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5, 6, 7, 8 and ...

As some of you know, I'd be starting the Best of Jazz dance workshop series come October 23. One thing I never did realise is the level of positive impact that my workshops have on my students. I'd received emails during the period where I was busy with the President's Star Charity to ask when my workshops would be starting again because my students were getting 'withdrawal symptoms'.

And there I was wondering why... until I received this note from one of my students who'd faithfully followed my workshops from studio to studio...

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Dear Bill,

I remembered how traumatized I was, when I seemed never to get the jazz walk done properly! I told you I’d forgotten how to walk, because I really did freak out, wondering how I could how danced all this while if I didn’t even know how to jazz walk properly…

But you were an absolute angel, constantly encouraging us, reminding us that what we really needed to do was to dance, to feel the music and not analyze too much. You never gave up on any one of us, no matter how awfully we performed that day. I know I have been awful in class, on more occasions than I dare to count!

I felt I only started dancing towards the last 2 weeks before your previous workshop series ended. Finally, I could let myself go, felt the music in my soul and enjoyed myself without worrying if I got my steps right (though I think my timing still sucks!)

I found comfort reading your blog at least once a week – so much inspiration and support from there! You’ve encouraged all of us not just in class but out of it and I have always been proud to be your student.

I have lots more to learn from you and I know you have a lot to teach. Many, many thanks for being such a wonderful teacher (the absolute best!) and I certainly look forward to being in the next Best of Jazz workshop series!

Thanks once again and see you soon.

Lots of love

Closet Dancer

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Dear Closet Dancer and all my Dancing Divas reading this entry...

I look forward to seeing all of you on Tuesday, October 23 at Dance On Us!

Later--

Dancing Through The Value Chain

One of my dance students told my group in jest last week that she thinks that I am secretly trying to build a dance empire. So... to affirm her story, I am pleased to announce that I will be starting Master Dance Workshops in mid-October!

The Master Dance workshops would be a fantastic refresher for advanced-level dancers, performers as well as dance instructors. If you have prior technical background in dance such ballet, jazz, chinese, tap, modern, give the ladies at Dance On Us a tinkle to ascertain if these workshops are suitable for you.

More details below:

Click here for more information or call Tilly from Dance On Us at 6737-4466 if you require more clarification.

See you on the dance floor!

On Biomechanics

The dance, just as the performance of the actor, is kinesthetic art, art of the muscle sense. The awareness of tension and relaxation within his own body, the sense of balance that distinguishes the proud stability of the vertical from the risky adventures of thrusting and falling – these are the tools of the dancer.

Rudolf Arnheim

President's Star Charity

After weeks of hard work, tonight's finally arrived - presenting the President's Star Charity 2007!

Tune in to MediaCorp Channel 5 at 7.30 pm tonight and enjoy an evening of musical extravaganza!

Donations can be pledged from 6 pm this evening until October 6, midnight. Click here for more details

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Post note:

A million thanks for your generous support! For those who enjoyed the programme but didn't get a chance to call in, please note that the lines to pledge your donations to the needy are open till October 6, midnight.

We all play a small part to make this world a better place.

Till The Next Song Plays

I ended the "Best of Jazz" Dance Workshop series on the evening of Mid-Autumn's night. In a way, it's symbolic for it's come one full circle. My greatest joy as a coach is to see my students grow, in mind and in spirit. My soul sings when I see them progress. It's the greatest joy that any instructor can get.

Today, I'm going to share with you a note which another one of my dance students sent me... she's basically asking if we are all born to dance. Here's our exchange.

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Dear Bill,

I've been thinking about this all night and need to get it off my chest because I will otherwise go insane(r). This was prompted by your class last night where I saw how challenged I was in terms of co-ordination.

What I'm wondering after all that is - Are dancers born to dance? I'm thinking some people have that grace and the uncanny knack to just be able to move - fluidly and languidly in such an effortless way whereas others (i.e. me) move like an old puttering station wagon (heavily and in a very slothlike/constipated manner).

Second part to this is, even if we aren't born dancers, can we train ourselves to get better at it or will there always be limits as to how much a person can do (the barrier being the shortcomings in one's natural abilities and talents)?

Sorry I'm analysing this ad nauseum. All of this is leading to a bigger question which plays in my head - are we all born with a purpose and if so, what is mine on this planet?

Musings on a wicked Wednesday...

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To all my dancing divas reading this:

There are no born dancers. We are all born to move...dance.

I have seen -- time and time again -- individuals that momentarily failed at all sorts of performance art to later become supreme in their trade. It is not so much the plumbing of the body as it is the wiring within the head.

You have all progressed from all kinds of awkwardness to that which you achieved in my workshops.

