We dance to express ourselves, therefore, dancing is synonymous with expression, which in turn leads us to emotion. We assume a dancer is going to have a certain amount of emotional essence in a performance, but we also assume she has a certain amount of skill to perform as well. Audiences expect to see a good show and performers have the duty to offer their best talents at all times. The audience expects talent and as performers, we are obligated to practice until we are numb to the exercises of our field. We generally seek to learn technique from someone with experience. If we are lucky, we find a mentor.

Many Belly Dance instructors I have met in the past ten years have taught by imitation. They learn to dance by mimicking movement and teach in the same manner. What begins to happen is a degeneration of the basic components that define Belly Dance: isolation of the muscles in the abdominal and gluteus region. There are innumerable layering and foot combinations, timing combinations, and cymbal patterns. There are countless possibilities that veritably boggle the mind, and with this knowledge we begin to understand the concept of learning to Belly Dance.

When skill is compromised, something else emerges and that is usually a grasping emotional response on an attempt to connect with the audience. Could you imagine going to a music concert and the musicians were jamming without hitting one note? Musicians typically would never perform on stage without having years of training under their fingers. Even if they are self- taught, they have practiced reading music, hitting notes, and drilling scales to perfection. An untrained ear can hear when a musician does not know his instrument and the same goes for a dancer.

Drills, drills, and more drills. That is the key to unlocking an emotional well that lies in each of us as performers. Once you have attained a certain intimacy with your instrument, you can move towards enlightenment in your dance. When you have reached a skillful plateau, you are free to express yourself and your emotion more purely.

I have made simple declarations concerning emotion, performance, and skill, which may evoke a variety of responses from the listener. The bottom line to this diatribe is not to criticize the free and flowing dance of the empowered spirit, but rather to examine what responsibilities we have as performers. I have seen dancers emanate amazing emotion while performing on stage, but what was amazing is that those dancers had skill as well as passion. I truly enjoy watching skilled performers on the stage equally as do I enjoy dancing around the campfire under the moonlight. The difference is the former has responsibility to the art and latter is responsible to no one.