Why Dance?

“I believe it is in my nature to dance by virtue of the beat of my heart, the pulse of my blood and the music in my mind. So I dance daily.”

- Robert Fulghum, from his article “Dancing All the Dances as Long as I Can” on NPR’s This I Believe.

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“The Dancer believes that his art has something to say which cannot be expressed in words or in any other way than by dancing… there are times when the simple dignity of movement can fulfill the function of a volume of words. There are movements which impinge upon the nerves with a strength that is incomparable, for movement has power to stir the senses and emotions, unique in itself. This is the dancer’s justification for being, and his reason for searching further for deeper aspects of his art.”

- Doris Humphrey, 1937

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“What has attracted and held me to dance?
- The physical expression of sound and ideas.
- The beauty of line and movement.
- The constant challenge to mind and body to achieve beauty and expression.
- The opportunity to explore and expand the notions we hold about ourselves.
- The understanding that discipline, knowledge and hard work will yield results.
- The joy in mind and body when the dancing flows.
- The opportunity to share that joy with others.
Music, be it internal or external, moves me; and the only way I know how to share it is to dance.”

- latingal (username), moderator for Dance-Forums.com.