How to learn dance choreography quickly is every dancer’s dream. When you go to an audition, you need to be able to do this if you want to be hired, as you only have a short time to impress the director, and you can’t do it if you are too busy thinking about what your feet are doing.
I know firsthand how intimidating it can feel to learn a new combination during class or during a dance competition convention when there are hundreds of other dancers present.
It can be hard to feel confident in a room full of watchful eyes. So here are som tips on how to learn dance choreography and learn it fast.
How To Learn Dance Choreography Faster…..
Take Classes With Different Teachers
It’s easy to anticipate the teachers you spend the most time with. Taking classes from different teachers allows you to practice dancing full out when it’s unfamiliar.
Take Dance Class More Often
Seems obvious but if you don’t put yourself in a position to practice picking up steps, you won’t get better at it.
Observe Your Classmates
Notice how the instructor and dancers who are “getting it” are moving and try to do the same from watching them.
Don’t Mark
If you battle to pick up choreography, try doing it full out and not marking. In this way you are training your body and your brain to do the moves properly from the beginning.
Make sure to study the choreographer the first time he or she does it without dancing.
Not only will you pick up choreography fast, but you’ll also learn to embody the mood, timing, and character much better – which are more important than the exact body placements, anyway.
Learn Different Styles
If you want to be a dancer, you need to learn as many different styles of dance as you can. To pick up choreography fast, it helps to have an expansive range of dance vocabulary.
Hip-hop is especially beneficial for learning how to catch onto dance moves quickly, as there are a lot of steps to do and they are really fast, so it is a great way to train your brain.
Find Benchmarks In The Choreography
Always have a few 8 counts you know perfectly and 1-2 big moves you are positive about (ie, if all else fails, hit the double on 8).
Prepare Your Mental Game
Take time to prepare yourself mentally by saying affirmations before class, trying some deep breathing, or meditating prior.
Remember to trust the process. Learning choreography is part of your journey as a dancer! Don’t give up, keep going, and lean into the discomfort.
Really appreciate your tips—super helpful! I’m curious, has there been a particular dance style or experience that helped you pick up choreography faster? Always love hearing how different dancers train their memory and speed. Thanks again for sharing this—it’s definitely motivating for those of us still working on getting out of our heads and into the groove!
I definitely notice that my pupils who do hip hop tend to pick up the choreographic movements of any dance form a lot faster, but this is probably because they are used to dancing fast and placing many movements within an 8 bar music phrase.
Hello!
Learning dance choreography can be such a rewarding experience, but it definitely comes with its challenges! I love how this article breaks down practical strategies to make the process smoother, especially the tips on muscle memory and breaking movements into smaller sections. It’s so easy to get overwhelmed when learning a routine, so having a structured approach makes all the difference.
I also appreciate the emphasis on enjoying the process rather than just aiming for perfection. Have you found any specific styles of dance that are easier or harder to pick up when it comes to choreography? I imagine some require a lot more precision and practice than others!
Angela M 🙂
Hi Angela,
I grew up with ballet and modern dance, so those styles are easier as I have done them all my life. Hip Hop however, is constantly evolving, so I find this takes me the longest to pick up. I am sure lots of people will agree with me.