Blog 24: Last Presentation Reflection

(1) Positive Statement

What are you most proud of in your block presentation and/or your senior project? Why?

• Out of everything I did, I'm most proud of my hook video. It was a small project that Isaiah Maylad and I put together but it was able to do it's job within my presentation and it did its job effectively. 

(2) Questions to Consider

a.     What assessment would you give yourself on your block presentation?  Use the component contract to defend that assessment.

AE       P          AP       CR       NC

• P: I would give myself a P because I did have a fairly decent presentation. I hit everything I needed to touch on and I met the required time. A P sounds fair to me.

b.     What assessment would you give yourself on your overall senior project? Use the component contract to defend that assessment.

AE       P          AP       CR       NC

• AE-P+: The reason why I feel I deserve an AE/P+ is because of the fact that I did all of my research checks on time and I did go above and beyond with my independent component projects which took countless hours to complete.

(3) What worked for you in your senior project?

• What definitely worked for me was the opportunity to branch out into the dance industry. It was all because of senior project that I was able to go out and experience things that I've never done before and I was also able to meet new choreographers and dancers that are people that I can now call as friends.

(4) (What didn't work) If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your senior project?

• If I could go back and change anything about my senior project, it would be the amount of time that I spent on my IC #1. Although the final product was even more amazing than I expected it to come out, I still feel like if we spent a little bit more time on it, cleaning up some things, then we would've been able to actually go viral. 

(5) Finding Value

How has the senior project been helpful to you in your future endeavors?   Be specific and use examples.

• Due to senior project I was able to meet connections in the dance industry and my name is now fairly known in the community. My choreography abilities have also greatly improved and the likely that I will be able to even teach my own dance slot in the future is more likely.

Blog 23 - Exit Interview

(1) What is your essential question, and what are your answers?  What is your best answer and why?

• My essential question is, "What is the most important factor in making a choreographed dance piece?"
• My three answers are , 1) "the amount of time that's being put into the process of choreographing a dance piece." 2) "the amount of effort that a dancer put into each movement." 3) "the initial emotional connection that you make when listening to a song."
• In my opinion, I believe that my first answer is the best choice. Although all of the other answers have great significance in regards to the outcome of a dance piece, by putting more time into the process you are able to perfect a piece in more ways than the other two answers combined. 

(2) What process did you take to arrive at this answer?

• What really helped me get to this answer comes directly from my last two interviews. In both my interview 3 & 4, they had stated when asked that the most important factor when choreographing/dancing is practice. The only way to get better is to put time and effort into your dancing and then from there I got this inspiration and made it revolve more around my essential question.

(3) What problems did you face?  How did you resolve them?

• My main problems that I faced directly revolved around the fact that I had no idea what to research in the beginning. Dance was such a broad category that I couldn't distinguish what it was that I directly wanted to research. However, I was able to resolve this matter by asking myself what it was that really intrigued me about dance. What really attracts me the most about dance is being able to create something that you could be proud of and that's why I chose to focus on the choreography aspect of dance. This allowed me to tackle different aspects and perspectives in which choreography can actually be done.

(4) What are the two most significant sources you used to answer your essential question and why?

• The two main sources that I used were the Parallel Processes in Writing and Choreography by Amy Larimer and Feedback Facial Expressions and Emotions by Costanza Navarretta.
• The Larimer article really helped me in regards to the realization that dance is an art form that's just as complex as something like writing a novel. There are so many similarities that I even started to refer to dance as storytelling several times in my I-Search paper. 
• The Navarretta article really helped me because it helped me see dance in a more emotional aspect and that's how I then chose to approach dance throughout the year. I saw dance as more than just a sport from then on.

Blog 22 - Independent Component 2

  

LITERAL
(a) “I, Yuji Karuhaka, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 59 hours of work.”
(b) Cite your source regarding who or what article or book helped you complete the independent component.

• The source that really helped me with this component was from an interview I did with my dance captain, Lauren Alvar. She gave me a lot of tips as to how choreography should properly be done and what aspects of choreography should be more emphasized. 

(c) Update your Independent Component 2 Log (which should be under your Senior Project Hours link)

• DONE

(d) Explain what you completed.    

• For my independent component 2, I decided to choreograph eight pieces that I could later use for either class material or shoot for concept videos. Each piece took about two days to choreograph with a total of about six-eight hours per piece. I also spent a number of hours teaching my pieces and also filming several of them.

