Dance and creativity xploration of four first-year tertiary dance students’ meanings of creative dance

Abstract

This master’s research explores tertiary dance students’ meanings of creative dance through looking at the reflective anecdotes of learning experiences. The research question guiding this inquiry is: What are first-year tertiary dance students' meanings of creative dance? This qualitative research used semi-structured in-depth interviews to collect data and a thematic process of analysis to discuss the data. The findings were presented in four student narratives that revealed different meanings of creative dance. This thesis presents possible rationales for these meanings and proposes potential approaches for tertiary dance students to reflect on their learning practices. The research found that students valued creative dance as a means for liberation. Specifically, the students spoke about movement exploration and expression of feelings. The investigation did not aim to judge tertiary dance students engaged in this study, but rather it aimed to show that creative dance can be a useful form for providing different understandings of dance and for prompting further critical reflections on approaches to dance education.