The Adventure of Creation
There’s a peculiar thrill that runs through your veins when you decide to choreograph a dance. It’s a cocktail of anticipation, excitement, and a dash of daunting challenge that gives you the chills. Recently, I embarked on such a journey, aiming to create an original Bachata choreography to “Mystery” by Chris Paradise. The process, as expected, has been a rollercoaster of emotions and revelations.
Filling in the Blanks
Creating the choreography was like piecing together an intricate puzzle. For the most part, the choreography just seemed to flow. The rhythm, the emotion of the song, and the natural instinct to move created a synergy that made it feel like the moves were writing themselves.
However, like any creative process, I hit certain patches where the canvas of my choreography seemed blank. These 4- or 8-count bits seemed to resist the flow of creativity. They were like blanks in a story that refused to be filled.
The Power of Collaboration
As a dancer, you’re never truly alone. The Bachata community is a vibrant, tight-knit family that thrives on collective creativity and mutual support. In my moment of need, I turned to this community for help.
Learning to Ask for Help
Taking the first step to ask for help can be intimidating. You might fear judgment or that your request for assistance will be perceived as a lack of ability. However, I found that in the face of such a challenge, the Bachata community was nothing but supportive and encouraging.
Many of us often forget that dance is a collaborative art form. It’s not just about leading or following, but about creating something beautiful together. By leaning into this collaborative spirit, I was able to break the creative block that had been hindering my choreography.
The Joys and Challenges of Choreographing for Bachata
Choreographing a dance to a song you love can be both a joy and a challenge. It’s a joy because you get to express your love for the song through your movements. However, it’s a challenge because you need to strike a balance between expressing your own interpretation and respecting the song’s rhythm and musicality.
Building a Dance Around a Song
Bachata is a dance that really allows you to connect with the music. This became particularly evident during my choreography process for “Mystery”. The song presented numerous ‘punctuation’ points that were ripe for specific moves. These points became the defining moments in the choreography, around which the rest of the dance was built.
The Art of Transition
One of the biggest challenges in choreography lies in transitions. Transitioning smoothly from one move to another can make or break a dance. During the creation of this choreography, I learned that the key is to keep things simple. Sometimes, the most basic moves can serve as the best connectors, allowing the spotlight to shine on the more complex moves.
Choreography as an Exercise in Creativity
Creating a choreography is also a fun way to challenge your creativity. It allows you to step into the driver’s seat and decide the moves that make up the dance. For me, it was an opportunity to include my favorite moves and work on those that I found challenging. In the end, the choreography became a reflection of my personal dance journey.
In conclusion, creating a Bachata choreography was a rewarding experience that taught me a lot about the art of dance and the power of community. It was a journey filled with challenges, but also one that offered many moments of joy and fulfillment.
