Spirit of a Dancer
“Building a Dance Community”
If you want others to be a part of your own little world, you have to invite them. Most people have a misconception about belly dancers because they have never met one. It is important to ‘market’ yourself as a belly dancer. This is not to say that you have to be a performer if your not one (not everyone you see in a Steelers jersey plays football), but simply be passionate openly about your dance.
Talk about your passion for dance among your friends and co workers in casual conversation. You may be the only window to the world of dance they will ever meet. Educate them about why you love to dance and invite them to get together to practice with you. You never know who may be your next sister dancer!!
Dancing to the Beat of Your Own Drum
It’s often hard to stay involved in something when you’re the only one doing it. Even if it is something you really love, the human nature is to do things as part of a community. So, what do you do when there is no one in your area to dance with? Sometimes the dancer’s fiery spirit makes us feel that we should just start dancing in the middle of Main Street until someone dances with us. However, this may not be the best approach.
Sometimes, it is best to stay true to what you love and develop your own self practice. Keep a “build it and they will come” attitude about yourself and chances are you won’t be dancing alone for long.
Tips for Home Study
¯ Do it Regularly: Set aside an hour a week just as you would for a class.
¯ Focus (…’Grasshopper’): Try to minimize distractions (kids, pets, phone calls) so you can focus.
¯ Set Goals: Set goals for what you want out of your practice.
¯ Use Study Guides: DVD’s, books, even written choreography can help guide you.
¯ Building Blocks: Drill what you do know and work on new moves, too.
¯ Be Organized: As both teacher and student, you have dual responsibility. Take notes on what you want to learn during ‘class’ and takeaways you want to remember from your session.
Pick of the Month
Normally, I would choose to feature a performance. This month, I am choosing to highlight the talents of a person.
I’ve always been very open about the fact that Rachel Brice is the reason why I became a dancer.
However, Samantha Emanuel is the reason why I drill.
I first saw Samantha on stage with BDSS in 2009 (She was still Samantha Hasthorpe then) back in Hampton Roads, VA. At first glance, she was a good fit in the group despite being much taller than the other women. However, I found myself completely mesmerized by the fact that she moves with such fluidity.
For those of us with a skeletal structure, her movements seem impossibly graceful. She is now on constant rotation on my YouTube playlist and after watching her dance, her intoxicating, playful moves certainly will stay with you, too.
Learn More About Samantha at www.vagabondprincess.com
... and here are the YouTube Picks, Enjoy!!
http://www.youtube.com/user/samanthahasthorpe#p/u/6/5RH-JnI0kr8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUqCXoYrz_Q&feature=PlayList&p=3201955C93F81769&index=6
