Implementation of dance Science
Anecdotal evidence from participants in several studies suggest that ballet pedagogy has not evolved at the same rate as changes in the other artforms despite a rapid development within dance science, nor has it reflected the increasingly socially aware society in which it exists in (Lindblom, 2020).
One explanation might be the way the educational system is organized. Dance education programs that are placed at a university, and especially those that have close collaboration with the dance science environment (i.e., dance medicine, physiology, psychology and pedagogy), as in the UK, have shown the best results and have the most satisfied students (Tsompanaki & Benn, 2011; Østern, 2017).
In a comparative study of the UK & Greece with different organizational levels of dance education,results showed that the UK model contributed the following:
- more critical thinkers to the world of professional dance
- a stimulated breadth and depth of original research from practitioners
- educated, skilled dancers to becoming better informed artists in education and community contexts
- the pioneering of a higher education study model which has been very successful (Tsompanaki & Benn, 2011).
Further, UK students’ responses indicated this model was attractive since it:
- created many possibilities across technical and theoretical elements
- teachers respected students’ individuality
- encouraged and challenged them to find their own artistry. Students admitted this approach created a non-competitive atmosphere.
Conversely, Greek students were not satisfied with the breadth of modules offered to them, and many wished for change, but the teachers didn’t have much motivation to become agents of such a change. This directly affected students’ learning experiences (Tsompanaki & Benn, 2011).
In Norwegian context
Same tendencies are identified in a Norwegian study (Østern, 2017), which found discrepancies between different organized higher education dance programs. Findings revealed that dance programs based more on traditional conservatoire models did not offer enough time and space to the students to develop own agency, reflection, and own artistic voice (Østern, 2017).
Experience with dance science and research were also sparce – only students taking a dance program at a traditional University had proper experience with research, and they reported this to be positive (Østern, 2017).
Lindblom, E. (2020). Rethinking Classical Ballet Pedagogy: Examining Advancements that Integrate a Modern Approach.
Tsompanaki, E., & Benn, T. (2011). Dance students’ perceptions of tertiary education in England and in Greece. Research in Dance Education, 12(3), 203-219.
Østern, T. P. (2017). Norske samtidsdansutdanninger i spennet mellom modernisme og postmodernisme-tidligere dansestudenters refleksjoner over påvirkningen av en danseutdanning.
