This study aims to investigate and analyze passion and self-awareness of professional dancers from a diversified and in-depth perspective.
To obtain this goal, this study conducted a qualitative case research on two currently active professional dance...
This study aims to investigate and analyze passion and self-awareness of professional dancers from a diversified and in-depth perspective.
To obtain this goal, this study conducted a qualitative case research on two currently active professional dancers. Relevant data was collected through in-depth interviews, documentation and descriptive survey research. The collected data was analyzed using encoding and the constant comparative method in order to verify the reliability, validity and ethical aspect of the study. The investigation of the passion and self-awareness of professional dancers is divided into dancers' personal dispositions, dancing activity and perception of the dancing community.
Conclusions, based on the research methods and process of this study, are proposed as follows.
First, regarding the personal disposition of professional dancers, dancer A exhibits a strong will to accomplish set goals, evidencing extraordinarily high ambitions and tenacity. The practice methods of the survey participants varied according to their respective personal dispositions. Due to continuous fatigue related to the nature of the profession as a professional dancer, most dancers use their leisure time for reinvigoration through repose and relaxation, the modes of which also varied with personal propensities.
Moreover, in terms of religious life, both survey participants showed commitment to and reliance on their respective beliefs. Dancer A claims to find psychological reassurance in prayers before stepping on stage, while dancer B believes she overcame an injury before an important concours through religion and faith. As for occasionally drinking and smoking, they believe it is conducive to artistic expression. As demonstrated, varying personal dispositions among professional dancers plays an important role in shaping their passion and self-awareness.
Second, regarding dancing activity, this research category was further divided into passion for social activity and dancing itself. In terms of social activity, dancer A invests much time in individual practice in order to win over acknowledgement among fellow dancers, and adopts techniques that seem complimentary by observing the characteristics of fellow dancers. Also, survey participants are most envious of fellow dancers who lead well-rounded interpersonal relationships.
Survey participants' passion and ambition for dancing was affecting their interpersonal relationship. They perceive a meaningful conversation with laymen in dancing is impossible. They are also conscious of the importance of the role that the head of the dance corps plays. Regarding their wage, they believe their should be a gradation in accordance with dancers' performance, and were generally dissatisfied with their wage level.
As for their passion for dancing, dancer A, who showed talent since a young age, put emphasis on piece explanation and movements when initially learning a piece. Also, creative activity and repertoire during university is said to contribute to her current performance. Her constant image training and movement practice attest to her sense of purpose and strong will to achieve set goals. Meanwhile, dancer B went as far as quitting highschool in order to learn dancing. She focuses as much on mental training through image training as she does on actual training.
Survey participants acquired motifs from inspiration during creative acitivity and emphasized the importance of the stage floor. Finally, the participants showed passion to continue their career as a dancer either as a trainer, professor or a choreographer.
Third, regarding their perception of the dancing community, the survey participants were aware of the importance of traditional dancing among other forms of creative activity and believed it necessary for the growth of the Korean dance culture that the importance of traditional dancing be more pro-actively educated. Furthermore, they were in agreement in their disappointment in the low valuation of culture and art in society.