Elizabeth Lloyd

H Dance History

Ms. Little

19 December 2019

Definition and Philosophy of Dance

The concept of dance can be defined in several ways. As a dancer, I hold a special

meaning of dance that is unique to me. Outsiders to the dance world may not realize that it is not

black and white. There is no one definitive meaning of dance. All people can have their own

meaning that means something to them and mean nothing to everyone else. I do not expect my

definition of dance to be accepted by other dancers since I have gone through different

experiences that have shaped my dancing, nor do I expect other dancers’ own definitions to

apply to me.

Throughout my life, my personal definition of dance has changed. Currently, I have a

very liberal definition of dance. To me, dance is just movement to express oneself. There

doesn’t need to be any other factors for movement to be constituted as dance. Although I believe

this is true, dance means a lot more to me than just expressing myself. My personal meaning of

dance is much deeper than that. I dance for many reasons. In addition to being able to express

myself, I can bring great amounts of joy to my life. When I have had a bad day and are sad or

angry, dancing helps me feel happier. Dance has also helped me become more confident in

myself. I have a lot of trouble speaking in front of people, but I can easily dance in front of a

large group of people. Dance allows me to open myself up to people and share things about

myself easier. I can also connect with music in a way that truly makes me happy and gives me

life. I have always enjoyed music greatly throughout my life and tried to find ways to express
that. Since I was old enough to sit up straight by myself, I have been playing instruments.

Truthfully, I am not great at playing most of the instruments I try to pick up, but I enjoy the

connection with the music. Dance has given me an opportunity to connect with music on a

whole different level by letting it control and move my body.

When watching movement, I know it is dance because there is intent. If I see a person

doing small hand gestures with the intent to do those gestures, I know it is dance. It goes the

same for someone on a stage performing large, powerful, and emotional movements. There are a

few things that can show intent in movement to me. For example, when a dancer shows

emotion, it draws me in and displays a clear intent of making the audience feel something. As a

very sensitive person, emotion is the main thing that catches my attention and leads me to

believe something is dance. When watching “Giselle” performed by the Royal Danish Ballet,

the expressive movements reflecting the dancers’ facial expressions moved me and gave me

chills, as well as made me tear up, which lets me know that what I am watching is art. Even in

improvisation there is intent. Although there may not be the intent to do a certain move, dance a

certain way, or exert a particular emotion, there is still an intent to move. There is no outside

force making someone move. An individual has made the choice to dance. Something that has

lead me to this realization is the excerpts of Isadora Duncan’s writings. Much of her work talks

about nature and the exigency for her movement. From reading her writings, I have gathered

that dancing does not need a plan, just passion and desire to move freely.

Dance is something that is very important to me. I dance as I get out of bed. I dance

while I’m waiting for my shower to warm up. I even dance while in the shower. My life without

dance would be incomplete. I can not imagine waking up and not dancing for the entire day.

Dance makes my life interesting and gives me fuel to live and get through each day.