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“Dance to express, not impress.”

I don’t mean for this post to be offensive, rather food for the thought. However, I think this is by far the worst dance quote I’ve ever heard. What does it mean to “express yourself?” I would define it as representing yourself—translating your character and your emotions into the dance.

This is practically impossible on a beginner level. For instance, if you’re a beginner bboy, and you dance using fundamental moves, can you honestly say that you’re expressing yourself? No, you would lack the experience to differentiate yourself from other bboys. Furthermore, you don’t convey any underlying emotions behind your dance. You’re simply dancing on the most basic level. I’m not saying that it’s inadequate, because everyone starts somewhere. I’m suggesting the notion that to truly express yourself through dance requires originality…and years of practice.

Here’s another thought: suppose I’m overwhelmed with depression and I step into a cypher. I begin to cry and roll on the floor rhythmically to the music. Am I dancing? If you define dancing as rhythmically moving one’s body to music, then yes. Am I expressing myself? If you define expression as setting forth an idea or emotion, then yes. Am I impressing anyone? Absolutely not.

Expressing yourself without presenting it in a form that is appealing to others is insignificant. It contributes nothing to the dance. We as dancers continually dance to impress others—be it audiences, judges, or peers. The “impress” aspect of dance is what allows us to evolve.

With that said, a real dancer can dance to express and impress.