Today’s blog is written by Jennifer Backhaus of Backhausdance, the third teacher in our 4 Sundays in February Master Class Series. Join her for class this Sunday, February 21, 11 am - 1 pm at the Malashock Dance School.
When thinking about what to write for this blog I wondered why I have stayed with this art form for as long as I have. What about being a dancer and choreographer makes sense to my life and why am I so passionate about encouraging other people to explore it either as an active participant or as an audience member? I realized that I have many reasons that keep me walking into the studio everyday… so here is a short list …
I love to move through space
- With abandon
- With grace
- With aggression
- With purpose
I love to shift
- Directions
- Energy
- Style
- Perspective
I love to challenge
- Physicality
- Technique
- Comfort
- Minds
I love to engage
- Space around me
- Energy of other dancers
- Audiences
- Students
I love to design
- Movement
- Energy
- Bodies
- Relationships
Somehow all of this finds its way into my class. It can be through a tendu combination, an improv exercise, or rolling around on the floor. The process of walking into a dance studio and opening yourself up to new ways of moving and understanding is exciting. It is transformative, it is brave, and it is fun. Going on that journey with students or dancers in my company keeps me motivated and pushes me to grow in directions that I would never discover alone. It makes me feel alive and present. It’s my hope that I am able to share that with the people around me. Dance is hard and the dance business is even more difficult to navigate at times. Reminding myself of why I do what I do is important and helps keep me walking into that empty studio day after day.
- Jennifer Backhaus, Backhausdance
www.backhausdance.org
Join Jennifer in class on Sunday, February 21, 11 am - 1 pm
Malashock Dance School
2650 Truxtun Road, Studio 200, SD 92106
Class Fee: $20
Sign up now!
