Final Reflections

 1

 

Emotions & Feelings

Yifei Li 

 

Through Modern Dance this semester, I have learned how to use dance to express my emotions and feelings. The group task of choreographing a dance with the group members was fun. The individual solo was a combination of small pieces from many classes, which made me feel novel and interesting. 

The class felt very comfortable;  it was easy to find a pace that I could adapt to. There was also a lot of support given to students. I was often given some reminders and encouragement, such as telling me not to skim others too often when dancing and to focus on my dance. When asked to present our work, we practiced the ability to present ourselves bravely. 

I think I will apply the bold expression and group work that I learned in this class to my Psychology major. Psychology courses often require group discussions in which people express their opinions about some reading material or topic. After this class, I may be able to express myself more freely, regardless of whether others will criticize my views. This class introduced me to modern dance, and I will try to learn more about it in the future if I have the opportunity.

 

2

 

 Whatever You Make it Out to Be

Janice Chukwu

 

After taking this course I learned that dance is made for not only entertainment, but for the wellness of our minds. I also learned about techniques that I didn’t know existed within dance. Now, when I watch a performance, I’m able to follow along and point out key techniques being used by the dancers. 

Sometimes I wonder why performers are not dancing on beat or to the flow of the music.  After taking this course, I’ve learned that the inside-out dancing is the form of dance being used.  As such, it is meant to look that way. 

Learning in this class was exciting because it was something new everyday. Not only did we just learn concepts, but we attempted to use those concepts to produce our own dance moves and later a performance. 

I will apply what I learned by not criticizing a performance because overall, dance is whatever you make it out to be as long as the basic concepts are there.

 

3

 

Using My Emotions to Create My Own Dance

Ben Afferton

My key takeaways from this class is how integral dance is embedded into the wellness of the mind. It is also demonstrative of how one can connect one's emotions into movement. Something I will really takeaway from this class is how important it is to connect with your own body and appreciate it for all that it does. I never take the moment to practice mindfulness, so to have a stretching regiment was beneficial to me.

The learning process for modern dance was fun because it contrasts to any other dance experience I have had in my life. I enjoyed being able to choreograph my own movements and no matter how it looked, it was correct. I felt like I was connecting with myself more by using my emotions to create my own dance. I enjoyed learning about the different elements of modern dance, such as levels, force, and tempo, as it gave me ideas of how to create a contrasting work.

I genuinely believe that taking this dance class has enhanced my ability as a musician and as a music industry professional. The idea of a being an "inside-out" dancer is applicable to my experience as a bassoonist, as I was able to see how the two art forms overlapped. I believe that taking a modern dance class has allowed me to think more critically about music and allowed me to develop my own interpretations whenever I play solo work. 

I also believe that working in ensembles helped me develop as a leader, which will apply to my career in the music industry. I had to use clear communication while working with my group, so all members would understand how to perform the moves correctly. I also believe that the difficulties of having multiple group members switch out in my group throughout the semester allowed me to see how I reacted to unexpected change, which is directly applicable to the workforce. I genuinely believe that taking Modern Dance has been one of the most beneficial classes in my college career and I appreciate the opportunity to take it!

 

4

 

Practice & Repetition

 Ziqian Wang

 

During this class, as a beginner, I learned how to control and use my limbs and torso to make dance moves. I learned about various dance forms and techniques, and how to choreograph a dance. Additionally, I learned how to perform a group dance, which required coordination and synchronization with other dancers. Through practice and repetition, I gradually improved my skills and gained confidence in my ability to express myself through dance.

During the learning process, I felt challenged yet exhilarated as I pushed myself outside of my comfort zone. I experienced a range of emotions, from frustration when I couldn't get a move right, to excitement when I mastered a new technique. The supportive environment and encouragement from my teacher and peers helped me to stay motivated and persevere through the difficulties.

