Many can see George Balanchine influence the
Hippo ballet in Fantasia. But let’s face it whoever did it was joking. People have different shapes, sizes. It would be wrong from an aesthetic point of view for everyone to be doing the same steps.
I noticed that closed step competitions have inspired everyone to try and get the same body type. This society is being plagued
by conformity. If your joints hurt don’t jump or hop work with the smoother moves. Men don’t do steps that make
you lose your balance; spins may not work for you. Be creative splits only add flair if you don’t tear your groin muscle.
Necessity is the mother of dance. If the man is disproportionately taller than the woman it looks silly for him to rise up
on his toes during a Viennese waltz. Lennon once wrote, “ soldiers vote
with their feet.” Dancers Show feeling with their feet. I’m not just suggesting Dance improvisation but new step
creation. If you feel like making a weird move try it. If you like it? Work it
into your routine. Who knows maybe in 50 years dancers will be doing your move in a Close syllabus contests.
