Consistency in Dance
Plié, shuffle, step touch, roll down. These foundational movements in ballet, tap, jazz, and modern are anything but basic. They are consistent across all levels of these genres, never phased out for a more “advanced” step, but rather built upon, expanding and transforming through nuance, artistry, and gaining greater technical skill. These steps never leave a dancer's repertoire; they become an old, wise friend by the time a dancer reaches a professional level. This familiarity is one of the great joys of dance, and consistent practice and class attendance can launch a dancer’s progression.
When a dancer attends class each week, the routine is familiar. The structure of a class - warm-up, center work, across the floor, combinations becomes second nature, allowing the dancer’s focus to be fully on steps. For our youngest dancers, this consistency is paramount to their growth. It helps the nervousness of a new activity subside, making dancers feel safe learning new things and making mistakes within a familiar structure. Each time they return to dance class on the same weekday afternoon or Saturday morning, they become more comfortable, confident, and open to learning.
As our dancers get older, consistent class attendance can bring many other benefits. For our dancers who attend school, perhaps their Tuesday ballet class provides some much-needed physical activity after a long day of state testing. Or for our teens, the late-night modern class provides reprieve from a long afternoon of completing various homework assignments. For homeschooled dancers, coming to class gives them a chance to see the same friends each week, building lasting bonds and memories. For the middle-schoolers, who may be juggling multiple extracurriculars for the first time, they begin to learn the valuable life lesson of time management. If their three Wednesday dance classes end at 9:00 p.m., they learn to plan ahead and start their homework right after school.
Even when some of our seasoned dancers come to class after a long day of high school, maybe tired and stressed about academics, dancing oftentimes leaves them feeling better. The familiar plie, feels meditative. The across-the-floor combination expends their energy and makes them break a sweat. The stretch relieves tension. The advanced tap step becomes a puzzle to solve, leaving a sweet sense of satisfaction once achieved (through many, many repetitions, of course).
Deciding to show up each week brings tremendous benefits. With every class, the steps build, and dancers make new discoveries within familiar movements. The plié, shuffle, step touch, and roll down remain, growing alongside the dancers who practice them. And it all begins with consistency - returning to class, ready to do the work.