As a student in a different field of studies, I can apply what I have learned from dance class to enhance my creativity, discipline, and teamwork skills. I can use choreography techniques to organize my thoughts and ideas for presentations or projects. Additionally, I can apply the discipline and dedication required for practicing dance to my studies, allowing me to approach challenging assignments with more focus and determination. Lastly, I can use my experience working with others in a group dance to collaborate effectively with my classmates on group projects.

 

5

 

 Extremely Relaxed

Leqi Ying  

 

What I learned in Modern Dance I includes: dance history and culture , basic dance techniques, musicality and performance skills. I learned what dance is.  I also learned about different cultures with different kinds of dances. I learn basic dance techniques by creating my own dance moves in class. Finally, I learned different music tunes with different styles of dance. 

 

As a result of it all, we performed twice and learned performance skills. I felt extremely relaxed in class and during performance. I was happy during the learning process as well as the presentation. The whole process, which involved interacting with my ensemble mates, was full of fun. It was very interesting to view myself as a dancer.  

 

My major is business analytics. After this class, I think I can do some dance after my daily work or study. It will help me to feel as relaxed as I felt in class. It will make my body and mind healthy. I may also be able to make better data analysis, whether about dancing or related fields.

 6

 

A Very  Different Perspective

Emma Sephton

 

My takeaways from the class are that you do not need to just dance to the music; you can dance inside out. This means that modern dance can be a way of expressing experiences and emotions. I also learned that what makes dance interesting is the contrast between free and bound movements.

During the learning process was that I was not in my element at all. I think that I prefer to express myself verbally or through writing rather than through physical movements that are graceful or ethereal or coordinated. It's not a matter of the fact that I'm not good at modern dance. This just does not feel authentic to who I am. However, I enjoyed trying something new that was out of my element and how modern dance is something that does feel very freeing and authentic to a lot of people. I really enjoyed working with my ensemble. This was a fun experience, especially because I did not need to choreograph on my own.

My major is philosophy, specifically analytic philosophy. This approach to philosophy is based on evidence, straightforward in style, and logical. I think that what I have learned in Modern Dance I can be applied to aesthetics, which is a field of philosophy concerned with the Arts. I think that it would be interesting to learn more about dance and the arts because it provides a very different perspective from the kind of philosophy I've studied so far. 

 

7

 

Igniting My Passion for Dancing

Joy Wang

I am so glad to have this class this semester. It helped me get back the feelings of being a dancer. This class helped me increased flexibility, strength, and cardiovascular fitness. During dancing, it improved my body balance, coordination, and overall body awareness. I was so happy to create my own piece and perform with everybody else together. 

It was a really meaningful experience as it also matched with Earth Day. I loved my group members, everyone was so creative and into dance. The ensemble we created was excellent! I really enjoyed dancing with them, they also ignited my passion for dancing. I also enjoyed watching other groups' ensembles. They are all so talented and dance so beautifully, with confidence and passion. 

I learned a lot about modern dance in this class. I used to be a ballet dancer, but had no idea how modern dance should be like. I found that there are correlations between modern dance and ballet. Modern dance is freer with no limitations. Ballet is more restricted. 

Modern dance is really an 'inside-out' type of dance compare to ballet and I love it! I like the feeling that I can move my body in whatever way I want with no step by step instruction. It is a totally free dance for me. I think everyone did a great job in this class. Their performances were so delightful and breath taking. I enjoyed dancing with every one of my classmates. And thanks to professor for providing a such great experience to us.

 

8

 

Dance is Awesome!

 

 Vivienne Frederick 

 

This semester, my biggest takeaway was dancing from the inside out, and not the outside in. I typically will react to the music playing when dancing, especially since I am a musician myself. This class focused on all the different aspects of dance from levels and space to time and tempo. Although this was all important, the theme in each lesson was to create a sequence of movements that, while using the skills we discussed, came from within. As we applied all of the different examples like Tai Chi and the scarves and the wooden sticks to our own solos and group dances, not only did we actualize the skills we were learning about but we made our unique dances. I, for one, would not have thought of the dance I did without these lessons.

