Dance Education as a Personal Journey

• In Event: Millennium Hotel Roundtable Session 8
  In Roundtable Session: Arts Education and Identity

Abstract

This research investigates how participation in a high school dance program can foster a student’s dance identity. Through critical arts based inquiry with students, in relationship with my own story of apartheid as a dance teacher and choreographer, this study analyzes dance experiences when exploring movement phrases, learning choreography, and creating and performing dance work. I conducted 2-3 semi-structured interviews with 10 graduates of my dance program over a span of five years to investigate the impact of a high school dance program on student efficacy. The arts based methodology of create, rehearse, perform, and reflect is a choreographic process used to guide students in finding their own movement and voice, as components of their own personal dance journeys.

Author

• Desiree O Cremer, Aiea High School