WHAT IS DANCE?

Fig. 1 Word Cloud Generated image created by the Dance Cohort CC BY

Fig. 2 “Children dancing,

Overture Center for the Arts, Madison” by ali eminov is marked with CC BY-NC 2.0
 Learning Objectives
With this chapter, you will begin working toward:

 Demonstrating a culturally informed dance aesthetic.

 Identifying the purposes of dance.

Dance evaporates—everything goes…we just have this little hint. The deterioration
actually adds to the meaning of it.
—dancer and film director Connie Hochman, on trying to capture the ephemera

Introduction

Fig. 3 Unsplash.com s/photos/ballerina – First found on Oct.

26, 2020

There are many definitions of dance, with people defining dance in their own
way. In this chapter, you will consider your personal definition of dance. You
will learn the purposes of dance. You will reflect on your experiences and
upbringing to determine their influence on your dance aesthetic.

 Poetry, prose, and music are arts that exist in time. It is through the
manipulation of rhythm and tempo that these arts are created.
 Painting, sculpture, and architecture are arts that exist in space. It is through
the design of space that these arts are created.
 Dance is the only art that is a creation in both time and space.
 How do you define dance?

Elements of Dance
Dance can be studied in terms of its raw materials. We can describe
movement thoroughly by breaking dance down into its basic components. A
complete understanding of the building blocks of dance allows us to analyze,
interpret and speak about dance in a thorough and understandable way. To
increase dance literacy and appreciate dance as an art form, we must look at
the elements of dance. Through the manipulation of these elements by the
human body, dance happens. The elements of dance will be discussed in
more detail later in Chapter 2. To describe dance, it is useful to analyze it in
terms of these Elements of Dance:

 Body
 Energy
 Space
 Time

Purposes of Dance

Fig. 4 “DTH” by Blinkofanaye is marked with CC

BY-NC 2.0

Dance can be studied in terms of its purpose and function within a culture.
Cultures impact how people engage with the world, as environmental
 influences, societal behaviors, and attitudes are intertwined within the
development and shaping of dance forms. In this respect, dance is a carrier of
culture. The purposes of dance include:

 Religious Dance / Dance to Please the Gods

 Social Dance / Dance to Please Ourselves
 Performance Dance / Dance to Please Others

Religious Dance
The earliest dances were likely religious in nature. Some religions embrace
dance and use it as a part of their rituals. Other religions have eschewed
dance or banned it for a number of different reasons.

The ancient Greeks and Africans used to dance to solidify their community.
Ancient Greek dance, as well as ancient African dance, was divinely inspired.
Everyone participated in religious ceremonies as cultivated amateurs and
upstanding citizens. A big part of the program was processions and circle
dances. The realities of the cosmos ruled the symbolism of the dances, and
references to the sun, moon, and constellations figured into the movements.

Types of Religious Dance

1. Dances of Imitation
2. Medicine Dances
3. Commemorative Dances
4. Dances for Spiritual Connection

Dances of Imitation

Particularly in primitive and indigenous cultures, dances of imitation are

performed. Dancers imitate animals and natural phenomena to embody
specific qualities, like channeling the prowess of an animal. The dances serve
various purposes, often promoting favorable outcomes, such as good weather
and hunting.

Medicine Dances

Shamans, as spiritual leaders, serve as intermediaries between the human

and spirit worlds. Both men and women may be Shamans. The religion is
animistic (attributes a spirit to all things), and rituals address medicine,
religion, a reverence for nature, and ancestor worship. On the summer
solstice, Shamans perform a fire ritual at night. The Shaman drums carry the
ancestral spirits of the Shaman.

Commemorative Dances

Dances are created to remember a special day, event, or meaningful moment.

Some commemorative dances are very old. Maypole dances have early
pagan roots. It is a celebration of the rebirth of spring. The Second Line is a
West African form of dance that is a ritual to celebrate the life of the recently
departed. After the slaves were brought to the New World, this dance became
more of a celebration for parties and Mardi Gras festivals.

Dances for Spiritual Connection

In some cultures, the dancers seek to suppress their ego to find oneness with
God. In others, dance may be used to connect with dead ancestors spiritually.
Some religions use dance to tell their origin stories and preserve their
heritage.

Social Dance

Fig. 5 “Social Dancing” by Destinys Agent is marked with CC

BY-NC 2.0
 In social dance, we establish a connection with others. Social dance can be
sorted into four general categories based on the purpose of the dance.

Types of Social Dance

1. Courtship Dances
2. Work Dances
3. War Dances
4. Communal Dances

Courtship Dances

In cultures where marriages are arranged, men and women do not engage in
courtship dances. In other cultures, dance may serve as simple flirtation or
involve more complex rituals.

