ABSTRACT

Burridge and Svendler Nielsen bring together many perspectives from around the world on dancing experiences through life of senior artists and educators, whether as professionals working with community dance groups, in education or for recreation and well-being.

Broadening our understanding of the burgeoning sector of maturing dances and dancers, this book incorporates a range of theoretical approaches with an emphasis on cultural and experiential dimensions. It includes examples of how artists, community practitioners, teachers, policy makers and academics work to better understand, promote and create new ways of thinking and working in the field of dance performance, education and well-being. Each section of the book includes a mixture of chapters based on research and case narratives focusing on practitioners’ experience, as well as conversations between world-renowned mature dance artists and choreographers. It features an eclectic mix of lived experiences, wisdom, deep knowledge and reflection.

The book is a valuable resource for students of performing arts, pedagogy, choreography, community dance practice, social and cultural studies, aesthetics, interdisciplinary arts, dance therapy and more. Artists working across generations and in communities can also find useful inspiration for their continued dance practice.

chapter |5 pages

Introduction

Stephanie Burridge and Charlotte Svendler Nielsen

section Section 1|38 pages

Conversations

chapter 1.4|5 pages

A Conversation about Life in Dance

A crossing of two paths

chapter 1.5|5 pages

The Love and Kindness of Teachers

Reflecting on working with senior Javanese masters

chapter 1.6|5 pages

A Life in Dance

Collaborating and working together

section Section 2|57 pages

Professional dance practice

chapter 2.1|13 pages

Too Old to Dance! Says Who?

Senior professional dancers defying ageism

chapter 2.2|11 pages

Creating in the Liminal Space

Connecting pathways of embodied experience

chapter 2.4|8 pages

(K)Not In Dance

Bodies and dancing as states of becoming

chapter 2.6|4 pages

A Full and Creative Life

section Section 3|46 pages

Community dance practice and performance

chapter 3.2|13 pages

Still Ripening

Evolving a dance practice through reflection

chapter 3.3|12 pages

From Viral Hit to Vital Troupe

The "dancing grannies" of Angthong and their revival of Lakhon Chatri during a pandemic

chapter 3.4|6 pages

Fine Lines

A dance collective of mature artists – the story so far

chapter 3.5|6 pages

Dance Matters

Crows Feet Dance Collective

section Section 4|54 pages

Pedagogy and recreational dance practice

chapter 4.1|13 pages

Becoming an Affirmative Community

Mature dancers' experiences in an age-aware contemporary dance class

chapter 4.2|12 pages

From the Stage to the Next Stage

Transitioning from a learner to a teacher – Amala Shankar's journey

chapter 4.3|10 pages

Learning in Creative Dance

Adults and children share the space

chapter 4.4|13 pages

Managing Expectations

Teaching mature dancers in lutrawita/ Tasmania

chapter 4.5|4 pages

Traditional Apprenticeship in Contemporary Times

Lim Fei Shen

section Section 5|47 pages

Dance therapy and well-being

chapter 5.1|11 pages

An Examination of the Facilitation of Dance Practice for Older Adults

A focus group discussion between practitioners working in community settings across New Zealand, Australia and England

chapter 5.2|10 pages

The Happiest Hour in the Week

Memory Dance and Dance Movement Therapy for elderly people living with dementia

chapter 5.3|15 pages

Feeling the Touch

Integrating sensations into dance activities for the elderly with dementia

chapter 5.4|4 pages

Everyday Waltzes for Active Ageing

A creative intervention for seniors and training programme for eldercare staff

chapter 5.5|5 pages

Wingspan

A seated dance performance