References:
Blank Canvas Dance Company logo. (n.d.). Heel Life. https://heellife.unc.edu/organization/blank-canvas.
Community. (2020). Students in Service and Leadership at Harvard. https://scalar.fas.harvard.edu/studentpower/media/community.
Purwito, E. (n.d.). Illustration of mental health icons isolated on white background. Dreamstime. https://www.dreamstime.com/illustration-mental-health-icons-isolated-white-background-mental-health-awareness-illustration-mental-health-icons-image198577725.
Student Org Spotlight: Blank Canvas. (n.d.). Carolina Union. https://carolinaunion.unc.edu/news-and-events/news/student-org-spotlight-blank-canvas.
Presentation Script:
Dance is a unique subculture that encompasses both physical activity and creative expression. When I used to dance consistently each week, it greatly benefitted my health physically and mentally, and I met several of my best friends at my dance studio. I assume that dancing can result in many benefits due to my personal experience, but I am curious if these benefits are common in other companies and areas of dance as well. This prompted me to analyze a different dance company in a new environment and discover if the consistent practice of dance can improve mental health, foster a strong community, and provide other benefits.
I chose to observe and speak with the dancers of the Blank Canvas Dance Company in Chapel Hill. Blank Canvas is a student-run organization through UNC. People with years of experience with dance or no experience at all can get involved. Recently, there are over 200 members – both teachers and students – across the many levels, approximately half with little to no prior dance experience.
I began my study by interviewing a second-year member of the Blank Canvas Dance Company. Her name is Nell Watts, and she is a junior at UNC. Nell has been dancing since she was seven years old and competitively dancing through middle and high school. There are several dance groups throughout Chapel Hill, but Nell chose Blank Canvas because it offers classes in all dance styles and is inclusive of all levels. All of Nell’s friends in Blank Canvas are very different with a wide range of backgrounds and other interests; however, they all share a common love for dance. This creates a strong community of diverse individuals, which Nell explains makes Blank Canvas so special and unique compared to anything she has ever been involved in. Nell describes the atmosphere of Blank Canvas as extremely supportive and inclusive as well, which has significantly benefited her mental health and helped make dance an outlet to relieve stress.
After interviewing Nell, she invited me to observe one of her dance classes the following week. I observed the level two jazz class and the level four hip-hop class in the Student Recreation Center. During the jazz class, I noticed that barely any of them knew the choreography, yet they each carried large smiles across their faces. They were there to have fun and enjoy movement – not to compete with each other. Having this safe space and positive atmosphere brought them happiness and a more optimistic mindset.
Once the level four hip-hop class began, I quickly realized how diverse the dancers were. They were different shapes, sizes, races, ethnicities, and ages. Despite their wide range of backgrounds and experiences in dance, I could tell there was a community among them. Blank Canvas brought a diverse group of people together that would have never met otherwise.
My observations with the Blank Canvas Dance Company and one of the members, Nell Watts, prove my assumption that dance provides many benefits, such as improving mental health and fostering a sense of community. Through the consistent practice of dance, one is likely to experience a sense of relief from temporarily escaping the pressures of academics and social life. Furthermore, the supportive, inclusive environment can lead to new friendships among diverse individuals. Blank Canvas is an organization that anyone can get involved in, so I highly recommend checking it out to experience these benefits yourself.
Explication of Research:
Preface:
Dance is a unique subculture that encompasses both physical activity and creative expression. It is considered a form of art by some and a sport by others. As a former dancer, I view it as both, and it greatly benefitted my health physically and mentally. I met several of my best friends through dance, and the studio served as a second home for several years. Due to my personal experience, I assume that dancing can result in many benefits, such as improving one’s health and producing new friendships. I am curious if these benefits are common across other levels and areas of dance as well. This prompted me to analyze a different dance company in a new environment. Therefore, I chose to observe and speak with the dancers of the Blank Canvas Dance Company in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Blank Canvas is a student-run organization through the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. The goal of my study was to discover how the consistent practice of dance can improve mental health, foster a strong community, and provide other benefits.
Background:
In the past, many studies have found that “dance develops relationships, connects people, and increases feelings of joy and togetherness” (Tao et al., 2022, p.12). According to the Indian Journal of Psychiatry, “dance and creative movements are known to reach out to the depth of the unconscious aspects of the mind and effectively mobilize the blocked psychic content” (Pavitra & Shubrata, 2014, p.109). For a majority of people, it is difficult to verbally express themselves, causing their emotions to bottle and tense up. Dance has proved to help release these emotions through physical movement.
The History of Dance:
The earliest forms of dance through social, celebratory, and ritual performances are one of the leading factors of early human development. Ancient records find the origins of dance in Egypt 6,000 years ago, but the infusion of dance into culture occurred in early Greece, China, and India. However, the European Renaissance is responsible for the explosion of new dance styles that are still popular to this day. The earliest form of dance was for religious and celebratory purposes; however, it evolved to serve as entertainment, a form of storytelling, and an art (Dance Facts, n.d.). The earliest style of dance is ballet, beginning in the 1400s. Starting in the 20th century, jazz, acrobatics, contemporary, and hip-hop dancing became popular styles as well (Dance Styles and History, 2022).
What is the Blank Canvas Dance Company?:
The Blank Canvas Dance Company is a student-run organization at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It aims to reach as many students as possible by making classes accessible and enjoyable for all (Student Org. Spotlight, n.d.). People with years of experience with dance or no experience at all can get involved. Recently, there are over 200 members – both teachers and students – across the five levels, approximately half with little to no prior dance experience. At the start of each semester, an audition helps place members at their appropriate level: one as the easiest and five as the hardest. This is flexible and dancers can participate in other levels as well. The dancers are able to create their own schedule by choosing what dances they will join throughout the semester.
