Many classical singers can relate to the feeling of dread many people feel when they are asked to dance. Some will even avoid roles that require dancing—either because they don’t know how, or because they just aren’t comfortable with that kind of movement. Many of them have probably had a bad experience with dance and gave up on it, or never tried it in the first place. That is unfortunate, because dancing doesn’t have to be painful!
If you are one of the people who think taking a dance class is out of the question, perhaps you should reconsider. You can find ways to help ensure that the experience winds up being something that will benefit you, rather than something that will make you feel clumsy or unskilled as an artist. What you need is a plan that will help you connect with the right class and right teacher.
Think it can’t be done? Read on.
Three major factors determine whether you have a good experience with dance: the type of dance you choose, your teacher, and your own preparation for class. If you can manage these factors successfully, you can help your classical singing career by improving your movement skills, understanding the language of dance, and gaining some additional experience to add to your credentials.
Why Study Dance?
Studying some type of dance does more than help open doors for you in your career; it also helps you create characters with more depth.
“Dance for the classical singer is vital because so many of the characters from the 15th through the 18th centuries have movement that is based on ballet moves,” says Steven LaCosse, managing director of the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute at the North Carolina School of the Arts. “Many operas have dancing, and it is good for a singer to be able to express not only with his or her voice, but the body as well.”
Just having an idea of some of the terms in dance can be helpful—you don’t need to be able to do everything perfectly to have an edge. As LaCosse says, “If the director wants the singer to waltz, the singer will know what that means and have an idea of how to do it.” That can help the entire process of learning a role move along more smoothly. Like many others, LaCosse believes that, “being able to move well is no longer a nicety for the classical singer, it is a necessity.”
Dance also can help improve a singer’s level of fitness, boosting strength and endurance, and contributing to overall health. This can help the singer have more energy, both onstage and off. It can also substitute for the strength-training portion of a workout, and sometimes even the cardiovascular portion, depending on the style you choose. In addition, studying dance can be a fun way to get some exercise into your schedule.
Deciding What to Study
Once you have made the choice to learn some type of movement, you need to decide what dance style you would like to try. Examine your reasons for wanting to take dance and look at your own likes and dislikes. If you get excited watching Latin dance, for example, but fall asleep when watching a ballet, you can already begin to rule certain styles out and narrow the field from which you will ultimately choose.
Ask yourself what you would like to get out of the class. Are you looking just to be a little more at ease with movement in general, or are you hoping to be able to pick up combinations of steps and practice them? Take a minute to think through just what you would like to achieve by taking dance.
It can also help to hear what a professional in the dance field has to say regarding what classical singers can get out of different kinds of classes. Beth McNeill is an independent choreographer, a teaching artist with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, a part-time faculty member at the Dance Center of Columbia College, and a teaching artist for the Advanced Arts Educational Dance program at Gallery 37 in the Chicago area. When asked what type of movement training she would recommend for classical singers, she said, “If the goal is fitness or achieving a level of comfort moving to music, then ethnic and social dance styles (like African dance, belly dance, jazz, swing dance, tango and hip hop) are good choices because they are very physical and involve working the gross muscle groups. These classes require coordination and a sense of musicality.” The fun music and atmosphere in many of these classes can be a good place to start.
Once your goals and likes have been clarified, it is time to try matching them to a style of dance. If the goal is to focus more on breathing and the grace of movement, you may want to go another direction.
“The refined port de bras (movement of the arms) of ballet and flamenco offers classical singers a chance to work on and understand gesture,” says McNeill. “The placement of the body in both techniques requires a sense of verticality and of poise.”
“In ballet, a singer learns how to keep posture while breathing, which is very useful,” she adds.
Artists of other disciplines sometimes are afraid of becoming trapped in the “studied” look of movement that can arise from studying ballet, but it can actually be a great help to them. The key is choosing a good instructor.
Modern dance is another style that is a good option for classical singers.
“Singers learn where they hold tension and how that tension can be released,” explains McNeill. “Breath and movement initiation is explored, as well as weight and balance.”
Singers can choose from many styles of dance. When you’re starting out it can feel a bit overwhelming, but remember that there really isn’t a “right” type of dance to take. Go with what you enjoy—especially in the beginning. Taking something that interests you will help eliminate the feeling that class is a chore you need to complete.
Remember, you can always change directions if you don’t like the style in which you started. If the school has a variety of classes, see if you can switch into another one to finish out the session. If not, after the class is over you can try something else next time.
Choosing Where to Study
Once a style of dance is chosen, the all-important task of choosing a teacher begins. This is an important step, and finding a teacher you like and are comfortable with can take a little bit of time and research. “There are quite a few professional teachers who are interested in exposing non-dancers to the art form and are eager and patient with beginners,” says Karen McShane-Hellenbrand, an associate faculty member at The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Dance Department. Finding them, however, can sometimes be a bit of a challenge.
It can be extremely helpful to watch a class, if possible. Pay attention to the things that will matter to you as a beginning student. Does the teacher have patience with the students and speak to them with respect? Are the students learning? Is the atmosphere something you would feel comfortable in? Do you like the teacher? Jotting down a list of things you would like to see can help define the type of instructor and class you are looking for.
