The Importance of Watching Concert Dance

Last week, some of the Competition Prep Team members attended a professional ballet show by “Ballet Austin” at the Guangzhou Opera House. Ballet Austin presented works in both classical and contemporary genres.  This was a great opportunity for the dancers to see the differences between the two styles. 

So why have the instructors at VCA been pushing our students to observe a Professional Dance Concert? The coaches at VCA understand the importance of this activity. Not only does this help our students see the importance of different choreographic elements, musicality, spacing, and timing but they also see a variety of stages and lighting that they could potentially be performing on in the near future. Venue’s play a huge roll to dancers because it affects the choreography, performance, lighting, audience, intent of piece, music, etc.

By watching a professional show, the competition prep members were able to watch and observe dance in a non-bias position where they were not emotionally or physically attached. This allowed them to evaluate the movement and choreography clearly and make judgements based off of what they see and what they have learned in class.

When dancers come back after seeing a show, their focus and drive increase greatly.  They see what they can become if they work hard.  Although students might be the best in their class, they don’t often see how much further they need to go. This opportunity provides them with the insight and knowledge of what they can become if they continue to work diligently in their craft.

Our dancers also got to see how the dance principles they learn in class every week are applied. There is something about seeing professional dancers do the things that we reiterate in class; it really helps it sink in so they better understand. We see better dancing from our students after they have seen the magic that can happen onstage.

We also had a discussion about the concert afterwards in our class which helps promote the ability to discuss dance intelligently.  If dancers would like to continue performing, teaching, choreographing, judging, or even taking class, they need to develop skills where they can critically discuss and write about dance.  Developing these skills in a topic of interest (such as dance) will help students in whatever academic and career paths they choose.

Dancers also learn the importance of theater etiquette. As students go into the wider world, like it or not, they are representatives; what they do or don’t learn about etiquette, manners, and conduct reflects on their teachers, schools, and community they were brought up in.

Exposing students to different dance perspectives, aesthetics, and cultures can change a dancer’s awareness from just sitting in the audience. We want to open our students’ minds to the greater dance world and let them know that there is more than what they see on television and social media.  Though those things are great and easily accessible, there is a whole other world they should be exposed to.

Most importantly, we want our students to grow into lifelong supporters of dance and art.  We cannot give a full dance education unless we provide these opportunities. Our dancers, cheerleaders, coaches, and gym are providing athletes, artists, and audiences of the future. Choosing to foster this relationship is better for all.

Read below what some of our athletes had to say about the show.

“We were so happy to have the opportunity to watch the concert dance with Miss Tami and the other team members. I had never watched non-classical ballet like this before. I enjoyed the Red Rose because I like this kind of dance and the music was really good; it made me feel happy. I hope to have more opportunities to watch more of this kind of dance.”

-Sincerely-Angela’s mom

“It was a really amazing night hanging out with Miss Tami to watch this ballet show. I really enjoyed it and I could tell the dancers were all really AWESOME.

My favorite part of that show was the second to last performance, One/ The Body's Grace. It was contemporary and I like the choreography. Things I learned were to control all your body parts while you’re dancing because I could see the dancers’ movements were clean, and do what you should do throughout the dance and make them good.”

-Sincerely, Angela

“Not only was this a great bonding activity for our team members and their families, it was so fun seeing the excitement and love our team members have for their craft.  Nina was dancing out of the theater like she was one of the dancers on stage and one day she may very well be.  I was so proud of the professionalism and respect our Varsity members had while representing us at the show.  Their conduct is a direct reflection of their discipline, wonderful parents, training, and their education.  I look forward to having more experiences like these with our other team members.”

-Miss Tami

The authors：Tami

Tami Whatcott is originally from Utah, but is currently based out of Chicago. She graduated from Utah Valley University with a BFA in Modern Dance and a BS in Dance Education. Tami has been an instructor for Universal Dance Association for the past 9 years. She has had the opportunity to travel not only across America, but internationally as well working in countries such as Spain, England, China, Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, Slovenia, Austria and Mexico to teach, perform, choreograph and judge in many genres from high school to college levels.She has been a member of Synergy Dance Company, Contemporary Dance Ensemble, UVU Ballroom Tour Team, Joel Hall Dancers & Center, Noumenon Dance Ensemble, and danced and coached professionally for the Utah Flash. She has been trained in ballet, modern, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, and ballroom. Tami is excited to start her new adventure in China with VAC!