Sometimes, finding the motivation to dance can be tough. Whether you’re feeling uninspired before class or just need a little nudge to get moving, dance quotes can be the perfect spark. We’ve gathered a collection of over 100 Quotes About Dancing to uplift your spirits and remind you of the joy and power of movement. These words of wisdom from dancers, artists, and thinkers celebrate the beauty, passion, and transformative nature of dance.
Short & Sweet Dance Quotes
For those moments when you need a quick dose of inspiration, these short dance quotes are perfect to get you in the groove.
- “Forget your troubles and dance.” –Bob Marley
- “Dance and you’ll feel better.” –James Brown
- “Ballet is a dance executed by the human soul.” –Alexander Pushkin
- “You dance love, and you dance joy, and you dance dreams.” –Gene Kelly
- “Dance every performance as if it were your last.” —Erik Bruhn
- “To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak.” —Indian Proverb
- “To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love.” —Jane Austen
- “The job of feet is walking, but their hobby is dancing.” —Amit Kalantri
- “Dance first. Think later. It’s the natural order.” —Samuel Beckett
- “The body says what words cannot.” —Martha Graham
- “When you dance, you can enjoy the luxury of being you.” — Paulo Coelho
- “Dancing is silent poetry.” —Simonides
- “The spine is the tree of life. Respect it.” –Martha Graham
- “When you feel like quitting, think about why you started.” –Unknown
- “Feet’s job is to walk, but their passion is dancing.” –Priyanshu Singh
- “Some of my happiest moments have been dancing.” –Claire Danes
- “Dancing is the poetry of the foot.” —John Dryden
- “Do it big, do it right, and do it with style.” —Fred Astaire
- “Dance for yourself. If someone understands, good. If not, no matter.” —Louis Horst
- “He who cannot dance puts the blame on the floor.” —Hindu Proverb
- “There are shortcuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them.” —Vicki Baum
- “Dancing is like dreaming with your feet!” —Constanze Mozart
- “The most essential thing in dance discipline is devotion.” —Merce Cunningham
Wisdom from Dance Legends: Quotes by Famous Dancers
Who better to understand the essence of dance than those who have dedicated their lives to it? These dance quotes from famous dancers offer profound insights into their passion and art.
- “Dance is a song of the body. Either of joy or pain.” –Martha Graham, a pioneer of modern dance.
- “I’m going to tap until I can’t – I’ll be so old, all I can do is walk out from the wings to stage centre. But I’ll be there.” –Gregory Hines, celebrated tap dancer and actor.
- “Dance is like wine; it matures with every performance.” –Alarmel Valli, renowned Indian classical dancer.
- “Dance is the purest expression of every emotion, earthly and spiritual.” –Anna Pavlova, legendary Russian ballerina.
- “You were once wild here. Don’t let them tame you.” — Isadora Duncan, an iconic figure known as the “Mother of Modern Dance”, emphasizing freedom and natural movement.
- “You have to love dancing to stick to it. It gives you nothing back, no manuscripts to store away, no paintings to show on walls and maybe hang in museums, no poems to be printed and sold, nothing but that fleeting moment when you feel alive. It is not for unsteady souls.” —Merce Cunningham, influential modern dance choreographer, highlighting the ephemeral yet powerful nature of dance.
- “I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself.” *—**Mikhail Baryshnikov, Russian-American ballet dancer and choreographer, focusing on personal growth and self-improvement in dance.*
- “I may not be there yet, but I am closer than I was yesterday.” **—**Misty Copeland, the first African American female principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, reflecting on the journey and progress in dance.
- “The truest expression of a people is in its dance and its music. Bodies never lie.” —Agnes de Mille, American dancer and choreographer, emphasizing the cultural and honest expression through dance.
- “Dancers come and go in the twinkling of an eye, but the dance lives on.” —Michael Jackson, global pop icon and dancer, acknowledging the lasting impact of dance beyond individual performers.
- “When I dance, I forget everything else and just feel completely happy.” – Katherine Jenkins, Welsh opera singer and dancer, expressing the joyful escape dance provides.
- “Dance is certainly a sport, and they are phenomenal athletes, and they’re also artists.” – Neve Campbell, actress, recognizing the athleticism and artistry of dance.
- “Dance is your pulse, your heartbeat, your breathing. It’s the rhythm of your life. It’s the expression in time and movement, in happiness, joy, sadness and envy.” — Jacques d’Amboise, American ballet dancer and choreographer, portraying dance as an integral part of life’s rhythm.
- “Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion.” — Martha Graham, reiterating the importance of passion over mere technical skill.
