Betsy & Stefanie
We visited a dance studio in Albany Park called Le Ballet Petit School of Dance. We interviewed Stefanie’s old jazz instructor, Katie Byrd. Katie has been dancing at Le Ballet Petit since she was little girl, dancing many different forms of dance. Since being a student, Katie has been a teacher for 12 years, teaching jazz, hiphop, contemporary and tap. She talked about her relationship with the jazz form of dance and what sparked her passion for this particular form, opposed to other similar forms like contemporary or tap. We discussed and posed questions about gender roles in the jazz form of dance, which Katie points out are actually very equal in this particular form, letting both genders learn the same technique and dance moves with the same amount of difficulty. Katie also talked about the differences between jazz funk and the history and evolution of the dance form, as well as personal experiences. We were also lucky enough to manage to get Stefanie and Katie onto the dance floor to show off some of their favorite moves!
Kayla & Greg
We interviewed Nia Odum, she is a Columbia college student majoring in dance. Nia has been dancing jazz since she was five-years-old. In her hometown, she danced many forms, but she loves to perform jazz dance. Nina Wheeler was one of Nia’s dance instructors growing up in North Carolina. Since being a big influence to Nia, she has taught jazz, tap, and many different forms of dances. She talked about how she influenced her to start dancing at a young age. Nia eventually grew up as a jazz dancer also in other forms. Nia said “Dance will always be my passion’, including jazz dance. We talked about how cultural appropriation does exist in jazz dance because it doesn’t get the credit that it deserves as in where it came from and how it was used back then as a tradition and celebration as today it’s not used a form of appreciation. She talks about how the culture isn’t held back but it has this label as being more commercial than what it used to be. Jazz dance today is more a show off dance rather than being organic and creative dance. We had a laughs and serious moments about the history of jazz dance!
Krystal
Being that I was out of state last week my interview was conducted over the phone and consisted of a conversation a little over three minutes. Below are the transcripts. I had the pleasure of speaking with a good friend of mine Michael Settles who has trained professionally at the Richmond Ballet in the forms of Jazz, Ballet, and Hip Hop. Michael started his dance career at a very young age and has garnered both local and national acclaim for his performance work. Though his work portfolio is relatively small in the area of Jazz dance, he has trained and studied in the form for a little under nine years and is very knowledgeable of its history and transformation. Interviewing him was a very fun and exciting experience. Here's what he had to say:
Myself: what is our relationship to the form/ how long have you been practicing jazz dance?
what is your view on the amount of appropriation that has happened over the course of the history of the form?
Mr. Settles: Jazz dance is one of many forms of dance that I have studied for a little under nine years. I received formal teachings at a young age and though not as active now, I am still very keen and involved in the world of jazz dance. In regards to dance in general, I have performed choreographed works live and televised, both locally and nationally.
Myself: what is your view on the amount of appropriation that has happened over the course of the history of the form?
Mr. Settles: Jazz dance, such a distinctive and idiosyncratic art form, has only progressed and diversified through appropriation. In my eyes, appropriation is what generated the proliferation of those interested in the dance, furthermore refining the culture.
Myself: do you have a stronger relationship to more traditional forms of jazz like swing, or do you have a stronger relationship to more modern forms like modern jazz or theatrical?
Mr. Settles: I lean more towards the more contemporary and modernized forms of jazz dance, but a well rounded dancer is one who has a deep understanding and appreciation for the roots of the style of dance that they practice.
Myself: can you tell me about your knowledge of the history of the form?
Mr. Settles: Jazz dance would be nothing without jazz music, the spark of creativity in all forms of art during the Renaissance also plays a major role in the development and emerging of Jazz dance. Several noted choreographers helped establish and revolutionize the original forms of jazz dance like tap and swing, which spread like wildfire.
Myself: jazz dance arose from the black communities response to economic and social struggle. Do you think those themes ring true to the people who dance it today? Does jazz have the same meaning?
Mr. Settles: Jazz, ballet and hip hop alike, we as individuals turn to creativity for recreation and enjoyment to assist us through tuff times. Dance evokes congregation on joyful terms, and sometimes can even speak louder than words.
Myself: lastly, how does this form make you feel?
Mr. Settles: Limitless, an unbelievable sensation of true and vibrant self-expression.
Myself: what is our relationship to the form/ how long have you been practicing jazz dance?
what is your view on the amount of appropriation that has happened over the course of the history of the form?
Mr. Settles: Jazz dance is one of many forms of dance that I have studied for a little under nine years. I received formal teachings at a young age and though not as active now, I am still very keen and involved in the world of jazz dance. In regards to dance in general, I have performed choreographed works live and televised, both locally and nationally.
Myself: what is your view on the amount of appropriation that has happened over the course of the history of the form?
Mr. Settles: Jazz dance, such a distinctive and idiosyncratic art form, has only progressed and diversified through appropriation. In my eyes, appropriation is what generated the proliferation of those interested in the dance, furthermore refining the culture.
Myself: do you have a stronger relationship to more traditional forms of jazz like swing, or do you have a stronger relationship to more modern forms like modern jazz or theatrical?
Mr. Settles: I lean more towards the more contemporary and modernized forms of jazz dance, but a well rounded dancer is one who has a deep understanding and appreciation for the roots of the style of dance that they practice.
Myself: can you tell me about your knowledge of the history of the form?
Mr. Settles: Jazz dance would be nothing without jazz music, the spark of creativity in all forms of art during the Renaissance also plays a major role in the development and emerging of Jazz dance. Several noted choreographers helped establish and revolutionize the original forms of jazz dance like tap and swing, which spread like wildfire.
