Actor, dancer, singer, poet, violinist, oboist, comedian, ventriloquist ...

For an artificial lifeform, Data has quite a range of artistic talents. It's not surprising, though, that an android who yearns above all else to be human would attempt to find his humanity in music and dance and other forms of expression. Quoth the android, "I believe that it is during my creative endeavors that I come closest to experiencing what it might be like to be human." Funny ... the same could be said for all the rest of us.

Elementary, Dear Data
Data the violinist ... From the first time he picked up a violin he could play it flawlessly. With how much real feeling is debatable, but while playing Sherlock Holmes he could transform the instrument into a wondrous thing capable of stirring the soul. All he had to do was throw himself into the part.

The Outrageous Okona
Data the stand-up comic ... In a desperate attempt to learn what "funny" is, Data enlisted the help of a holographic 20th century comedian who bore a striking resemblance to Joe Piscopo. His training bore fruit in lines like, "Take my Worf, please." Well, it's not just the joke, it's the delivery.

The Defector
Data the classical actor ... According to Picard, there's no better way to learn about the human condition than by embracing Shakespeare. To that end, Data studied the performances of Olivier, Branagh, Shapiro and Kullnark, and stepped into the shoes of Henry V.

Sarek
Data the violinist, refrain ... Data applied his skills with the violin to a string ensemble that he assembled for a recital to welcome Ambassador Sarek and his wife to the Enterprise. It was a performance that literally brought a tear to the Vulcan's eyes.

Data's Day
Data the dancer ... When Data realized he would be expected to dance with the bride at Miles' and Keiko's wedding, he enlisted the help of "the dancing doctor," Beverly Crusher. He picked up the tap without a single flinch, but he forgot to mention what kind of dance he needed to learn. Waltzing with a partner proved to be a little more complicated.

Devil's Due
Data the method actor ... Having studied the great acting masters such as Stanislavsky, Adler and Garnav, Data attempted to find emotional awareness in performance. With "A Christmas Carol," he hoped to duplicate the fear of Scrooge while encountering the ghost of Marley.

In Theory
Data the oboist ... He can not only move a bow, he can blow on a reed. Data joined Keiko O'Brien and Lt. Jenna D'Sora in a woodwind quintet that performed a recital in Ten-Forward. It was this experience that helped bring Data and Jenna together in a brief romantic fling.

Schisms
Data the poet ... In the tradition of the ages from Keats to Jorkemo, Data decided to compose a poem about one who had a profound effect on his life — and thus was born "Ode to Spot." His reading of the hilariously androidic verse had the unintentional effect of putting Riker fast to sleep. (Although it turns out there were other reasons, but no one knew that at the time.)

Inheritance
Data the violinist, coda ... Data was already planning to perform another violin recital on the ship when Dr. Juliana Tainer came aboard and revealed her own talents with the viola. And thus the recital became a beautiful duet between "mother" and "son." But there was something about her performance that Data could not ignore ...

Star Trek Generations
Data the ventriloquist & singer ... Once Data decided to install the emotion chip left for him by Dr. Soong, he no longer had to reach to understand concepts like humor. Problem is, he hadn't yet learned to control his new impulses, and so the jokes spilled out at most inappropriate times. These truly "unplugged" moments yielded a nice little shtick with a tricorder, and the impromptu classic "Lifeforms."

Star Trek: Insurrection
Data the singer, encore ... When Data lost control of himself and fled the Ba'ku planet in a stolen shuttle, Picard realized he needed to get operatic with him. Engaging him in a song he had been rehearsing from Gilbert & Sullivan's "H.M.S. Pinafore," Picard distracted Data enough to capture his vessel. Even when he's not himself, the android cannot resist the lure of self-expression...