During the learning process over the semester, I felt a lot of different emotions. At first, I was confused about why we didn't use music when dancing very often. Going into this class I expected to be taught a dance that we would all do to music. In each class, however, we did something different. As time went on, I began to understand the value of expressing yourself without music and simply to your internal rhythm and emotion. With each lesson and each class, It became slightly more clear where all of this was going. I ended up with two pieces I feel proud of because of the apparent "randomness" of our lessons. They were not random at all. 

As a MADE major with a voice principal, I took this class hoping to better my stage presence. I aspire to be a musician, which also means being able to give a performance people want to see. I came into this class hoping to prevent myself from having a Dua Lipa moment where the whole world would see that I am not as good a dancer as I am a musician. After completing this class, I feel more connected to my body and the emotions I can portray through movement. Automatically, I am inclined to express myself through music. Especially since we didn't often use music to accompany ourselves in this class, I feel all the more connected to my physical expression which is something out of my comfort zone. I want to take more dance in my next 3 years at UM!

9

 

 A Family Like Atmosphere

 Abigail Bosland

My main takeaways from this class relates to the importance of expression and being an inward outwards dancer. However, I found that other points of emphasis were the importance of confidence in dance, as we saw through solo performances, and the community that surrounds dance. At the beginning of our class, it was difficult to feel comfortable performing in front of other students. However, towards the end, a family like atmosphere was developed, and there was a level of comfortability between students that instilled confidence within the classroom. 

At first during the learning process I was shy in dancing in front of the class. However, as we applied more concepts, grew our skills, and built off of each others energy I found that teamwork allowed me to grow as an individual as well. By the end of the class, I felt as though I could successfully express myself through dance in front of my peers. Additionally, I learned that rather than solely applying the concepts of dance that we learned, practice allowed for muscle memory to truly dance.

Within my own field of study, and future work experience as I am graduating, the importance of teamwork and confidence that I learned in this class will be extremely useful. As this class showed me the importance of putting myself out there and expressing my opinions, I feel as though it will be valuable when I am first entering the work place. 

 

10

 

 Emotions We Want to Express

Yiquan Wang

 

I learned a lot about the basics of dance in this class and how to express my emotions and feelings through dance. I learned how to choreograph my own dance and how to make it more rich and attractive. How different dance styles and different cultural dance pieces can be used in my own dance movements, which makes it more interesting and challenging.

In the process of learning, I can feel the emotions expressed by different kinds of dances and the feelings brought by these movements. The movements expressed through the constant twisting of the body need to be emotional. By observing other people's performances, I can clearly feel that everyone's feelings about these dances are different. So, the process is very interesting because everyone will have their own unique set of dances, which is unique, and the emotions we want to express are also different, which is easy to make. It is easy for us to feel the work expressed by different emotions and, through mutual communication and learning, to complete our own final dance work.

My major is economics, and if I think about how to apply the points I learned in this class to my major. I think it's also about how I feel about the emotions of different dance works in different cultures. The same point as economics is that although the laws of economics are the same in a certain range, if we study the deeper or more detailed market, we have to consider each country and each race, because the culture is different. People will have different habits and consumption patterns, so it will also produce different economic markets. Then dance works are also like this, each country has different cultural characteristics and people have different interests, these entertainment culture, such as dance, will produce different works and different emotional feelings. The dancers in the expression of emotions will also be influenced by their own local life. Then it needs special observation; I think that this point of observing different dance works through different cultures, it can also be applied in economics, to observe the economic laws under different cultures.

 

11

 

 A Dance Sequence of My Own

 Idara Ibanga

 

My key takeaway from the semester was learning the difference between an outside-in dancer and an inside-out dancer. I really liked having the opportunity to create a dance sequence of my own. Another takeaway was learning the difference between free flow and bound flow. It really helped exaggerate certain movements in my dance. I like more free and graceful movements so utilizing free flow helped depict that.