You don't see it because you are blind to your own progress - its like driving in a car and looking out the side window -- at the landscape/horizon -- and having it appear as if you aren't moving. If however, you were gazing, from the horizon, at the speeding car, you would see the progression. You, like others are the car. I am viewing from the horizon.

I have found that it's got to do with one's lack of self-belief that deters them to achieve and to reach greater heights. It really is no different to any other pursuit. Physically, of course there are certain limitations - inherent flexibility for instance. Aside from that though there is little else that cannot be strengthened.

You see, the mind controls a lot of what goes on while dancing. Turns, tempo, retention of choreography, height when jumping, feelings, reaction, forcefulness and the like are all processes of the mind. Unless you are mentally challenged there are few limitations except those that we set upon ourselves. That's why I go on and on about letting go and allowing the music to get inside and stop the inner-analysis - for the more you think, the less you can do. It really is the truth!

It's a bit like how you deal with challenges at work, in daily life, in inter-personal relationships - apply that to the dance floor and you'd be able to draw parallels - its all about how we view ourselves and our abilities.

See you all, on the dance floor soon.

Later--

Moon Festival

I know, I know ... it's called the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Why do all these paper lanterns burn so easily?!
I am not trying to imitate the monkey god.

This is more predictable

This stuff is really too sweet but I was told it is a must-have for mid-autumn.

Staying on Track - Mind, Body & Soul

I tell my dance students when they are dancing progressions across the studio floor to always be mindful of the direction they are traveling; to listen to the music, get the tempo before taking the first stride.

The next thing that I usually reiterate to my students is NEVER to copy the moves of the person next to them - as copying throws a person off his/her natural rhythm. It's similar to losing one individuality when one copies... You'd never develop your own style/ character.

A dancer (versus a non-dancer) in day-to-day life — should strive to focus and dance along their own path and endeavor not to try to emulate the person next to them, not to mention, get caught up with the habits of those around them.

Keeping to your own path and focusing on your goal is essential for maintaining continuity of music and movement - how one gets there, independently, is what adds the color and spice.

Eat like the Romans Do... But Only in Rome

Just munched on a morning meal of Kaya toast and hard boiled eggs. I’m open…I’m adventurous…I’ll give anything a try.

The coffee was too sweet... really don't understand why locals like this stuff.


The toast was… well, not very eventful. As far as toast goes it was a bit thin; sort of like eating a brown soda cracker, only softer. The kaya was good…I guess. Reminded me of the gooey stuff inside a hard-cased jelly bean but, not as chewy.


And the egg…

Well, it was an egg. Not too much to fuss about. However, I was then told that the best way to eat the egg was to squiggle a bit of this black sauce on the thing. And I sitting there wondering why they had soya sauce on the table.

That’s when I kind of lost it. My conventional western wisdom short circuited. You see, in the west we just leave the perfectly yellow-centered, bouncy pristine white outer skin oblong eggie along. We just shake a dash of salt and pepper and put it into our mouths or suck the whole thing in at once. Sloshing this black sauce on seemed a bit…a bit blasphemous. Here, this perfect colored morsel was now drowned and discolored in a muckiness that resembled black crude oil on one's white dungarees.

Buuuuuuuut, it actually didn’t taste too bad (with the black sauce, that is).

Hmm.

Nevertheless, on my trash day I think I’ll stick to my Mickey-Dees, fat, piping hot flap jacks — swimming in butter and oozing maple syrup—side-swiped with overly cooked, much too rubbery scrambled eggs.

Kaya? Just don't do it.

The Art of Learning

Richard Bach implied in his book ‘Illusions’ that those who impart knowledge are teaching what they need to learn most…

Initially I'd thought, ‘What Hogwash!’.

I’d been proven wrong.

In my workshops, stage direction and choreographic assignments I’d often been praised for my patience, non-judgmental approach and kindness when working with amateurs and professionals. This, apparently, is the gift I’ve been bestowed to motivate and improve participants in ways they are unfamiliar with.

However, I’d realized I’m a stick in the mud when it comes to considering partners within my personal life. I’d always been so fussy about whom I associate with and consider some behavior unworthy of my time to pursue and had often sought only those individuals who share my values, morals and observations.

It just dawned on me, whilst lounging in my hammock that I do need to learn most of which I teach…

I have inadvertently become a student of life.

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“Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.”

Chinese Proverb

Far Far Away

Nothing beats chilling out away from the crowd after a frantic week. Presenting food visuals from my new-found secret hideaway.

My first time drinking soursop juice - it's really refreshing!
Claypot Toufu with Seafood...
Hotplate Chicken. This is nothing fantastic but being by the water and the sight of the airplanes descending makes up for the mediocre food.

A Picture Perfect World

I got to talking about teamwork with someone last weekend, that a piece of dance, especially group dance, involves a high level of teamwork, no lesser than track and field, playing football and being part of a uniform group.

