Music and Movement

Music and movement are very much related to me. I don’t see how movement can happen without music.

I grew up taking ballet, tap, jazz, and modern ballet. Everything from bar exercises to actual performances did not happen without music. I learned early on that in order for the dancing to “fit” the music, I had to learn what movements happened on what beats. I realized that I need to listen to the music rather than just dance. I began to appreciate and understand the importance of music of all types. I suppose, in this sense, I would say that the music takes precedence over the movements. Movements rely on music in my opinion.

Even with clapping and other hand movements, music is an integral part that can’t be left out. What do you clap to if you don’t have music? Sure one can clap a beat, but it is much easier and more fun with music.

I participated in yoga for a couple years as well. My instructor played relaxing Eastern music while we moved through the various positions. We held a position for a certain amount of measures and then moved into another position. I think we even learned to breathe to the music.

As far as informal dancing goes for me, I don’t think I could dance or move without music. I wouldn’t know where to begin or how to move on a dance floor or in my living room without music! When I’m in my car and listening to a great song, I can’t help but tap the beat or move in some way. However, I don’t see myself moving around in my car without music.

So, in other words, I believe that true movement cannot occur without music and that they are related in every way. Movement relies on music.

My Musical Autobiography

The experiences that I have with music in diverse cultures are limited to the time that I spent living in France, in restaurants , and exposure through people in my life among a few other experiences.

While living in France as a little girl, I listened to the music on the radio. Although, a lot of the music was actually American. As best as I can remember it, the European music on the radio seemed to be kind of peppy with a strong 80's feel. My family and I traveled throughout Europe while we lived in France. I especially remember when we traveled to Spain where we heard flamenco music and watched flamenco dancers accompanied by Spanish guitars and palmas.

I enjoy music in Mexican restaurants with Mariachi bands visiting each table and playing a song. I also love the mood that the music in Italian restaurants creates.

With my Dad's favorite music being the Beatles, I grew up listening to this inventive English rock group and loved every minute of it. Their music alone not only ranges in genres but also incorporates diverse cultural music.

One of my best friends is half Colombian, and I've had the privilege of listening to her mother's cultural music. She used to sing my friend and I a nursery-like rhyme that I almost have memorized because it is so amazing.

My boyfriend is from Guam, and I have been exposed to his Pacific Island music which is so beautiful and relaxing to me with the tropical beat. He plays the ukulele. I believe its roots are in Hawaii and is a spin-off of an instrument brought over by Portugal immigrants.

I also took a class about Native American (specifically the Lakota Native Americans) religion, and I had just a little exposure to some of the music performed in rituals. The drums and definite beats are mesmorizing and hypnotizing to me.