Lyrical dance is a beautiful and expressive style that combines elements of ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance. It's a popular choice for dancers who want to express themselves through movement and tell a story through their dance. But to truly excel in lyrical dance, it's important to have a strong foundation in the basics. In this blog post, we'll break down the essential skills that every advanced lyrical dancer should have.
1. Ballet Technique
Ballet is the foundation of all dance styles, and lyrical is no exception. A strong ballet technique will help you with your balance, posture, and grace on stage. It will also help you with your turns and leaps, which are essential in lyrical dance.
2. Core Strength
Lyrical dance requires a lot of upper body strength, particularly in the core. A strong core will help you maintain proper alignment and control your movements. It will also help you with your balance and stability during turns and leaps.
Exercises to build core strength:
- Plank
- Side plank
- Bicycle crunches
- Russian twists
3. Flexibility
Flexibility is key in lyrical dance, as it allows you to create long, fluid lines with your body. It also helps you with your balance and control during turns and leaps. Make sure to incorporate stretching into your regular dance routine to improve your flexibility over time.
4. Emotional Expression
Lyrical dance is all about telling a story through movement. To truly connect with your audience, you need to be able to convey emotion through your dance. This requires a deep understanding of the music and lyrics, as well as the ability to connect with your own emotions and channel them into your movements.
5. Musicality
Musicality is the ability to connect with the music and interpret it through your dance. It's an essential skill for lyrical dancers, as it allows you to move in time with the music and create a cohesive performance. To improve your musicality, try listening to the music without dancing and focusing on the rhythm, melody, and lyrics.
By mastering these essential skills, you'll be well on your way to becoming an advanced lyrical dancer. Remember to always keep practicing and challenging yourself, and don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try new things.
