Behind the Scenes: What Goes into Creating a Dance Routine

belinda006
May 5
5 min read

A Look at the Creative Process of Building Choreography

When you watch a beautifully performed dance routine, it may seem like the dancers are effortlessly gliding through their steps, expressing emotions, and telling a story. However, behind every flawless performance, there’s a lot of hard work, creativity, and planning that goes into creating the dance. The process of building a dance routine is an intricate, layered journey that combines technical skill, artistic vision, and attention to detail.

Let’s take a closer look at the steps and thought processes involved in creating a dance routine and how everything comes together to create something magical.

1. Inspiration and Concept Development

Every dance routine begins with an idea or concept. The teacher or dance leader starts by thinking about the story they want to tell, the mood they want to create, or the style of dance they want to focus on. Sometimes, inspiration can come from a song, a feeling, a theme, or even an image.

Choosing the music: A dance teacher often starts with selecting a piece of music that inspires them. The beat, melody, and lyrics (if there are any) help shape the movement.
Establishing a theme: If the routine is telling a story or expressing an emotion, the teacher will think about how the movement can reflect that theme. For example, a happy, upbeat song might inspire lively, energetic movements, while a sad, slow song might lead to more flowing, emotive dance.
Imagery and emotions: Sometimes, a dance teacher may visualize an image or feeling and build the movement around that—like a storm, a dream, or a personal experience.

2. Structuring the Routine

Once the concept is in place, the next step is to structure the dance. This is where the teacher or dance leader decides how the routine will flow and what movements will come next.

Breaking the music down: Teachers often break down the music into smaller sections to figure out how to match the movement to each part. They might divide the song into verses, chorus, bridge, or instrumental breaks and decide what kind of movements suit each section.
Forming patterns: The teacher decides where the dancers will be positioned on stage. This might involve formations like lines, circles, or diagonal arrangements. These patterns are crucial for creating visually striking moments in the dance.
Timing and transitions: Good routines aren’t just about individual moves; they’re also about how those moves flow together. The teacher thinks carefully about timing, how dancers transition from one move to the next, and how they create smooth flow throughout the routine.

3. Creating Movement

With the structure in place, it’s time to start creating the movement! This is where the creativity really shines, and the teacher begins to craft the dance steps that will bring the vision to life.

Experimenting with steps: Teachers often experiment with different movements to match the music. They might start with basic steps and then layer on more complex movements, such as turns, jumps, and lifts, depending on the style of dance.
Incorporating style: Whether it’s ballet, jazz, contemporary, or hip-hop, each style has its own set of movements. The teacher will choose movements that fit the style and match the energy of the music.
Adding personal flair: The teacher adds their own personal style and signature moves that reflect their creativity and vision for the piece. This could involve experimenting with different body angles, levels (high, medium, or low), and dynamics (soft, sharp, fast, or slow).

4. Working with the Dancers

Once the teacher has developed the movements, it’s time to work with the dancers. This is where collaboration and fine-tuning come into play. The teacher will guide the dancers through the steps, ensuring everyone is in sync and working toward a shared vision.

Teaching the moves: The teacher will demonstrate the movements and give feedback to help dancers refine their technique. This can take time, as the dancers work on getting the movements just right.
Adjusting for individual strengths: Every dancer has their own strengths, and a good teacher will tailor certain movements to highlight each dancer’s unique abilities. For example, a dancer with strong jumps might get a lift or aerial movement, while someone with flexibility might focus on long, graceful extensions.
Encouraging creativity: Teachers may also ask dancers for input or suggestions. Sometimes, dancers have their own ideas for how a movement could be performed or can contribute to the creation of a certain section of the dance. This collaboration adds depth to the final performance.

5. Fine-Tuning and Polishing

After the initial choreography is taught and practiced, the focus shifts to fine-tuning and polishing the routine. This is when the teacher pays attention to the small details that make the dance truly shine.

Refining timing and precision: Every move must be executed with precision. The teacher will ensure the dancers are hitting each movement at exactly the right time, especially when it comes to important accents or beats in the music.
Facial expressions and performance quality: Dance isn’t just about the steps; it’s also about the performance. Teachers will help dancers understand how to express emotion through facial expressions and body language, ensuring they connect with the audience.
Transitions and flow: Smooth transitions between movements are essential for keeping the flow of the routine. The teacher works on making sure dancers glide seamlessly from one part to the next, keeping the energy consistent.

6. Rehearsals and Refinement

Once the routine is set, it’s time for rehearsals! This is when everything comes together, and the dancers get comfortable with the routine. The teacher will oversee multiple rehearsals, watching for any adjustments or improvements that need to be made.

Rehearsing the routine: During rehearsals, the dancers practice the routine repeatedly, with the teacher giving them corrections and guidance on their movements.
Performance practice: The teacher will also run the routine as if it’s a live performance, helping the dancers practice how to move with energy, presence, and confidence.
Last-minute adjustments: Even during rehearsals, things may change—whether it’s a dancer’s position, timing adjustments, or adding new ideas to improve the routine. The teacher remains flexible and willing to make changes until the dance is as polished as possible.

7. Performance!

Finally, after weeks of work, the day of the performance arrives. All the planning, creativity, and rehearsals have led to this moment. The dancers take the stage, and the teacher watches their hard work come to life.

Final checks: Before the performance begins, the teacher ensures everything is in place—costumes, stage lighting, music cues, and any last-minute adjustments.
Enjoying the moment: The teacher watches the dancers perform, knowing that the dance has been carefully crafted and is now ready to be shared with an audience.

Conclusion: The Art of Creating a Dance Routine

Creating a dance routine is a complex, creative process that involves a lot of planning, practice, and collaboration. From choosing the right music to refining the smallest details, every step of the process plays a crucial role in creating a stunning final performance.

Behind every routine you see or perform on stage, there’s a teacher who has poured their creativity, time, and passion into bringing the music to life through movement. It’s a journey of artistic expression, teamwork, and dedication—and when it all comes together, the results can be truly magical.