STEP UP YOUR GAME
POLISH YOUR SKILLS TO GET YOUR CAREER IN DANCE MOVING AHEAD
Being a firsthand witness to the transitional phase of western dance forms in India, the last 30 years have been a revolution of sorts. I was blessed with parents, who at that time, allowed me to follow my passion and make a living out of it. Today, as I see boys and girls from all over the country striving to break into the field of performing arts, I’m overjoyed and grateful that dance is now accepted as a viable career option. Creativity, back then, came from within; from inventing and reinventing the art. With easy access to videos and YouTube, becoming a professional dancer is more common now, but people forget the importance of formal training. Just like any other profession needs students to learn and train in their field of expertise, dance requires a special skill set as well. Ruling passion
This is at the forefront of anything that you want to do in life. Each of us is blessed with a talent that is unique to us. When you enter a dance studio, you must feel at home; there is a sense of belonging. If you are not passionate enough, it will either start feeling like a job or you will stop enjoying the experience. Hunger for learning
The beauty of dance is that it evolves constantly. A dancer must always be hungry to learn and to keep improving. Joy to the self
Even though you may dance to please an audience or to pass on the knowledge to your students, for a true dancer, it is a personal experience. Flexibility and strength
Dance is a physical activity. Professional dancers must be flexible and have the strength to carry off the choreography seamlessly. Be on the move
Some dancers seem to float even during the fastest and most complicated dance routines. This agility comes with training in technique and the ability to balance weight. The speed at which a dancer perceives and executes choreography is a mark of their ability. All about grit
Dance is a physical, mental, emotional and spiritual journey. You need to be mentally strong to sustain hours of rehearsals, years of struggle and decades to find acceptance. Rhythm and sense of music
Another pre-requisite for a professional dancer is the understanding of music, rhythm and beats. The best way is to listen to different kinds of music. Even without paying attention to it, you will begin to understand the rhythm. Background in ballet or Indian classical dance styles
If you have a hold in either of these styles, your foundation will be strong. These styles form the basis and prepare you for all other dance styles—in terms of technique, understanding of the body, positioning the weight and balance. Keeping pace
Dance evolves literally every day. A successful dancer never feels he/she knows enough. Not only do they have to be consistent in their dancing ability, they have to constantly update themselves to stay familiar with the global scene. It is exceedingly easy to become complacent, but a dancer must keep moving forward and upward. Sense of balance
Balance, both in dance and life, has a major role to play. Anything in moderation is fine, but if you push for the extreme, you will trip and fall. Learn, find your neutral ground and start all over again .