 

Being able to project my inward feelings that I had into a dance and name it was therapeutic for me. I especially enjoyed the day we learned about Tai Chi. It felt very freeing. I felt focused and level-headed. I had a chance to relax and free my mind instead of worrying about school.

 

I would apply mental breaks and stretching into my educational journey. The stretches we did at the beginning of class helped release unknown tension in my body. I will make it a priority to stretch at least three times a week. I will also use my knowledge of being an inside-out dancer in my future dance classes.

 

 12

 

Dancing Became Enjoyable

Nick Diambrosio

I went into this class with no prior dancing experience, and honestly was not sure what to expect. To put it lightly I pleasantly surprised myself throughout the entire semester. Everyone has seen good dancers, or wished they had “rhythm” and I was one of those people prior to Modern Dance 1. Now I feel as though that it’s simpler then I have previously imagined, and once I got the hang of it, dancing became enjoyable. I’m taking away balance, self control, and being in tune with my body from this class.

The learning process was much different than any other class or lecture I have previously had. It was a mixture of teaching yourself with the guidance of others, to experimenting and seeing what works best for you and what you’re hoping to make your routine. It defiantly was not what I was originally thinking, where you have teacher in the front and your following their every move, it was more individual which I enjoyed.

Going forward I will apply the “don’t knock it till you try it” idea to everyday life and new things in the future. I don’t know that I will be picking up dance anytime soon, but experience was well worth it!

 

13

 

 Group Collaboration Skills and Expression

Molly Mackenzie 

Modern dance class this semester enabled me to tap into my creativity through creating movements for a solo piece and group ensemble. Each class, we made phrases for our dances based on the dance concept that we explored that day.

The class forced me out of my comfort zone through partner work and performing in front of the class. The learning process was smooth, and I felt supported by my teacher and classmates each time I danced. I felt more confident with each class session and more comfortable with my own dancing.

As a journalism major, I will apply the group collaboration skills and expression I gained to my field of study. I have learned to work collaboratively with people who were once strangers to me. I will use expression through my field of study in communicating with people and communicating news to the world.

14

 

 Express Something Real and Emotional

Audrey Greer

From this semester in modern dance I learned that it is extremely important to move your body in order to stay happy and healthy. This can easily be implemented into your day and can help relax you and keep you agile and young. Dance can also look like absolutely anything you want it to so just let yourself move! You can use anything around you to be a part of your dance and there are so many tools you can use to make your movement express something real and emotional to the viewer.

 

During our classes I felt really connected to my body and attuned to all my senses. It was easy to shut out the rest of the day and clear my mind to just focus on stretching and moving. It was also fascinating to connect and build all of the lessons together especially when we started by really isolating to one part and focusing in on just one type or region of movement and then bringing them all together as a whole. With cheer I am used to doing very strict motions, so being able to move slowly and freely felt different and relaxing. I also had a really fun time working with others and experimenting with how to play off of others movements, and creating the group ensemble together was very engaging.

 

As I am planning to go into law enforcement I will need to stay very agile in my work so I can use what I have learned in class to stay fit and limber. As I am also a psychology major I have learned about the importance of exercise and mindfulness for a person's well being and will continue to use these practices to stay in peak shape. I have also always been eager to help people get excited about exercise to improve their health and mental well being and I would highly recommend something like this as a great place for someone to start.

 

15

 

  Dancing is for Everyone

Macy Wallace

Throughout this entire class I have gathered several takeaways. My first takeaway that is probably most worth mentioning is that dancing will always make me happy no matter my stage in life. It was so nice dancing again after retiring from competitive dance. I thought I lost my way completely, but this brought it back in such a beautiful way. Another takeaway of mine is that there is so much to learn from dance about yourself and it helps you be more confident in your everyday actions. My next takeaway is that dancing is for everyone. It can be used as exercise, art expression, or healing mechanism. Everyone has their own reason for dancing, but it doesn’t take away from anyone else's. My takeaways from this course are very valuable and I will take them with me for the rest of my dance career and life. 

