Dance On! : Dancing Through Life

Burridge and Svendler Nielsen bring together many perspectives from around the world on dancing experiences through life of senior artists and educators, whether as professionals working with community dance groups, in education or for recreation and well-being. Broadening our understanding of the burgeoning sector of maturing dances and dancers, this book incorporates a range of theoretical approaches with an emphasis on cultural and experiential dimensions. It includes examples of how artists, community practitioners, teachers, policy makers and academics work to better understand, promote and create new ways of thinking and working in the field of dance performance, education and well-being. Each section of the book includes a mixture of chapters based on research and case narratives focusing on practitioners’ experience, as well as conversations between world-renowned mature dance artists and choreographers. It features an eclectic mix of lived experiences, wisdom, deep knowledge and reflection. The book is a valuable resource for students of performing arts, pedagogy, choreography, community dance practice, social and cultural studies, aesthetics, interdisciplinary arts, dance therapy and more. Artists working across generations and in communities can also find useful inspiration for their continued dance practice. Cover Endorsements Half Title Title Copyright Table of Contents Acknowledgements Author biographies List of figures Introduction SECTION 1 Conversations 1.1 A conversation about junctions, milestones and thresholds 1.2 A life travelling in dance 1.3 Dancing is shape-shifting 1.4 A conversation about life in dance: A crossing of two paths 1.5 The love and kindness of teachers: Reflecting on working with senior Javanese masters 1.6 A life in dance: Collaborating and working together 1.7 The joy of life experience in contemporary dance 1.8 A sense of place and creating together SECTION 2 Professional dance practice 2.1 Too old to dance! Says who?: Senior professional dancers defying ageism 2.2 Creating in the liminal space: Connecting pathways of embodied experience 2.3 ‘Open Culture’ as practised by three Singaporean dance pioneers 2.4 (K)not in dance: Bodies and dancing as states of becoming 2.5 Dance is “who you are; it’s who you are known as" 2.6 A full and creative life SECTION 3 Community dance practice and performance 3.1 An idea, a passion, a shot of tequila and a whole lot of love 3.2 Still ripening: Evolving a dance practice through reflection 3.3 From viral hit to vital troupe: The “dancing grannies” of Angthong and their revival of Lakhon Chatri during a pandemic 3.4 Fine Lines: A dance collective of mature artists – the story so far 3.5 Dance matters: Crows Feet Dance Collective SECTION 4 Pedagogy and recreational dance practice 4.1 Becoming an affirmative community: Mature dancers’ experiences in an age-aware contemporary dance class 4.2 From the stage to the next stage: Transitioning from a learner to a teacher – Amala Shankar’s journey 4.3 Learning in creative dance: Adults and children share the space 4.4 Managing expectations: Teaching mature dancers in lutrawita/Tasmania 4.5 Traditional apprenticeship in contemporary times: Lim Fei Shen SECTION 5 Dance therapy and well-being 5.1 An examination of the facilitation of dance practice for older adults: A focus group discussion between practitioners working in community settings across New Zealand, Australia and England 5.2 The happiest hour in the week: Memory Dance and Dance Movement Therapy for elderly people living with dementia 5.3 Feeling the touch: Integrating sensations into dance activities for the elderly with dementia 5.4 Everyday Waltzes for Active Ageing: A creative intervention for seniors and training programme for eldercare staff 5.5 WINGSPAN: A seated dance performance Index "Burridge and Svendler Nielsen bring together many perspectives from around the world on dancing experiences through life of senior artists and educators, whether as professionals working with community dance groups, in education or for recreation and well-being. Broadening our understanding of the burgeoning sector of maturing dances and dancers, this book incorporates a range of theoretical approaches with an emphasis on cultural and experiential dimensions. It includes examples of how artists, community practitioners, teachers, policy makers and academics work to better understand, promote and create new ways of thinking and working in the field of dance performance, education and well-being. Each section of the book includes a mixture of chapters based on research and case narratives focusing on practitioners' experience, as well as conversations between world-renowned mature dance artists and choreographers. The book features an eclectic mix of lived experiences, wisdom, deep knowledge and reflection. A valuable resource for students of performing arts, pedagogy, choreography, community dance practice, social and cultural studies, aesthetics, inter-disciplinary arts, dance therapy and more. Artists working across generations and in communities can also find useful inspiration for their continued dance practice"-- Provided by publisher