Work Dances

Some dances are centered around the work that groups perform. Dances that
mimic work routines were used in past times to help build unity and continuity
among the crew.

War Dances

Fig. 6 “War Dance, Bawomataluo Village, South

Nias” by ILO in Asia and the Pacific is marked with CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Dance has always been used in conjunction with training for war. Several
cultures throughout history used dance as grounds for war preparation. The
Greeks participated in pyrrhic dances and used weapons to mimic war tactics
in preparation for battle. Capoeira was created by enslaved Africans in Brazil,
using dance as a guise for practicing fighting. The Māori of Aotearea/New
 Zealand dance the Haka as an intimidation tactic that instills warriors with
ferocious energy. In South Africa, the Indlamu dance was inspired by Zulu
warriors during the Anglo-Zulu wars, was derived from the war dances of
amabutho (warriors), and was mainly used to motivate the men before they
embarked on their long marches into battles barefoot. Today, cultures
continue to pass down these traditions to new generations as tradition.

Communal Dances

Communal dances are often a part of festivals and parties. Dances like
springtime’s Maypole dance and the Jewish hora bring a whole community
together to share happy times. Communal dances also can be a way for a
community to share grief and memories, like the Table of Silence performed
at Lincoln Center every year to commemorate 9/11.

Performance Dance
Performance dances are presentational and often are entertainment for an
audience. Some amateur dancers put on shows, but there are also
professional dancers with highly polished techniques.

Fig. 7 “Ballet de Moscú 2011” by ExpoMeloneras

is marked with CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Types of Performance Dance

 Ballet
 Modern
 Tap
 Jazz
 Musical Theater, Film, and Television
 Hip-Hop

Dance Aesthetic
 Fig. 8 www.pictaram.com tag/africa – First found
on Sep. 28, 2016

Your aesthetic is that which you find pleasing or beautiful. It includes your
tastes and preferences, your “likes” and “dislikes.” Your perception of dance
will be informed by your aesthetic, which might result in subjective judgments
about the dances you see. Therefore, it is essential to acknowledge when
these biased opinions emerge to be receptive to the dances you are
witnessing and objectively respond to them. By keeping an open mind, we can
better our understanding of the uniqueness of each dance as an art form.

Cultural Traditions
Culture is made up of the shared values, beliefs, and customs among a group
of people and contributes to a person’s dance aesthetic. The rhythms of West
Africa or Argentina that you grew up listening to can also play a part in
shaping rhythmic tastes. Dance is an important way that the lore and
traditions of a culture are preserved over time as they are passed down from
generation to generation.

Different religions incorporate dance into their worship. Some religions include
it as an intrinsic part of their ritual and even link dance to the spiritual
experience. Other religions eschew dance altogether. Your religious
upbringing and experiences may influence your dance aesthetic.
 The program on safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in formal and
non-formal education is a UNESCO initiative that recognizes that

 education plays a key role in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.

 intangible cultural heritage can provide context-specific content and pedagogy
for education programs and thus act as a leverage to increase the relevance
and quality of education and improve learning outcomes.

UNESCO considers dance an intangible cultural resource. UNESCO’s

Intangible Cultural Heritage division recognizes the following in its summary
report on education: “The creative process of intergenerational transmission is
at the center of intangible cultural heritage safeguarding.”

Family Influence
Different generations may prefer different dances. The dances your parents
and their friends do are probably different from what you and your friends like.
Maybe you have a grandparent who can teach you some older dances.

Media
Do you watch dance on television, in movies, online, in live concerts and
shows, at half-time? The many factors of your experiences influence your
dance aesthetic.

Personal Response
You will also have a personal response to dance. Do you prefer to move fast
or slow, bouncy or gliding, all over the room or just a little bit? Do you want
your dance to demonstrate emotion, or do you prefer a show of virtuosity?

Kinesthetic
 Fig. 9 “Odissi” by Iqbal Saggu is marked with CC
BY 2.0

Consider your physical response to dance as you think about your dance
aesthetic. Dance is capable of eliciting joy, sorrow, and a wide spectrum of
emotions. What aspect of the dance spoke to your personal experiences?

Dance is a beautiful and meaningful stand-alone art. It can be performed

without any ancillary arts. But it is also an art that partners successfully with
other arts. Costume, scenery, poetry, drama, and music are often a part of the
spectacle. As you watch dances this semester, be aware of the music,
costumes, and staging that help to lend color and meaning to the dance.

In preserving a culture’s dances, one is able to preserve its stories and other
art forms as well.