(e) Defend your work and explain the component's significance and how it demonstrates 30 hours of work.   Provide evidence (photos, transcript, art work, videos, etc) of the 30 hours of work.   



a screenshot of one of my videos


a picture that was taken of me teaching a couple dancers from my studio


a picture that was taken of me performing choreo to "Leave Your Lover" by Sam Smith

• For video evidence, a majority of the videos are on my camera library so ask me in person. 

(f)How did the component help you answer your EQ? Please include specific examples to illustrate how it helped. 

• This component helped me answer my EQ because it helped me become more versatile in my choreographing abilities. I incorporated aspects of all my answers like connecting to a song or even spending a lot of hours practicing a piece. For example, on my "Don't" piece, I incorporated my answer of practicing by using that piece to solely demonstrate the effect of keeping a piece hidden until it's absolutely perfect and is ready for the public to see. I also incorporated the answer of connection to a song by choreographing to a song that really meant something to me, This was demonstrated in my "Loved by You" piece. 

Blog 21 - Fourth Interview Reflection

1. What is the most important thing I learned from the interview?  

• The most important thing that I learned from this interview is that most dancers actually fail a lot more than they succeed. However, in order to succeed these dancers need the mentality of now giving up. Only then would a dancer actually become successful in the future. 

2.  How will what I learned affect my final lesson?

• From what I learned from my interview, I will be able to more effectively discuss what it means to articulate sounds. My interviewee went really in depth as to how things like textures and speed control could really affect the impact of a dance piece.

Blog 20: Fourth Interview Questions

1.  Who do you plan to interview?  What is this person's area of expertise?

• I plan to interview Marlon, the owner of the dance studio that I trained at. He has years of dance and being in the industry under his belt. In the past he had danced for big names and knows exactly what it takes to make it into the dance industry. 

2.  Post 20 open-ended questions you want to ask an expert in the field concerning your senior project. Your focus should be finding answers to your EQ.

1. How did you make a career out of dance?
2. Were there any other passions that you had growing up?
3. If you didn't have dance, where would you be right now?
4. What is your most memorable moment regarding dance?
5. Did you ever in your lifetime feel discouraged about dance?
6. What is your experience with making choreography?
7. Do you believe that there is a process to making choreography?
8. Do you believe that anyone, regardless of dance experience, can make a dance piece that's industry worthy?
9. What intrigues you the most when watching someone else's choreography?
10. What is your favorite aspect about making choreography?
11. What is a choreographer's biggest mistake?
12. How do you make a choreographed dance piece stand out from the rest?
13. What separates a good choreographer from a bad choreographer?
14. What factors of making choreography do you think are the most important?
15. When do you think the best age to start dancing is?
16. What do you love about dance the most?
17. Is there anything about the dance industry that you wish you could change?
18. How did you grow up dancing?
19. Were you a born natural?
20. Can you see yourself doing anything other than dance?

Blog 19: Third Answer

• EQ 
• What is the most important factor in choreographing a dance piece? 
• Answer #3 (Write in a complete sentence like a thesis statement)*
• The most important factor that goes into choreographing a dance piece is the amount of time you put into that process.
• 3 details to support the answer
• This ties into the cleaning and perfecting aspect of choreography.
• Allows for the choreography to go back and perfect movements.
• Shows a sense of dedication
• With more time being put into a piece, the more you're personally devoted to that piece.
• Most choreographers spend months on their choreography before they showcase them.
• Travelling choreographers especially don't choreograph that many pieces on a yearly basis due to the fact that they have so many opportunities to teach their pieces in different places before they are actually shown through social media. 
• The research source(s) to support your details and answer
• Larimer, Amy. "Parallel Process in Writing and Choreography: Editor: Ferman Konukman." Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 86.6 (2015): 48-49.

• Concluding Sentence
• This answer is a valid answer due to the fact that dance is an art and just like any art form, you need time to perfect your masterpiece. 

Blog 18: Answer 2

1.  What is your EQ?

• "What is the most important factor in choreographing a dance piece?"

2.  What is your first answer? (In complete thesis statement format)

• The most important factor that goes into choreographing a dance piece is the initial connection that you are able to make with a song when first choreographing.

3.  What is your second answer? (In complete thesis statement format)

• The most important factor that goes into choreographing a dance piece is the amount of power/strength you use to execute each move. 

4.  List three reasons your answer is true with a real-world application for each.

• There are several choreographers that are popular and known due to the sole reason that they can hit their movements so hard.
• Some choreographers that would be known for this are Bam Martin, Sorah Yang and Markus Pe Benito.
• By properly hitting hard, you are able to expand the amount of movements you know when choreographing. 
• Dancing requires different textures of movements to look good and if you don't know how to hit hard then you won't be able to hit those textures. 
• If you can't properly execute then you won't be able to make it into the industry. 
• What distinguishes a lot of choreographers from one another is based on how hard they can hit. Some are seen better than others because of this. 

