Sunday Morning February 2, 2014

We are not surprised to see a young person take a paint and brush to paper to paint whatever they imagine.  They are creating "ART", and we encourage them.  When someone begins singing to music, we encourage them, and they begin singing in church, or writing songs to plucking of a guitar.  The young musician takes piano lessons  or studies an instrument.  Learning notes, the student is able to read sheet music of all kinds, or even write their own music to expand their art.

When we see a budding dancer hop and sway in time to the music, someone will say,  "Why don't we let her study Ballet?"

The Art of Ballet is highly disciplined.  A Ballet is the creation of the choreographer, the work of the musician, and  the body of the dancer to create the work of art. The "Work of Art"  is a painting in progress in front of your eyes, and at times the art is not quite achieved.
Entering a Ballet class you are told what to wear, you hear music chosen by someone else, you hear French terms for the steps, a teacher tells you exactly what to do, you follow patterns of steps and combinations, and if you are in a Ballet, you are told what choreography to follow.  Practicing may take months, and after that time, if you do not do it just right , a temperamental directer may pull you from the production( I have seen this happen!)  You may be told what feelings to display, a coach may tell you whether or not you are doing them the standard way, how to follow your strengths, how to build your technique.  You build the Art of your choice by following directions, discipline and sublimation of your own ideas.  The dancer must create with the materials given:  the music given, the steps or combinations, the character or mood, and her own limitations or technique.

And that is why we have "Improvisation Day" at our studio.  We invite our students to choreograph to music of their choice, steps of their choice to a costume they create.  Each year the dancer becomes the canvas on which to paint their self-portrait.  Besides being an outlet for their creativity, they become more aware of the difficulties of the craft of dance choreography, the fabric of music, and how stories are constructed.
In a time where videos and replays are available, it is possible that dancers are more able to choreograph for themselves.  The ability to practice creating choreography as well as following set choreography of others may be the wave of the future.
One thing I know:  students LOVE watching this special event, creating and performing the
dances they create.