 

During the learning process, I felt many different feelings regarding my valuable experience in this class. One feeling I felt initially in this process was joy. This was because I was finally dancing again and making me feel like me again. After this I felt relieved and interested because it is never a class I dread going to but also a class where I learn so much! Another feeling I felt was healthy. I kind of lost my way in the gym about six months ago but through this class I found my way making it back for reasons and exercise that I love – dance. I am so very grateful for all of these feelings this experience has brought me. 

 

I have learned so much about dance and about myself throughout this course. Even though I am a marketing major and don’t know what the future holds for me with dance, I plan on taking it all with me. One thing I would apply to my everyday life from this class would be stretching everyday even when I don’t particularly feel like it. It is so important for your body and keeps both your body and mind healthy. I have learned so much from this course. Thank you!!! 

 

16

 

Sarah Hutchison 

 

Modern Dance helped me better connect with myself. I will no doubt continue to use the stretching routine in my life, as often as I can. This class helped my brain and body connect, giving movements meaning. From the class, I also was able to takeaway a group and individual dance routine. Since I wrote it out, I can always reference the piece, and I have a video of it as well. By the end of the class, I felt like I didn't just learn what Modern Dance is, but experienced it and created it.

 

Throughout the class, I at first felt more timid, then more confident. It was scary to show off my routines, but as the class went on, I got more comfortable with it. It helped that we had a very welcoming and collaborative class atmosphere. Professor Morejon explained concepts very well and gave amazing visual examples, from demonstrating movements himself to showing videos. This allowed me to better understand the class topics. 

 

In the communication field, I will apply my learnings from this class primarily in my mindset. Taking this class made me realize the importance of stress-relief and movement to create a happier life experience. I want to exercise this throughout my time after the class, as it will help me better myself and perform better in my work positions. Additionally, collaborating with my group to create a dance taught me more about how to make team decisions and work together to create a final product. I will have to do this when creating advertising campaigns, and am glad this course gave me more experience with that.

I am so glad I took this course. I learned so much and really enjoyed dancing. I can't wait to create a stretch routine for this summer!

 

17

 

 A Greater Mind-Body Connection

 Caitlyn Chartier

 

This course was my first “official” dance class since I was about three years old.  I learned how important it is to be able to express yourself and your emotions.  This class forced you to connect with you inner self as we often did not dance with any music, but rather just followed what our bodies were pushing us to do.  

 

 

I really enjoyed learning about modern dance and how to choreograph both solo pieces and ensembles.  Learning how to be an inside-out dancer while also collaborating with other dancers was such a unique and fulfilling experience.

 

At first I felt a little uncomfortable dancing around strangers because I did not know what to do.  However, I quickly learned that it didn’t matter what type of movements I did as long as it meant something to me and made me more in touch with my body movements. This class was freeing in a way where I was encouraged to think emotionally rather than scientifically. Nobody judged what others created and everyone in the class was very supportive of one another.

 

Several of the components of this class can be applied to my everyday life.  For example, it is important to stretch and keep your body moving in order to stay healthy both physically and mentally.  As a stem major it can be difficult to remember to use your creativity and practice mindfulness.  Dancing allows for a greater mind-body connection that is important for maintaining your well-being.  Dancing is somewhat like a universal language and I now believe that I would be able to connect with anybody on some level through dance.

 

 

18

Delightful

 

Michael Suarez

Modern Dance exceeded my expectations in the aspect of having a fulfilling experience. At first I didn’t think that I would like the class because of all of the memorization I had to do with the dances and long stretching sessions. However, as I stayed consistent with the class every Tuesday’s and Thursday’s I realized that I was actually having a lot of fun. 

