What Is Artistry?

In dancing, artistry can be described in many ways.  It is the opinion of the author that artistry is the capability and willingness to express oneself in an open and honest way without dependence on others for validation of any kind.

This is, of course, easier said than done.  However, once the technique of dance is acquired, and even before then to some degree, artistry and its development should be an important focus, as it is the most essential element any individual dancer will ever possess.  Interestingly, it is also the one element each dancer comes equipped with from the beginning, and, in my opinion, cannot be taught, but only developed.

Artistic expression in dance should always be encouraged and never invalidated if at all possible.  Strange and weird movements may present themselves in the course of a dancer’s development; this is normal and part of a process, which, if interrupted, will cause the dancer’s forward development to become unnaturally influenced or stop altogether.   Once a dancer has had his or her natural expression invalidated, it can be very difficult to bring it back.

The biggest mistake past dance educators have made regarding artistry has been to mistake a strange movement or weird expression for an end product when really it was only part of an important process of development for the dancer.  Each individual is capable of deciding for themselves whether or not the expression or movement was “good”.  It is not, nor ever has it been, a teacher’s right to decide the correctness of a dancer’s artistry, but only his technical execution.

For dancers, keep in mind that the way that you dance, above and beyond technique, is yours and yours alone.  Seek to develop this in a way that is completely yours.  Watch other dancing, not to compare but for creative ideas.  Find your own path when it comes to arm movement, musical interpretation, facial expression and choreography.  Start this early, even before you are completely technically developed.  Choose music you love and that inspires you.  Find your own philosophy in dance when you are ready.  Trust yourself and follow your process of learning and expression all the way to the end.  Only then will you be complete.