Dance Choreography

Introduction & Assessment

Choreography is the craft of designing movement sequences that tell a story or create a feeling. Before you make anything, spend time studying how others build dances. Watch three very different choreographers on YouTube: search "Travis Wall choreography," "Sonya Tayeh routine," and a K-pop performance of your choice. As you watch, ask yourself: How does the choreographer use the music? When do they use stillness? How do groups and formations change? Write down at least five observations across the three videos. You are not copying — you are training your eye. You are ready for the next step when you can describe five specific choreographic choices you noticed across the videos you watched.

Foundation Building

All choreography is built on two raw materials: musicality and movement vocabulary. Start with musicality. Pick a song and count out the beats — clap on every beat, then every other beat, then just on the 1 and 5. Notice where the lyrics and melody land on the count. Now brainstorm 10 different movements you can do to a single count of music (a clap, a head roll, a step, an arm swing, a jump, a freeze). Write them all down in a notebook — this is your movement vocabulary list. The bigger your list, the more tools you have as a choreographer. You are ready for the next step when you have a written list of at least 10 distinct movements and can clap and count through your chosen song accurately.

Skill Development

Now you build your first real 8-count phrase. Choose 8 movements from your vocabulary list and set them to 8 beats of your song. Write them down or video each one individually, then string them together and practice until you can do the full 8-count from memory. Next, create a second 8-count phrase that contrasts the first — if the first phrase is big and energetic, make the second small and slow. Link both phrases together for a 16-count sequence. Search "how to choreograph a dance step by step" on YouTube — MihranTV has clear beginner choreography tutorials you can learn from. You are ready for the next step when you can perform your 16-count sequence from memory three times in a row.

Practice & Refinement

Good choreography uses structure. Expand your 16-count sequence into a full 60-second piece by adding an intro (starting shape), a chorus section that repeats your strongest phrase, a bridge that does something unexpected (stop the music, change level, or go to the floor), and an outro (ending shape). Write your structure on paper before you start building: Intro (4 counts), Verse (16 counts), Chorus (16 counts), Bridge (8 counts), Chorus repeat (16 counts). Film each section as you build it, then watch them back-to-back. You are ready for the next step when you have a complete 60-second choreographed piece written out and can walk through each section in order.

Challenge Mode

Challenge yourself by choreographing for one other person. Teach your 16-count phrase to a friend, a sibling, or a classmate. Adapt it so it fits their body and skill level — what works for you may not work for them, and that adaptation is real choreographic thinking. Once they can perform it, create a simple unison duet: both of you do the phrase at the same time. Film it and compare to your solo version. If you want more, search for open choreography workshops at the Repertory Dance Theatre or University of Utah Dance Division — both occasionally open community sessions in Salt Lake City. You are ready for the next step when you have successfully taught your 16-count phrase to another person and performed it together.

Mastery Demonstration

Premiere your full 60-second piece for a live audience of at least three people. Before the performance, share your artist statement: what song did you pick, what feeling or story did you want to create, and what choreographic choices did you make on purpose? After the performance, ask your audience one question: "What did you see?" Compare their answers to your intent. Then submit or share your piece somewhere beyond your living room — post it to YouTube, TikTok, or a local Salt Lake dance community group. If you want to keep going, look into the SLC Dance Center or Repertory Dance Theatre community programs for intermediate choreography workshops. You are ready for the next step when you have performed your piece for a live audience, shared it online or with a dance community, and collected at least two pieces of audience feedback.