Observational Data & Analysis:
First Observation
I began my study by interviewing a dancer in the Blank Canvas Dance Company – Nell Watts. She is a junior at UNC and a second year member of the dance company. Nell has been dancing since she was seven years old and competitively dancing through middle and high school. Throughout this time, she has dabbled in various styles, including ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, and lyrical. Within the first few minutes of speaking to her, I can sense that Nell is a kind-hearted, introverted person. Despite her quiet-nature, she maintains a comforting, accepting presence.
There are several dance groups throughout Chapel Hill, but Nell chose Blank Canvas because it offers classes in all dance styles and is inclusive of all levels. She has friends who have never danced before and who have danced their entire lives. All of Nell’s friends in Blank Canvas are very different with a wide range of backgrounds and other interests, but they all share a common love for dance. This creates a strong community of diverse individuals, which Nell explains makes Blank Canvas so special and unique compared to anything she has ever been involved in. Nell describes the atmosphere of Blank Canvas as extremely supportive and inclusive. There is no unnecessary competitiveness or negativity in the environment, which has significantly benefitted her mental health. For Nell, dance is an outlet to relieve stress. It provides a way to be physically active and creative, while also de-stressing from assignments and exams. She enthusiastically explains, “I cannot recommend it enough” to everyone with and without dance experience.
When asked about how it impacts her academics, Nell highlighted how each member can customize their own schedule. Due to this, dance does not affect her ability to complete assignments and study for exams. Nell is involved in a variety of other extracurriculars beyond dance due to the flexibility of Blank Canvas as well. For example, she nannies for children in Chapel Hill, works in a research lab, and is an Alpha Chi Omega sorority member. This surprised me because when I used to dance, it was a huge time commitment; I never had time to be with friends or get involved in other activities.
After completing the interview with Nell Watts, her love for the dance community at the Blank Canvas Dance Company is evident. Through dance, she can destress and connect with a diverse group of people in each class. Specifically, Blank Canvas seems to be a positive environment where people of all backgrounds can enjoy movement and the company of others. Her experience proves that dance can benefit your mental health, support new friendships, and form a strong, inclusive community.
Second Observation
After interviewing Nell, she invited me to observe one of her dance classes the next week. The next Wednesday, I observed the level two jazz class and the level four hip-hop class in the Student Recreation Center. During the jazz class, I noticed that barely any of them knew the choreography, yet they each carried large smiles across their faces. They were there to have fun and enjoy movement – not to compete with each other. Having this safe space and positive atmosphere brought them happiness and, potentially, a more optimistic mindset.
Once the level four hip-hop class began, I quickly realized how diverse the dancers were. They were different shapes, sizes, races, ethnicities, and ages. Despite their wide range of backgrounds and experiences in dance, I could tell there was a community among them. Blank Canvas brought a diverse group of people together that would have never met otherwise. They clapped for one another, laughed together, and supported each other despite their differences in life. These dance classes foster dozens of new friendships and a community that shares the same goal. Their goal is to create an entertaining dance that they perform together at the end of the semester.
It is important to note that it was very late in the evening on a Wednesday. This means that the dancers had completed a full day of academic classes, studying, and other activities, yet they still went to dance class. Moreover, they seemed excited to be there – like it was the highlight of their day. This emphasizes that dance is a fun, engaging activity that generates happiness in a stressful environment, improves mental health, and builds new friendships. It is a break from the pressure of academics, a job, and other strenuous extracurricular activities.
Conclusion:
My observations with the Blank Canvas Dance Company and one of the members, Nell Watts, proves my assumption that dance provides many benefits, such as improving mental health and fostering a sense of community. Through the consistent practice of dance, one is likely to experience a sense of relief due to temporarily escaping the pressures of academic and social life. Furthermore, the supportive, inclusive environment can lead to new friendships among diverse individuals.
The findings of my study have limitations because I observed only one dance company and interviewed one member. I need to interview other members of the company and observe dance classes for separate organizations to solidify the results. Despite these limitations, the possibility that dance improves mental health and leads to new friendships is beneficial. It provides an accessible way for people to establish a community and maintain a healthy mindset.
References:
Dance Facts – History, Interesting Tips and Types of Dance. (n.d.). Dance Facts. http://www.dancefacts.net/.
Dance Resources: Dance Styles and History. (2022). Queensborough Community College. https://qcc.libguides.com/dance.
Pavitra, K.S. & K.S. Shubrata. (2014). Dancing mind – promoting mental health through the medium of movement. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 56(2):107-110. https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=AONE&u=googlescholar&id=GALE|A365008958&v=2.1&it=r&sid=AONE&asid=5b2ec3f3.
Student Org Spotlight: Blank Canvas. (n.d.). Carolina Union. https://carolinaunion.unc.edu/news-and-events/news/student-org-spotlight-blank-canvas.
Tao, D., Gao, Y., Cole, A., Baker, J. S., Gu, Y., Supriya, R., Tong, T. K., Hu, Q., & Awan-Scully, R. (2022). The physiological and psychological benefits of dance and its effects on children and adolescents: A systematic review. Frontiers in Physiology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2022.925958.
Featured Image:
Move Dance Alliance. (n.d.). University of Charlotte: Student organizations. https://coaa.charlotte.edu/dance/student-organizations.