 

As the class went on, I realized that my memory for the dance moves got better and all of the stretching we did even helped me in the aspect of being an athlete, which I thought was impressive. I think our Professor did a great job instructing and leading the class in a way that we got to interact with many of our classmates and learn different ways to maneuver  our bodies. 

 

Our Professor did a great job adding variety to to the class because we would do different things every class which made it quite exiting. I think that this class will help me in the future because it will allow me to incorporate many of the stretches that I learned into my own personal training regime. 

 

Modern Dance also taught me to feel things out, because at first I may think that something is not for me, but with patience, it is possible for me to find what I am doing delightful.

 

 

19

 

 Flowing Into the Movements

Christine Rice

 

As a person whose always been a dancer and would be in dance summer camp and dance classes on the weekend, I haven't came across the teaching style of dancing in Modern Dance I. My expectations were different as I was accustomed to be taught a specific set of choreographed movements. Through this class, one big takeaway is that dance can be orchestrated through a set of movements that are not planned out like a traditional choreographic instruction.

Initially, I felt confused and unsure about the instruction of the course. Then, I realized that applying the basic elements of dance to create your movement allowed me to flow into the movements I created. The dance terminology sometimes made me confused too but as I got used to it things made more sense to me.

As a business major, I can apply the concept of thinking outside of the box and going with the flow to business.  It is important that, while running a business, one thinks about the "on the go" solutions. They may not be typical, but they would allow me to go with the flow of things in the business cycle, as a business may experience peaks and troughs.

 

20

 

As an Escape or As an Exercise

 

Jada Brown 

My takeaways from Modern Dance I has been an exploration of movement and the bounds I could push myself beyond. Through the stretching, fast paced and loose to slow and restricted movement I was able to get a basic level understanding of the many complexities of dance. I was also able to learn how multiple small movements can lead to an elaborate complex Dance and learned the true meaning of inside out dancing.

During the learning process, it felt a bit slow because usually I like fast explanations and exploring topics quickly but in class, I was able to learn how to appreciate the process. I was able to slow down and appreciate the stretching as a lead up to the day’s lesson. Throughout the lessons of the days, I felt good looking forward to the next lessons as we learned movement with scarfs, sticks, our bodies and became a nice end to my school day.

As a psychology major, it is all about the mental, how to take care of it, how understand it, etc. With dance, it brings about clarity, and a sense of peace as you focus throughout it.  In psychology, a big part is figuring out the best coping mechanisms for you and your mental state. Thus, dance can be a very important mechanism that can help many people. I aim to tell more people about how dance can free the mind, whether as an escape or as an exercise. 

 

 

 

21

 

 

 Complex and Powerful Dances

 

Ethan Yamar

          I have learned a lot about dance throughout this course. One of my favorite things about this course, however, was the stretches we do at the start. I was proud of the progress I made over time and I found the things we did were very calming and helpful for both my mind and body. I have never taken a dance course before this semester, but I learned just how complex and powerful dances can be. I got blown away by some of the dances my classmates made and I am inspired to do better because of them.

 

          At the start, it was a bit difficult to get into this course. Being told to just move your body as you see fit was a bit embarassing at the beginning. However, over time, I became more comfortable and started to enjoy creating my own moves and moving around. I became more comfortable with showing myself and I have a grown appreciation of dance.

 

          I am not sure how exactly I could apply what I learned here to my field of Computer Science. I definitely will keep doing the stretches I've learned this course, however. I find them very helpful to both keep my body and mind healthy. I will say though, that computer science involves a lot of creating and teamwork, which is something I had to do in this class. I hope that I become better and more confident at making my own programs and being able to work with people better.

