The Poetics of Choreography and Dance Pedagogy

Abstract

Dance is generally patterned movements, always changing and with many bright colours: gestures, gaiety, costumes, makeup, etc. It is usually a special set of movements performed to a particular type of music. The poetics of African dance relates to its ability; and as having the qualities, capable of provoking deep feelings and of graceful expression among dancers and audience in terms of its lexis and structure. Therefore, the pedagogy of the African dance poetics reflects the teaching methods employed by the choreographer or the trainee in the process of the study. So dance education or pedagogy is educating the learner through the media of dancing, dance making and dance appreciation. Understanding the knowledge of the manifestation and the history of cultural development relating to that kind of dance will enable quality judgments about the particular dance poetics; that is, how the dance communicates with the performers and the audience, hence the spontaneity amongst spectators alike: without losing the immediacy in the action and storyline in the performance. This study is aimed at exploring the principles of dance poetics as it relates to teaching (choreographer) and general criticism of dance forms and nomenclature. Conversely, modern and contemporary models for teaching dance notation shall be discussed to enhance and development in terms of teaching and learning. The need to incorporate media arts in dance pedagogy was also evaluated and demonstrated as necessary variable in the search for resourceful module in today’s dance world. The methodology of research is strictly based on the literary data collection style, with references to books, journals and other internet sources. In the entire process of the research, it was discovered that the teaching of dance can be improved upon and made interesting for both the teachers and students. In conclusion, the paper recommended the teaching of dance pedagogy at all levels with keen understanding; hence, dancing involves a sense of self and connection to the society. Consequently, dance remains as a conduit of expression and communication.