**Finding Your Voice: How to Choreograph Your First Lyrical Piece as an Intermediate Dancer**

You've mastered the techniques. You can lose yourself in the music. Now, you're ready to tell your own story. Here's your guide to transforming emotion into movement.

You stand in the center of the studio, the last echoes of a song fading in your ears. For years, you've interpreted the visions of teachers and choreographers, beautifully executing their stories. But now, there's a new impulse—a need to create something that is uniquely, authentically yours. The journey from dancer to choreographer is a sacred one, especially in lyrical, where movement is the language of the soul.

If the thought of building a complete piece from scratch feels daunting, you're not alone. Every great choreographer started with a single step. This process is not about crafting a perfect masterpiece for the world; it's about uncovering the story only you can tell.

Step 1: The Spark — Choosing Your Music

It all begins with the music. Don't overthink this first step. Browse your playlists, listen to movie scores, or revisit songs that give you "choreography goosebumps."

What to look for: A song with dynamic range—soft moments that build to powerful crescendos. This gives you a natural arc for your story. The lyrics (if present) should resonate with you on a personal level, but the emotional quality of the instrumentation is even more crucial. Does it feel like longing? Joy? Resilience? Let that feeling be your guide.

Step 2: Deep Listening & Storyboarding

Now, listen. And listen again. Lie on the floor, close your eyes, and let the song wash over you. Don't plan steps yet. Instead, ask yourself:

• What narrative or emotion is this song telling?
• Who is the character? Is it you, or a version of you?
• What is the journey? Where does it start, and where does it end?

Jot down keywords or even draw simple images that come to mind. A storyboard can be as simple as: "Beginning: vulnerability, curled on the floor. Middle: struggle to rise, reaching. Climax: explosive release of energy. End: peaceful resolution, found strength."

Step 3: Mining Your Movement Vocabulary

You're an intermediate dancer. You have a toolbox full of techniques—beautiful développés, fluid port de bras, solid turns. Now, it's time to use them as your alphabet.

Hit the studio and improvise. Play your song and just move. Don't judge, don't edit. See what emerges naturally. Record these sessions on your phone. You'll be amazed at the raw, genuine material you create when you're not trying to be "good."

Look back at the footage and mine for gold. That unintentional fall into a roll? Keep it. The way your arms fluttered perfectly on that violin swell? That's your opening move.

Step 4: Structuring the Piece — The Map of Movement

A common mistake for first-time choreographers is creating a string of eight-counts without a overarching structure. Use your storyboard as a map.

1 The Opening (The Hook): Establish the mood and character within the first 30 seconds. A single, powerful gesture can be more effective than a complex sequence.

2 The Development (The Journey): This is the bulk of your piece. Build intensity, introduce conflict or struggle, and vary your energy levels. Play with levels—floor work, standing, leaps—to create visual interest.

3 The Climax (The Peak): This should align with the musical climax. This is where you use your biggest movement, most powerful turn sequence, or emotional peak. Make it earned.

4 The Resolution (The Release): How does the story end? The energy should resolve in a way that feels satisfying. It might return to a gesture from the beginning, showing how the character has changed.

Step 5: The Edit & Refine Phase

Choreography is rewriting. You have your first draft. Now, be your own editor.

• Check for clarity: Does the story read? Will an audience understand the emotional journey?
• Vary your dynamics: Is it all the same speed and energy? Add moments of stillness and suspension to make the powerful moments pop.
• Check for "dancey-dance": Are you putting in turns just because you can? Every step should serve the story. If it doesn't, cut it.
• Get feedback: Show it to a trusted teacher or fellow dancer. Ask them what they saw and felt. Their interpretation might surprise you and help you refine your message.

Embrace the Imperfect, Authentic You

Your first piece won't be perfect. It shouldn't be. It should be honest. It will be a reflection of you at this exact moment in your dance journey—your influences, your current strengths, the stories you need to tell. That authenticity is more valuable than any technically flawless but emotionally empty routine.

You are not just arranging steps. You are learning to speak with your body. You are finding your voice. And that is the most beautiful technique a dancer can ever master.