Anyone who knows me well knows that I’m a big sucker for dance surprises!  I’m fortunate to have played a variety of roles in flash mobs and other unexpected performances.  As a spectator, flash mobs have brought me to tears.  There’s something about the love behind the unexpected gift of dance breaking up an otherwise normal day that gets to me.  As a participator, I’ve experienced the adrenalin rush of a flash mob.  It’s different than any other type of dance performance.  Again, there is something special about the beauty of dance erupting in an unexpected environment affecting strangers instantly in a positive way.   As a flash mob organizer, I have a good understanding of all the planning that goes into coordinating choreography for a group of people, keeping it a secret, and scouting out all the finer details like location, time, and music projection.

My recent move to Southern California brought me the opportunity to teach at Bella Ballroom studio where I help create and choreograph dance surprises for students every week!  This summer I enjoyed teaching dance with the intention of surprise for several Orange County weddings.  I gained a lot from the experience and researched some more fun ideas surrounding wedding dance surprises including elaborate proposals, fundraising flash mobs, and more… Read on!

Most of us may remember a time long, long, ago, when MTV actually played music videos, and young adults we’re inspired to imitate the choreographies danced by their favorite pop stars.  I’m willing to bet that some of these music videos and choreographies made a lasting impression in your mind.  Go ahead.   Think back.  What dance scenes impressed you so much that will you remember them forever?  How about Michael Jackson’s untimely “Thriller”?  Maybe it was Janet Jackson’s “If” that left you dancing in your living room? And then there’s Beyonce.  Just about everything Queen B has touched has given viewers “Sweet Dreams” of “Irreplaceable” attitude and impressionable footwork, undulations, and body pumps.

So, what makes a choreography foreverful?  What is the secret sauce to creating a dance that will leave an eternal mark on the mind of its viewers?  Let’s discover 4 professional secrets that top choreographers consider when transforming moves into masterpieces.

1.    Popping Personality 

Choreographers often start by determining the character of the piece.   They take what is unique about the song and express it throughout the dance.  The theme, emotion, and unique story of the piece must be creatively told through movement.  Choreographers consider who their audience is going to be and what it will take to keep them interested.

2.    Delicious Dynamics

Contrast is one of the most important elements of a foreverful choreography.  Choreographers work with different dance elements including varying textures, levels, speeds, tension, transitions, sequences, shapes, timing, spacing, formations, focuses, directions and more!

3.    Master Musicality

 A developed awareness of musicality separates the professionals from the rest.   It is well known that audiences share a primal enjoyment of seeing a connection between music and movement.   Top choreographers express all the intricacies of music including rhythm, melody, lyrics, accents, breaks, crescendos and other musical details.

4.    Go Big or Go Home!

The most groundbreaking choreographies are those that take risks, think outside of the box, and ultimately revolutionize dance.  Creative choreographers have the ability to avoid boring clichés and go where no other choreographer has gone before!