- “I have no desire to prove anything by dancing…I just dance.” — Fred Astaire, legendary actor and dancer, emphasizing the intrinsic joy and personal expression in dance.
- “Learn the craft of knowing how to open your heart and to turn on your creativity. There’s a light inside of you.” **—**Judith Jamison, American dancer and choreographer, encouraging dancers to tap into their inner creativity.
- “The moment is everything. Don’t think about tomorrow; don’t think about yesterday: think about exactly what you’re doing right now and live it and dance it and breath it and be it.” — Wendy Whelan, American ballet dancer, stressing the importance of presence and immersion in the dance moment.
- “There’s nothing wrong with fear; the only mistake is to let it stop you in your tracks.” — Twyla Tharp, dancer, choreographer, and author, acknowledging fear but advocating for perseverance.
- “Great artists are people who find the way to be themselves in their art.” — Margot Fonteyn, English ballerina, highlighting authenticity and self-expression in art.
- “To follow, without halt, one aim: There’s the secret of success.” — Anna Pavlova, Russian prima ballerina, emphasizing focus and dedication for achieving success.
- “If I could tell you what it meant, there would be no point in dancing it” ―Isadora Duncan, suggesting that dance transcends verbal explanation.
Quotes for Dance Teachers and Students
The relationship between dance teachers and students is special. These quotes celebrate the dedication of teachers and the journey of students in dance.
- “Behind every dancer who believes in themselves is a teacher who believed in them first.” –Unknown
- “What seems so hard now will someday be your warm up.” –Unknown, highlighting the progress and growth in dance training.
- “Friends that dance together, stay together.” – Unknown, celebrating the camaraderie and bonds formed through dance.
- “May all your shuffle hop steps dance lightly on your SOLE. And you never experience a CRAMP in your ROLL.” –Laurie Johnson, a playful blessing for dancers.
- “A dance teacher helps her students find the song in their heart the beat in their feet and a passion for life.” – Unknown, emphasizing the holistic impact of dance education.
- “An amazing dance teacher is hard to find difficult to part with & impossible to forget.” – Unknown, acknowledging the lasting impact of great teachers.
- “One who expresses one’s self through dance is a dancer. One who expresses one’s self through a dancer is a dance teacher.” –Unknown, defining the roles and connection between dancers and teachers.
Funny Dance Quotes to Lighten the Mood
Dance is passionate and expressive, but it can also be fun! Enjoy these humorous quotes about dancing that bring a lighthearted perspective to the art form.
- “Dancing is like a shower: one wrong turn and you’re in hot water!” —[Mad Magazine]
- “Dancing is the art of getting your feet out of the way faster than your partner can step on them.” – Unknown
- “Never give a sword to a man who can’t dance.” – Unknown, a quirky and perhaps wise saying.
- “Dancing is like bank robbery. It takes split-second timing.” —Twyla Tharp, using a humorous analogy to describe the precision in dance.
- “After all, Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did. She just did it backwards and in high heels.” —Ann Richards, famously witty observation about Ginger Rogers’ talent.
- “The one thing that can solve most of our problems is dancing.” – James Brown, a fun and optimistic take on dance’s power.
- “’One more time’ is always a lie.” –Unknown, relatable to anyone in dance rehearsals.
- “Any kind of dancing is better than no dancing at all.” –Lynda Barr, encouraging any form of dance participation.
- “Trust me, you can dance.” – Vodka, a classic humorous association.
- “Those who can’t dance say the music is no good.” —Jamaican Proverb, humorously deflecting blame for poor dancing.
- “Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but the living room…” —Kurt Vonnegut, promoting spontaneous dance in everyday life.
- “We’re fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance.” — Japanese Proverb, embracing the joy of dance regardless of judgment.
- “Bleeding feet will bond us.” —Liza Minnelli, darkly humorous take on the shared pain of dancers.
- “Dance is a little insanity that does us all good.” —[Edward Demby]
- “Dancing is like breathing — missing a day doing either is very bad.” —Vera Ellen, comparing dance to a vital life function.
Inspirational Dance Quotes for Life’s Journey
Dance is often seen as a metaphor for life. These inspirational dance quotes extend beyond the studio and offer wisdom applicable to life’s ups and downs.
- “Dance lightly with life.” –Unknown, suggesting a graceful approach to life’s challenges.
- “When your knowledge increases over time, you learn to dance in your mind.” –Debasish Mridha, linking dance to intellectual growth and imagination.
- “You ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?” – Joker, a dramatic and obscure quote hinting at taking risks and embracing the unknown.
- “No standing. Only dancing.” –Unknown, a call to action for movement and engagement in life.
