caitlinpricelma12

[caitlinpricelma12]

Bibliography...

Andrews, N. (2017). How Are Jazz & Ballet Similar?. [online] Our Pastimes. Available at: https://ourpastimes.com/how-are-jazz-ballet-similar-12566420.html

 Bedinghaus, T. (2018). A Profile of Dancer and Choreographer Bob Fosse. [online] ThoughtCo. Available at: https://www.thoughtco.com/bob-fosse-biography-1007062

 Breaux, M. (2013). Matt Mattox. [online] Telegraph.co.uk. Available at:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/9960412/Matt-Mattox.html

 Chow, D. (2010). Why Do Humans Dance?. [online] Live Science. Available at:https://www.livescience.com/8132-humans-dance.html

 Coubard, Oliver A., Ferrufino, Lena, Nonaka, Tetsushi, Zelada, Oscar, Bril, Blandine and Dietrich, Gilles.  (2014).  One month of contemporary dancemodulates fractal posture in  aging.  Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience

 Fischer Gam, C. and Urmston, E. (2015). International Association for Dance Medicine & Science. [online] Iadms.org. Available at:http://www.iadms.org/blogpost/1177934/214940/Dancing-with-the-pelvis-Alignment-deviations-and-mobility [Accessed 5 Apr. 2018].

 Gioia, T. (2011). The history of jazz. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

 Julie J (2012) ‘Disco: a complete history’ V is for vintage [online] available athttp://visforvintage.net/2012/06/07/disco-a-complete-history/

Scheff, H, Sprague, M. and Mcgreevy- Nichols, S. (2014). Experiencing Dance from Student to Dance Artist. 2nd ed. United States: Human Kinetics.

Marchiori, R. (2014). Why is studying dance technique important?. [online] Cary-Grove Performing Arts Centre. Available at: http://www.cgpac.com/cgpac-fyi/why-is-studying-dance-technique-important

Pilates, E. (2015). Neutral Pelvis – Why It’s Important and How To Find It. [online] Embody Pilates. Available at:https://embodypilates.wordpress.com/2015/11/27/neutral-pelvis-why-its-important-and-how-to-find-it/ [Accessed 5 Apr. 2018].

[caitlinpricelma12]

Evaluation...

Overall in having studied dance styles and techniques I believe I have grown in confidence in my abilities to dance, and have even seen improvements within myself such as my ability to keep my pelvis in a neutral and safe position whilst doing tendus. This module has enlightened me to the complexity and work load that is attached with being a dancer, and has taught me that in order to become employable or even class as a dancer, I need to ensure 100% effort is given within university hours and outside attending external classes and practicing in my free time. I look forward to seeing my progression over the next two years and watching how my confidence and determination to try new styles will grow!

[caitlinpricelma12]

Hallelujah...

Alongside our individual dance styles and techniques classes we have been going through the rehearsal process for our show, ‘Sister Act’. In studying posture and the pelvic floor within my dance class, this has enabled me to transfer this knowledge into the rehearsal process for ‘Sister Act’ and ultimately create sharper and more intriguing movements within the musical numbers. 

Additionally with ‘Sister Act’ being set in the 1970s, I have been able to have an insight into different styles of dance including disco and the hustle. Hustle is loosely derived from 1930/40s swing dancing, and can even include traits of salsa and latin dancing, as highlighted by Julie (2012) in her disco blog. Therefore in learning dances in a hustle style, I will have consequently added another dance style to my portfolio and will have made myself more employable in the future.

The challenging part about dancing within this show is the ability to stay in character whilst giving full energy. Due to having studied correct alignment of the body during our dance styles and techniques class, it has been difficult for me to essentially forget this, and adopt the posture and alignment of an old lady. I have however learnt to incorporate the correct alignment of my body to avoid injury, yet still appearing to have a hunched posture by compensating my arm and leg movements. I hope to continue to improve and grow in confidence within this show in the run up to the final performance!

 Julie J (2012) ‘Disco: a complete history’ V is for vintage [online] available at http://visforvintage.net/2012/06/07/disco-a-complete-history/

[caitlinpricelma12]

Stand Tall and Sit Up Straight...

As a dancer it is becoming increasingly apparent that in order to dance safely and gracefully I must adopt a strong correct posture. A strong posture consists of your feet being shoulder width apart with knees slightly bent and pelvis in a neutral position, your torso (including shoulders) should also be over the pelvis with your head level and eyes forward. This strong posture should almost feel like there is a string attached to the top of your head and it is being pulled upwards, elongating the spine and creating a strong tall posture. Now that I know how my body should look when I use the correct alignment I will use the studio mirrors to ensure that I am utilizing my body and posture correctly.

