![]() ![]() It is a combination of intricate, highly technical, and pedestrian/naturalistic moves. Lyrical dance is expressive, subtle and dynamic, expressing emotions through movement. Lyrical dance gained its name not because the lyrics of a song are indeed sometimes highlighted over the rhythm, but because of the meaning of the word lyrical: having a poetic, expressive quality musical characterized by or expressing spontaneous, direct feeling expressing deep personal emotions or observation highly rhapsodic or enthusiastic. Choreography is often emotional, gripping, and exquisitely delicate, all at the same time. (To a much lesser degree, punk and swing styles have also been a minor influence.) It is mainly performed to music with lyrics, and the song's lyrics are a driving force and key inspiration for the movement. Lyrical dance has a relatively recent history and a genesis based on the coming together of ballet with rock/folk/pop/alternative music and a variety of jazz dance styles and modern dance. ![]() It portrays certain emotions such as love, and tells a story through every movement made. Lyrical jazz is a very passionate and emotional dance style. A lyrical dancer's movements attempt to show the meaning of the music. Lyrical dance challenges choreographers and dancers to use motion to interpret music and express emotion. That might mean picking a song that speaks to you, and not just to the score sheet.Lyrical dance is a fusion of ballet and jazz dance techniques. Henehan agrees: “Winning is nice, but it’s important for teachers to keep satisfying their own artistry. “I know I wouldn’t be able to do my best work for a song that doesn’t inspire me 100 percent, and hopefully I’ve earned the trust of my dancers to allow me to make those decisions,” Oscher Burnette says. ![]() So, the best advice is to go with your gut. Stay True to YouUltimately, competitions are subjective, and one judge may love a song selection just as much as the next dislikes it. I love when dance teachers truly let kids be kids onstage.” “I wonder if younger dancers have really gone through enough to embody the emotions behind certain songs,” says Henehan. Consider emotional appropriateness, as well. “Instead of giving corrections and feedback, we’re wondering whether an expletive is going to be bleeped out,” Henehan says. There’s nothing worse than a judging panel cringing at a song they find inappropriate. “I emailed their parents the song and instructed the kids to listen to it until they know it inside out.” “Our juniors are dancing to a contemporary song that’s counted in sixes,” Larkin explains. ![]() That said, if you’re set on a song that’s especially complex, spend extra time honing your dancers’ musicality. “For me, a group number has to build in excitement and have an arc from start to finish,” she says. When it comes to ensembles, however, she opts for high-energy tunes. “You never want a song that’s more powerful or dynamic than the movement,” says Oscher Burnette. “It’s really hard to watch a recreational group and not compare them to the professional company or show that’s associated with that song,” Henehan says.Įven the most wildly creative song will fall flat if it’s not well suited to your dancers. “It’s fun for the audience to get excited by the song, but then see it embodied in a completely different way.” And think twice before choosing songs that gained traction on professional stages or TV. “I’m using Missy Elliott’s ‘Get Ur Freak On’ for a weird and creepy contemporary piece,” says Oscher Burnette. Try using a remix or an instrumental version of a popular song, or adding an unexpected choreographic spin. Maggie Larkin, competition team director at Studio Bleu in Ashburn, Virginia, agrees. “One of my teachers heard a song she loved, but it was clearly overused,” says Larkin, “so she created a Spotify station to find similar but more under-the-radar options.” While other studios’ numbers are a major source of inspiration for Tiffany Oscher Burnette, who leads the competition team at Brandon School of Dance Arts in Seffner and Tampa, Florida, with her mother, Teresa Oscher, she says they look for something unique. “When teachers all look for music in the same places, it creates this cycle for us judges, hearing the same songs in every city,” Henehan says. Photo by Tori Wegner, courtesy Oscher Burnette. Tiffany Oscher Burnette looks for unique music that stands out. ![]()
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