I used to hate dance class. Really.
When I was in theatre school, I had a class every day – either ballet, tap, jazz, or “performance” (which was learning a routine in any style/fusion as if in an audition setting). That class was my favorite because how you sold it was just as important as your technique. And when my grand jeté was not so grand, I was thankful that I could act my way out of it.
A dance class every day sounds pretty amazing, huh? Not for me. It was the part I dreaded most about theatre school. Try dancing beside people so talented that they could be crowned Canada’s Favorite Dancer, when you’re still trying to pronounce the word fouette correctly.
First thing on Monday mornings, they expected me to put on a tutu and take ballet. Ok, I didn’t have to wear a tutu, but who was I kidding? Nobody would mistake me for a prima ballerina, so why embarrass me by making me take this class? (And let me tell you, no amount of high-energy and big ol’ smiles can replace ballet technique, despite my attempts.)
“I’ll never be a ballerina, so why do I have to go?” I complained to my program director after he busted me for skipping. His reply, “It’s the foundation for all dance. Just go to class.”
So, I went to ballet. I hated every minute of it, but I went. It didn’t make sense to me – how to express myself in that style – but I went.
Fast forward some years and now, I love dance class. Why? Because I found salsa. It made sense!
Now, I love going to dance class, no matter what style. Even if I look like a complete nerd, I’ll bust out the house moves. Even if I look like I have two left feet, I’ll try a bollywood class…I’ll even go to ballet!
Was it the salsa music that changed my perception and helped me appreciate all types of dance class? I think there is definitely a little magic in the mambo…
I see similiarities in your situation to me, when I took piano lessons.
ReplyDeleteI hated practicing (classical) pieces that, I didn't know what they were supposed to sound like, I wasn't very good at, nor did I ever think of a future as a professional piano player.
The similiarities that I see are the exclusive focus on the technique.
Spark the interest, and fire the passion, and then effort on technique takes care of itself; not neccessarily for a professional future, but for the love of the art form.
So, in my opinion, the foundation is passion, but technique improves on that foundation significantly.