A great jazz dancer can accept what is new and innovative, yet is also a stylist who has learned from the many artists who came before him. It requires devotion to technique, history and personal style to become a powerful jazz dancer. Technique enables us to control our bodies in the variety of ways necessary to be expressive. History gives us the material in which to build authentic dance which can depict a time frame or mood to our audience. Personal style is what sets us apart from others, creating a true jazz artist.
Jazz dance is universal.
My experience has been that everyone finds some one thing or more to enjoy or relate to in jazz dance. By its very essence, it is a common language, reaching deep inside and drawing upon the very soul of us all. Have fun today for tomorrow may never come. However you think and live your life, there is a necessity to have a discipline, of a sort, if you wish to survive. Jazz dance is an expression of this kind of life.