Summary
People have different ideas about how to define dance. One way to
understand dance is to analyze its movement elements: body, energy, space,
and time.

We can also study dance in terms of its purpose. Religious dances serve to
imitate animals or natural elements, to achieve healing, to commemorate an
occasion, or to reach spiritual connection. Social dances can serve in
courtship, to find unity in work, unity in war, or camaraderie in the community.
Performance dance is created and practiced for presentation to an audience.
Western performance dance forms that have developed include ballet,
modern dance, tap, jazz, musical theater, and hip-hop. Protest dances can be
created to effect social change.

One’s dance aesthetic is shaped and influenced by numerous factors. Family,

media, personal response, and kinesthetic response are all contributors to a
personal aesthetic.

1. Introduction
Dance is a powerful impulse, but the art of dance is that
impulse channeled by skillful performers into something that
becomes intensely expressive and that may delight spectators
who feel no wish to dance themselves. These two concepts of
the art of dance - as a powerful impulse and as a skillfully
choreographed art practiced largely by a professional few - are
the two most important connecting ideas running through any
consideration of this art. When a dancer comes on the stage, he
is not just a person but he becomes an ambassador of the
rhythm. Whether watching a performance or participating, a
new experience awaits. The many bumps and jostles in
everyday life often seem to disrupt the harmony in the external
surroundings but in a beautiful dance performance one
becomes oblivious to any such disharmony. Because it uses the
body as the instrument of expression, dance gives the
maximum amount of satisfaction and emotional contentment
(from exercise or any other leisure activity). It is no wonder
ballet and modern dance have always attracted so many people
as an exercise, an art form, and, most importantly, a source of
happiness. However, skill or proficiency in any art is the result of
disciplined, effortful practice. Although the activity of dance is
definitely expressive and physical, as an activity it is also
intellectual. How we feel or express is directly connected to how
we move, and to both the transformation of our powers of
movement and the continual rejuvenation of our ways of
expression. In the creative process of art in general and in the
art of dance in particular, passion and satisfaction for one's own
improvement work hand in hand. Dance has been a huge part
of cultural expression for all of human history and continues to
be so today. Across the world, there are countless dance forms,
all with their own myths and cultural significance. No matter
how different they may seem, however, dance forms from all
different cultures share an incredibly strong bond in that they
are united by the physical process of dancing.

1.1. Definition of dance

Moving rhythmically to music or using dance as a form of

exercise is an activity that is popular worldwide. However, what
exactly is a dance? In his famous work "An Introduction to the
Philosophy of Art" (2003), art philosopher Richard Eldridge
defined dancing as "a humanly controlled rhythmic movement
of a certain kind, marked by a structured flow or disposition of
the bodily parts in space and time". In other words, dance is a
type of expressive movement with music and it is like poetry,
the body and its motions are used to communicate the feelings
and emotions of the individual. A number of other more specific
things have been suggested as what might distinguish dance
from other motion or from other activities. First, dance is
typically described in terms of its physical, social, and
performance features dances usually involves some kind of
patterned and iterative bodily movement and they are often
done in groups, although may be danced alone. Second, as with
games and sport, dance is often governed by rules about what
kinds of moves are permitted and what might be considered
improper. But these restrictions are, according to this view,
those of aesthetic, not practical rationality it would be more
reasonable for someone to shake my hand and say "I move
you're a jerk" before dancing with me than to simply embrace
me or tuck a five dollar bill into my palm and expect me to start
moving in the same way that it would be more reasonable to
suggest that if he were to join us in watching dancers, he should
criticize their choreography rather than their skill in giving or
following order. Such rules of dance apply to both those
engaged in the activity and to its observers. For the activity,
dance typically provides a medium to non-verbally express and
communicate feelings or emotions. Of course, it has been
observed that people often dance when they are not in any
obvious sense expressing or communicating anything in
particular; for example, there is no rule that one must feel sad
to dance the blues. For its observers, it provides information
about the shape, motion, and spatiotemporal organization of
objects and events it is a way to know more about how to feel
and how to act and think because our body is expressing
something. Of course, this kind of knowledge, like other kinds of
aesthetic judgment, is not automatic and should be viewed as
being always in a state of testing and negotiation, as there is
always the possibility that one might be led astray by a misstep
or a moment of clumsy grace. But the mere possibility or
actuality of personal or interpretative error does not justify the
view that aesthetic judgment and its attending knowledge are
simply matters of opinion or that what one person surmises
about their interlocutor's emotional life is as good as what might
be expressed in or by a dance they have done or might
do.lodges in the description of dance as an art form and that is
that the bodily movements.

