Many people define the different forms of art as what they make it to be. However in the dance industry, many unknowingly (or knowingly) misappropriate certain moves and techniques.
By: Joy Tan, Chan Yihan, Woon Yeeshin
RELAX, STRETCH: Before every training session, it is needful for dancers to undergo physical training to condition their muscles for the days’ choreography training. Photo: Chan Yihan.
“I am not surprised if people do not know what dancers are doing, and the incorrect categorisation they place our steps under, simply just by observing what we do without knowing the correct terms and meaning behind each move,” said Mr Muhammad Zaihar, 31.
Art, in general, is not something easily appreciated and understood by the masses, let alone engaging in a form of it. However, in recent days, more and more teenagers as young as 16 are seen immersing themselves in the cultural aspects of art. Although some may disagree that one can gain insights from a form of art such as dance.
Slowly gaining recognition and appreciation, particularly in Singapore, the government has been funding more organizations and supporting their causes. In 2018, The National Arts Council released an SG Arts Plan, championing the creation and appreciation of the arts until 2022, with hopes of inspiring and empowering Singaporeans to appreciate and present art in its natural form.
Schools have also shown support for such causes and have opened up different platforms where students can unleash their potential and engage in what they like. Schools are now seen to have interest groups where it does not only cover one area of dance but many. Such as having different cultural and genres of dance.
LET ME TEACH YOU THE CORRECT METHOD: @Realcrazyhype, a Jamaican dancehaller in Singapore for the Bashment Peoples party, helping to raise more awareness about the roots of dancehall dance. PHOTO: @islandboyscollective/instagram
However, like Mr Zaihar, 31, and many in the arts scene, has seen and been in situations whereby they have misappropriated their respective form of art. And in this case, the art, is dance.
Dance misappropriation is common. And unbeknownst to many, they may be unaware that the passing comments they make is a form a misrepresentation. “Back then, I did not know what I was doing. To me, it was breakdancing. But in fact, it was called lyrical hip hop, now known as urban dance,” recalled Mr Zaihar, currently an O School dance instructor.
To prevent more of such situations from happening, Mr Zaihar believes that for dance instructors, there are some good habits that can be adopted to prevent wrong teachings.
“As a teacher, you have to make sure you do ample homework and research before classes, and teach the correct dance methodology,” he added. As instructors, he also believes that they have the responsibility and authority to correct students or members of the public in situations where they encounter a misrepresentation of dance.
Zaihar and his team also took part in competitions and clinched first place at the world supremacy battlegrounds (WSB) Singapore and winning their chance to compete in WSB Australia. WSB is the biggest and most prestigious international street dance competition in the Southern Hemisphere.
BETTER TOGETHER: Zaihar and his crew, FAKYU beyond nutz after clinching first place at the world supremacy battlegrounds, WSB Singapore 2018. PHOTO: @zaihar/Instagram
However, even with proper guidance and mentoring, students may still find themselves falling into the trap of misappropriating dance moves, especially in newer genres of dance.
“I have seen many people using the hand gun action in a dancehall dance move. But these dancers do not know that in Jamaica, it represents gun violence. Not cool,” said Syamir Zakaria, 23, a dance student and instructor who teaches dancehall dance – a culture-based dance originating from Jamaica from the 1970s, is one such example.
LETS DO IT AGAIN: @Realcrazyhype teaching different dancehall techniques at the bashment peoples party in Singapore. PHOTO: @islandboyscollective
After falling in love with the music and its rhythm used in dancehall dance, Syamir realised that more than the music, was the deeply rooted cultural aspect and history of the dance moves that he needs to know, in order to fully comprehend this genre of dance.
To prevent himself from making any more mistakes, Syamir took out pockets of his personal time on top of routine dance classes to go for additional classes to learn the correct way of dancehall dance from instructors at dance institutions.
“When I first started out doing dancehall dance, I did the moves using my own logic, thinking they were right. But after I joined classes was when I realise that whatever I have been doing was wrong, and corrected myself,” recalled Syamir.
WE CAME TO SLAY: Syamir and his crew, Slay empire after competing in the World Supremecy Battlegrounds singapore 2018. PHOTO: @syamirzakaria/instagram
He began to educate himself by reading more, and watching tutorials of professional dancehall dancers, and believes that sharing of knowledge and information with fellow dancers will help educate each other to prevent future mistakes. Now, Syamir is the leader of dance group, Slay Empire since 2014. He aims to bring dancers closer together, to improve and learn from each other.
Putting aside these potential setbacks dancers may face, many still find joy, and an ever-increasing passion as they continue to embark on their personal dance journey.
LET ME SEE WHAT YOU’VE GOT: Era Emelia, 19 showcasing some dancehall techniques at the bashment peoples party. PHOTO: @S4ssyr4spberry/instagram
From a tender age of 13, Era Emelia found passion in dance after taking part in her secondary school's traditional Malay Dance as a co-curricular activity (CCA). Thereafter, she moved around different genres of dance and found herself with a vested interest in hip-hop and dancehall dance.
Now, 19, Era is seen spending most of her free time training, choreographing and taking part in competitions. Though she had her fair share of faults and being corrected for performing wrong dance techniques, she began to realise that it was important to know and understand the correct intentions of each move.
ALL IN THIS TOGETHER: Before gracing the stage again at the Super24 Asean finals 2018, dancers usually undergo a pep talk. PHOTO: @geronwasabi/instagram
This spirit of excellence has spurred her on to wanting to learn more than she can, and trying out different dance genres, taking part in competitions and even winning awards on a national level.
Despite being a student, Era has taught in dance classes and choreographed moves. But even as she is both learning and teaching, a mistake she finds herself making is not bringing up mistakes she spots during lessons.
“I should have given them a disclaimer that some steps are not meant for males, and vice versa. But I was unsure of what I should do then, and it was something I told myself never to go through again,” said Era, who has since learnt from it and finds herself and advocate of spreading the correct knowledge about dance and what it entails.
BREAK A LEG: B-boys at the Cypher session during Urban Ventures Street Party 11, 2018, a street party encouraging people of all ages to indulge in local Art, Music, and Culture. PHOTO: @islandboyscollective/instagram
Learning how to dance is equally as easy as preventing it from being misappropriated. And the keyword is practice. Aspiring dancers should learn from experts and involve themselves in practice sessions with dancers more senior in the field and learn from one another. With more and more dance schools opening lessons at different times of the day, it is now easier for people of different professions to find a time that best fits their schedule.
ALL FOR ONE, ONE FOR ALL: Divoky competing in Super24 2018 preliminary rounds, held at Tampines hub. P: @rpprods/instagram
Knowledge is free and now easily attainable at one’s fingertips, especially with the advancement of digital media and social media trends. Dancers upload covers on YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, making information more accessible than ever for audiences to learn from.
But many would pay for good instructors, especially when they fly down to Singapore from overseas. “It takes money and a little investment to learn the right moves from the experience. Not to look cool and seek for compliments, but one’s love for culture and dance,” said Syamir. At O School Singapore, dance classes start from $14 (per class).
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: Dancers put in long hours practicing for upcoming events with their team, perfecting every move and every turn. PHOTO: CHAN YIHAN.
“Afterall, dance in general is about spreading good messages and positivity. Nobody should be afraid to venture into different genres with the correct intentions. Trainers are always willing to teach, and sometimes at no cost,” concluded Syamir.
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