Liquid Lead Fox

Throughout their lecture, Trevor Copp and Jeff Fox discuss and demonstrate their newly created dance technique called “Liquid Lead” and explain how this technique can help do away with the outdated idea that ballroom dances have perpetuated for years: that the man leads and the woman follows. The technique of “Liquid Lead” can be described as taking turns between partners both leading and following, and switching between these roles whenever felt needed during a dance. During their Ted Talk, Copp and Fox work together to deconstruct and transform the art of ballroom dancing. Both Copp and Fox find it troubling that ballroom dancing has the ability to lock people into a single gender role and thus define people by that single role. Within the lecture, Copp describes classical ballroom dancing as “gender training”, and that, “You weren't just learning to dance -
you were learning to 'man' and to 'woman'” (Copp). If anything, dancing should be about expressing yourself, not about imitating a role that has been created for you and specified by your gender. By using the “Liquid Lead” technique, Copp and Fox are hoping to move away from the preset gender roles, and open up dancing to anyone and everyone.
So how can this “Liquid Lead” technique truly disarm gender roles within ballroom dancing? Gender roles are not an easy thing to completely overcome quickly on a large scale, such as the idea of what partner dancing should be. During the lecture Copp points out that, “Even within the white-straight- couple-only paradigm - she can't be taller, he can't be shorter. She can't be bolder, he can't be gentler” (Copp). By using “Liquid Lead” and its constant shift of leader and follower, both partners now have the chance to be bolder or more gentle, but most importantly, be themselves. Copp uses the example of translating a ballroom dance into a conversation, and using that conversation in a movie, and how people in this culture would never allow it, because much like a man in ballroom dancing dictates the partnership, the man would also dictate that conversation, never letting the woman have a say or opinion. This is an excellent and skillful example of how blind we are to hidden gender roles within our lives, and how we would never let people be silenced in some aspects, but we gladly allow it in others. By utilizing “Liquid Lead”, Fox believes that, “dance moves from being a dictation to a negotiation. Anyone can lead. Anyone can follow. And more importantly, you can change your mind” (Copp).
A few minutes into the lecture Fox tells the audience that when watching ballroom dancing, they should not only watch what is there in front of them, but they should take notice of what is missing. Fox explains that, “The couple is always only a man and a woman. Together. Only. Ever. So, same-sex and gender nonconformist couples just disappear” (Copp). Fox goes on to say that in most ballroom competitions, same-sex couples are usually prohibited from competing. Copp adds that along with same-sex couples, “There are no black people, there are no Asians, no mixed-race couples, so basically, non-white people just disappeared” (Copp). Copp even asks the audience to look up images of professional Latin dancers, and proceeds to tell them that all they will find is, “white, straight Russian couples spray-tanned to the point of mahogany” (Copp). Both Fox and Copp's explanations and examples clearly show how classic ballroom dancing has created an image for itself that hinders both gender and race. By introducing change into the ballroom with their new technique, they open up the possibility of even more change, hopefully in the form of inclusion. Allowing different types of people to be included and involved, the opportunity for creativity has the chance to blossom. The introduction of the “Liquid Lead” technique allows for the opportunity of advanced creativity to take place. The addition of this technique switches up and drastically changes the way partners dance together, and also opens up the opportunity for new ways of executing different styles of ballroom dance. The introduction of new techniques almost always invites new ideas to the table. When things are changed or added in an interesting way, it usually inspires people to add their own twist or make an entirely new change themselves. The “Liquid Lead” technique would not only help bring about change in inclusion and creativity, but it would also bring about change in safety. Copp and Fox both point out how a change in lead can save people from accidents that happen out on the floor due to the way a waltz is performed which causes a blind spot for the lead. The change in lead would make the waltz considerably safer and more efficient, while also adding in a new aesthetic to a classic dance. Any time there is an opportunity to avoid an accident or injury should be utilized. There is nothing worse than getting hurt during a performance and the moments that count the most.
Summing up their thoughts at the end of the lecture, both Fox and Copp give the reasons they created “Liquid Lead” and why they believe it is important to recognize in the world of ballroom dancing.
Fox sees “Liquid Lead” as a means of freedom by saying, “that's where the true freedom lies…the freedom from being defined by whichever role you're playing, the freedom to always remain true to yourself” (Copp). Copp gives his reasoning by stating, “We invented Liquid Lead as a way of stripping out all the ideas that don't belong to us and taking partner dancing back to what it really always was: the fine art of taking care of each other” (Copp). Copp and Fox do a wonderful job at making it clear that it does not matter who is partnered for a dance, man and woman, man and man, or woman with woman. It does not matter who takes the lead and who followers, or if the role constantly switches. The “Liquid Lead” technique has the power to demolish the stereotypes that are present in the world of ballroom dancing, and give freedom to everyone to feel comfortable allowing him or her to be who he or she is or wishes to
be.