1.2. Importance of dance in culture

Throughout history, dance has been a part of culture. Different

dance forms have originated during different time periods and
different places. Dance has been used for various purposes like
to express the traditions and the culture of the region, to
celebrate and to tell stories. The thing that always remained
common in all the dance forms is the expression. Even the
modern and the traditional dance forms show different human
feelings and emotions. Dance is used to praise and worship, as
a prayer etc. in religion. Nowadays all prayers and thanks are
expressed through dance. Dance has been a very important
part of different cultures in different time periods and the
culture of the world as a whole. Cultural dances play a very
important part in this. It is a Western-based classification. As far
as Classical dances are concerned, there are many dance forms
like Kathakali, Bharatnatyam, Manipuri etc. These dances
represent the old culture and traditions of that place. Culture
knows no boundaries. And when a person is educated and
open-minded, one can understand the importance of what other
cultures have to offer. One must learn from other cultures and
develop open-mindedness. Cultures change and the world
becomes a smaller place. By sharing with people from other
places and other traditions, and by communicating through arts
and culture, the world then becomes a smaller and friendlier
place. Through the culture of certain people and certain
movements that can express certain opinions, it can bring
about political change. In recent times, in Iran, the women took
to the streets and started dancing to indicate that women's
rights should be admired. Events like this can bring about
change through unity. Art should reflect and express what the
society is going through at that moment in time. And through
the history of dance and cultural practices that have happened,
the society can be understood more and hopefully, people can
respect and prosper what had been. As dance is such an
integral part of life and it's all around. It gives us a chance to
express the feeling through the body, as there are many forms
of all dance and there are many ways that one can do it and it
means everything to life. It is one of the universal languages
that everyone feels and relates to. We human beings do it
whenever we are happy, sad, celebrating etc. It makes the body
move in ways. It helps the people in appreciating, respecting,
enjoying the different roles and moves of modern dance,
classical dance, and cultural dances. In other words, dance
integrates with different culture and influences on each other.
Even the same dance, in different time period and place, it will
be different and thus cultural diversity is present in the world of
dance. Because each of the dance tells a story. Like stories told
in literature, there are consequential aspects such as
commitment in dance, communication, and the formation of
important relationships. It is very powerful. In short, dance
brings us the importance of art within the culture, it's a practice
for one's identity and it affects the life experiences in a way that
people will live and understand.

1.3. Evolution of dance throughout history

The evolution of dance has been an ongoing process for

centuries. The earliest forms of dance were very ritualistic. All
ancient civilizations had some form of dance. The rites of the
indigenous population, the dance of the ancestors, and the
classic form of the sword dance, which originates from the
period before intertribal warfare had died out and the land was
divided into chiefdoms seem to have been joined in the course
of history by a variety of other types of dance. As a nation
changes, so do its forms of artistic expression. The Middle Ages
saw the emergence of the earliest European social dances.
Along with these social changes may have come the first seeds
of modern ballet dance, which was also founded in the theaters.
Many forms of dance began to progress as art gained a higher
role in society. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Europe and
America were squared in a dance craze. Each new dance
scandalized the elders and enthralled the young. Ballroom
dance also became popular in different parts of the world. After
the World War I, a new form of dance was introduced, the '20s
jazz age dance which involved a lot of leg and arm movement.
This age also saw the transition from flowery 19th century waltz
to more modern ballroom dance. The waltz had a renaissance
at the height of the Romantic movement; it split into a country
form and a more conservative, classic form that's emphasized
today in the Viennese waltz. Slowly and slowly the social forms
of ballroom dancing stopped and more solo forms of dance
emerged, like different types of ballet genres, and modern
dance. Tango and Salsa continued their development after they
were introduced to western countries. The 20th century saw the
rise of different types of modern art. Martha Graham was a
revolutionary in the area of modern dance and she developed a
whole new dance pattern, based on contraction and release and
this concept is something that's still in use in all the
contemporary dance forms.

2. Major Dance Genres

According to the essay's section "2. Major Dance Genres",
different dance genres are described and explained. Each genre
is presented with a brief history and a basic explanation of its
defining characteristics. For instance, ballet is introduced as a
classical dance form distinguished by its formal and rigorous
technique. Throughout the section, the essay applies a
systematic approach to introduce and describe each dance
genre. This systematic presentation is helpful for readers who
may not have any prior knowledge about dance, as it provides
an organized way for them to understand the content. This not
only meets the instructor's expectation of an academic
discussion, but also shows how the essay's features are
rationally organized to effectively deliver the intended message
to the target readers. Therefore, this essay is successful in
meeting the third goal for the assignment.

