As someone with a passion for all things creative, Kate Kuper has blended her multi-arts interests, love of dance and teaching skill in working with children and adults. Choreography is the art of making dances. Dance training does not necessarily emphasize the choreographic side of the art form. Creative Dance, however, highlights this dimension. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.
What is Creative Movement and Dance?
Creative movement and dance is all about mind and body working together.
With emphasis on the word “creative,” the focus is on physical
and creative expression, whole body movement demonstrating musicality and
coordination, and awareness of dance making and dance appreciation. Moving
with other people is also a social experience, a form of non-verbal communication
that promotes positive, appropriate interaction. Dance requires focus, concentration,
and the ability to make transitions from one activity to another, one place
to another, and one grouping to another. Children learn to listen, watch,
and understand through all the senses as they respond to instructions, sound
cues and modeling. Movement requires self-control. Creative movement involves
reflection and self-direction. Creative dance is imaginative. To make a dance,
one problem solves within a structure, expands upon ideas, sets and breaks
rules as the process unfolds, explores and takes risks. Within a group, this
involves sharing and sorting, selecting and organizing ideas. All of these
skills are profoundly important for learning and social adjustment.
Why is Creative Movement and Dance Important in the Education of
a Child?
We are experiential learners. When we do, we understand.
When we interact, we improve our social skills. When we learn to think on
our feet, we are empowered.
Creative dance provide students with the chance to use all the senses in combination with thinking skills. Exploring and problem-solving teach that there isn’t just one “right” way to get to an answer, nor is there only one “right” answer.
Through creative movement, students learn to take risks and express themselves appropriately. They also learn the value of cooperation over competition as they journey towards discovering their personal best in action and performance.
Creative movement and dance represents the education of the whole child, in the deepest sense, for it utilizes every aspect of learning and touches every kind of learner.
Are there local classes in Creative Dance?
We offer classes at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for children ages 4 - 10. The 10-week Fall semester begins the first Saturday after Labor Day. Classes for 4-5 year olds meet from 9-9:45 a.m. 6-7 and 8-10 meet from 10-11. Spring classes meet as two seven-week sessions, beginning the last week of January. If you'd like to be contacted for classes let me know.
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