My area of expertise

Though it may seem crazy, I think the ability to recognize a beat in music is a really helpful skill. Music surrounds us everyday. Even if you don't play an instrument, music can be a major part of your life without realizing it. I know I am not the only one who listens to music in the car, getting dressed in the morning, while studying, cleaning or even trying to calm my nerves. Music is sort of like a support system; it is always there and can always fit your mood.
As a dancer, we are faced with the challenge of not only perfecting the movements but making them form with the music perfectly. Most of the time, you can keep track by counting to eight. However, how do you know how fast to count, when to take a breath, or if it changes in between counts. This is where finding the beat is a must. Most music has a four bar time range with a certain beat. However, new beats may be added in or removed during that time period.
The show So You Think You Can Dance proves that without finding the beat, you seem displaced and unaware of what you are dancing. The people who do this don't last too long. Behind every dance is a story; it may be obvious or it could be very subtle. Listening to the beats will help you figure out the story and enjoy the dance even more. All of this proves that something as simple as a hit on the drum can change the meaning, movement, and emotion of a dance.


here is a good song that proves the 4 bar rule. If you listen carefully you can hear the same sounds coming in and out.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR3ctQKtxrE

Fish out of water

 Football games. Every single one is different. The plays that are called, the plays that are made, the points earned and even the fans attending change. For some people, football games are more of a social event and for others it is what their lives revolve around. I can get really obnoxious while I am watching football because I yell alot. "NO! NO! Why did you do that?!" and  "GO! GO! GO!" are my most commonly used phrases. However, Over  the past few years I have learned that only in some environments can I actually cheer as much as I want to.
Oak Hall Football games are more of a social event. All the high schoolers line up along the fence like to act like they are watching (but few of them actually are) while the younger siblings play their own game of football in the baseball field. The parents sit up in the stands to support their kids and make sure they don't get injured. We have a DJ, not a pep band, the students don't have their own section and don't usually participate in the whole "school spirit" thing. After a few Oak hall football games, I automatically assumed this was how it always was, the occasional look at the score board to see if we were winning, the frequent trips to the concession stand and the constant laughing with my friends. To me, that was how all high school football games were, but I was in for a surprise.
My Sister goes to Eastside High School. Probably the complete opposite of Oak Hall. I decided to go to one of the football games with her last year to see what they were like. Getting ready, I put on a green shirt, orange scarf, jeans and boots. I mean it was going to be cold and people usually wore cute outfits to football games right? Wrong. My sister game out in orange running shorts, a cut up green shirt  and a fuzzy orange hat on! I had never seen anyone wear anything like that to an Oak Hall game especially when it was going to be cold! I laughed it off thinking she was just insane and most people would be wearing what I was. Wrong again. We arrived at citizens field and the first thing I noticed were all the cops. What were they doing there? Then I noticed how big it was! And it was mostly full! We walked over to the student section ( I thought it was weird that it was actually full of kids) and  I realized all the the kids were in running shorts and most of them had their shirts off ( girls with sports bras on) and painted their stomachs with orange and green paint. That is when I realized, I was sooooo out of place. The band, which was huge, played music throughout the whole game and had an amazing half time show. The kids were cheering the whole game! It was incredible. However, me being the awkward person I am stood in the back of the student section by myself most of the game. I didn't know how to respond to all the "pep". I got some strange looks that night. I was so out of place. However, next time I went I knew what to expect, went with the flow and had a blast! I could actually cheer!