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How Dance Education Programs Help in Expression, Knowledge & Creativity

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Shiamak Davar, Ace Choreographer & Artistic Director, Shiamak Davar International Known as the guru of contemporary dance in India, Shiamak is one of India’s leading choreographers in India and has been the director of choreography for the high profile events such as Commonwealth Games, Melbourne and Commonwealth Games, Delhi.

Dance is a holistic activity for the mind, body, and soul. From the era when there were no professional classes, professional trainers, dance education programs or even dance reality shows, it is now changing. Now, adopting dance as a full time learning course to a career is a possibility. The essence of dance can be felt through expression, knowledge, and creativity that goes beyond the periphery of dance movement. Today, dance has successfully contributed to making its programs worth for every individual to entertain, educate and empower through it.

Dancers are not just performing artists, but their bodies are also the instruments through which the art is created, and this art depends on the physical qualities and skill sets that dancers possess. Formal dance training classes, dance therapy activities or even special technique centers have tailored each class according to the needs and area of interest for the students with a well-defined syllabus for skillful development to improve fitness levels, confidence, creativity focus, concentration, team spirit, positive thinking, discipline, all-round development, posture, and body language.

Every dance enthusiast should be encouraged for pieces of training at an early age. This will help them develop the art form from the basics and learn the science of dance. Dance positively benefits cognitive process and functioning, which relates to deal with behavioural factors of an individual at an early age.

Learning dance styles such as Ballet, Jazz, Hip-Hop and many other modern styles have benefits in their ways. For instance, Ballet is more of a poised and graceful dance form. On the other hand, Hip-Hop is very energetic. All of these styles contribute to the growth of an individual and help in learning. It also ensures the progressive development
of different parts of the body. While learning or teaching with the techniques is involved, it should always be taken care of that the body parts are not much stressed. Dancers vary a great deal in the way they project movements

Practicing dance in daily routine will improve the coordination and enhance teamwork & co-operation, which is essential and focused on the growth of students


One of the most basic motives of dance is the expression and communication of emotion. It is the way of releasing powerful feelings. This motive forces can be seen not only in the spontaneous skipping, stamping, and jumping movements often performed in moments of intense emotion, but also in the more formalized movements of ‘set’ dances. Even though it takes hours and hours of rehearsal to perfect every dance step, just one unpleasant facial expression during a show can ruin the whole performance. It is very significant to take expressions seriously. I believe that half of the choreography and concept while dancing is already done through your facial expressions and eye movements. When the emotion comes from inside you, your outward expression will be a natural one then.

Dance as an art form incorporates a lot of collaborative and team effort to put-up a performance. Practicing dance in daily routine will improve the coordination and enhance teamwork & co-operation, which is essential and focused on the growth of students. Through dance, enthusiasts become more aware of their strengths and weaknesses, allowing them to work on them. While some may be better at remembering choreography, others may perform it better. Dance education programs ensure that the gaps are filled, and dance enthusiasts progressively work not only to strengthen their mental capacity, but their physical ability to interpret the movements as well. This is where the art of dance and performing arts help develop skills, knowledge, and understanding.

Dance reduces stress and helps one in releasing emotions. Dancing improves mental health and memory, as it empowers the art of remembering. You know it is difficult to remember the whole choreography; hence, continuous practice is the key and that is when the creativity of a dancer comes in place, as they show their understanding of dance through their creative dance steps.

Giving it equal importance as dance not only helps them develop their personality, but also opens-up opportunities to make dance their profession. Whether as a performer, dance instructor, choreographer or entrepreneur in the field of the performing arts, there are a plethora of opportunities. Being a first hand witness through the transitional phase of western dance in India, the last thirty years have been a revolution. There is a progression in one’s ability to grasp choreography, understand movement and realizing the positive impact it has on your personality that one can only achieve by making it a part of a regular curriculum.

Also, many students who are introverts get a platform to express themselves, eliminate stage fright and their personality develops through these dance education training classes. Not only do they learn to dance and engage in physical activity, but also experience something that highlights their spirit. Dance as an activity is developing in nature and offers benefits more than we can imagine.