"I do not try to dance better than anyone else, I only try to dance better than myself" - Mikhail Baryshnikov

In the dance world, there is always someone better then you. Period. Someone will always be able to jump higher, be that much more flexible, do that many more turns, have that much better technique, etc. Because of this, there is an expectation that applies a lot of pressure to dancers and choreographers alike. It is not a negative thing to want to improve, and to respect someone who is talented, but dancers should focus on themselves, and what they are capable of, and what they can learn and work on. They should be in competition with themselves. They should not try to be someone else, but be willing to learn from someone else. The fore mentioned quote by Mikhail Baryshnikov are words I would like dancers at my studio to live by. Constantly striving for self improvement will directly benefit the individual as well as the other dance students and team mates.

I have always tried to be a well rounded dancer. I know that dancers who specialize in one form can be valuable, but I believe dancer's should at least have a basic knowledge and respect for many forms. This is another concept I have as a vision for my studio.

I want all of my dance teams to take at least a basic course in ballroom dance. Even if their main focus is a completely different form, such as hip hop or ballet. My reasons being:

#1 - It forces teamwork. Any dancer can strive to improve themselves and pull off amazing performances alone. It's a completely different concept to do it with a partner.
#2 - It takes patience, structure, and discipline to be able to move as one with another person.
#3 - If forces the dancer to build trust with another individual.
#4 - There is no room for selfishness. You must give and take simultaneously in order to be successful. One dancer's success is completely determined by the success of their partner.

These skills are crucial for every dancer, and every person for that matter. Any relationship needs these attributes to succeed.

They should also take basic courses in ballet, modern, hip hop, and tap.

Ballet - Because ballet is the foundation of all dance. Basic ballet technique and it's general concepts will build a solid base that has functions in and will benefit all other forms of dance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uz2Gp7z38DM

Modern - Not all forms of dance have a strict structure and exact placement in every movement. The modern style will help loosen that structure and show the freedom that dance can have.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jt4AGMWJ30c

Hip Hop - Everyone at some point or another loves to free style. Hip hop requires a dancer to find their own style. It also requires dancers to build up their strength. The jumps, stalls, and grounded nature of hip hop requires strong arms, legs, torso, and core. Though some forms of hip hop seem completely random, it takes conscious control to pull off the appearance of randomness. This control and strength can be a useful tool that can be applied to other dance forms.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdkBZ9iWEWI&feature=related

Tap - All dance forms require rhythm, but none of them require it and teach it as thoroughly as a tap class. Rhythm is key to all dance forms. Dancers need to be able to work and play with rhythm. They need to be able to hear and choreograph not only on the beats, but on off-beats and regular beats. Doing so produces movements and steps that are unique and unexpected. Tap dancing also requires the isolation of different areas of the leg, ankle, and foot that other dance forms do not explore. Being able to flex certain muscles and areas of the leg, ankle, and foot to achieve different sounds and rhythms creates an awareness of those muscles that otherwise would not be recognized.

I wouldn't expect my dancers to play the drums, but this video definitely illustrates Rhythm:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXFiFg2GX6w

Beginning Dancers prefer to take "Intermediate" Classes

Intermediate Dancers prefer to take "Advanced" Classes

Advanced Dancers take Private Lessons to work on their Basics

-Anonymous