions
and conventions. Not only are they involved in judging, they also give
performances and book shows where they display their talents of dance on a
bigger stage for a bigger audience. Others take their dancing careers from adolescence
and share it in other ways by going to shows and performances to keep up with
sport and art they so loved as they grew up.
It is a big jump to go from recreational classes to the competitive
level, so of course you need to consider the in between middle ground area. There
are some dancers who are caught in the late stages of recreation and the
opening of life on the advanced level. Usually it’s the split of having the
passion and desire to be a part of something bigger and better, but not having
enough dance background to compete at that level. The most important part of
these dancers is that they have the drive to become great dancers, they just
need a greater focus on technical aspects of dance to progress. To improve
skills it is recommended that the dancer gets more involved and participates in
a variety of classes, especially ballet, technique, conditioning and possibly
even private lessons to have that important one on one time with an instructor.
As long as passion is there and the mindset of improvement stays positively on
the dancer’s shoulders, I believe they will be able to become great dancers.
All dancers are on a different level, each having their own
strengths and weaknesses, but the beautiful thing about dance is that it is a
constant improvement. Week after week skills become better mastered, and new
fundamentals learned. Passions drive harder and levels become apparent. To be
on the top level you must share both the common love of dance as well as a
strong background in all fields of dance. To achieve greater levels you must
show a lot of dedication and commitment, it is progressive and improvement will
be obvious overtime. Work hard, stay positive and be passionate if dance
becomes the most important aspect of your life.
~Julia Brewer
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