Ballet . . . 1998

I have taken dance classes for ten years. Five of those years were on pointe. Although now I am only down to two classes a week of ballet (the Vaganova Method or Russian Style), I am continuing dance at Kalamazoo. Dance for me is relaxation, but while trying to balance relaxation with the other events of college life I found that I don't allow myself much "free" time. I learned that I simply have to set aside time for myself and I have to make it a priority! Understanding how to include modes of relaxation into my day will be helpful with stress management later in life.

Letter to Provost Regarding Dance as Creative Expression.. I'm not sure if you are the person to approach with this matter, but I would like to know how I could receive a creative expression credit for the intermediate/advanced ballet class. I am a freshman this year and was astonished to discover that a ballet class does not fall under creative expression! There is no question that dance is a fine art. Dancing is a natural means of expression: "The instrument through which the dance speaks is also the instrument through which life is lived...the human body"--- Martha Graham. It is almost impossible to listen to music and not be stirred to some type of rhythmic movement. That movement is a form of self-expression. Ballet is disciplined and challenging. You must focus on the memorization of combinations of steps and arm movements, be aware of your body placement, while at the same time concentrate on counting music and looking graceful. Dancing requires tremendous effort to express the music. Because there is not much outside course work I see dance classes as being similar to applied music classes; therefore, I would request 1/5 credit/quarter. Please e-mail me your comments or can we set up a time to discuss this in further detail? Thanks. Kate Jenks

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An Update (14 September 2001): My sophomore year at Kalamazoo, the Ballet classes were changed to include the option of being accepted as a creative expression credit (with 5 classes needed to fulfill 1 creative expression unit). I have taken over five classes and am currently waiting to receive credit. I do not know whose decision it was to make this change.