Dancing is the personification of music, and music is an abstract

Host: The calm of the evening settled in as the soft light illuminated the room, casting gentle shadows on the walls. Jack sat at the table, his fingers resting lightly on the edge of his cup, absorbed in thought. Jeeny stood near the window, gazing out at the street, clearly reflecting on the depth of Ann Reinking's words.

Jeeny: “I’ve been thinking about what Ann Reinking said: ‘Dancing is the personification of music, and music is an abstract expression of the human spirit. But still, it’s the act of communication, of making one feel. Otherwise, it would just be gymnastics.’ It’s such a beautiful way of describing the true essence of dance, isn’t it? How it’s not just about the physical movement, but about expressing something deeper—something that connects us to each other.”

Jack: “Yes, exactly. Reinking is showing us that dance isn’t just a physical art form—it’s an emotional one. It’s a language of its own, a way to communicate the emotions, stories, and the human spirit through movement. It’s not just about doing the steps right; it’s about conveying something that resonates with the audience, something that makes them feel, something that speaks directly to their emotions.”

Jeeny: “Right. It’s like she’s saying that dance, like music, is about more than just the technical aspects—it’s about what it expresses. Music alone can be abstract, but when you combine it with dance, it becomes a tangible way to communicate those feelings and emotions. The movement becomes a way to make something invisible—like the spirit, or an emotion—feel real, feel present.”

Host: The stillness in the room deepened as they both reflected on how dance transcends mere physicality. Jack’s fingers stilled on the table, and Jeeny’s expression softened, considering how often people forget that the real power of dance lies in its ability to express something intangible, something deeply human.

Jack: “It makes me think about how we often view dance and music as performances or displays of skill. But Reinking is reminding us that the true purpose of these art forms isn’t just to impress—it’s to connect with people, to communicate something beyond the surface. When done well, dance is more than just movement; it becomes a bridge between the performer and the audience, a shared experience that evokes emotion.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. That’s what makes it so powerful. Dance transforms music into something we can see, something we can feel with our bodies. It’s not just about executing the choreography perfectly—it’s about interpreting the music, translating it into a form of communication that goes beyond words. If it’s just about the steps and the technique, it’s not truly expressive; it’s just physical performance.”

Jack: “It’s the soul of dance that gives it meaning. Reinking seems to be saying that without that emotional connection, dance would just be empty movement. It’s the ability to convey a feeling, to take an abstract emotion and make it real through movement, that makes dance what it is. Without that, it’s just gymnastics—something technically impressive, but lacking the heart.”

Jeeny: “Yes, and I think that’s why we can be so moved by a dance performance. It’s not just about how well someone dances—it’s about how they make us feel. When dance connects with us on an emotional level, it’s because it’s communicating something deeper, something personal. It becomes a language that doesn’t need words, just movement, to communicate its message.”

Host: The room had grown quieter, the weight of the conversation sinking in as the idea that dance is more than physical skill—it’s a form of expression, a means of communication—had taken root. Jack leaned back slightly in his chair, while Jeeny’s gaze softened, reflecting on how powerful the act of dance can be when it transcends technique and becomes something authentic and human.

Jack: “So, it’s really about communication, isn’t it? Dance, like music, is a way to express emotions, to communicate feelings that words can’t capture. It’s not just about the movement—it’s about what the movement means and how it connects us.”

Jeeny: “Yes, exactly. It’s about the emotional impact, the connection between the performer and the audience. When dance speaks to us in that way, it becomes more than just a performance—it becomes a shared experience that transcends words. That’s what makes it so powerful.”

Host: The evening had fully settled in, the quiet realization between them a reminder that art, in any form, is most powerful when it transcends technique and speaks directly to the heart. Ann Reinking’s words had shown them that dance, like music, is a way to express the human spirit, to communicate emotions that words cannot. The world outside had darkened, but inside, there was light—a recognition that the true power of movement, music, and art lies in their ability to connect us on a deeply emotional level.