2.1. Ballet

Ballet originated in the Renaissance period, around the 1500s in

Italy. In the beginning, ballet's steps, poses, and gestures were
formal and its costumes were large and heavy. Ballet
performers, who were both singers and dancers, wore masks
and retold stories of ancient mythology, such as Minotaur and
Theseus. Throughout the centuries, though, as new styles,
techniques, and creative ideas were developed, ballet evolved
into an independent type of stage art. Today, there are three
main kinds of ballet. The first, classical ballet, is the most formal
and is best performed and suited to performances on large
stages. For example, the Royal Ballet in London and the Ballet
Nacional de Cuba in Havana. The second is neoclassical ballet.
This form, which evolved from classical ballet, interprets this
technique in a more open way. Neoclassical ballet is less formal
but very precise in its movements. For example, contemporary
ballet companies such as the Miami City Ballet and Suzanne
Farrell Ballet. The third kind of ballet, contemporary ballet, is a
form of dance influenced by both classical ballet and modern
dance. It employs the fundamental technique and body control,
using a range of movement that's more akin to modern dance.
The turnout of the leg, for example, is less a requisite than in
classical ballet, and the elements of pointe work can vary.
Often, contemporary ballet companies are small, and the
development of the dancer is highly emphasized. This form of
ballet is also closely related to other types of modern dance,
especially contemporary and modern dance. However, ballet
itself has made a huge impact on our society. For a start,
techniques have been adapted and are now taught medically
and attractively. Also, the discipline behind the training,
especially with classical ballet, helps young children to learn, for
example, in focusing and playing fairly in a sport or game.

2.2. Contemporary dance

Alternatively, contemporary dance may be performed by both

small and large groups and, nowadays, by solo dancers as well.
Many of the choreographers and dancers who were in the
modern dance field originally, such as Alvin Ailey and Martha
Graham, have made forays into contemporary dance. While
modern dance can be performed as a solo, contemporary dance
is usually done in a group of dancers. This art form has its own
specific techniques and approach, and while it builds on some
elements of modern dance, it does not have a specific
established style. For instance, modern dance is performed in
bare feet or very thin, soft shoes. However, contemporary
dance may be performed in bare feet, soft shoes, or even hard
shoes, if the choreographer decides that this is more suitable
for the piece. Also, while modern dance often uses floorwork a
great deal, contemporary dance takes this element to a new
level. In fact, many of the more innovative and boundary-
pushing movement creators spend a lot of time developing
floorwork, as it allows them to explore interesting and complex
physicality. Additionally, there is usually more fluidity of
movement in contemporary dance. Lastly, contemporary dance
does not have set, established rules. This means that those
working in the genre have great freedom; it is this element
which has caused a great deal of conflict and critique
concerning contemporary dance. This is because historically,
and to an extent today, the world looks to the genre of
contemporary dance for innovation and fresh aesthetics; if the
genre is so open that anything could be called "contemporary
dance", then how can critics be sure that the very best and
most forward-thinking work is rewarded?

2.3. Hip-hop dance

Hip-hop dance encompasses a variety of street dance styles

including breaking, locking, and popping. These have developed
along with hip-hop music and street culture. Hip-hop dance is
an urban dance style. It is characterized by breakdance moves
and interesting forms of street dance. Hip-hop dance began on
the streets of New York City in the 1970s in the African
American and Latino American community. During the late
1960s and early 70s, many African American and Latino youths
started to use the culture of street dance to create a different
dance form. It consists of a very energetic and fast dance. It is
also very versatile and can take from freestyle, breaking,
locking up, and even krumping. One major thing that separates
hip-hop dance from other forms is the freedom of style. Other
dance genres and styles tend to limit the dancer to strict rules
but in hip-hop dance, the main thing is the ability to be original.
All moves can be modified to fit the personal style of the
dancer. Nowadays, many modern dance teams incorporate hip-
hop dances in their performances. Also, many dance schools
and institutions offer hip-hop classes. Hip-hop dance also has a
rich cultural aspect to it. It is a kind of lifestyle for many
dancers. They often gather together to have dance sessions
and share their common interest. Besides, hip-hop music is also
considered as a major component of the hip-hop culture. Many
young people listen to hip-hop music for music inspiration. Hip-
hop music provides a good rhythm for dancers. In conclusion,
hip-hop dance is full of energy. It is a lifestyle and a culture for
many people. It showcases the creative freedom of the
individual dancer. It is also a good way to maintain physical and
mental health. This is why it has become more and more
popular globally. Hip-hop dance is a social dance and street
dance. It is moving and changing, therefore, it is almost
impossible to keep up to date with it.

2.4. Latin dance

Latin dance is a fast-paced, often sensual, social dance style.

