Polished Performances: My Dance Cleaning Philosophy

Cleaning dances is an essential part of my approach as a choreographer and dance coach. It's an art that requires patience, precision, and a meticulous eye for detail. My method of cleaning dances, which I learned from one of my dance teachers, has been shaped and refined over the years, and it continues to be the foundation of my teaching. This method has not only proven effective in achieving visually stunning performances but is also backed by scientific principles on the importance of repetition for memory retention.

Learning from the Best

My approach to cleaning dances stems from the practices of a remarkable teacher who had extensive experience on a high school pom team and as a pom coach. Her method was simple yet profoundly effective: focus on small sections of the routine, usually an eight count or two, and work on them intensively until satisfactory. Each step, level, finger, and arm placement was scrutinized and corrected until perfect. She repeated the exact count or word the moves were on, ingraining them into our muscle memory through sheer repetition.

The Science of Repetition

Repetition is a powerful tool for learning and memory. According to research, repetition helps to strengthen the neural pathways associated with the practiced activity, making the movements more automatic and precise over time. Studies have shown that repeated practice not only improves performance but also helps with the retention of skills and information (Ericsson, Krampe, & Tesch-Römer, 1993). This principle is known as "deliberate practice," and it emphasizes the importance of focused, repetitive practice for achieving high levels of performance. You've heard that practice makes perfect, but Vince Lombardi corrected, “Practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.”

Applying the Method

My teacher’s method involved breaking down each movement and repeating it slowly multiple times before adding music. This ensured that every dancer was in sync, levels were precise, and musicality was perfect. Only when she felt confident that we had mastered the section did we move on to the next part of the routine. This meticulous approach ensured that our dances were clean and precise, which played a significant role in our success at various dance competitions. Despite not being the most technically advanced dancers, we often took home first place because our routines were clean enough to appreciate the craftsmanship behind them.

My Own Experience

When I became a coach at a new studio, I adopted the same cleaning method. I focused on small sections, broke down each step, and emphasized repetition. This method received numerous compliments from parents and fellow instructors who noticed how clean my dances were. The studio owner was particularly impressed by my meticulous and particular cleaning process. This led to being asked to clean other routines that required additional help. This validation reinforced my belief in the effectiveness of this method. I was able to take novice to beginning-level dances and elevate them into award-winning routines simply because I invested time into detail.

Conclusion

The success of my cleaning approach lies in its focus on repetition and detail. By breaking down movements and practicing them repeatedly, dancers can achieve a level of precision and synchronicity that sets their performances apart. The scientific backing on the importance of repetition for memory and skill retention further supports this method. As a coach and choreographer, I continue to use this approach to create polished, award-winning performances that highlight the artistry and skill of each dancer.

References

Ericsson, K. A., Krampe, R. T., & Tesch-Römer, C. (1993). The role of deliberate practice in the acquisition of expert performance. Psychological Review, 100(3), 363-406.