 

22

 

 True to Myself in All Spaces

Grace Altidor

Throughout the course of this class, I’ve had several takeaways. One of the key takeaways I will be leaving this course with is an understanding that everything doesn’t have to be perfect, because perfect is the enemy of good. Throughout my time in the course, I eventually became more comfortable with performing because I decided that my stretches didn’t have to be perfect, and nor did my dances, but as long as I tried my best and put my heart into portraying the story I themed my dance around, then it would be a good one and it didn’t need to be perfect! 

 

Another takeaway I have from this class is that people who care less about the opinions of others usually do better anyways! At first like others I was nervous, but from the encouragement of  my friends, I let loose and realized the danced that looked the best and most practiced were the ones that didn’t sheepishly look around to see what people’s reaction to their performance was but remained steadfast at doing their best. 

While the learning process was rather unique, I honestly felt quite joyful during it. The learning process for this Modern Dance I class, is something that my emotions impacted day today. If I was mad going into class, you would be able to see it in my dance as we have learned a new skill. The anger or sadness or excitement allowed it to mold the framework of my ideas. I also felt like in this class, students truly got what they put into it and so if student didn’t try hard, you could see that the learning experience was not as important or similarly valued to them.

I would say that in the future, I will apply being able to not take things seriously because well my future profession and ministry will be rather serious. It will also allow so much more opportunity for open communication and dialogue without the expectation of perfection. This class also taught me that support comes in all different forms and sizes, when my friends encouraged me , when the class encouraged me, when the professor encouraged me but the best one was when I encouraged me. This class gave me more confidence to be true to myself in all spaces.  

 

 

23

Understanding How to Channel Those Bottled Up Feelings

Ophelia Hyde

I felt like this dance class taught me how to channel my emotions through dance. My expectation for this class was to learn a choreographed dance that we would perform together as a class to a song chosen by the professor. I expected this to be an outside-in dance class, because that is the usual form of dance I think many of us are used to. I was surprised to find that we were choreographing our own routines based on whatever emotions came to mind, before even choosing the song! 

 

Modern Dance I helped me immensely in learning and understanding the power of improv. and the power of tempo. When I was choosing my music, I found that my dance went with a lot of different songs at different speeds. It was up to me to choose a song with a message and at a speed that I felt best portrayed the story I was trying to tell in movement. 

 

I feel like being in touch with my emotions, and learning how to outlet that through dance will be a very helpful tool in my career. As I am going into the Nursing field, it can be especially tough because it is a very emotionally draining job. But understanding how to channel those bottled up feelings and experiencing them through dance can be a tool that helps me de-stress and empower me to continue to work through the emotional pain I may feel at times.

24

 

Innovative Problem-Solving Techniques

 

Christine Chen

Taking modern dance classes helped me recognize the significance of proper technique and posture while dancing. Even small adjustments to my posture or position can greatly impact my performance. Surprisingly, creativity and improvisation are essential components of modern dance.

 

During my studies, I sometimes struggled to keep up with dance movements and doubted my abilities. However, with the support and motivation from my classmates, I grew more confident. Now, I am not so quick to give up when faced with challenges. I can apply this skills to my other academic courses. 

 

The attention to detail and perseverance in dance has improved my academic performance. Additionally, the creative and improvisational aspects of dance have inspired me to develop innovative problem-solving techniques. Overall, Modern Dance I has shaped me into a more well-rounded individual.

25

 

 Breathe Life into Movement

Miranda Perez

This course has allowed me to see dance from another perspective. I have been able to step away from the rigidity of dance styles I've had experience in the past such as ballet, and have allowed myself to breathe life into movement. This course has taught me to be mindful of the space I'm occupying and how vast movement can be. I have learned about the shapes and force I can use when I am dancing, and how joyous dancing can be. This class has allowed for me to rediscover dancing and I will make time for dance in my life. 

 

Throughout the process of learning in this class I felt a bit timid, but I learned to let go. I felt encouraged and exploring new moves felt freeing. I also had fun taking this course, despite any anxiety I might have felt. Although I have done dance classes outside of class, this is the first time I was not worried about technique or how I measure up to others. Across the semester I felt like I could accomplish more than I thought I could. 