Talk with the teacher and ask specifically how he or she feels about teaching beginners. Ask about his or her background and experience, and don’t be afraid to do a little checking on your own. In college classes, it can be difficult to assess an instructor’s level of expertise, since college is not always a part of training in the dance world. Asking around for recommendations and checking into a school’s reputation can help narrow the field. Ultimately, you want to choose a teacher with whom you feel at ease. Even the most highly regarded instructors will not help you if they have poor attitudes regarding students with no dance experience.
Always try to set yourself up for success. If you have had no prior training, don’t be tempted to take a class that is not for beginners. “It may be difficult for a highly skilled artist, like a classical singer, to admit they are completely unskilled in another area,” says McShane-Hellenbrand. “Be humble, ask questions about level, double-check that the instructor has experience with beginners, and in general make sure they are genuinely interested in sharing their expertise for art’s sake.” After all, it is no reflection on your singing ability if you don’t know how to dance, and chances are very good that you can sing far better than your dance teacher!
When asked what to look for in an instructor who will be able to teach good movement for the stage, McNeill says, “A teacher who works from pedestrian movement to more choreographed sequences will be more successful in creating good stage movement.” This can help narrow down the focus for classes. Look for teachers who start where you are now, and teach movement one step at a time.
Some classical singers may feel that if they are not getting combinations of steps they are not learning anything useful. It can be easy to get frustrated, “Oftentimes non-dancers get bogged down with steps,” McNeill emphasizes. “Movement isn’t about steps, it is about moving.” You don’t have to be able to leap across the stage flawlessly in order to improve how you move. Simply getting in touch with how your body feels kinesthetically is often enough to make a difference in the way you walk and gesture.
Discuss with the teacher your reasons for taking the class. Good teachers should be able to steer you in the right direction in terms of what class they think might help you achieve your goals. Ask if they have experience teaching artists from other disciplines. Even if they don’t, they should be able to explain what they think they can do to help you learn.
Doing Your Part
What you do to prepare yourself affects your experience in class. The type of clothing you choose, your general fitness level, and your overall attitude all make an impact. Considering these factors ahead of time is another way to help insure a good experience.
Evaluating your overall fitness level is important. Have you been exercising regularly for some time? If so, you might opt for a more challenging dance style, such as ballet, and jump right into a session.
If you have not been very active, it may help to do a little bit of preparation before signing up for a class. “Physically preparing oneself with any movement that builds strength, agility and flexibility will be helpful for non-movers who want to be successful studying dance,” says McShane-Hellenbrand. You don’t need to sign on with a personal trainer, but if you haven’t had time for a fitness routine, it may help to do a little activity before signing up for a dance class. Pilates may be especially helpful, since it develops muscles that are used in many forms of dance.
If you have not done much in the way of physical activity for a while, consider starting out with an easier style. Folk dance might be a good place to start, if you are so inclined. If that doesn’t sound interesting, observe some other classes and see where you think you might fit, in terms of the demands of the class and what you enjoy.
Try to keep in mind that even if you have been fairly active, you may be a little bit sore after a dance class. After all, you will use muscles most people don’t use in everyday life. This will go away as your body gets used to moving in these new ways.
Your mindset is equally important. Going into class with preconceived ideas about what you need to learn may actually hold you back. Be patient with yourself, especially at first. As McShane-Hellenbrand points out, “It takes time to develop one’s kinesthetic sense, if a person hasn’t been moving in a variety of ways and with some physicality.”
Remember, learning to dance takes time. Take the pressure off yourself and learn at your own pace.
Sometimes it can help to sign up with a friend or fellow singer—especially if they also have had no experience with dance. You can support each other and even practice together if you feel like it. It is always easier to go into something new with company—it makes things feel far less intimidating.
What you wear also makes a difference in how you feel about going to a dance class. Thankfully, you don’t need to don a leotard, tights and tutu. (The thought of that alone is enough to frighten nearly anyone off!) Check with the instructor on proper attire for class. He or she usually has some type of general guidelines for you. Choose something you are very comfortable in. Sometimes a simple pair of sweatpants or exercise pants and a T-shirt is all you need to get started.
Clothing doesn’t have to be skin tight, but try to make sure you don’t wear anything too loose either. Teachers want to check and make sure you are in the proper form when you dance. Being able to see the line of your body helps them make sure you don’t injure yourself by doing movements incorrectly.
The type of shoes you should wear depends on the class. Be sure you speak to the teacher about this, since different dance styles require different shoes. It is a good idea to get the type of shoe recommended. The right shoes can be vital in preventing injury. Socks or athletic shoes are usually either too sticky or too slippery for many dance classes.
Make sure your hair is pulled away from your face so you can see everyone around you easily. If you tend to perspire, it can help to bring a small hand towel to wipe your face during class, or wear an absorbent headband to keep perspiration out of your eyes. Details like this can help make the whole experience much more enjoyable.
Studying dance can be an excellent addition to a classical singer’s training. Choosing the right class and instructor are important components of the process—and so is making sure you are comfortable in the environment. The payoff? Next time auditions come around for Carmen—or something similar—those dance classes will help you feel you can give your best—and do it with newfound confidence.
