-Larry J Cowell
Being a part of a dance team
brings up values of commitment, team work, ownership, effort, connection, and
kindness. Dancing with a group is much different in comparison to a solo. In a
solo it is justified to be focused on yourself, you can be off the music or improv
without a judge’s notice. However, dancing among others, a dancer must
acknowledge that they are to if not be identical, similar enough for anyone to
understand that they are a match, or fit within a group. Being a part of a
dance team disciplines a dancer to value the time and effort meant to
coordinate group dance. Yes, it takes a tremendous amount of skill, confidence
and experience to solo in front of an audience, but there is so much more to learn
by dancing within a group.
When on a team, every dancer
must be dedicated to the betterment of themselves, and their fellow teammates. Commitment
also has to be made to the choreography and choreographer. A dancer should be committed
to the chorography they were assigned, making something small into something
important. The dance will not always be established exactly to the dancer, but
it is the dancer’s responsibility to do what they are given, and do it to the
best of their ability. Commitment to the choreographer is equally as important,
it should not be on them for losing a team member, dancers should always finish
what they start and make the most of it, no matter the scenario. If it doesn’t
work, out take opportunity elsewhere once the commitment is finished.
A group dancer, dances for
everyone else in their group before themselves. In rehearsal you better be
going just, if not more full out that the person next to you, for when you are
on stage the expectation will be fulfilled by every member doing their absolute
best. Team work also comes by being each other’s motivators. Dancers within a
group should have full trust in each other. If the feeling of team outside of
dance rehearsal is mutual and strong, it will only grow stronger in performance.
Going along with team work, is effort by every team member. Weak links should never
exist on a team, everyone needs to be pulling their weight whether they are considered
the “number 1” girl or not.
Taking ownership in your dancing
is important within a dance team. Yes, sometimes it is hard to hear the flaws
you make as a dancer, but it is a teammate’s way of encouraging you to correct
them, they want to see you succeed just as much as you want to. Take ownership
of that and work on making it correct to yourself and your team. As a dancer
takes ownership of their dancing, they will be able to master connection with
their teammates. Connections made both o and off the floor will be acquired and
used to advance a dancer in their training.
Finally, between all of these
qualities being a part of a dance team, large or small, kindness will always be
an asset that should remain priority. It is a team you are apart, therefore it
a job that you should feel, and respond proudly towards. Be kind to everyone,
watch tone of voice, support each other no matter what and speak of one another
with gratitude. Respect will only mature and strengthen all of the values that
come along with dancing in a group and being a part of a dance team.
All values to be learned from
being part of a dance team are in relation to each other. It is important to
learn these as they will help a dancer progress in the professional dance
world, continuation with more group work and in everyday life. Values learned
from being a part of a team and dancing in a group are greater in comparison to
any solo. Also, what’s not to say a dancer won’t every get a special solo part
within the framework of a group routine?
~Julia Brewer
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