- “I dance because there’s no greater feeling in the world than moving a piece of music and letting the rest of the world disappear.” – Unknown, describing the immersive and escapist nature of dance.
- “When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It’s to enjoy each step along the way.” – Wayne Dyer, applying the concept of enjoying the process to dance and life.
- “Don’t let people discourage you. Just fluff out your tutu and dance away.” –Unknown, encouraging resilience and self-expression in the face of negativity.
- “There is a bit of insanity in dancing that does everybody a great deal of good.” –Edwin Denby, suggesting that embracing spontaneity and passion is beneficial.
- “If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough.” –Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, relating ambition and courage to the expansive nature of dance dreams.
- “Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we’re here we should dance.” –Jeanne Stein, advocating for making the most of life’s present moments through dance.
- “We should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once.” –Friedrich Nietzsche, emphasizing the daily necessity of dance for a fulfilling life.
- “Dancing is creating a sculpture that is visible only for a moment.” –Erol Ozan, highlighting the ephemeral beauty and artistic creation in dance.
- “When you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance.” –Lee Ann Womack, popular encouragement to participate and engage in life’s opportunities.
- “If I can’t dance, I don’t want to be part of your revolution.” –Emma Goldman, a powerful statement linking personal freedom and expression to larger movements.
- “Let us dance in the sun, wearing wildflowers in our hair…” –Susan Polis Schutz, evoking a romantic and carefree image of dance and life.
- “Love is a lot like dancing; you just surrender to the music. –Pierce Brosnan, comparing the surrender and flow of love to dance.
- “Don’t practice until you get it right. Practice until you can’t get it wrong.” – Unknown, emphasizing mastery and deep learning in dance and beyond.
- “Dance is art; paint your dream and follow it.” —Steven Thompson, linking dance to artistic expression and pursuing one’s dreams.
- “Dance enables you to find yourself and lose yourself at the same time.” — Unknown, highlighting the paradoxical nature of self-discovery and transcendence in dance.
- “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” —C.S. Lewis, applying the idea of lifelong learning and aspiration to the dance journey.
- “We can’t choose the music that life gives us, but we can choose how to dance to it.” — Unknown, a metaphor for resilience and agency in facing life’s challenges.
- “To dance is to be out of yourself. Larger, more beautiful, more powerful. This is power, it is glory on earth and it is yours for the taking.” —Agnes de Mille, describing the transformative and empowering experience of dance.
- “The dance can reveal everything mysterious that is hidden in music, and it has the additional merit of being human and palpable. Dancing is poetry with arms and legs.” —Charles Baudelaire, portraying dance as a physical embodiment of music and poetry.
- “Dancers are the athletes of God.” —Albert Einstein, a striking metaphor elevating dancers to a divine level of athleticism and grace.
- “Hand in hand, on the edge of the sand, they danced by the light of the moon.” —Edward Lear, a poetic and romantic image of dance and connection.
- “Those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.” —Friedrich Nietzsche, highlighting the disconnect between those who understand passion and those who do not.
- “In a society that worships love, freedom and beauty, dance is sacred. It is a prayer for the future, a remembrance of the past and a joyful exclamation of thanks for the present.” —Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, elevating dance to a sacred and culturally significant practice.
- “Dancing is surely the most basic and relevant of all forms of expression. Nothing else can so effectively give outward form to an inner experience.” —Lyall Watson, arguing for the fundamental and powerful nature of dance as expression.
- “All I ever needed was the music and the mirror.” —A Chorus Line, a simple yet profound statement on the core elements of a dancer’s world.
- “Dancing with the feet is one thing, but dancing with the heart is another.” —Unknown, distinguishing between technical skill and emotional depth in dance.
- “Even today when I rehearse, I give it everything that I’ve got. If I’m in a performance and the lights go out, I glow in the dark. When you’re working before an audience, you have to make them feel like they can touch you. That’s the dancer within, reaching out.” —Mitzi Gaynor, describing the total commitment and connection dancers strive for.
- “Follow your passion. Find that something that makes you want to work at it. Work hard. Nothing comes without hard work.” —Tomas Schramek, general life advice rooted in the dedication required for dance.
- “I don’t want people who want to dance, I want people who have to dance.” —George Balanchine, seeking dancers with intrinsic motivation and necessity for dance.
- “The dance is a poem of which each movement is a word.” – Mata Hari, beautifully capturing the narrative and articulate nature of dance movement.
We hope this collection of dance quotes has inspired you and brought a little extra joy to your day. Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or simply appreciate the art form, these words remind us of the power, beauty, and universal language of dance. Now, go put on your dancing shoes and let the rhythm move you!
