Di Capo Al Fine: "World of Dance"

“World of Dance” was a spectacular performance that showcased four of BYU’s dance companies in a series of exhibition numbers. The Dancers’ Company, the International Folk Dance Ensemble, the Ballroom Dance Company, and the Ballet Dance Company each performed a set of routines throughout the evening.

When I attended “World of Dance,” I watched with purpose. I actively observed with the intention of being immersed in a form of art that I rarely attend performances of and only occasionally participate in. As a result, I was entertained and inspired, and the enthusiasm of the dancers made me want to learn to dance as skillfully as them.

The effect of my attendance that evening, for me, was the new perception of dance that I left with. The show was effective at not only showcasing the skills of the dancers, but also causing me to gain a greater desire to become more familiar with the intricacies of the art form.

The Dancers’ Company danced brightly-costumed, high-energy contemporary dances. These were just plain fun. Technically challenging and visually appealing, they were dynamic numbers that contrasted with the other companies.

With the international folk dancers, I was exposed to artistic expressions from cultures that I have had only fleeting, if even that, encounters. Clad in traditional dress, their routines had historical value that other styles do not intrinsically possess. Through their dances, I felt that I began to develop somewhat of a connection with the corresponding culture.

The ballroom dance team, with their razor-sharp precision appealed to my organizational tendencies. They cut back and forth, gliding, maintaining perfect coordination with their partners. The subdued energy and passion in their movements gave their performance a depth unique from that of the other teams.

I can also honestly say that for the first time in my life, I enjoyed ballet. Previously to “World of Dance,” the only ballet I had seen were the recitals that my sisters were in when we were children. Anyone who has attended those kinds of recitals understands that the main attractor is cuteness, for the parents, and familial obligation, for the siblings. The goal is not aesthetic excellence but rather a celebration of effort.

With the BYU ballet team, though, such was not the case. I saw exceptional skill and technique. I saw the fluid grace of the movements. I saw complex emotions portrayed through the physical characterization of the ballerinas. My perception of ballet was changed forever; I now understand the true value of this particular discipline of dance.

Dance is an art form that exists in various forms and iterations throughout the world. “World of Dance” brought many of those styles and traditions together in venue in one evening. It was a comprehensive exposure to dance and the myriad possibilities it inherently contains. It was a meaningful night and one that has left its unique mark upon my artistic sensibilities.