A whole dance cast operates like a corporation, where everyone, no matter which level of the hierarchy, plays a part.

As some of you may know, I am actively involved in the upcoming President's Star Charity and I was directing and choreographing an item when an untrained artist approached one of production assistants and exclaimed that she thought one particular portion of the choreographed movement was too small and insignificant for her.

The production assistant gave her feedback to the Assistant Director who in turned notified me about the artist's concern. I however, made the decision to keep that part of the choreography.

Incidents of such nature are apparent off-stage as well. There are so many parallels to life and the dance/ stage arena. You see, this person was only looking at the whole item from a secular standpoint - failing to see how her intricate, no less important, movement affected the overall picture… how she complements her fellow performer’s sometimes larger and more dramatic choreography.

Choreography, is similar to life's blue-print. It is a mosaic of unique and varying degrees of movements, characters, tempos, timings and levels. The seeds of conflict and the breakdown of cooperative achievements and the sanctity of total art immersion are jeopardized when selfish considerations are put before the whole. The choreographer, director or composer sees the synergy of individual characters and manipulates the canvas (stage in this case) to present an engaging tapestry of little things that come together beautifully. We all play a part.

The stage is the frame, the choreography is the landscape and performers are part of the picture. Dance really is moving art.

My parting note: It would be picture-perfect if humanity would consider daily pursuits of social harmony. How picturesque it would be!

Alignment of Sycopation and Allegro

It's interesting how men and women have the ability to dance to the same tune in different beats. Modern day soothsayers sometimes quip that women dance to syncopation beats - read between the (pun intended) lines while us mere mortal men are more in sync with life's allegro tempo.
Men move to a different melody … their beat a bit abrupt
But, stretch them up long enough and they’re bound to limber up
Ps. They just need more time to warm up!

The Past That Makes Now

What is Life Without Good Food?

It's important to eat well and in moderation but also vital to indulge once in a while...

For what is life without good food?

Think Feta is light? Wait till you try the Buffalo cheese.


This pizza is one of the best I'd ever tasted. But then again, I was famished!


Tip: Try tripping the waiter and get more of that cognac spilt into this delicious lava cake that melts in your mouth.

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Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are.
Anthelme Brillat-Savarin (1755 - 1826)
The Physiology of Taste, 1825

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Check these guys out at:-
La Braceria
70 Greenleaf Road
Ban Guan Park
Singapore 279356
Tel: (65) 6465 5918

The Art of Silence

There's something to be said about saying nothing

Do away with internal debating

Just listen to the melody

And let that move your body

On Tango and Dancing Solo

There's always a dance-related anecdote for every situation.

All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players (dancers):
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays (dances) many parts,
His acts being seven ages.

- adapted from William Shakespeare's As You Like It

I was having a conversation with someone who's going through a difficult divorce. Here's my take on separation:-

Dance thru separation
Regain your balance of what was lost
All's not gone
For though the pas de deux may have ended
You can still dance the solo unbonded

On Chaos and Creativity

You need chaos in your soul to give birth to a dancing star.

Friedrich Nietzsche

It's a Matter of Choice

We all have the same limbs

We can all dance

It is just that a true dancer makes the choice to dance

Vis-à-vis those who decide that they can’t

I Hope You Dance

As some of you already know, I started my Jazz dance workshop series last month and over the course of the last few weeks, I'd received emails from my students - the initial ones were most often moans and groans about how difficult it was but in recent weeks, I have seen a paradigm shift in mindset. One particular email from a dance student touched me so much that I felt the need to share her growth and perspectives:-

Class on Saturday was great eventhough it completely wiped me out. There are aches now in places where I didn't know I could even ache.

After class though, I was grinning for a while when I realized though that dance class is exactly what you say its about. Its not just about learning the godforsaken steps. Its about challenging yourself and your perspectives and perceptions about who you are. Throughout the beginning of class on Saturday, I was thinking "Jesus, there's a reason why I'm the person paying for the tickets instead of performing onstage. This dancing stuff is hard sh_t!".

At the end of class though, I started to think that we are only who we think we can be and that we choose to either stifle ourselves or let go. So what if I'm not prima ballerina material. I just have to be brave enough to try. I may fall over and laugh at myself. I think I can cope with the odd bruise. What's more important is that I don't lose anything when I try. Instead, I may find another side to myself-determination and spirit. Seems like a fair trade off.

Wanted to share that with the teacher himself, Yoda. Thanks for bringing that burst of sunshine to us on Saturdays.

I now need to get me some Tylenol

- Dance Novice


This really, is music to my ears. For dancing really is not just about movement of the body, it is about engaging your mind and soul. Dance Novice. I am very proud of you!