Music has always been a big part of my life. I have been constantly around music since I was a baby. My mom owns a dance studio, and I was always with her, in fact when my parents brought me home from the hospital I went to the dance studio before I made it home. I began learning to dance as soon as I could walk. Obviously music is a big part of dance, but it is more than just hearing a song, learning the chorography, and performing. You have to listen to very beat and rhythm and move to it. Dance has made me appreciate music in a way that I don’t think I would if I was not a dancer.
To me music is a way to express myself. I’m not always good with talking about how I feel about something and I’m definitely not good with writing about it. When you hear a certain song that nails exactly how you’re feeling, but you can’t put it into your own words it’s like a therapy session. My personal way to use music to express how I feel about something or what the song means to me is to dance it out. You tell stories through music and dance.
Over the last four years music has played an even greater role in my life than it has before. After I graduated from high school I started teaching dance at my families dance studio. I had to start thinking about my students and choosing the right songs for them. I had to figure out how I could make all of these different age groups and personalities come together and appreciate the music, really feel what the song was about, and tell the story through their dance. This isn’t the easiest task when you are working with pre-teens and teenagers that seem more interested in dancing to the latest pop song rather than a song with actual meaning. It all came together and it showed me how much music can be a universal language.
In my community, different groups and organizations put together events that showcase all kinds of local talent that involve music. Whether it be local bands, dance teams, singers, or instrument players. These events bring the people of all ages, gender, race, and beliefs of my small and conservative community together. The music brings all of these different walks of life together where they can all agree and enjoy the same thing in the same place. That doesn’t happen very often.
Music is and will continue to be a great influence on the world. It has been around for thousands of years. Music appeals to everyone. When was the last time you heard someone say “I hate all music?” My guess is that you have not. Music can inspire people to do many things whether it is how to dress, or wear your hair and make-up, to inspiring someone to compose great works of art, for example Beethoven’s nine symphonies. It is one of the only things that are shared in every culture all around this world.
I expect the theme of music to alter my understanding and appreciation of music by giving me a greater incite to whatever message the artist is trying to get across, and help me understand people in a different way.
I enjoyed reading your blog entry. It really gives a new perspective of how music is perceived by a dancer. I never really thought how you must really have to be good at telling a story from dancing but you art definitely right about how it takes some true talent. I'll have to say that I'm a horrible dancer and can really appreciate people which can dance. Since there are so many different forms of dancing, I bet your musical interests are very broad. Do you have a particular style which seems to fit your favorite taste in music or do you find that you have to alter your taste in music to fit your favorite type of dancing?
ReplyDeleteYour comment about the influence on the world reminded me that music from other cultures really helps to give their people a special quality which separates them from other cultures. It is strange that when we as Americans tend to think of qualities of these other cultures, dance is always one of the main descriptive factors, along with food of course. I now have to wonder what other cultures think of Americans and our dance methods. Good luck with those teens, I bet they are a bunch of fun.
Hello, I to love to dance too. I only wish I had the wonderful talent of actually having some rhythm. I love people that can dance. Sometimes when I go out, I actually enjoy watching others dance. I literally am horrible at it, it runs in my family. I truly admire those who are successful at dancing. I can relate to your feeling of using music to express yourself. The funny thing is sometimes us as people seem to have the notion that we are all so unique but if you think about we have more people in this world who can relate to what we are going through than we think. Music is the evidence of that. I like how you said “therapy session”, that’s very true. Music soothes the soul. Music is a universal language and it’s interesting that you teach dance. If I could pick any talent that I could have been born with it would have been to dance, yes, I really suck that bad. What community are you in? I think it’s a beautiful thing what you are involved in. So many people can be reached and entertained by the talents of others. It’s also a great thing to get the youth involved in instead of them getting in trouble with all that idle time on their hands. I bet it also helps them to dream big, and believe in their selves. Yes, I believe everyone has a universal love for music because there is something that caters to every type of person.
ReplyDelete