TikTok. Instagram. Snapchat. “So You Think You Can Dance?”
What do these things have in common? They all highlight dancers executing mind-blowing performances and seamless tricks for the camera. They all make it look so easy. Social media and TV shows highlight the success of these dancers, oftentimes without showing the years of hard work the dancers put in to get to where they are.
We all know that today’s kids and teens are growing up in an age of more exposure than ever to all kinds of media. Parents and teachers alike have to work together to keep kids safe and to maintain realistic expectations.
Tricks are Treats
This brings us to the core of the work we do as dancers: TRICKS are TREATS. At least, they should be. An aerial, fouetté turns in second into a triple pirouette, leg hold turns, tilts… ask your dancer and their eyes will light up at the prospect of achieving any of these steps. These moves and many others are awesome feats of athleticism and artistry, but they should not be the end all, be all of dancing.
Dance, like all sports, begins with a solid foundation of the basics. You can’t turn if you don’t know how to head spot. You can’t jump if you don’t use your plie. You’ll injure yourself if you go for a tilt when you haven’t yet mastered your splits.
Every expert was once a beginner. In our world of instant gratification, this message is sometimes lost in the commotion. Don’t quit working hard, asking questions, and striving for your goals! Persistence pays off. When you do reach the point of success, celebrate, but remember the basics that brought you there. Tricks are treats!