5.  What printed source best supports your answer?

• Sato, N, H Nunome, and Y Ikegami. "Kinematic
  Analysis of Basic Rhythmic Movements of
  Hip-hop Dance: Motion Characteristics
  Common to Expert Dancers." Journal of
  Applied Biomechanics, 31.1 (2015): 1-7.

6.  What other source supports your answer?

• Weege, Bettina, Michael N Pham, Todd K
  Shackelford, and Bernhard Fink. "Physical
  Strength and Dance Attractiveness: Further
  Evidence for an Association in Men, but Not
  in Women." American Journal of Human
  Biology, 27.5 (2015): 728-730.

7.  Tie this together with a concluding thought.

• This answer is definitely something that I could relate to because a lot of my own style is solely based on execution. I'm known for using really big and powerful movements and that's why I chose power as my second answer.

Blog 17: Interview 3 Reflection

1. What is the most important thing I learned from the interview?  

• The most important thing that I learned from this interview is that a majority of making choreography has to do with crowd appeal. Instead of making choreography that I enjoy, in order to make it into the industry as a choreographer you have to focus on what other people would like.

2.  How has your approach to interviewing changed over the course of your senior project?

• As the year passed and more interviews were being done, I've learned to ask more personal questions as well as learning how to follow up with questions. In my first interview, I did not ask any follow up questions at all because I didn't know how to do so but now as I interview, the questions just keep popping up.

Blog 16: Independent Component 2 Approval

 

Examples of videos that other dancers use in their portfolios

1.  Describe in detail what you plan to do for your 30 hours.

• For my Independent Component 2, I plan to create a dance portfolio. It would consist of a total of 8 pieces that would vary in dance styles. My 30 hours would go into perfecting and creating these pieces over the course of the next 2 months. 

2.  Discuss how or what you will do to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence.

• In order to show the evidence of these 30 hours, I would have a folder made with all of the pieces I make compiled into it. I would also take pictures of me choreographing in the studio.

3.  Explain how this component will help you explore your topic in more depth.

• This component would help me explore my topic in more depth because it requires me to have deadlines. Making 8 pieces in only the course of 2 months is definitely going to be hard so that's why I'm going to need to use time management. It would also help me explore different types of music that I could choreograph more in depth to.

4.  Post a log in your Senior Project Hours link and label it "Independent Component 2" log.

• Will do!

Independent Component 1

Content:   

• LITERAL
  (a) Write: “I, Yuji Karuhaka, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 64 hours of work.”
  (b) No sources were required in making this component.
• (d) Explain what you completed.    
• For this component, I spent a majority of my time choreographing in the studio for the three dance pieces that we were going to film for the movie. I also spent a good amount of time filming with Isaiah Maylad as well as helping him come up with a story and concept. 

• INTERPRETIVE 
  Defend your work and explain its significance to your project and how it demonstrates 30 hours of work.   Provide evidence (photos, transcript, art work, videos, etc) of the 30 hours of work. 

 
This picture was taken on scene while filming the "Let It Go" scene.

This was a shot taken from another one of our dance scenes.

This was a shot taken on-scene of Isaiah Maylad shooting a scene for the movie.

• APPLIED
  How did the component help you understand the foundation of your topic better?  Please include specific examples to illustrate this. 
• This component really helped me understand the pressure of being an industry dancer. i honestly thought this project was going to be a breeze because I had the idea that I just needed to choreograph some dances and perform them in front of a camera. These were things that I had done before but it was very different this time around. The environment, the outfit, and the pressure were all things that I had not been used to. For example, trying to dance at the beach in skinny jeans was definitely something that I had to adapt to. 

Blog 15 - Lesson 2 Reflection

 

1. What are you most proud of in your Lesson 2 Presentation and why?

• I am definitely the most proud of my activity. Even though it seemed like a skeptical idea at first, I still went through with it and it went better than I thought. I really felt like it pieced my entire presentation together and it seemed like a good majority of the class was really invested in it as well.

2. a.     What assessment would you give yourself on your Lesson 2 Presentation (self-assessment)?

•        I would give myself a P.

     b.     Explain why you deserve that grade using evidence from the Lesson 2 component contract.

• I would give myself a P due to the fact that I met all the P requirements on the contract but I had also gone through my entire presentation without any technical problems, etc. 

