Dance teaches cultural traditions

Young children are connecting to their ethnic heritage in all sorts of ways these days—through language classes, cultural ceremonies, family rituals, and dance. The rise in enrollment for ethnic dance companies around the nation has been steady over the last decade, partially fueled by blooming immigration numbers. But enrollment is also up as cross-ethnic marriages produce children who are exposed to cultural differences not just at school but at home.

Parents hope to preserve their heritage by exposing their children to traditions from their native culture. In the richly diverse Pacific Northwest, with strong Asian and Pacific Islander communities as well as Scandinavians and Northern Europeans, ethnic dance schools flourish.

McPherson Scottish Dance Academy owner Carol McPherson formed her Olympia school a decade ago in response to parents and children who wanted to learn Highland dance as a way to connect to their Scottish heritage.

“I think everyone is interested in their family history, and where their family originated. It’s quite fascinating, and it gives them a sense of connection,” said McPherson. “Grandparents and family members are always proud to have the children acknowledge their family history. Many of my students have some Scottish connection, however, having Scottish heritage is not a pre-requisite to Highland dancing. Others have seen Scottish Highland dancing at a performance or competition and were impressed with the energy, skill, and enthusiasm demonstrated. They are often interested in the athletic aspect of the dance form. It’s great fun to hop and jump, while learning specific positions, movements, and dances.”

Yes parents, there is a “too young” when it comes to dancing, she said. But it depends on the child more than a set age. Some children may not be ready to begin a structured dance class while others of a younger age fare better. “If a child is not able to be away from their parent or struggles to pay attention during a class, then that child may want to wait a bit to begin dance training,” McPherson said.

Even ballet and modern dance are stressing the French and European terms and history of the movements along with the dance actions themselves. Tacoma’s Dance Theatre Northwest Director Melanie Kirk-Stauffer says, “Ballet links us directly to a European heritage and to classical music, but it also offers the study of traditional character (folk) dances from other countries for its story ballets such as Swan Lake and Nutcracker,” she said. “I have personally found that the universal language of ballet—French—is the same in China, Russia, Spain, Europe, America, and in many other parts of the world. Also, because movement speaks a language beyond words, it translates well to all cultures.”

That sense of common language also instills in children a sense of belonging and heritage. But even beyond that, dance can help them connect to the world. “We believe that dance and theater training are life tools, and everyone can benefit from classes in the performing arts,” Encore Director Kathleen McGilliard said. “Although we currently have and have had students who are seeking to dance professionally, we encourage our kids to be multi-talented.”

Although her Gig Harbor studio doesn’t focus specifically on ethnic or heritage dance, the classes touch on all sorts of cultures during the preparations for performances. “When we did ‘Brigadoon,’ I used authentic Highland dancing in the production,” she said. “During ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’ we used traditional country dances from the period to indicate the passage of time.” The theater’s recent production of “Fiddler on the Roof” used different Russian/Jewish folk dances as a convention.

“It always pleases me when I become aware of a family who encourages its members to maintain the connections with their heritage through continuing to teach the language of the homeland or teach the dances of the homeland,” McGilliard said.