When I consider all of the websites that dancers use in one way or another as artists, administrators, and teachers, I have to say that Youtube is one of the main ones to make a huge difference in the dance world. The world, and lots of amazing dancing, is at our fingertips everyday.
Youtube holds dance history, tutorials, conversations, documented performances, and much more.
It is one of the many ways an artist can advertise and share his/her work, alongside an artist's website, Facebook page, email list, and more. It is now widely assumed that if you are a professional artist, information can be found about you on your own website and on Youtube.
Arts organizations and theaters use Youtube to share the details of their upcoming season. I love seeing the short clips of each upcoming artist as a "teaser" and enticement to purchases tickets. I was just looking at BAM's information on Youtube - check it out.
More and more, grantmaking organizations will be asking for short clips via Youtube as you apply for future funding. Posting on Youtube simply makes this information easily accessible for people on panels to review your information anywhere, anytime.
As a dancer, I have benefited from reviewing rehearsal videos that the choreographers I work for have posted via Youtube. These are "privately posted" videos, and you must have a link to access them. But, as a dancer, I have very much enjoyed being able to review and rehearse on my own in between rehearsals. This use of Youtube is extra helpful in this day and age when many artists do not get to rehearse as frequently as they would like. These videos can help keep ideas flowing from rehearsal to rehearsal.
For K-12 dance students and college students, the world of dance is just a click away now on Youtube. The easy access is simply amazing. I was doing a project with middle school students related to Busby Berkeley, and it was so great to have vintage video clips right there to quickly share with my students.
How do you interact, as a dancer, with Youtube? How do your audience members engage with it? How can Youtube support and enhance your dance courses you teach?
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