Minute Masterclass Episode 240

Welcome to your one-minute masterclass. I’m Andrea Trench. If you enjoy our minute masterclasses, consider continuing your professional development as a student in our Foundations Course for Early Childhood Dance Educators and as a member of our DiscoverDance Experience online community. You can learn more about both of these opportunities at DiscoverDance.com.

 This week’s DiscoverDance term is Creative Dance. In the book Creative Dance for All Ages, Anne Green Gilbert defines creative dance as a “…form that combines the mastery of movement with the artistry of expression.” Over the years of teaching creative dance, I have grown to believe that it’s not necessarily its own form, but an element of dance that is often missing from dance education, at least in the private studio setting. It tends to be the go-to “style” for little ones who aren’t ready for “real dance”. However, I would argue that a dance class, even an advanced dance class, without an element of creative dance isn’t completely “real dance”. If a student isn’t given the opportunity to learn how to improvise, create dance through dance composition, or teach dance through collaboration and class leadership, how do we expect them to create and teach dance successfully as they continue their dance careers after studio life? I truly believe we can be setting that foundation inside every class we teach now no matter the age, stage of development, or style of dance. Look at all your classes through a creative lens and think about ways you can integrate a creative dance element. Every style of dance can and should include improvisation and dance composition.

 For more information, to enroll in the Foundations Course, or to join the DiscoverDance Experience, visit DiscoverDance.com.