Multiple engagement of self in the development of talent in professional dancers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify and examine the methods that professional dancers use to engage fully into their work as artists. Participants (N=15) were professional dancers from five European nationalities, (7 females; 8 males), currently performing for three major Scotland‐based dance companies, including two professional free‐lance dancers (M age= 25.6 years). Grounded theory methodology (Strauss & Corbin, 1998) was used to derive a core construct labelled Multiple Engagement of Self. The results are compared to existing research in dance and performance development literature and incorporated into a three‐component ecological model of expertise development, namely Deliberate Practice, Deliberate Experience and Transfer of Skills. A shift from models of assessment to models of development in consideration of talent and expertise is suggested for dancers, educators, and choreographers alike.

Acknowledgement

We wish to give special thanks to the Artistic Directors and the dancers from the Scottish Ballet, Scottish Dance Theatre, and The Curve Foundation, as well as the independent professional dancers, for their assistance in participant recruitment and support for this study. We would also like to thank both anonymous reviewers and the editor of this journal, Ms. Linda Rolfe, for their contributions to the revisions of the manuscripts.