 

As a psychology major I could apply what I learned by using some of the dance techniques in my future practice as a therapist. I have found that the stretching and breathing exercises done at the beginning of class are very meditative, and can be used to help lessen anxiety. Dance is also a great way to express how you feel, it could be used as a communication tool when words are too difficult. In my own personal life I could use the lessons learned in this class as an outlet for stress and an activity that could help my mental and physical health. Overall, I will takeaway the things I've learned in this course as a way to bring peace and joy to my life.

26

 

Yoonsub Kim 

 

Coming into this class, I was unsure what it was going to be like, as Macy dragged me into this class. I came into the class thinking it was going to be a BS cognate class that I will just blow through. That was not the case. Throughout the semester, I grew to enjoying coming to class every week. It was a nice break from sitting down at a desk in a lecture to learning in a way that is unique. In the beginning of the semester, I did not know much about dancing but now I can confidently say I came out of this class knowing more about modern dance and what it is.

As I said, in the beginning, I was a little iffy about this class. After a while, this class was one of my favorites. This class was very different than my other stem heavy classes. Being a beginner in this class, I was open to learn a lot. Our professor kept this class very enjoying and took every student with care and showed everyone the same attention and care. He is a great teacher and a person as a whole.

Even though my future career will not have any sort of dance, I will carry a few aspects of this class in my life. I will express my actions with inside out as I will put my emotions into my work with what I do whether it’s physical therapy or power-lifting. I will not let the outside environment influence my emotions. Also, I will keep my flexibility and health up so I can look as young as Professor Jorge at his age.

 

 

 

27 

 

 Raised Body Awareness

 

Celeste Pongratz

 

The University of Miami's level one modern dance course can teach students several important lessons. In class, we studied and mastered the fundamental dance techniques that form the basis of modern dance including body alignment, balance, coordination, flexibility, and musicality. These methods can be used for different things and incorporated in the style of dance anyone chooses. Students are able to explore their body's potential, restrictions, and distinctive movement characteristics as they progress through the course to become more in tune. My whole physical presence and self-expression, both on and off the dance floor, were improved by this raised body awareness. My awareness of artistic expression and physical storytelling grew as a result. Next, working in groups or ensembles gave us the chance to work together with other dancers, develop cooperation, synchronization, and performance skills. Further, students gained stage presence, confidence, and the capacity to adjust to various performance circumstances all due to performing in front of an audience for the symbolic Earth Day. Overall, taking this modern dance course places a strong emphasis on body awareness and expressiveness. 

 

 

Throughout this course, we observed how modern dance has a long history and has been influenced by many different artistic and cultural movements. The instructor fostered a larger cultural and historical knowledge within the dance community by sharing insights into the beginnings, development, and significant characters in contemporary dance. I felt comfortable coming to each class and being myself and learning how to be present in the moment. Regardless of the students' prior dance experience, the instructor gives clear directions and examples to make sure everyone understands the routines and exercises. I felt encouraged to grow and develop the techniques at my own pace. It helped to simplify difficult moves step-by-step so that everyone understood the concept. Ultimately, I think taking this dance class successfully establishes an accepting atmosphere where students can freely express themselves, promoting creative thinking and taking chances, making people who aren't trained dancers feel respected and accepted.

 

 

Regularly attending dance class helped with both my physical fitness and general well-being. The endurance, strength, and flexibility needed for modern dance worked to enhance my cardiovascular health, muscular strength, and endurance. After dancing for several years when I was younger, I forgot that dance may also be a creative outlet and a way to decompress, which helps with my mental and emotional health. This experience of coordinating movements, synchronizing with others, and contributing to a cohesive performance will assist me in teamwork-oriented environments, such as project teams or organizational settings. I will continue to use these methods in my daily routine as I embark on my future endeavors.