My advisers have commented that the title of my inquiry could be misperceived and it requires further clarification. Therefore, to be more thorough I am giving more thought to a better suited title.
The old title is ‘An exploration of fusion in Middle Eastern Dance (Egyptian Style) and Salsa Dance (Cuban style) today and its effect on the conservation of the historical & cultural origins of the Dance.
My objective was not to explore fusion of Middle Eastern Dance with Salsa jointly as the title may be perceived, but to examine each dance style separately from its roots to its current modern style. In retrospect, I realise that exploring both Middle Eastern Dance and Salsa is too broad a subject therefore I have decided to concentrate purely on Salsa.
I recognise that there are two distinct groups of discussion regarding Salsa i.e the modern ballroom and the Afro Cuban. Therefore, my new title will define my exploration of both these groups from the historical and the modern infusion of different styles.
Following discussions with my advisors they highlighted that the word ‘cultural’ within the title could be misperceived as a cultural sensitivity issue. I acknowledge that this should be better defined within my inquiry.
I believe the responsibility of a teacher is to uphold and convey the unique history of the particular dance, country, region and its culture. It sets a precedent for how the dance has evolved.
The video link below shows a trailer for a documentary called ‘The Black Roots of Salsa‘. It portrays the Afro Cuban’s passion declaring the origins of the ‘Rumba’ dance moves and music. It shows the gradual and subtle changes to modernise the music. It also shows the integration of a movement danced to a Deity of the Yoruba religion (1) effectively danced in Salsa today.
I concur with one of the interviewees in the trailer saying ‘the more you know the more you can enrich your dance’. I believe the Cuban culture of dance is passionately preserved and guarded by Cubans because it is deeply embedded in their identity today.
My advisors and colleagues have suggested the following titles;
1 .An exploration into the extent to which modern fusion dance styles have effected the conservation of the traditional styles.
2. Fusion - modernising of traditional dancing
I believe a more appropriate title is; An exploration of fusion in salsa dance. The ballroom vs. Cuban style and its effect on the conservation, history & roots of the dance.
To aid this investigation, I aim to produce a family tree of salsa dance styles and the outside influences that helped to define the emerging dance styles.
The link below shows the ballroom style salsa
Articles;
Beyond the Stereotype, Sensitivity begins with the teacher. on line Dance Magazine
Dance Studies/Cultural Studies, Gay Morris, Dance Research Journal 2009; 41, 1;International Index to Performing Arts Full Text pg. 82
Salsa, musical heartbeat of Latin America, Sue Steward, forward by Willie Colon. 1999, Thames & Hudson
