The relationship between dance program structure and dancer experience

Erskine, Shona MPsych, PhD, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Recognising that dancers? reported developments occur within the structure of dance programs, the aspects of programs that are significant in forming dancers? experiences were examined. Using psychology research methods to collect and analyse data, the study investigated a 6 month dance program involving 50 participants (25 male, 25 female) between 12 and 25 years-old. The program was described through data gathered in focus group interviews, Artistic Director interviews and researcher observations. The aspects of the program that were significant in forming dancers? experiences were examined using a technique known as Q-methodology ADDIN EN.CITE Brown19961900190Brown, Steven. R1996Q Methodology and Qualitative ResearchQualitative Health Reserach6561-567(Brown, 1996). Q-methodology combines the strengths of both qualitative and quantitative methods, providing an empirical method for the study of subjectivity. The Q-sort analysis revealed four groupings of dancers, accounting for 70.37% of the variance, who held different perspectives on their involvement in the program; Performers, Investigators, Personal Growthers, and Apprentices. ANOVA was used to assess whether the structure of importance as shown in the Q-sort was confirmed when program items were grouped into their broader category. To follow up significant main effects a post hoc comparison using the Scheffé method was employed ADDIN EN.CITE Tabachnick199697197Tabachnick, B. GFidell, L. S1996Using multivariate statisticsNew YorkHarperCollins College Publishers3rd(Tabachnick & Fidell, 1996). The attached table presents the program categories, their related experience statements, and the results of the internal consistency and ANOVA. Discriminant function procedure accounted for 68.7% of the between group variance, determining that the four groups of dancers were best described in terms of a weighted combination of years of dance experience and sex. Three discriminant cases were subjected to deviant case analysis. Conclusions focus on a detailed description of the four types of dance experience and what specific aspects of the program are seen as valuable in facilitating this experience. Deviant case analysis provides further discussion on how to attract and hold boys to dance. Conclusion reveal a multi dimensional view of dancers? experience that will assist researchers with frameworks to explore the dancers? experience, and will aid educators in the construction of dance experiences that encourage and develop many different types of dance artists.

Brown, S. R. (1996). Q Methodology and Qualitative Research. Qualitative Health Research, 6, 561-567.

Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (1996). Using multivariate statistics (3rd ed.). New York: HarperCollins College Publishers.