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It's Not All Razzle Dazzle . . . The young girls in my beginning ballet class giggle when I remind them that ballet dancers are not "instant." You cannot add hot water and make an instant ballerina. It takes years of concentrated study. Watching a strong dancer like Fred Astaire or Mikhail Baryshnikov with wonder we often forget that their ease of movement follows years of technical training that began when they were children. Arts require focused study over a period of time to be absorbed, appreciated and understood regardless if the student becomes a professional. If art is to be integral to children's daily lives it has to be more than dance steps and routines, imitating grown-up arts and crafts. Children who experience expressive arts learn that the cultural values inherent in our nation and around the world reflect who we are and what we believe represents art in our time. Arts today are different from the arts in a previous era. Arts are us. They are our culture, formed from our surrounding environment to our inner most feelings. Choices we make daily about what we wear, the music we choose to hear, the words we use to express ourselves and how we move are all representative of our culture. When the arts disappear, there is no culture. There is a lack of civility as well. Without civility there is a lack of respect for others. Caring about no one beyond yourself also means you care very little for yourself. In expressive arts, children learn to value themselves so that they may value others. They learn to appreciate similarities between our culture and the culture of other nations, people and historical eras. They begin to value differences as they share creative ideas. These concepts are learned as we create art, not just by watching others. Concepts that are important to our society, to our children as well as ourselves, to our country and to the future of our world. So while we all enjoy the razzle dazzle that dance offers us in entertainment, be aware of dance's long lasting benefits. Don't fall for the glitter, go for the gold! (This short article was written Elsa Posey, R.D.E. and appeared in "Attitudes" a newsletter published for students, parents and friends at Posey School in Northport, N.Y.) | ||||||
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