Exploring lived experiences of spirituality amongst five Dalcroze teachers

Abstract

This article presents an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) of the lived spiritual experiences of five Dalcroze teachers while teaching Dalcroze Eurhythmics. It responds to a recent expansion of research into spirituality within music education and also in relation to Dalcroze Eurhythmics. However, there is no study on the lived spiritual experiences of Dalcroze practitioners. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to understand how five Dalcroze teachers make sense of their spiritual experiences while teaching Dalcroze Eurhythmics. After semi-structured interviews, we interpreted the experiences of each individual participant separately before doing a cross-case analysis. A six-step, iterative, and inductive data analysis cycle was followed. The superordinate themes that emerged are: Breathing is essential; Giving and receiving energy (physical and emotional); Creating connections through sound and movement; Awareness of self, other, environment, and music; Growth and learning; Meaning and holism; Wellbeing; and Precious moments of transcending time and space. Participants’ spiritual experiences are discussed against the background of “A conceptual model of spirituality in music education” as well as “A conceptual study of spirituality in selected writings of Émile Jaques-Dalcroze.” Music educators’ awareness of spirituality while teaching Dalcroze Eurhythmics could be heightened to increase their “pedagogical thoughtfulness and tact.”