Finding Balance- Interviews

Gus Solomons jr.: Choreographer, dancer, director, critic

“Solomon believes dance is a demanding profession but that dancers can find their way when they feel overwhelmed, if they take one step at a time.”(Berardi, G. 2005, pg. 110)

“Dancers tend to beat themselves up. They have a strong will and a strong drive to succeed so they don’t give themselves leeway to fail.”(Solomons, G. pg. 110)

-Having these qualities set up opportunities to become stressed, overwhelmed. Perfectionism creates pressure, making the more pressuring situations less enjoyable. Thus inviting negative feelings to brood.

Solomon mentions that a dancer should realize that he/she cannot always be in control- be aware and accepting (links to one of the approaches towards emotional resilience)

Dancing requires physical disciplin, but also:

·      Courage- otherwise a dancer wont fully try to overcome a challenge

·      Persistence- mental approach

·      Luck- positivity helps to set up lucky situations as it opens up thoughts (science of positive thinking)

Are dancers born to dance?

“What the dancer does with that skill…makes a difference as to whether or not they’ll be a dancer.” (Solomons, G. pg. 111)

*He talks a lot about a dancer needs to have ‘drive,’ ‘passion,’ ‘real desire’ ‘use of skill’ and ‘communication’Being able to keep up this drive distinguishes whether a dancer will continue to improve and pushing forward (relates to theory of motivation)-Same case as when working towards a performance and working through the various challenges. Need persistence and motivaion (and drive) in order to want to perfect on pieces.

“If your’e not curious, then you might as well stop”(Solomons, G. pg.112)- It seems like in order to keep pushing through, as well as overcoming an issue, you need to investigate the best ways to get through it. Curiosity promotes questions, thus gaining knowledge and learning. 

**Emotional resilience and health is a contributing factor towards maintaining this ‘desire’ to perform an activity. 

Berardi, G. 2005, Finding Balance- Fitness, Training and Health for a Lifetime in Dance, 2nd edn. Routeledge, New York.