After seeing your teachers and mentors do it, and perhaps even idolizing some choreography pros, you want to try your own hand at making up a dance!  But where do you even start?

At the beginning, creating choreography can be intimidating. We’ve compiled a few tips to help you get started on the right foot:

1. PICK A SONG YOU REALLY LOVE

A good piece of music can inspire your entire dance, so choose a song that you love to begin with!  Starting with a song that you have an emotional connection to will usually help your creative process to unfold.

2. Freestyle

Simply move.  Put on your music and start to freestyle. Recognize if there is a type of movement, a phase or a particular rhythm that stands out to you.  Start to build your choreography from there.

3. Visualize

Another way of tapping into your creativity is to close your eyes, listen to the music and visualize potential patterns, moves, or shapes.  This can really work to inspire your creativity when combined with the Freestyle approach!

4. Dance Like No One is Watching

This one is cliche, but it’s oh, so true.  Tapping into your creative potential can be vulnerable.  Dance, like all other forms of expression, can reveal deep truths about who we are.  Try not to judge yourself or imagine anyone else judging you while you choreograph. Anything can go, and all great choreographers have taken risks in the name of creativity and progress.

5. Try it out

The best way to choreograph is to try out your movements and ideas.  If you are able to gather a couple of dance friends and have them work with you, you’ll be able to physically see your ideas taking form.  Then you will start to know what works for you and what doesn’t.  It’s all about trial and error and most of all, it’s about experimenting to watch your dance come to life.

What are some tips that help you to choreograph?  Share with us in the comments!