Sommer Danielsen Research Paper

Dance provides a way of learning—one that develops communication abilities, problem solving techniques, and creative and critical thinking skills along with kinesthetic abilities It employs the whole body in free and open movement. It is usually rhythmic with an element of repetition and forms of pattern in both space and time. Every movement is not run only with arms and legs, but also with mind and heart. It is believed that all in our lives we have danced because this is a natural action and must be built in time, with patience, perseverance and determination.

When she was younger, it wasn’t hard for her to learn the new choreography.She was a natural dancer,but no matter how well of a dancer she was she knew that she could always improve her skills. She also became a local dancer and she performed at rodeos and county fair. One of instructor said “She didn't know learn the basics.” She needed to be taught the basics.

With 15 years under her feet, Johnson is a Dance major going into her sophomore year at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette under the training of Marie Broussard, Kenneth Jenkins and Dina Melley. She practices many styles of dance but

Tiana Woods is an ambitious second-year undergraduate student studying Political Science and Dance. She is currently attending Columbia University as a Kluge Scholar. Tiana started her learning journey in the East Orange School System at the Little Ones Preschool. Her Preschool teachers cultivated in her a passion for reading. Ever since then she has loved to tell stories through different art forms. Dance being her favorite platform through which to do so. For Tiana, there is something magical about being able to instantly connect with people of different backgrounds through movement. That's the beauty behind artistry in dance—movement can be interpreted in so many different ways, by so many different people. But it will always inspire. Tiana

Casey Brown has always wanted to be a dancer. When she was little, she took dance classes once a week every Tuesday. Casey loved it and rocked the stage every year at the dance recitals at the Williamstown High School. As she got older, she took a break from dance but came back after a few short years. She took a modern class and her teacher would always tell her to take a ballet class. So the next year, Casey signed up for ballet. Right away her teacher noticed that something about her.

Jamie Waldo, one of South Windsor’s best and brightest, is making the most of her high school career. There are so many wonderful adjectives that come to mind when one thinks of Jamie: focused, responsible, hardworking, and caring are just a few. Frequently she is seen throughout the school actively involved. Jamie is not one to boast or brag about her accomplishments, but quietly relishes the success from her tireless effort. She is a friendly individual who is motivated and excited about what the future may hold. It is readily apparent that Jamie knows that we are all given but one life and she is determined to make the most of it.

I have danced every year of my life since. I am humbled to say, that through long days and nights in the studio, sacrificing time with my friends and family, all of the blood, sweat, and tears, I have accomplished what I have been working for since I was a little girl waddling around swallowed in a big pink tutu. I was chosen for the lead role of Cinderella in the Danscompany of Gainesville’s “Cinderella Ballet.” This accomplishment is a reflection of my consistent and sustained work ethic. This tenacity is reflected in other areas of my life and will be a defining characteristic that I carry to

“Great dancers are not great because of their technique they are great because of their

Anyone who has heard of “Dance Moms,” would look at someone who says, “I’ve grown up in a dance studio," with horror. I’m here to prove that sentiment wrong. When I was eight, I enrolled in my first dance class at Buffa’s Dance Studio. Nine years later, the studio director offered me a job. This opportunity soon became much more than a typical high school part time job. I worked side by side with the studio owner; each year registering 500+ dancers for their annual classes, order thousands of costumes and producing six recitals, complete with lighting, sound, and special effects. Although not realizing it at the time, she had offered me much more than a job. It was there I would spend my summer days and nights, working with and learning

I am Shanna Woods, a dancer, mother, life and college student, dance instructor and aspiring choreographer. I have dance before I could walk. I decided I wanted to dance after watching a video of Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Giselle in the 5th grade. At that time, I didn’t know becoming a dancer was a possible career. It was just something we all did in the community; shaking our non-hips, doing the tootsie roll, and whatever we saw on the music videos. I remember making up dances for my friends and forcing my cousins to learn routines for family reunions and other gatherings. You can say, I was always a choreographer at heart. I began serious training at Middle School of the Arts in West Palm Beach, FL. I also studied chorus. I became a dance major at Dreyfoos School of the Arts also in West Palm Beach, FL. Through Dreyfoos I was exposed to Graham with Jan Goetz, contemporary modern with Gina Buntz, ballet with Jeff Satinoff, as well as guest artists like Ben Vereen and Reginald Yates. I also trained at Southern Dance Theatre in Boynton Beach where I studied ballet, jazz, and gained my love for Bob Fosse through Dancer’s Edge Dance Company.

Growing up in the Big Apple can be rough at times; especially for 17 year old Leila Ashford. Leila’s mom died when she was 10. She now lives in a tiny apartment with her father. Her father works in a big business and barely has time for Leila. When her mom was still alive, Leila was enrolled in a dance class; she was momma’s little ballerina. Ballet was Leila’s biggest dream. After her mom died, her dad got really upset and quit his job. Ever since, there hasn’t been any extra money for Leila to reapply, but she didn’t let that stop her. Everyday after school, Leila would go out onto the patio and dance until sunset. She was determined to be a professional dancer some day.

Picture a casual day in the life of an ordinary girl: going to school in the mornings and performing her chores during the evenings. Now, reorient this to a day where she lacks of time to balance homework and sleep as pulling all-nighters is a quotidian activity where the exclusive task is to execute all her responsibilities. This vigorous alteration portrays how my life has changed in the preceding years. Antecedently, I was able to attend Orland Ballet's Summer Intensive. Challenging my daily living, I was chosen to dance with Ballet Concierto's professional dance company. Subsequent years later, I am able to face the challenges to come.

The dancers’ movements throughout the performance seem to challenge and uphold gender binaries at the same time. At the beginning, when only female dancers are present their movements are agentive, strong, quick, and athletic-characteristics not usually allowed for female dancers. Their movements are similar to the wild and physical movement of Louise

That there are always ways to ensure growth in one’s self as well as promote social, moral, and intellectual growth among those in one’s community through dedicating oneself to their passion. Over the years, having witnessed moments of humility and sorrow from dancers older than I, I have gained understanding of how necessary it is to provide an encouraging outlook on the world for the sake of the young and eager eyes you are inspiring. This understanding guided me with new focus and purpose. I have devoted a majority of my time for the last four years to teaching dance. The experience of teaching has influenced me to have an optimistic view of the world. I have attempted to teach my students these same values of confidence and integrity in order to encourage them to find lessons of their own that they can pass on to others. I feel as though there is no greater form of gratification than motivating those whom look up to you. I have focused my training during the last few years on bettering myself in order to better my students. Empowerment is a flourishing component of the art, and seeing the ignition of such positivity in young dancers has been a valued

She was in a ballet studio dancing with a room full of ballerinas. The studio was large and grand. The instructor paraded back and forth in front of them as they jumped and twirled beautifully together. Becca was surprised by her strength and level of control.