And another...

Create your own dance!
Find a piece of music that moves you. Find the lyrics online. Find the "mood" of the music and use your body to interpret it. Let the music go in your ears and out your body.
Break the music down either by time signature, or by changes in the music. I suggest changes in the music because you will remember them better than counting "ok I have to do ____ 4 times"
Take a piece of paper and number each change in the music that pops out. Listen to the music and write in the number what the speed, tempo, and/or mood of that little part of the music. Then come back and find a movement that you feel fits well. You may find that you have gaps in a few places. It's ok-you can fill them in later! Just practice what you have and you will soon find movements to fill them in with!

Example:
Intro-
Start on stage or off stage? Standing up or sitting down? How much time do you want to leave before you enter or are you starting immediately?
Body-
Music Change 1 (0:50) Hip drops
Music Change 2 (1:21) Travelling step
Chorus (shimmies and snake arms)
etc. etc.
Ending-
Do you want to be on stage when the music ends? Does it end abrupt or does it fade out?

Things to add to your dance:
Remember, you don't have to do a million steps. A simple, elegant dance can have the same "wow" factor as a fast-paced performance.
Add emotion. Ham it up. Smile, frown, add a wink or eyebrow lift. Breathe body into your dance through your facial expressions,
Add speed variations to movements
Add size variations (small versus big hip circles, shimmies)
Add height variations (sink up/down, bring arms up while sinking down,etc.)
Add traveling steps (choo-choo's, hip lift walks, or even just walking!)
Add accents (hip pops, locks, etc.)
Add layers-you CAN do it!
Use your upper body & arms! We all tend to gravitate to just using our hips!
Have fun!