Passion First

The ladies at NCSU gave a lovely dance concert last evening! And they had a great turnout, as well. During the question/answer session after the performance, many of the girls spoke about how the work in the concert had transformed them. Some of the dancers had never done some of the types of dance they were asked to do in the concert. Some of the girls had never choreographed before (the final piece of the evening was a collaborative work by the company members), and some commented on how simply changing head space from piece to piece was transformative. One of the young ladies commented on how the work presented in the concert had more depth than the dance she had done at her studio in high school, and that the work not only challenged her to transform during performance, but also in real life and in her interactions with other people. The preparation and execution of this concert was helping her to become a more mature human being!

It is in these instances that I am reminded of how powerful art is. This particular group of young ladies would not be categorized as "dancers," who have had years and years of classical, technical training. Many of the girls are English majors, Mathematics majors and Science majors. However, they all experienced the joy of moving, and the joy of sharing that movement just as any "dancer" might. So, as I have already decided, though my position on this is ever strengthening, it is not about training, or technique. If one has passion and a desire to share that passion, the work that comes out of that passion is just as valuable as that of a consummate professional. Of course, training can offer refinement, but many people, I am finding out, don't actually know the difference between having technique and not having technique. They only remember if they were emotionally stimulated, or not.

So, as I practice in the studio this week, I want to remember this notion, and remember that above being able to do a good plie, I would like to place my passion for movement front and center. The technique is only there to keep my body in working order. My mind and emotions are a whole different animal, and they are what helps me to engage with my audiences.

Tomorrow, a performance of "Lost and Found" for Guilford County School System teachers! Wish us luck!

~Cara