As many people know, before college I spent the majority of my life as a dancer. I was involved with both my high school dance team and local dance studio. I also spent most of those years performing in musicals and in choir, but I think dance motivated my participation in those activities as well.
To this day I don't think I have experienced any sheer joy greater than what I felt while dancing. Even if you aren't a dancer, or you don't spend endless hours watching dance videos on YouTube, it is hard to deny a great performance when you see it. I don't care how dramatic it may sound, these seven dances did change my life. I find myself going back to them time and time again, and I hope you now will too.
1. "Collide" performed by Kent and Lauren
I mark this contemporary piece as what made me fall deeply in love with dance. Honestly it's a little sickening how many times I've watched this video, but Travis Wall's choreography holds a special place in my heart. I think what I love the most about this performance is that it shows just how much raw emotion goes into dance. Maybe I'm a sucker for romance, but the kiss at the end of this dance gives me butterflies every single time I watch it.
2. "Bellyache" choreographed by Jake Kodish
I came across this video last summer and instantly fell in love with the song by Billie Eilish. It's crazy that a year later I constantly hear her songs on the radio (but I'm not complaining). Skip to 1:24. Watch the girl dead center. She is the reason I am obsessed with this video. If you were wondering what it meant to "go hard" just watch her. Not only does she bring intensity to the dance, but you can see that she is genuinely having so much fun which makes it even more entertaining.
3. "711" performed by ReQuest Dance Crew
Let's be real, if you've seen this video once you've seen it a thousand times. If you've never seen it, prepare yourself because you're about to be hooked. What's better than a powerhouse of an all girls dance crew? An all girls dance crew dancing to Queen Bey. Also, I just reallllllly love the way the video is filmed.
4. "Sorry" erformed by The Ladies of ReQuest & The Royal Family Dance Crews
Oh, look who it is again! Sorry, but I can't get enough of these girls. And this time there's even more of these incredible dancers. I know JB fans are far and few, but this video made me a Belieber. It's not just this song either, the entire "Purpose" visual album is underrated. If you like dance in any way shape or form, you will really appreciate what he did with this album. It made me look at Justin Bieber in a completely new way.
5. "Unsteady" choreographed by Tyce Diorio
I know you were all wondering, where is Kent Boyd now? No worries, he's still shaking his booty! Another thing I love about dance is that it is more than just movement to music. Dance tells a story. It depicts real life. It can even be political. This was the first male duet I saw that displayed love as anything other than hetero-normative. When watching this video it honestly becomes difficult to see gender at all. It defies gender norms by coupling strength with delicacy. It's precise and, yet smooth.
6. "Bang Bang" performed by Alex and Eliana
This is the song that inspired the song choice for my senior solo at my last dance recital. The moment the music began I looked up this haunting song. Turns out, Lady Gaga recorded a cover of this song that is absolutely breath taking. Something about this song is so beautifully eerie. Each time I watch this dance I am transported to another world. I feel like I am right there on the stage with Eiliana and Alex.
7. "Work Song" choreographed by Jillian Meyers
I am a HUGE fan of Hozier, so when I saw this video I was absolutely stoked. It feels so real. I feel like the dancers could be a friend, family member, or somebody I pass on the street. It embodies love in a way that I think anybody can relate to. It couples dance so normally with the motions of life. The ease of the movements makes dance makes me want to be dancing with them every time.
