There are some fundamentals of dance that are always on top of the list to learn and to continue to work on. Things like the best use of feet, legs and arms, the lines the body creates, these are at the heart of any style of dance. But one area that can often be overlooked is the face. Facial expressions when you dance are a massive part of your technique but what can you do to manage them?
Smile with your eyes
When you smile with your eyes, it engages the entire face and lights up the eyes in a way that is difficult to fake. The audience can sense when you are genuinely engaged with the performance, and they will be more likely to connect with you emotionally.
Of course, not every dance performance requires a smile, but if the piece calls for it, make sure to smile with your eyes. It will make all the difference in your connection with the audience.
Keep your eye line up
As any dancer knows, one of the most important things to keep in mind is to keep your eye line up. It may seem like a small thing, but if you are constantly looking down at your feet, you are not only making it difficult to see what you are doing, but you are also not able to fully express the emotion of the dance.
When you keep your eye line up, you are not only able to see what you are doing, but you are also able to communicate the passion and feeling of the dance to your audience. In class, be sure to pick something on the wall to focus on so that this becomes second nature to you.
By keeping your eye line up, you will be able to express yourself more fully through your dancing.
Change your facial expressions
As any dancer knows, the face is an important tool for conveying emotion and enhancing the performance. To create a truly engaging experience for your audience, it is essential to change your facial expressions throughout the dance.
By varying your expressions, you can convey different emotions and create a more dynamic and interesting performance. Remember to use your eyes to convey emotion and focus your face upwards to make the most of your audience and stage lighting.
With a little practice, you will be able to create a truly captivating performance that will leave your audience wanting more.
Relax and enjoy it
Dance is a wonderful way to express yourself and let loose. However, it can also be easy to get caught up in the technical aspects of dance and forget to relax and enjoy it. Remember that dance is ultimately about emotional expression.
When you are in class or on stage, focus on the feelings you want to convey through your movement. This will help you connect with your dance and give a more convincing performance.
Above all, don’t forget to have fun! When you relax and let yourself go, it will show in your dancing.