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Monday, May 18, 2015

Mmmm Monday Anticipation


Mmmm Monday Anticipation

As we progress toward the end of another school year, students (and teachers) are anticipating summer vacation. The word “anticipate” means “regard as probably; expect or predict”.  Also: “to expect or look ahead to (something) with pleasure : to look forward to (something)”, as in summer break.

I started thinking about anticipation and how dancers can use anticipation to help their technique. They must anticipate changes in musical tempo and adjust their steps to stay with the music; they must anticipate their spatial needs and always allow enough free space for everyone to move and not crash. And, in every combination of steps, the ending of one step is the preparation for the next so this transition must be anticipated in order to create a good flow of movement.

Anticipation involves mentally preparing for a rehearsal or a performance, too. Dancers often have to fill in for a dancer who is suddenly injured or ill, and anticipating this possibility will help one “step up to the plate”.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:

Secret #23g:  
“ Being able to anticipate is a good tool for dancers.”

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Quote of the Day:
“If you come at four in the afternoon, I'll begin to be happy by three.”
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

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