3. What worked for you in your Lesson 2?

• What worked best for me in my Lesson 2 was my hook because it really helped me set the stage for what I was going to be talking about regarding emotion when dancing.

4. What didn't work? If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your Lesson 2?

• If I could go back, I would definitely revise my organization because at the time I thought I had a pretty solid plan but as I was presenting, it seemed like nothing flowed together.

5. What do you think your answer #2 is going to be?

• I believe that my answer #2 is going to be, "The amount of strength/power you put into your movements."

Blog 14: Third Interview Preparation

 


1.  Who do you plan to interview?  What is this person's area of expertise?

• I plan to interview my dance captain, Lauren Alvar. She is a very experienced dancer and is trained in various different dance styles, some of which include contemporary and hip hop.

2.  Verify that you have called your interviewee to schedule an interview.  What is the date and time of the interview? 

• January 24th, 2:30 pm

3.  Phrase an open-ended question that will help you find research resources that would help to answer the EQ.

• As a dancer, what impacts you the most when dancing and why?

4.  Phrase an open-ended question that will help you think about other useful activities you might do to help you answer the EQ (IC2, possible experts to talk to, etc).

• If I'm trying to learn about how to make the perfect dance piece, what do you suggest I do to reach this goal?

5.  Phrase two open-ended questions that help you to understand your interviewee's perspective on an aspect of your EQ. 

• Do you believe that choreography is done through a process that everyone generally follows? and why?
• Can you distinguish one factor that is the most important when making choreography?

Blog 13: 10 Hour Mentorship Check-In

      

1.   Where are you doing your mentorship?

• I am still doing my mentorship hours at Stylz Dance Studio located in West Covina.

2.   Who is your contact?  What makes this person an expert?

• My mentor/contact is my dance director, Elizabeth Amber Woods. She is qualified as a professional because she is not only my dance director but is also an instructor at Stylz. She has been hired for numerous industry jobs and has performed with several teams ranging from Academy of Villains to 3-23. She has been in the dance community for a majority of her life and continues to inspire many dancers in the area.

3.   How many  hours have you done during the school year? (Summer Mentorship Hours and Mentorship Hours should be reflected separately in your Senior Project Hours log located on the right hand side of your blog).

• During the school year I have completed a total of 26 mentorship hours. 

4.   Succinctly summarize what you did, how well you and your mentor worked together, and how you plan to complete the remaining hours.

• My mentor and I are pretty close considering the amount of time we've spent together these past few months. She sees a lot of potential in me that most people would just overlook. I spend a majority of my hours learning how to better understand how my body works. She explained to me that the only way to enter the industry is to understand your body in ways that you would only be able to understand. Only then would I be able to develop my own style and become more known. She teaches me choreography pieces she makes but also brings in other choreography to teach me different routines. With each new piece I learn, my mentor encourages to push me to my limits in order to better myself in execution but also performance. With all of this being said, in the future I hope to focus more on my choreography rather than learning other people's dances. For later mentorship days we plan to actually make choreography together in order to expand my dance in a more creative aspect, but also work on new things to generally better myself as a dancer.

Blog 12: Holiday Project Update

                            


1.  It is important to consistently work on your senior project, whether it is break or we are in school.  What did you do over the break with your senior project?

• Over the course of winter break, I participated in numerous activities revolving my senior topic. I spent a majority of my time at the studio training in both my choreography and my ability to learn choreography from other people. I also choreographed one of the pieces Isaiah Maylad and I are going to use for our independent component. That means I just have two more pieces to go! Finally, I joined a second team known as HoneyBadgerz and we have recently started rehearsals for a performance later this month.

2.  What was the most important thing you learned from what you did, and why?  What was the source of what you learned?

• The most important thing that I learned over break is that the key to being a good dancer is to practice. I believe this is very important considering I was never really practicing as much as I wanted to during the year because of having to deal with school and working part time. However, over break, since I had no school to worry about, I used that opportunity to practice as much as I can. With this being said, I can already feel the improvement I've made in just these two weeks alone because of how much I've trained. The source of this finding was due to me going through my old dance videos before break and looking at what I've been creating after the break. The side by side comparison is very substantial. 

3.  Your third interview will be a 10 question interview related to possible answers for your EQ. Who do you plan to talk to and why?

• I plan to interview my current dance captain, Lauren Alvar. She has experience in several technical dance styles as well as extensive experience in hip hop. She has been dancing for several years and is more knowledgeable about the dance industry than most people out there. She was head choreographer for a team known as Barkada and is currently dancing with the HoneyBadgerz, OTG, and Nu Era. Although she is new to the industry, she is very qualified to be the third person I interview for my senior project.