To study ethnic dance one must immerse oneself completely. It is not possible to work on just physical technique. You will need to study the dance endlessly plus the background, history, religion and many other facets that make up the philosophy of the people you represent. One without the other will not work. Total education is needed that requires more than just physical control.

The study, of course, never ends. You need to research the background of your chosen field plus that of other cultures also. Each dance art immeasurably enriches the other. Do not kid yourself that there are shortcuts. Do not believe a few explanations and a couple of lessons are dance. You must practice, practice, practice. Listen to music endlessly. Read all you can get your hands on. Absorb all you can about the culture. Then you bring in life experience to add depth to your dance. You cannot do creative work if the emotional content is out of your personal experience.

Not all learning is done in a classroom. You must be truly dedicated. There is no such thing as a part time dancer. The body is the instrument a dancer speaks with but without mental control there is no physical control. You must depict the peoples of a race clearly, honestly, fairly and with dignity. Whenever one puts on a costume or starts the music you are representative of a culture. Ethnic dance is closest to the sentiments and moods that cannot be expressed in the spoken or written word. Dance is the most honest of all arts. Background study is a must. Study the history, art, music and all available , forever. In a world growing smaller we need to understand all cultures. Ethnic dance is the quickest surest way to cut through boundaries.

Morwenna Assaf

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