Dancer, choreographer, instructor, or all three?

In this article I will share some key differences to consider between a dancer, choreographer, and dance instructor.

It may be fairly easy for a dancer to understand the differences between the three at first, but when considering distinct differences within each area, more confusion can arise than clarity. Here’s a scenario to shed some light on this:

You’re a dancer and one day you see a music video, stage performance, or flash mob full of people “getting down” when the thought comes to mind “wow, those are some great moves”. The performance was inspiring and gets you excited. So you call your friend who has been asking you to give them lessons for months because they have seen you dance multiple times. The first lesson is set to start in a week. During the lesson you demonstrate a move you’re familiar with but you’re friend needs you to break that movement down. During your explanation you quickly realize that you have no idea what you are talking about or where to start. Your friend picks up on this with a confused look and simply ask, “Do you know what you’re teaching me?” You’re left puzzled as to why they would ask such a question if they consulted you to give them dance lessons. What you may not realize is that you’re a dancer but not a dance instructor.

Though this understanding would ideally benefit the amateur, it actually becomes the “Achilles heel” of many progressing dancers. What’s more unfortunate is that most dancers never really take the time to distinguish differences between a dancer, choreographer, and dance instructor.

Someone may know how to dance a particular style but not know how to teach someone the basics associated with that dance style. In the same way, someone can be a great dancer but not really know how or what to choreograph. Regardless of the situation, knowing how to dance is foundational in order to choreograph or instruct well.

When instructing dance the level of difficulty can be broken into three or four levels: beginner, intermediate, advanced, and in some cases expert. Choreography can incorporate similar levels with the exception of expert. In addition, both provide opportunities to teach people dance moves, take time and energy, and involve interaction with others. If we stop here, the obvious question would be “so what are the differences?”

As you read on I will share some key differences between choreography and dance instruction. This will allow the dancer to have a clearer understanding of how to answer this question. Let’s begin with a general basis for choreography and instruction.

Choreography will typically focus on vision, creativity, prearranged movements, themes, body placement, and sometimes even wardrobe and other theatrical aspects. How difficult it will be for a dancer to execute movements is one of the important factors a choreographer needs to consider when creating and teaching a routine.

Dance instruction focuses on details, concepts, and theories associated with a particular movement’s style. The in-depth explanation of the dance style and movements will be necessary when instructing. The process and time frame is much more extensive and involved when it comes to instructing dance. Having, at the least, a well-rounded grasp of the foundations and basic movements of a particular dance style is one of the most important factors an instructor needs to consider.

Now that we have a good general idea, let’s get into some of those key differences.

Purpose and Result

Choreography will involve demonstrating movements for others to follow exactly as it is demonstrated. The end result of the movements are solely for performance purposes.

Instructing can demonstrate a movement and will be geared towards guiding a student to understand how that movement fits into a particular dance style, rhythm pattern, or type of music. This will not necessarily be for performance purposes even though it can be helpful to provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate what has been learned.

Preparation

Choreographers will spend more time prepping movement demonstration, engaging with musicality, wardrobe, and any other aspects that will bring out the vision that is in mind.

Instructors will focus more on technique, form, the understanding of a concept or theory associated with a dance style and certain movements. Curriculum preparation will be a part of this process as an instructor will need to make sure their pedagogy (method of teaching) is comprehensive for the students being taught. Anticipating questions related to difficulty understanding a concept or theory will need to be accounted for by the instructor prior to teaching.

Teaching Focus

Choreography will involve predetermined movements and vision while leading individuals step by step through a whole dance routine.

Instructing involves helping a student develop their understanding and ability to execute a dance style through a set of movements over time.

Progression

Choreographed movements will build upon each other in a specific way predetermined by a particular song or arrangement of music. The beginning starts with the first movement, then adding the next, and so on. The additions are determined by what happens next in the arrangement of the music or song lyrics. The development of the choreographer’s vision for movements, placement, wardrobe, etc. stems from this.

Instructed dance will build upon certain concepts, theories, and movements that present a particular way of moving to music and songs. The beginning starts with basic movements and concepts, then adding based off of the basic movements and concepts taught. The additions are determined by the student’s ability to understand the concepts and demonstrate certain movements. This is what an instructor’s direction of teaching stems from in the sense of practicality.

