Episode Summary

In this engaging episode of Dance GEMS, Ton Greten and Jean Dorff dive deep into the nuanced topic of freedom of choice in dance. They explore whether dancers really have control over their own decisions, or if external and internal factors—like organizations, rules, traditions, and upbringing—limit personal agency. Through real-life stories, comparisons across dance styles, and honest reflections, they shed light on how choice, freedom, and power dynamics play out in studios, companies, and competitions. The conversation also branches into the responsibility of teachers, the psychological side of decision-making, and the unspoken influences shaping every dancer’s journey.

• Freedom is Relative: While dancers often feel they have freedom, true autonomy is limited by the rulebooks of organizations, competitions, and social expectations.
  
• Rules Can Both Support and Restrict: Jean highlights the double-edged sword of rules—sometimes necessary for safety and fairness, but just as often arbitrary and limiting.
  
• Importance of Openness and Communication: Jean stresses that discussing intentions and boundaries between teachers, students, and coaches creates healthier environments and more genuine choices.
  
• Inner Influences Matter: Beyond external rules, Jean points out that upbringing, biases, fear of exclusion, and the drive to belong heavily influence dancers’ choices, often unconsciously.
  
• Responsibility in Leadership: Jean advocates for teachers and coaches to foster true understanding and offer context, instead of dictatorial “do as I say” approaches.
  

• Formal vs. Practical Freedom: Ton sees a stark difference between theoretical freedom and what happens in reality—dancers rarely have complete control, mainly due to unwritten norms and power imbalances.
  
• Power Dynamics in Studios: He shares personal stories of being pressured or excluded by teachers/studios for seeking more opportunities—a common experience for many dancers.
  
• The Influence of Teachers: Ton describes how teachers sometimes overstep, dictating everything from hair color to partners, which limits individuality and may amount to manipulation.
  
• Methodologies Can Liberate or Restrict: Ton notes that some methods (like Laban or the Dance GEMS approach) are more conducive to freedom, while traditional “rulebooks” tend to confine.
  
• Standing Your Ground Has Consequences: From shaving his hair in defiance to switching studios for more practice, Ton emphasizes that breaking from the norm often leads to backlash—but also self-discovery and memorable impact.
  

Join Ton and Jean as they encourage dancers, teachers, and dance lovers to reflect on the real scope of their choices. Are you truly free—or just following someone else’s choreography off the dance floor?

Share your thoughts, and don’t forget to check out previous episodes on teaching styles and coaching dynamics.

For more resources and episodes, visit the Dance GEMS podcast archive.

5 Key Takeaways from Jean5 Key Takeaways from TonListen & Reflect