Latin dance has a long and rich history despite being relatively
new compared to the other standard ballroom dances. Before
Latin America was colonized by the Spanish and the
Portuguese, the area was occupied by indigenous tribes. The
Spanish and the Portuguese were influential in colonizing Latin
America and imposing upon the native peoples their own
cultural traditions. The history of Latin dance can be traced back
to the social dances of native cultures of Latin America that
were later influenced by European colonists. Spanish and
Portuguese dances Vincente Escudero and Racquel Meller. From
the beginning of the 16th century, conquerors who originated
from Spain and Portugal had a strong influence on the way in
which dance within the Latin community developed; as a result,
it can be said that all Latin dances are descended from one of
these two countries. A French explorer Jean Ribault described a
form of ritual writhing dance done by the Timucua native people
in 1562. After the geographic expeditions across the Atlantic
Ocean, the first European encounter with the indigenous
population of Latin America was made and their own
understanding of European social and court dancing was
gradually transformed. Documents and evidences have shown
that indigenous dancing was also a type of social interaction
and a way to establish a sense of community. For example, it
could be a mean to create a parent and children relationship or
granting the rituals of becoming mature and being socially
reborn. As a result, the indigenous social and court dancing was
initially seen as some kind of religious cult and stopped by the
colonists. It was only performed in indigenous secret places hail
and far away from the Spanish and Portuguese colonists.
However, due to the prospective growing fame of indigenous
social dancing since some indigenous people learned to dance
in the way that it could be seen by colonists and eventually
increased their trading for Spanish horses and goods, the
opposition from the Spanish and Portuguese government began
to release. By Latin dance incorporates a variety of distinct
styles including Salsa, Mambo, Merengue, Rumba, Cha Cha and
the Argentinian Tango. Each of these styles has its own
characteristic movements, rhythms and tempos that suit
specific regional and social preferences. Nowadays, Latin dance
is highly popular and widespread; regardless of it is in North,
Central or South America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, and even in
Africa, the dancing as an expression of art and culture has
already transcended the national boundaries. Due to the
versatility in movements, Latin dances are effectively
performed in group, couples or solo; thus it gives people better
range of options to choose for their performances in the context
of competitions, showcases or social dance. The couples in
every style of Latin dance are maintaining the business frame
and body to body contact. By explaining the basic rhythm and
the step pattern of the dance to the followers, couples usually
have the main focus on the interaction between the upper
body, legs and handwork. Every single style of Latin dance is
different from the sequence of the possession of a foot to the
bounce factors on the dance itself. For example, cha-cha dance
enables the dancers to achieve the sequential movement by
applying the heel lead. This would help to generate more
bounce on every "cha" step; and the wrist action of the dancers
could transmit the energy through the body. Every different
types of Latin dance is unique by itself. Because many Latin
dancing partners may have physical contacts with each other, it
becomes more important to emphasize the security issues. The
leaders of the dance must have the effective control of the
dance mounting and keep the focus stability, while followers
need to make sure the safety is not compromised in any
situation. Also, the efficient conveying pace and lead of the
dance is required in order to synchronize with the dance music.

3. Dance Techniques and Styles

So it's also important to note that the Bolshoi ballerinas are
among the best in the world, and although they differ in
method, they train and perform different techniques. Many
classical ballet techniques are derived from the Cecchetti
method, named after the Italian dancer Enrico Cecchetti. The
Royal Academy of Dance, which is one of the world's most
influential dance education and training organizations, teaches
this method, and it is thought to be one of the most supportive
forms of dance too. Another key technique is the Vaganova
method, which is a ballet technique and training system that
was created by the Russian dancer Agrippina Vaganova.
Students were taught to feel and understand the movement,
"not only mechanically" but spiritually. The focus is said to be
incomplete harmony of movement and gesture. This is why it is
often seen as one of the more simplistic, but also more
expressive, forms of ballet. When we think of jazz dance, we
often think of the olden day sort of dance you would see in a
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers film - this is because this was
when this dance form was at its zenith in our popular culture.
That being said, jazz dance is truly a perpetually evolving style
of dance that has been influenced by the likes of tap, ballet,
African dance, and even hip hop over the years. Theatrical jazz,
modern jazz, classic jazz - these are all subtypes of jazz dance
that have branched off and been danced to evolving types of
jazz music over the years. For instance, theatrical jazz is often
seen as the Great Gatsby style of big, bold, glamorous jazz with
leg kicks, shimmies, and an overuse of smiles. On the other
hand, modern jazz is a little less showy and uses elements of
ballet and contemporary dance to help nurture a unique style of
jazz that is interpretive and often emotionally driven - also done
to chart music which is more up to date. Folk dance traditions
vary in emphasis and who the personages of culture are
intended to be danced for. Some folk dances are intended only
for a display. These are kept alive and passed from one
generation to the other through practice and performance. Each
time the dance is passed down, care is taken to maintain its
traditional nature. The dance becomes a time vehicle and, in a
manner, ties that culture to a place and a people that have long
ago gone elsewhere. Furthermore, some folk dances will change
over time; alterations in pace, rhythm, and accoutrements can
be made to create a contemporary version of a historical dance.
Then there's partner accommodated dance. This phrase is used
to describe a person or persons (but of course, in dance,
fractions of people or two or more people) who are habituated
not acting entirely alone, but not necessarily within any specific
structure of a dance, and the partners are in most cases simply
causing each other in movement in space. This is to say,
whether person A is acting as leader and person B is acting as
the respondent matter less in the category of partner dance.
However, I also found an explanation that as partner dance, it is
usually referred to as a type of dance in which two people take
part, insofar that they are playing the roles as required by the
structure of the dance.

