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Jovi Gonyea
British Literature
Tillery
Dance and Choreography
“Dance; the movement of the body in a rhythmic way, usually to music and within
a given space, for the purpose of expressing an idea or emotion, releasing energy, or
simply taking delight in the movement itself.” The rich history and expressive form of
dance is not to be ignored and with help from popular Music Television networkslike
MTV, public video sharing via Youtube, and organized groups the public has been
exposed to the world of dance and choreography exclusively in the past three decades
dance, and has become a rapidly expanding topic of public interest.As a result of this
peak in interest professional dance and choreography have become a high-grossing and
booming industry everywhere from public and private schools to Hollywood.
Dance has had an integral part in the history of music, the arts, and that of
mankind. It first arrived in many of the first tribes and civilizations to emerge from
humanity as ways to praise their idols and gods in sacrifice and ritual. The dances
themselves passed down from generation to generation barely changing unless contacted
by an outside force or civilization. However dance originated many forms of dances were
created with the intent of group performance.

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Under the research of JohnatganPieslak it was discovered that some ancestral
military units used loud group singing and dancing to prepare for an engagement with
some enemy force or dangerous combat missions. Since then dancers have performed in
a variety of stage atmospheres including: Opera, Musical Theater, and even public
domains which has led to the development of dance and choreographic studies in the
form of Academic Discipline in recent centuries. This started in the early 1920’s different
with the academic courses and fields of study including; Dance Practice, Critical Theory,
Musical analysis, as well as the History of Dance, and by the late twentieth centurywith
the recognition of the practical knowledge of dance. However the vast knowledge
needed for success in such a career has not hindered newer generations.
While even the most amateur of dancers can rise to the challenge of professional
dancer or choreographer there are still some restrictions. For example, to stand out above
the completion most dancers start at an early age, typically between five and fifteen years
old, and experience their first professional audition by age seventeen or eighteen. The
training leading up to that point in time varies among dancers with not only the type of
dance, but also by the styles and complexities. The more accepted approach to dance is
ballet, in which they learn the basics of rhythm in accordance to music, and the discipline
and self-control needed to succeed.
In contrast, once they reach their teen years the training is increased to a much
higher level of understanding and technique usually implying; eight hours a day in class
time and rehearsal, and physical condition to keep their bodies in peak condition.Dancers

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also must have good health and physical stamina, along with flexibility, agility, a feeling
for music, and a creative ability to express themselves through movement. Reason for
this amplified training and extreme attention to detail is due to the nature of the dance
environment. Dance in itself is strenuous, most performers in musical productions and
other family entertainment spend much of their time on the road; others work in
nightclubs or on cruise ships. Most dance performances are in the evening, whereas
rehearsals and practice usually take place during the day. As a result, dancers often work
very long and late hours and statistically suffer higher rates of nonfatal on-the-job injuries
than any other occupation.
This work, however, is short lived in that most professional dancers retire from the
performance circuit by their late thirties. Nonetheless, some continue to work in the field
as choreographers, artistic directors, and dance teachers and coaches, while a small
number may move into administrative positions, such as company managers.
While dance and choreography coincide with each other the demands of a
choreographer are more on an educational level. The job of a choreographer is to produce
original works of their creation or develop a new interpretation of an existing work. This
requires that additional education in the dance field in which they hone the skills
necessary to instruct performers at rehearsal to achieve the exact technique.
Choreographers also work with performers other than dancers for example: the complex
martial arts scenes in movies are arranged by choreographers who specialize in the
martial arts. Choreographers also may help coordinate costume design and lighting, as

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well as choose the music and sound effects that convey the intended message.
Employment however is another matter.
Due to the majority of modern society enjoying dance and dreaming to make their
careers in dance, dancers and choreographers face strong competition for opportunities.
Although it is certain job openings will arise each year due to dancer and choreographer
retirement, the number of applicants will continue to exceed the number of offers.
National dance companies, such as Dance USA, likely will continue to provide jobs in
this field, as well as opera companies and dance groups affiliated with television and
motion pictures.
The growing popularity of dance for fitness purposes has resulted in increased
opportunities to teach dance, especially for a more active middle-age and younger
generation. Musicians will also provide a small number of openings for both dancers and
choreographers, and individuals expecting to make the cut are to face keen competition.
Aside from the competition on and off the dance floor, dances and choreographers
all focus around one key idea. Expression is the basic, timeless, and all-encompassing
force that binds dancers and music together as one. Part of the reason is has become so
accepted in society is that It allows an individual to freely and openly express their
emotions in the form of choreographed movement for an audience that is to take a certain
meaning from it. And with raging success all over the world it’s no surprise that dance
and choreograph are topics of serious discussion.

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In conclusion, dance and choreography, behind the preconceptions of society, is a
very serious and integral part of the world today. It has shaped mankind’s development as
a species and the cultures of the modern world since the very dawn of civilization to the
modern era. And with the help of the media and individuals across the globe both will
continue to weave its way deeper into society changing life for better and worse.