Guest Post: Dancers Among Us

Today's post is from dance teaching artist Sheena Jeffers.

Dancers Among Us, which has landed itself on the New York Times Best-Seller List, began as a project when photographer Jordan Matter observed his son playing with a toy bus. “I was trying to keep pace with this three-year-old mind as he got deeper and deeper into a fantasy involving nothing more than a yellow plastic box and armless figurines. At least that’s what I saw. He saw frantic commuters rushing to catch the 77 local bus to Australia.” 

The book captures movement, dance technique and creativity and exhibits how those three qualities interact with our regular daily activity. 

The book of photography, from photo shoots with professional dancers, is broken down into seven sections: Dreaming, Loving, Playing, Exploring, Grieving, Working, and Living. Each section contains quotes, stories and photographs of dancers interacting with the non-dancing world around them. 

The book is a great conversation starter for young dance students because: 

-The students can identify technique through the photograph: Are the legs extended? Toes pointed? What is their body placement? 
-The students can discuss the visual representation of dance with the larger theme and idea: What atmosphere were they photographed in? What is going on? What is the connection to real life? What is the photographer trying to say?
-The students can formulate their own opinions: What do they think of the image and the story? How does this relate to their personal lives? 

There is a quote used in the book, that captures the energy running through each page: “I am a verb,” said by Ulysses S. Grant. The 229 page book, which also runs the reader through the development of each photograph, is fun and lighthearted even when tackling serious issues during the grief section. 

Students, grades 6-12, will appreciate the photography, quotes and short stories as they see dance leap from the pages and into their personal lives. 

Sheena Jeffers is a dance educator throughout Virginia. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Dance Education. She runs Ballet Shoes & Bobby Pins, a blog focused on initiating dance conversation and awareness for students, parents and dance admirers of all ages. Join the conversation; follow on Twitter: @BalletBobbyPins

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