Myself: jazz dance arose from the black communities response to economic and social struggle. Do you think those themes ring true to the people who dance it today? Does jazz have the same meaning?
Mr. Settles: Jazz, ballet and hip hop alike, we as individuals turn to creativity for recreation and enjoyment to assist us through tuff times. Dance evokes congregation on joyful terms, and sometimes can even speak louder than words.
Myself: lastly, how does this form make you feel?
Mr. Settles: Limitless, an unbelievable sensation of true and vibrant self-expression.
Sam & Kawaun
Since we were out of the city for Thanksgiving break we did a three way call with a Jazz Dancer. Her name was Cindy Sheffield who lives in the same hometown as Sam in Old Bridge, NJ.
Us: What is your name and what do you do?
Cindy: Hello, my name is Cindy and I am a Jazz dancer.
Us: What is jazz to you?
Cindy: Jazz is kind of sort of like ballet in a way, only it's less structural and 'perfect' looking, and your turnouts are different. Jazz dancing is really upbeat and fun, something that just makes me smile.
Us: What is jazz like today?
Cindy: Today’s jazz technique classes keep different styles in mind and give dancers a good foundation. Classical jazz itself is perhaps easiest to spot these days in musical theater choreography like the play Chicago, or more recent work by Rob Ashford.
Us: What's the most import thing about Jazz?
Cindy: The most important part of Authentic Jazz Dance is individuality. Each Jazz dancer is different. You should not copy anybody else exactly.
Us: What's the most important thing about Jazz?
Cindy: Rhythm is essential in Authentic Jazz Dance. Everything should be done by music in Jazz dancing. When you are listening to music and Jazz dancing, you have a dialogue with music. You communicate with music and be a part of the orchestra as an instrument.
Us: Do you think jazz is dying?
Cindy: Jazz isn’t dying, in fact quite the contrary. Jazz is surviving the way it always has- by integrating itself into other genres and fusing other styles to adapt to the current styles. It’s evolving.
Us: What is the best part of Jazz for you?
Cindy: Truly, the best part about the Jazz. I made so many lifelong friends through this journey that I am SO grateful for. During my season, there was no drama and we all got along really well.
We asked her to basically just talk about Jazz and how she feels about it. She talks about how it makes her feel and what it is like to dance this form. She then goes into depth about what Jazz dance really is. Especially how to dance the form with the music. She says "Everything should be done by music in Jazz dancing. When you are listening to music and Jazz dancing, you have a dialogue with music. You communicate with music". This really stuck out to me in particular, just how the dance works so perfectly with music in general. Everyone always says Jazz is dying, so we decided to ask her thoughts on this. To be honest we was really expecting her response. We thought she was going to agree, but on the contrary she didn't. When she explained as to why it is not dying, it made sense to me. To top every thing off she then explains is how many life-long friends she has made through the dance. Which is kind of the like the cherry on top.Rhythm is essential in Authentic Jazz Dance. Everything should be done by music in Jazz dancing. When you are listening to music and Jazz dancing, you have a dialogue with music. You communicate with music and be a part of the orchestra as an instrument.
Us: What is your name and what do you do?
Cindy: Hello, my name is Cindy and I am a Jazz dancer.
Us: What is jazz to you?
Cindy: Jazz is kind of sort of like ballet in a way, only it's less structural and 'perfect' looking, and your turnouts are different. Jazz dancing is really upbeat and fun, something that just makes me smile.
Us: What is jazz like today?
Cindy: Today’s jazz technique classes keep different styles in mind and give dancers a good foundation. Classical jazz itself is perhaps easiest to spot these days in musical theater choreography like the play Chicago, or more recent work by Rob Ashford.
Us: What's the most import thing about Jazz?
Cindy: The most important part of Authentic Jazz Dance is individuality. Each Jazz dancer is different. You should not copy anybody else exactly.
Us: What's the most important thing about Jazz?
Cindy: Rhythm is essential in Authentic Jazz Dance. Everything should be done by music in Jazz dancing. When you are listening to music and Jazz dancing, you have a dialogue with music. You communicate with music and be a part of the orchestra as an instrument.
Us: Do you think jazz is dying?
Cindy: Jazz isn’t dying, in fact quite the contrary. Jazz is surviving the way it always has- by integrating itself into other genres and fusing other styles to adapt to the current styles. It’s evolving.
Us: What is the best part of Jazz for you?
Cindy: Truly, the best part about the Jazz. I made so many lifelong friends through this journey that I am SO grateful for. During my season, there was no drama and we all got along really well.
We asked her to basically just talk about Jazz and how she feels about it. She talks about how it makes her feel and what it is like to dance this form. She then goes into depth about what Jazz dance really is. Especially how to dance the form with the music. She says "Everything should be done by music in Jazz dancing. When you are listening to music and Jazz dancing, you have a dialogue with music. You communicate with music". This really stuck out to me in particular, just how the dance works so perfectly with music in general. Everyone always says Jazz is dying, so we decided to ask her thoughts on this. To be honest we was really expecting her response. We thought she was going to agree, but on the contrary she didn't. When she explained as to why it is not dying, it made sense to me. To top every thing off she then explains is how many life-long friends she has made through the dance. Which is kind of the like the cherry on top.Rhythm is essential in Authentic Jazz Dance. Everything should be done by music in Jazz dancing. When you are listening to music and Jazz dancing, you have a dialogue with music. You communicate with music and be a part of the orchestra as an instrument.