3.1. Classical dance techniques

Mainly, there are six different classical dance forms performed

in India. However, we are familiar with Bharatanatyam and
Kathak. Bharatanatyam is the oldest of all the classical dance
forms in India. This dance form is the example of the
embodiment of the elements of music and rhythm - Nritta. The
art of dancing and expression - Nritya and the ability to act and
tell a story - Natya. Kathak is another important dance form.
This style focuses more on the dance itself which makes it more
elegant and sophisticated. Besides its uniqueness, Kathak has
rapid turns and innovative movements. It's been said Kathak is
more about narrative aspects and the movements represent
stories. Also, Kathak form has more changes and adaptation
intercourse of generation from generation, and that's why every
movement looks so modern and unique. The performer will try
their best to make their move synchronous with the dance
music because music is a guidance and support. Legs and body
movement play a significant role; however, hands and facial
expression - abhinaya in Bharatanatyam make this dance form
more dramatical and romantic. Every Bharatanatyam
performance begins with a salutation called "Pushpanjali"; a
dance piece which is an offering of flowers to god. What I have
found in Bharatanatyam, every leg movement that we have
performed in the first sequence will be repeated in the same
sequence but in a different way. This will allow the devotee to
see the dance movement properly, and it has been a rough
guideline since ages. In Kathak, the music consists of various
types of musical instruments; for example, Tabla, Sarangi,
Harmonium, and the Tambourine - to provide the rhythm of the
dance. Every dance movement should suit the rhythm of the
music and that's where the dance form becomes more difficult
as we need to count and foresee every dance movement while
enjoying the music at the same time.

3.2. Jazz dance styles

Jazz dance originated in African American communities in the

late 1800s. This style of dance and its associated music is
rooted in improvisation and communicating a rhythmic and
emotional connection to the music and the dancer's body. Jazz
dance showcases a dancer's individual style and originality.
Every jazz dancer interprets and executes moves and steps in
their own way. This type of dancing is energetic and fun,
consisting of unique moves, fancy footwork, big leaps, and
quick turns. To excel in jazz, dancers need a strong background
in ballet, as it encourages grace and balance. Nowadays, jazz
dancing has evolved to include many different and intricate
moves, including side leaps, high kicks, pirouettes, and many
other turning and spinning moves, yet with a unique and
complex twist which makes it such an exciting art to both learn
and watch. So-called "show jazz" is a more theatrical and
staged form of jazz dance, often seen in musical theatre and
other large productions, while "street jazz" has taken the
fundamentals of the style and incorporated other modern dance
trends into something suitable for nightclubs and pop tours. As
the style of music and dance continues to evolve, so too does
the dance and the many ways to learn and express the
fascinating and high-energy spectacle that is jazz dancing. Jazz
dancing is a perpetual work in progress, which provides comfort
and a sense of development, as well as periodic definitive
moments that help to define a specific stylistic genre of jazz.

