Journal Entry #1 Looking at World Dance Please answer the following?

1.      In this reading it states “Why and for what purpose do we dance?”  List several reasons you dance and what the purpose is for that.  Use complete sentences and depth in explanation.

In the beginning, growing up in South Korea, I unconsciously developed the love of Folk dance through culture. I learned to dance because I was with happy people and in a good environment. Later on in life, I was more moved by music and learned to express my emotions. I participated in studio and dance schools. I have been teaching because I want to share what I have learned to embrace; therefore, I am studying further to dance better, inspire, and teach others.

New ways of thinking, creating new moves, and teaching all bring joy to me. Watching students become enlightened by the discovery of their potential is always rewarding.

 

2.      The subject comes up about political influences in dance.  Do you see political influence in the USA dance culture today?  How do you see it?  Or explain if you don’t see it.

The United States is a pool of diversity. USA dance has evolved and mingled with everything from native Indian dance to Hip hop, etc. The movements and expressions have changed drastically as the lifestyle and influences from all areas of life. Such as religious, agricultural, social, recreational, artistic, political movements, etc. It will continue to change.

3.      Name three ways you have seen dance transform a community setting and/or personal setting.  Explain the setting, occasion, your part as a participant or not.  Relate it to the article reading.  You may reference and quote the article as long as you reference the page, paragraph number, and sentence in the paragraph.

 

1.    Korean:

The dance settings were more of pleasing to the Kings, masters, entertainment, agricultural, futility, funeral, celebration, spiritual, condemning, cursing, children playing, and business, etc. Today, a variety of modern dances are being created, while struggling to preserve the traditional form and styles, and purposes. Therefore, the dance is practice without the same kinds of settings and occasions. For example, the court dance is no longer practiced since the Royal kingdom does not exist. However, Koreans have a ceremonial dance at the old palace. (P. 95 para.1).

2.      Polynesian: Traditional Hawaiian dance has also changed as the King and Queen are no longer in existence. Instead, while tourist style dances are demonstrated, the Kumu Hula (teacher) are in desperate search of younger dancers who can carry on the traditional dances. In Hawaii, there are several dance competitions. In St. George, we have several groups of Polynesian dancers who are teaching and learning. I belong to a traditional dance group, most of whom are Kumu from different Islands of Hawaii, Tonga, Samoa, Tahiti. Our setting is simply to carry out traditional style having fun as the old Hawaiian local people did to enjoy each other (reason to get together) and sometimes to entertain others with master artist, I can see the different styles of Hawaiian dance are practice locally. Some are very pleasing and some are displeasing to the souls of many traditional dancers. When I invited Jenny to Kumu Anela, she said, “I love to come to DSU and teach”.

  VS

3.      USA: As the years went by, dances in USA have changed and continues to changing from Native American dances to Jazz, Swing, Modern, Ballroom, Disco, Street dance, Free dance, Electric, Hip pop, etc. African American, Asian, European, Middle eastern, and fusion, etc. Settings and occasions are more independently practice, school and studio settings and has entertainment value than the ceremonials. As practice in the past. (P. 92, first paragraph).

4.      What is your definition of ‘World Dance’?  We all have similar mind and body, but with cultural difference and philosophies we move drastically different in dance.