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Kirsten Cannon Senior Seminar March 24, 2014 1.2 Personal Philosophy of Dance Art is all around us. Its in the natural architecture of the mountains, in the symmetry of a horizon and the placid colors painted in a sunset. Isnt it a wonder that within each of us we find our own ways to create beauty and reveal the internal emotions of our hearts? Whether it is through poetry, painting, music, drama or architecture there is a link between ones self and the final product that brings light and beauty to this world. The amount of devotion and commitment that one gives to their art form creates a unique and personal thing that cannot be replicated by anyone else. This contribution can inspire others to embark on their own artistic journeys and explore undiscovered talents. Dance has been the medium in my life that I relate to the most. It has brought me some of the greatest joy and has allowed me to become the person I am today. Dance is a unique art form because its medium is the body and as such the dancer reveals to the viewer their mind, body, and spirit. The beautiful arrangement of the bodys movement combined with the power of music creates a nonverbal language that can evoke powerful emotions. As much as I like to argue with others that dance could be categorized as a sport because of its immense demand of the physical, I cannot look past that its heritage is truly an art form. Dance elevates, it inspires, it entertains, it expresses and it teaches. It touches the soul of man and preserves an innate part of all of us. Through the practice of dance a discovery between the mind and body is also found. One learns how the mind and body connect and the how to bring the body to its full potential. This connection helps one to understand how the body moves and how to have a full awareness of what takes place in the body. I have found that this

connection has given me a greater sense of who I am and how I present myself as a dancer and person. It has given me confidence as I have learned to use the power of positive thinking when performing and feeling a strong connection between mind and body. This connection of complete surrendering of body and mind is why dance has such a great capacity to touch the lives of others. Although we may not all become proficient dancers, I believe that dance is inherent in everyone to one degree or another. Movement is a part of everyday life and creates a rhythm for life in which dance naturally surfaces itself. Music inspires such movement and when music is heard the body unconsciously reacts. People of all ages use dance to connect with others and to let it be a release from the stresses of life. Dance becomes a way to celebrate life and celebrate the wondrous miracle of the body. The body is capable of so much and has the capacity to perform in incredible ways. So much of dance is mind over the body. Too often we hold ourselves back from progressing and letting our bodies go to their full potential because we dont believe in ourselves or get too safe in our comfort zones. Dance pushes an individual to realize their maximum strengths both physically and mentally. So many people already know how to dance before they learn how to dance. Dance is such an inherent part of life and for many they just have to dig deep inside themselves and they will find there is a dancer there. Although nonverbal, dance has a language of its own. Each type of dance has its own intent, but it always communicates something. Whether a subtle message, a narrative, a social statement or an abstract movement dance says something to the audience even if the choreographer didnt intend it to. People will take away their own messages from dance and gain different emotions from the experience. Dance has the power to even transcend cultural barriers and link humanity together. One doesnt need to speak the same language as someone else to

understand the meaning behind the movement. The message becomes clear through the emotions that we all share and experience as human beings. The beauty of dance has the power to speak to the soul; to illicit harbored emotions; to enlighten and intrigue; and to reveal new things about the dancer and the viewer. Dance speaks to everyone differently but the beauty is that it speaks. Dance can be a way for others to find their identity and be an educational process for life. So many find that dance is an outlet to be able to express themselves. For myself, I find that dance helps me sort through what I have going on inside myself, in a much more eloquent way than any other form of communication. Because of its expressive nature it can become a way for many to find joy in life and bring them together with others who share their same passion. The values learned while dancing also transfer into every other part of life. So much is learned about dedication, hard work, time management, respect, goal setting and so many other aspects that shape and define a person. Dance opens doors and connects people together to continue the art of dance forward. Some of my greatest friends and relationships have come through the doors of dance and it is through the shared love of dance that we were able to bond and become such great friends. As dancers, it becomes very easy to relate to another dancer because they understand the exhaustion of long rehearsals, bruised toenails, and dreams of making it big. Dance has given me some of my most cherished memories with others and through sharing this gift by teaching or performing I know I will have the chance to shape others lives as well. Dance is also a means that connects us to the divine and the spiritual. When dance is used for good, it can be a powerful statement of good and beauty in this life. It can connect the dancer to understand more about themselves and discover the power of their own talents that can be used for good. Creating works of dance connects us to God as we become creators like him.

Dance allows us to create and make better sense of our roles as creators on this earth. As I have danced through life I have had many spiritual experiences that have shown me that my spirit is connected to my mind and body. I feel as though my spirit soars towards the sky as I have performed, choreographed and learned from masterful teachers. Learning from those who have cherished this art form and strived to preserve it has showed me how sacred this art form is and how it affects so many peoples lives. Through the development of individual talents there becomes a collective web of influencing each other through our talents, inspiring and edifying each other along the way. Talents gives us a link to our potential and our purpose. There have been many moments where I have felt the gratitude for such a beautiful talent and the realization that I have my own purpose and a great potential in this life. For me, dance is not just an extracurricular activity that will one day be put on the shelf; rather it is a living, breathing art form that has transformed the way I view and connect to the world. Dance has given me the chance to explore life and its meaning. It has showed me how to always strive for perfection but realize that along the way there is room for stumbling and recovery. Dance is not just a presentational, showy art form rather, it is a driving force for good that has and continues to penetrate the human soul. Dance can make statements unlike any other art in a language that is somehow universal to all. Dance has shaped me to be who I am today and will forever be a part of me. Without dance I dont think I would have been able to reach out to the world around me or understand it in the same way. Dance has given me the gift of making sense of my world and who I am. It has allowed me to discover many joys in life and has completely shaped the road I have chosen to travel. I hope that people will always see dance as a gift. If people choose to cultivate this rich art form and preserve it for future generations it will keep intact one of the most powerful and beautiful parts of life that is a gift to all.