When selecting music, teachers and choreographers have to find something that complements and enhances the work. Music and dance should correspond perfectly. As Balanchine most famously said, "Dance is music made visible." And, "See the music; hear the dance." An added challenge for teachers in class, however, is picking the right tracks that will keep kids focused and engaged.
Here are 10 teachers on how they approach the, at times, arduous process of choosing music.
Gregg Russell, Tap
An Emmy-nominated choreographer, Russell always tells teachers, "If you're not enjoying the music, you're not going to enjoy the class." Photo courtesy of Russell
"I'll teach a combo to a current song, but then I'll do the same combo to a jazz song," says Russell. For the most part, this works. "And it inspires kids to open their minds to hearing new sounds, as opposed to the same five songs on the radio that everyone else is using."