Group Size

Choreography can involve small groups or even a singular individual. However, it typically serves larger groups well because the purpose is to demonstrate and walk people through a set of prepared movements and themes. This is based solely on the choreographer(s) vision.

Instructors will be able to invest more time with a smaller group of people than they would a larger group.

As a dance instructor advances they will need to adjust how in depth their explanations and curriculum will go to accommodate students in a larger group. Also, certain workshops and certifications can aide an instructor’s ability to teach as they advance. Supplemental lessons or additional instructors will become necessary when the group size is too large to maintain quality. If another instructor is not available it may benefit the students and the instructor to break the groups up into smaller numbers to maintain quality instruction.

Results

Choreography will demonstrate the vision of a finished routine designed to communicate what a particular song or arrangement of music is conveying according to the choreographer’s interpretation.

Teaching will involve a goal or range to shoot for with progression of each person learning a dance style or set of foundational movements. Sometimes a style contains flexibility to be used with multiple styles of music. An example of this would be Popping. Though this is a funk style of dance, the flexibility permits it to work well with hip hop, pop, rock, and other styles of music. This provides a person with versatility to dance in various environments and functions.

Performance/Demonstration

Choreographers will be concerned more with the results of a dance routine being performed by other dancers, and the choreographer at times as well. What’s taught by a choreographer is performed in some public manner typically.

Instructors will focus more on how to improve the ability someone has to retain information and execute movements or a dance style at various increments. There are times a demonstration of what has been taught is necessary. This will differ when it comes to private lessons. The purpose may be that someone prefers dancing to music in their home while cleaning or they may want to hit the dancefloor at a particular function. Sometimes what is taught by an instructor will not be performed or demonstrated in public by a student.

Level of Patience and Timing

Choreography may involve patience but the purpose is not to teach someone a whole dance style or aspect of a dance style. What’s being taught is based off the choreographer’s grasp on all aspects of that particular routine and song. Because this is the case, a choreographer will typically be able to move through what’s being taught in a quicker fashion than the instructor.

Instructing involves more patience because the amount of time will vary that it takes to help a student progress forward to a goal or result.

Just a Little More Clarity

Now that we’ve reviewed some key differences, here are few points that will help you navigate through whether choreography or dance instruction is for you.

Safety is important for both! If the level of what a movement or dance style involves is too difficult for someone, or will harm a person who lacks proper conditioning of their body….stop before serious injury occurs!

Walking someone through movements does not mean you are a dance instructor. Teaching people a dance style does not mean that you are a choreographer. However, it can be advantageous to choreograph a series of movements to help students understand a concept associated with a dance style.

Choreography may come more natural for a dancer at first because it’s based on demonstrating and following. Teaching will take more time because it involves demonstration, explanation, and guiding each student at a slower pace with more detail. Most importantly a clear and extensive knowledge in the foundational movements that become “building blocks” for advancing in a dance style benefit the student.

You may be able to choreograph and later become good at instructing. You may end up being better at one than the other, or good at both. It is not required for someone to have certification in either category, however, the less experience someone has with a dance style the more research and understanding they will need to have in order to instruct well at particular levels.

Flexibility is important for both. Sometimes a move that is choreographed for a routine may need to be adjusted and possibly changed by the choreographer. This could occur on the spot or over a span of time. The same is true when it comes to instructing dance. Adjustments to instruction may have to occur based off the level of a student’s experience, someone’s ability to retain what’s being taught, personal perspective of their abilities, and age. These are important factors that play a major role in how a dance instructor needs to approach teaching someone to dance.

Remember that every person is different. This may seem small to some people but in reality there are many emotions, thoughts, and physical conditions that can affect how someone progresses through learning in general.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, dancing can be a gift full of joy when an instructor or choreographer stops to focus on more than just what’s taught. There is a connection God has entailed in dancing that brings about many opportunities to invest, encourage, and share; this goes way beyond dancing in that moment. The effects of recognizing and acting on these moments can have great impact when we step back and allow ourselves not to be the center of attention. This takes putting ourselves and dancing aside to begin seeing the bigger picture.

These were several factors that I believe are important to consider, yet, I am sure there are many others. So whether you consider yourself to be a dancer, choreographer, or instructor the factors to consider will vary each time. Now with some clarity, patience, and honest reflection you may be one step closer to having an answer to the question “dancer, choreographer, instructor, or all three?”

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