You are on page 1of 5

Ashton 1

Hanna Ashton
Ed Austin
Dance 261
March 24, 2016
What It Means To Be A Dancer
When I asked some friends who werent dancers what dance is I got responses
like, dance is moving your body to the music. Dance is twirling and leaping on stage.
Dance is training your body to be flexible. Dance is a way to stay in shape. In Websters
Dictionary it says that dance is to move your body in a way that goes with the rhythm
and style of music that is being played (Merriam-Webster). While all these things are
true about dance, it is so much more than that. Its hard to put in words what dance is and
what being a dancer is like. Being onstage is a unique and captivating experience. To
some, its frightening. The thought of being alone in the middle of the floor with
thousands of eyes focused on you would make some people want to run. But the thrill of
performing on stage is an experience I live for. To me, dance is a way I can tell my story
through choreography. I believe dance is a unique and powerful art form that allows
expression to be portrayed through movement.
When I enter the stage and feel the heat of the spotlight on me, I feel so much
energy and light. As I look out into shadows of people, I see no end to the vast crowd.
The music begins and I feel my body start to mold to the melodies of the song. A river of
movement ripples through my body as the dance continues. While I move, the millions of
thoughts pressed in my mind relax and only my barest emotions rise to the surface. A
piercing clarity of intent and a humming peace and carelessness is discovered in my head

Ashton 2
and reflected to the audience. As the echoes of the music fade out and I hit my last pose,
everything becomes real again. The trance I was just in blinks away and reality sets back
in. I leave the stage knowing that I did my best to touch others and reveal my feelings.
Dance is an escape as well as a discovery. When dancing I feel either extremely present
or completely enveloped in another world. We try and claim what dance is and give it a
definition. In my book, dance cannot be limited to a few short sentences. It is an
experience so unique and personal to each dancer, choreographer and audience member
that putting a cap on it through words wouldnt correctly explain its meaning or value.
What makes dance powerful to me is its ability to tell a story or convey feelings
all through movement. Its powerful to know that by changing your quality of movement
or focus, a different message could be read. For example, if someone moves in an earthy,
grounded way with a clear focus, they could be perceived as being confident and strong.
But if someone moves in a light, airy way with a very internal focus or expression, they
could be viewed as being timid or cautious. I believe that any emotion you feel or
experience you are going through can be let out through dance as a medium. Judith R.
Mackrell says that, Dance is a powerful impulse, but the art of dance is that impulse
channeled by skillful performers into something that becomes intensely expressive and
that may delight spectators who feel no wish to dance themselves (Mackrell). I love
this quote because it explains that dancing is an impulse we all feel. Whenever music
comes on, its our natural instinct to groove to the beat. Whether its in the car, at the
store or in your room, the desire to dance can be found in all people. The art of dance is
accessing the proper technique to accurately display those feelings and emotions.

Ashton 3
Dance communicates in a way that no other artform can. In my opinion it has a
unique ability to reach people viscerally, energetically and poetically in a way that is both
primitive and sophisticated (Caines). I think that dance is unique because you use your
whole body to create shapes and patterns instead of other mediums like paint or clay.
Dance is extremely visual and interactive. It is powerful when you dance in an
understandable and relatable way because then the audience can sympathize or recognize
the experiences you are trying to display. I think dance is one of the more emotional art
forms. I think it is easier to read emotions through dance than through other forms of art.
Dance is such a beautiful art. It incorporates the body, mind, spirit and allows our
souls to be displayed on the stage. We can share messages of our inner emotions and
testimony to a stadium filled with infatuated viewers. I believe that the ability to dance is
a gift from our Heavenly Father. We need to respect our bodies as the sacred gift they are.
They were given to us from our Heavenly Father and through dance we can show the
light of Christ as we explore artistic movement. Having an LDS perspective allows us to
better understand how sacred the process of creating art truly is. We also understand how,
Those who seek to follow Christ are free to receive the enlightenment and pure joy that
flows through art centered in Him art centered in Christ immerses us in Joy (Dayley).
I love when I am watching a dance performance or am performing and I can feel the
spirit. I think it is a very special experience to incorporate both our testimony and our
passion for dance into one work of art. As dancers we appreciate when artists are able to
display something unique that no one has ever done before. It excites us when someone
makes a new discovery of movement or a new way to interact on stage. In the LDS
community, it is important to try to tap into a spiritual awareness when creating art. Our

Ashton 4
world is a display of Gods creativity. We need to have appreciation for the wonderful
world that we live in. Being able to create this art using our bodies is a sacred gift from
our Heavenly Father. We must always respect our bodies and learn to love ourselves for
what makes us unique and special. The ability to dance is a way we can show our love for
our Savior anywhere we perform. I am thankful for my body and the ability I have to
perform and create art.
I am so grateful that I have dance in my life. It has allowed me to express myself
when I couldnt find the right words. It allows me to be completely vulnerable and free. I
love the challenge of mastering new technique and improving my skills. Being a
perfectionist, it is sometimes hard to find a balance between allowing myself to give into
the movement and worrying about the mastery of it all. Growing up a dancer has given
many opportunities to grow as a leader and become more dedicated. Dance is an amazing
way for all different types of people to express their feelings through artistic movement.

Ashton 5
Work Cited
Caines, Matthew. "'Dance Communicates in a Way That No Other Artform Can' |
Antonia Grove, Probe." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 2013. Web. 26
Mar. 2016.
Dayley, Newell K., Centering the Arts in Christ
"Dance." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, 2015. Web. 26 Mar. 2016.
Mackrell, Judith R. "Dance." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica.
Web. 26 Mar. 2016.

You might also like