Benefits of Choreography and Show Choirs
- Jun 30
- 2 min read
When I went to Butler County Community College, I was "bitten" by dance and choreography and to this day I still love it. The director, Valerie Lippoldt-Mack, showed the benefits of Show Choir and her passion to create groups who are able to experience kinesthetics in music and theater. Her work is world-renowned and highly esteemed.
Fast forward 10 years ago when the decision was made to move forward with me teaching lessons full time. Doors opened up beyond imagination, where I was able to perform in various events in the Wichita, Kansas area. That first summer was very tight and so I noticed that many music theater companies were running summer camps. So I decided to do a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Camp, with a play adapted by Richard George, incorporating music and choreography from the Johnny Depp movie and the Broadway Show. We had to "share" multiple character parts (since we didn't have enough), yet we made it work and it was a blast. Ever since then, I've been providing music theater camps, including choreography. I can't afford the Music Theatre International shows, yet I find adaptations for plays and musicals that cost less or have a Show Choir Camp incorporating music and choreography.
The show choir camps provide so many opportunities for the performers, yet the ones that stick with me are cardiovascular activities, understanding how lyrics can create movements/patterns/rhythms and advocating for your cognition.
Cardio:
When dancing, the endorphins begin to create "joy, excitement", changing your mood because of the cardio you're doing. Dancing lifts you out of a dark place, because you're getting the body to move around. You're developing better mobility/balance, muscle tone, improving your mental health, which should make you want to get up and dance.
Movement Patterns:
Understanding how a choreographer creates a routine is based on the genres, lyrics, rhythms the music presents. Each movement is designed to delineate the music and lyrics communicated. It's storytelling with movements.
Cognition:
Our cognition is so important, especially as we "mature and level up in life". You're creating new neurons and paths to the neurons. By repeating patterns, we're able to memorize sequences that create less grey areas in the cranium. Plus it helps in declining aging.
Benefits of choreography adhere to my 3 C's: confidence, creativity and community. There are so many more helpful tips for dancing and doing choreography.
Here is the FB link about the Sister Act Show Choir Camp:
What are you trying that's bigger than yourself in regards to choreography and how has it improved your whole body health? Would like to know. Thanks for your support. Blessings.
Comments