NYC is constantly keeping you on your toes with all the new dance trends and choreography. So many styles such as: Bboying/Bgirling, Popping, Locking, Rocking, Choreography, Dance Hall, Latin Styles, etc. You even have these new dance trends called foot work and lite feet that can be very intricate.
Some of these dances are now being fused with each other creating intense and extremely creative. The precision and dynamics on some of these choreographed pieces are so amazing, that some dancers sometimes become intimidated by what they are seeing.
I am first to admit it, to this very day I still tend to get intimidated by these amazing dancers that I have seen performed and or battle. There are several things that make a quality dance, they are: Precision, Accuracy, Dynamics, Style, Attitude, Movement, Musicality, and most importantly, Passion.
The most important thing of being a great dancer is to have fun and just dance your heart out. I have always loved to dance and although I have never ever been into Hip Hop Choreography, I would always try to learn it no matter what.
All dancers began as amateurs, some were extremely shy and some had no fear at all. I certainly can say that most dancers have had that feeling that they were not good enough at one point or another. This feeling is what you call intimidation. Some dancers are intimidated because they feel they can't do certain moves or movements compared to other dancers.
This feeling can sometimes make you feel low and sometimes it can make you want to give up. I am a true testament to this because it's happened to me several times over the years. I really started dancing in my mid-twenties and although I had never attended a dance class, dancing was in my blood. when I started Bboying back in 2000 I had no fear, I was constantly practicing and traveling to sessions all over NYC. I was training and dancing with Honey Rockwell, Speedy Legs, Speedy D and many more, and they always told me never to give up no matter how hard it may seem.
I went to a session last week at PMT Studios located in Manhattan on 14th street and 6th ave. It was a dope Bboy/Bgirl session with fresh break beats. I saw a Bgirl there and she just watched us and I noticed that she was getting intimidated because all the other breakers were more advanced than she was. I was there for 2 hours and she only danced for 5 minutes then she walked out. She was there for at least 30 minutes watching and I could see the frustration and intimidation in her face.
I was dismayed that she had got up and left, but I've seen this far to many times. This is a classic definition of being intimidated, and unfortunately breaking is a very male dominated style. But almost half of the bgirls I have met throughout my dance lifestyle have made a name for themselves in such a male dominated scene. This just doesn't go for bgirls but for bboys as well, especially for those that are beginning to learn.
I sometimes get intimidated because these dancers now are doing things far beyond I can fathom. The dynamics they are throwing and the fact they are literally breaking gravity. Some are even lucky to have great teachers, crews, and some even start off as young as 3 years of age.
My goal in this weeks blog is to let every dancer know, do not be discouraged or intimidated by any other dancer. Utilize that fear as a re-enforcement to train harder, work harder to be a greater dancer. Try using different techniques or try to understand the mechanics behind the movements.
If you fear what you can't understand then you have already lost the battle, so why not try to understand it by learning, reading, and trying. You will fail 100 times before you succeed once, but the moment you have accomplished that goal, the fire has spread in you and the dawn of a new dancer has begun.
No comments:
Post a Comment