Dance Speaks to Everybody
John is a hip-hop dancer. Kristin is a cheerleader. Charlotte is a mom who always wanted to dance. Stephanie has ten years of dance training ten years ago. Hannah loves liturgical dance. I'm their dance instructor.
We meet twice a week in a small studio in the community college where I teach dance. Each of these determined students had different reasons for participating in the beginning jazz/modern class. "I needed a physical education credit." "I like to dance." "It sounded fun." "I needed the hours for my schedule." In spite of their varied impulses to join the class, eight weeks into the semester they have blended together to form a special group of dancers. Where some are weak others are strong. The course is designed to teach dance while building skills and self-esteem. The process of facing new challenges through dance has quickly enlightened each student to their individual learning strategies and how learning dance can spill over into "real life."
On the first day of class, I take roll and jump right into the movement. After all, it's a dance class. Three credit hours require that we also study dance through other means, but movement is the heart and soul of the course. Through the structured and disciplined method of teaching from a specific list of beginning jazz dance components and writing, the course satisfies the requirement that it be a comprehensive study of beginning jazz dance. We always dance first then close with the "paper work" like collecting homework and taking attendance. This pattern of consistency teaches college students that procedure is necessary to success and that having a plan for a class and for studying always pays off.
I signed up for this class for a physical education credit and it's something I've always wanted to do. I've learned that it can be a fun way to stay in shape and that maintenance of your body is important, that it's about more than just loud music and sensual moves. I'm planning on being a youth leader and I hope that I can use the dance techniques in a drama ministry.
-Hannah
What the average college student doesn't possess as a necessary learning skill is self-discipline. If self-discipline isn't a part of a student's tool box, a college education can be a difficult process. If there's one thing we learn in the dance studio, it is self-discipline. Dancers learn to never miss class and rehearsal, take care of their bodies, and of course, technique. The students in this jazz/modern class have quickly caught on that dance is a route to several other positive traits as well.
I signed up for this class because I simply wanted to dance. I've discovered that dance is a lot of hard work. I don't have any dance training and I've learned that I can do it if I try. This is my first year of college. I think I will use these lessons when I take more dance classes in the future.
-Charlotte
A research paper is required for the mid-term grade. Each student chooses a dance topic of interest to them. Before the papers were due, they emitted the usual college student groans and gripes about writing. Being a dance journalist, I tend to be a little picky about grammar as well as content. However, each student chose something they wanted to know more about and came back with well written papers that demonstrated pretty good research techniques. More than one student thanked me for the assignment because they learned so much about something that really interested them.
I have learned the history of dance, self-confidence, and that balance and alignment are the most important parts of correct execution of dance moves. I have also learned that I am capable of self-improvement. I have some limits that need to be pushed and I feel better about myself in the time I have been in this class. I plan to pursue a career in dance movement therapy and I think that this class has helped me to realize even more that dance is a very important part of my life. -Stephanie
The class emphasizes warm-up, technique, discipline, and writing, but through out the lessons students are reminded to heighten their awareness of everything from the specifics of pointing a foot to proper use of commas in their essays. Through this awareness, I'm hoping that they will eventually recognize a connection. They can understand connection to an energy source within themselves and to the rest of the world by training with other dancers and applying the lessons of the dance studio to other parts of their lives.
Math and dance are the only things I get. I want to be an accountant. I think I can put some moves together from this class to use at the clubs where I dance. I've learned how to combine steps and that I'm capable of learning other styles of dancing and I'm alright at it.
- John
To recognize the connection, I gave an assignment instructing the students to attend a dance performance by the touring company Les Ballets Africains and write a one-page summary. Because of their dance studies they could identify specific dance steps performed by the dancers and understand how the dance steps told an intricate story of power and struggle. The papers came back saying, "I saw a lot of step ball-changes" and "the athletic strength of the dancers was amazing!" From their own experiences in class, the students demonstrated a keen awareness of what went into the training and preparation of the performers.
I'm majoring in nursing and I love to dance. I knew it would be something I could look forward to two times a week. I've learned a lot of different movements from what I learned in cheerleading and hip-hop dancing. I hope to take other dance classes and I can see how this class will help me in those classes.
-Kristin
Dance speaks to everybody.