Why I Say No To New Training Methods

 I affectionately consider myself a "90s dance baby". The dancers that have inspired me to no end have had beautiful and impactful careers from the riveting 1950s to the fabulous 90s.  From Delores Browne and Raven Wilkinson to Linda Celeste-Sims, DeShonna Pepper-Robinson to Jamal Story. There are many others I have watched and experienced in awe. Longevity and authenticity are their hallmarks. Alongside those traits you can easily add audacity and perseverance. The dancers I have mentioned and those in mind were and are brilliant. Kevin Thomas, Milton Myers-- brilliance. Effortlessly on that list includes my first mentor and the person who gave me a solid dance foundation, Luctricia Welters.

The extent of her resume could easily bombard this article but I will suffice it to say Ailey2, Philadanco!, Jubilee Dance Theatre's Artistic Director and dance educator. My roots were cultivated in "old school" methods. I love the old school methods. As I grew in dance I recognized the distinct role a solid and correct foundation has played in my development. Training in my beginning years with Ms.Welters has set me apart forever. For the sake of answering the pressing question surrounding this article, it is vital to stress how absolutely blessed I have been in every (dance) situation. Nothing can build an artist as thoroughly as the actual studied techniques. Strong, malleable feet comes from artictualed tendus. Strong, high jumps comes from strong feet, deep plies and understanding use of the pelvis. A strong core comes from a few places but the way you engage the technique determines how you can serve it. No alternatives work as perfectly as the original. What is the original training method, you might ask; training with integrity. 

Year after year, month after month, there are new gimmicks hitting the market. I see them and experience the same level of confusion upon discovery. Quick fixes for maximum results eliminates proper development. All of the microwave alternatives robs the dancer of a beautiful and meaningful process. While training at Jubilee, Ms. Welters created an understanding for us that this art takes work and in order to properly invest in it there has to be a level of passion and yearning. I know not everyone joins studios or companies because they absolutely have to dance. But, back in my day (small joke) I was understood that we are training because this is a huge part of life and one day I we will be on the greatest stages around the globe. Give me the old school ways any day. I will never long to trade my foundation that has carried me, in exchange for instagrammable methods parading as training.