“Poor posture contributes to lack of balance therefore, more accidents and falls which can result in strained or torn muscles, ligaments or tendons or worse, broken bones.   Poor posture also affects one’s  self-esteem, and a decrease in overall health.”

This quote taken from a dance blog indicates that the correct posture is absolutely essential when avoiding injury and lengthening your overall dancing career. I also believe that I can assist my progress of finding this strong posture by participating in yoga classes in which I will strengthen my entire body and mind, and this will ultimately contribute to having this posture.

  Coubard, Oliver A., Ferrufino, Lena, Nonaka, Tetsushi, Zelada, Oscar, Bril, Blandine and Dietrich, Gilles.  (2014).  One month of contemporary dance modulates fractal posture in  aging.  Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience 25 February 2014.

[caitlinpricelma12]

And all that Jazz...

As part of my dance styles and techniques module, we had to explore the musical theatre show ‘Chicago’ and learn a jazz number from the show. On conducting research into the production I found that the choreography for this show was completed by Bob Fosse, a well sort after dancer and director in Broadway. Fosse, was responsible for manufacturing his own style of jazz dance that was influenced largely by burlesque due to his experience and past work in cabaret clubs. Bedinghaus (2018), explains how the Fosse style was easily identifiable as a result of its sexual suggestiveness and turned in and rolled shoulder technique.  

Unlike ballet, Fosse style requires turned in legs as demonstrated in the picture above.

Learning this style was an exciting experience for me and I found it not as challenging as some of my classmates when learning this technique. Due to my lack of previous dance experience and ballet training, using a turn in felt normal to me, whereas other member of my class were trained in ballet and therefore struggled to grasp this new concept. However, unlike the more experienced dancers amongst my class, I do struggle with retaining taught choreography and so this is something I will need to look into and improve in order for my overall dance technique to improve.

 Bedinghaus, T. (2018). A Profile of Dancer and Choreographer Bob Fosse. [online] ThoughtCo. Available at: https://www.thoughtco.com/bob-fosse-biography-1007062

[caitlinpricelma12]

Jazz and Ballet; worlds apart?

According to Andrews N (2017) ballet and jazz when executed by skilful dancers appear to be worlds apart in style. With ballet emerging during the 15th century heavily influenced by its French and Italian roots, and jazz appearing much later during the 1950s with a foundation built on Caribbean traditional dancing, it makes sense for these dance styles to offer very different movement and style. However when reading Andrews’ article she makes clear that these styles actually share a very similar technique.

There are however many differences separating these two styles, a main difference being the purpose of the style. For example ballet was and is performance oriented and serves to entertain, whereas jazz was created upon the settlement of African American groups into the U.S during slavery, and was performed for one’s own satisfaction and relief as explored by Giola T (2011) in ‘The History of Jazz’.

Continuing with how these styles differ, there are technical differences between the two of which include our feet. Jazz is usually performed on a releve, meaning the ball of the foot, unlike ballet that is usually performed ‘en pointe’, meaning on the toes. However, despite having these differences, technical similarities include movements such as: toe rises, straddle split leaps and pirouettes which I aim to explore within another blog entry. 

Jazz as a style is largely influenced by ballet, although it allows its performers to move more freely. Likewise modern takes on ballet including contemporary ballet actually take influence from jazz styles!  

   Andrews, N. (2017). How Are Jazz & Ballet Similar?. [online] Our Pastimes. Available at: https://ourpastimes.com/how-are-jazz-ballet-similar-12566420.html

 Gioia, T. (2011). The history of jazz. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

[caitlinpricelma12]

Dancing and the Pelvis...

Dancing and the Pelvis

Through practicing and rehearsing exercises such as the tendu, it has become more and more apparent that proper alignment of the body is a pivotal when trying to achieve the aesthetic line and form required for dance technique. On having discussions within dance classes, I was made aware that a main contributing factor that will help to fulfil this desired aesthetic line is adopting a neutral pelvis.

A personal task was then set in which I aimed to find and utilise my neutral pelvis so that I could create more dynamic movements when dancing. In order to achieve this position I first had to understand how my pelvis naturally sat, and with the help of (Embody Pilates 2015) I discovered I had an anterior pelvic tilt which ultimately causes a lumber curve at the bottom of my spine.

