Before this class I had no prior dance
experience and I knew little about technical training or technique. I danced
for fun at home and did Zumba, but I did not dance well. I found the conflict
between my work and class schedule at Alfred State sometime caused a lot of
stress for me, but as soon as I arrived at class my day was better. I began to
enjoy dance even more than before and looked forward to each class. In the middle
of the semester I joined the Japanese Dance Club (JDC) at Alfred State College.
I acquired this semester a lot of dance experience by taking this class, Zumba,
yoga, and JDC and I have greatly improved my dance skills. My first goal of the
semester was to improve my dancing skills and I feel that I have accomplished
this goal.
My
second goal was to develop my own unique dance technique so that when I danced
I could be smooth and graceful. Through this class and dance clubs I have
received training on how to incorporate moves into dance music. When I hear
music I have developed more skill to choreograph a movement study. I have
developed abilities to dance to many types of music, so I have accomplished my
second goal as well.
My third goal was to try new things,
meet new friends and become more confident. I needed to improve in these areas
because I had always struggled with lacking confidence and not being outgoing. I
feel that dance has allowed me to not be so hesitate showing others what I can
do and I have become more confident. I used to be so afraid to step out of my
comfort zone. I cannot say that I still do not feel uncomfortable and struggle,
but I have come a long way. My positive experiences during this class opened
the door to other dance experiences such as JDC and Zumba. Now I can dance in
front of people, speak more readily, and talk to people connecting with them easily.
I want my voice to be heard, I do not want to sit on the sidelines anymore, and
I have become much more assertive in not allowing people to take over portions
of my life. I have accomplished these goals.
I have learned through this class that
there does not always have to be perfection in dance. When I first joined this
class I thought it would be an
experience of “how to point my toes with expectations that I do every movement
perfectly” type of class, but I understood very quickly that it was the
complete opposite. I learned that not every dance has to be accomplished
quickly and I can take my time doing a movement as slowly as I need. I actually
enjoyed looking ridiculous sometimes. I like the freedom of improvisation
choreography, but I still would like to do a choreographed piece with a partner.
A
goal that I did not plan to accomplish was joining a unique dance club. Because
of this class I no longer am intimidated when I appear awkward. I know what to
do, how to dance and my awkwardness has diminished. I was so pleased with the
growth of expressing myself, that I joined the JDC. I feel connected to them, treated
equally and appreciated by them for just being me and I continue to actively
work towards my growth as a performer and understanding their culture.
In conclusion because of this course I have
found my passion, learned how to dance, become more confident, met new friends,
tried new dances and grown as a person. This semester’s dance experience has
helped me discover what my true passions are by helping me find the real “me”
and dance has helped me discover what my true potentials are. Dance has become my
true happy place.
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