 Unaware as to how exactly to align my pelvis and fix my anterior tilt, I fell upon a blog where (Fischer Gam 2015) explores and explains how find a neutral pelvis. She says an easy way to find the neutral pelvis is through placing your index fingers on the symphysis pubis and letting your wrists rest on the hip bones, next you should extend your thumbs and this should from a triangle shape on the centre of your pelvis. This triangle should then be on the same plane and not tilted in any way, it is then down to the person to adjust their pelvis to allow this triangle to sit on the same plane and this is the neutral pelvis!

Now that I understand how to adopt this neutral position it is essential that I put it to practice immediately in order to avoid any long term back problems caused by a lumber curve. Not only will using this correct posture enable me to avoid injury it will assist me in finding dynamic and picturesque static and travelling movement.

  Fischer Gam, C. and Urmston, E. (2015). International Association for Dance Medicine & Science. [online] Iadms.org. Available at: http://www.iadms.org/blogpost/1177934/214940/Dancing-with-the-pelvis-Alignment-deviations-and-mobility [Accessed 5 Apr. 2018].

Pilates, E. (2015). Neutral Pelvis – Why It’s Important and How To Find It. [online] Embody Pilates. Available at: https://embodypilates.wordpress.com/2015/11/27/neutral-pelvis-why-its-important-and-how-to-find-it/ [Accessed 5 Apr. 2018].

[caitlinpricelma12]

Who is Matt Mattox?

“Born Harold Mattox on August 18 1921 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he took tap and ballet lessons locally from the age of 11,” As stated by Breaux (2013) in Mattox’s obituary. During the forthcoming weeks of dance class we will be studying the style and technique of Mattox and I therefore thought it fitting to research and gain a wider understanding of this famous Jazz artist.

Mattox used his background in ballet and inspiration from his teacher Jack Cole to create his own jazz technique. (Scheff, Sprague and Mcgreevy- Nichols, 2014) state Mattox’s technique involves exercises that enable a dancer to isolate different parts of their body and that he believed that all forms of dance are valid as forms of inspiration and expression. This belief and that fact his technique encompassed several other techniques inspired Matt to label his style “freestyle”.

Throughout dance class we have studied some of Mattox’s tendu and pilé exercises to a difficult rhythm that is drummed out by our tutor. In order to complete these isolations in a style that Mattox would approve, we had to ensure that we were achieving a relaxed feeling. Achieving a relaxed feeling whilst conducting strenuous exercises is a difficult assignment, and I therefore need to ensure I practice these isolation sequences often with correct posture and technique.  

 Breaux, M. (2013). Matt Mattox. [online] Telegraph.co.uk. Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/9960412/Matt-Mattox.html

Scheff, H, Sprague, M. and Mcgreevy- Nichols, S. (2014). Experiencing Dance from Student to Dance Artist. 2nd ed. United States: Human Kinetics.

[caitlinpricelma12]

An Introduction to Dance Styles and Techniques...

Dance is an amazing form of expression that evokes empathy and passion throughout the world! Dance has evolved from traditional ballroom waltzes to the Mambo to more modern dance styles including ballet, tap dance and even disco dance. On researching these different styles I began to reflect on why we as humans actually dance, and I uncovered answers whilst reading an article by Chow D (2010) who believes that dancing, and people’s individual ability to dance, has stemmed from evolution. She claims that in previous years the ability to dance has been linked to the ability to survive! This same article states that dancing was a way for “our prehistoric ancestors to bond and communicate, especially through tough times.”

After growing my understanding of different dance styles, I then turned my attention to understanding the importance of learning correct technique throughout these styles. It appears that anyone has the ‘ability to dance’ yet in order for a person’s dance to look easy and effortless it is essential for technique to be nailed. Marchiori R (2014) expresses how all dancers should take time to study ballet, as this particular style teaches mindful execution and the foundation of every dancer’s vocabulary. In studying the correct technique and executing it perfectly, dancers can refrain from injury and progress to a longer and more successful dance career.

That being said, throughout the entirety of this module, I will strive to complete exercises with perfect technique and therefore progress to learn and execute a number of dance styles to the best of my ability.    

 Chow, D. (2010). Why Do Humans Dance?. [online] Live Science. Available at: https://www.livescience.com/8132-humans-dance.html

Marchiori, R. (2014). Why is studying dance technique important?. [online] Cary-Grove Performing Arts Centre. Available at: http://www.cgpac.com/cgpac-fyi/why-is-studying-dance-technique-important