3.3. Folk dance traditions

Folk dance is a popular dance form which has a long-standing

history and is passed down from generation to generation. Folk
dance is still performed with the traditional costumes and
traditional formations. Over the centuries, many folk traditions
were brought to the United States. They are in the local
communities and surrounding ethnic communities. And today,
people still practice traditional folk dance. The historical origins
of folk dance are a mixture of ancient and modern history. The
tradition of folk dance was basically oral, where the music,
steps, and formations are passed down from one generation to
the other. It is not exactly known when folk dance was started,
but at least we could trace the roots of it back thousands of
years ago. The fertility and harvest dances were the oldest
known folk dances which were mentioned in early Vedic
literature; in fact, they are listed in the Indian holy book,
Rigveda. These dances were done at a certain time of the year
and depicted the life, work, and the hopes of the village. In
medieval time, the development of folk dance was influenced
by the court dance. After the decline of the medieval period, the
tradition of folk dance became reunited with the rural life and it
began to reflect the working lives of the people such as country
dance, morris dance, and sword dance as a response to
industrialization. In the article "Folk dance" by Howes, D. (2003),
researchers believe that the modern revitalized independent
folk dance tradition assembled between 1500 and 1600. He also
mentions that folk dance became a symbol of the nationhood
for the English with the new emerging of national identity, and
this belief was one of the reasons contributed to the popularity
of the folk dance. Furthermore, folk dance was no longer only
for the lower class. The late years of the 16th century largely
proved a revolution in folk dance, which saw the emergence of
the professionalization of folk dance as well as a shift from rural
life to urban life. It became a part of pop culture that the dances
were now published and recorded. With the campaign of folk
revivals in the 18th and 19th century, many ancient folk dances
were recovered or reinstated.

3.4. Partner dance forms

Another popular form of dance is partner dance, in which two

people dance together. Partner dance has its origins in a variety
of dance forms and has been practiced over many centuries. It
reached its peak in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and
many of the most popular partner dance forms today, such as
waltz, cha-cha, and tango, are derived from the European
cultural traditions. Partner dance is particularly popular in the
United States due to the rise of swing dances such as the Lindy
Hop and the development of American smooth and rhythm
dances, like salsa and mambo. However, America is also home
to many indigenous partner dance forms, of which the most
notable is the Appalachian. In partner dance, typically there are
two people: the "lead" and the "follow". The "lead" must provide
voluntary signals and the "follow" must respond to these signals
in preparation for the next step. Lead and follow techniques
managing body motions and body movement are the key to a
successful partner dance. Nevertheless, in the modern world
people find this tradition of "man leads, lady follows" outdated.
Some modern partner dances encourage equal actions from
both genders to enhance the aesthetic of the dance. Two of the
most famous modern partner dances, the Argentine tango and
the bachata, illustrate this point, in which gender roles are less
strictly followed as the dance is more about improvisation and
expressiveness. Some partner dance forms can be danced to a
range of different music. For example, the waltz is suitable for
various tempos as long as the music is in triple meter, and one
can dance to Strauss's famous Blue Danube as well as
contemporary waltz music. The variety of the music allows the
waltz dancers to express their feelings and emotions, and thus
more and more people, both old and young, feel attached
toward this dance. On the contrary, some partner dances are
specifically designed for certain types of music with distinct
rhythms and beats, such as the salsa and the samba. This type
of dances promotes the cultural and ethnic elements within the
music and allows the dancers to experience the traditions and
values in different parts of the world. By connecting with the
rhythm of the music, partner dancers are able to enjoy the
sensual pleasure from the mutual body gestures and appreciate
the uniqueness and diversity in each and every partner dance
forms. Now, partner dances are not only seen as a form of
entertainment but also as an opportunity to engage with
cultural experiences from around the world.

4. Dance as an Art Form

Dance as an art form takes on a variety of expressive forms. It
is the use of the body to express emotion or tell a story. The
dancer's body is used to make these emotions visible to the
audience. The body can be used in a number of ways to express
meaning - through movement, through gesture, and through
dance's relationship with other types of art. For example, a
dancer might use a forceful, sharp movement to portray anger,
or she might place herself in a way that signifies defeat. This
type of art can also be used as a form of emotional therapy.
Dance has the ability to help people in many different areas,
both choreographers and dancers alike. Choreography plays a
very important role across a large amount of dance work. It is a
way of translating the idea, the image, the thought, or the
feeling that usually starts off in someone else's head and
putting it on the stage for others to watch. Improvisation is a
powerful tool in many different types of art. It often allows the
art form to be a method of working for experienced-led practice.
In dance, many children begin to participate in creative
movement when they are about 2 years old. It is in dance and
its use with music that young children are developing sound
and movement. When we analyze a dance piece, we are looking
to unpick the work of art and explore what is going on. We
might be looking for how it was made and who by, what was
taking place within it, and what its underlying meanings might
be. This sort of thinking and exploration calls for analysis. In
regards to a person utilizing a choreographic approach or being
labeled as a choreographer, possible answers could be: a
person that makes up dances for themselves and/or others
could be considered a choreographer. Also, a person that plans
the ins and outs of a dance from start to finish is considered a
choreographer. However, emphasis is placed on how a
choreographer communicates their ideas and organizes the
work.

4.1. Expressive elements in dance

In order to create a great piece of choreography, dancers

should unleash their feelings and let their emotions flow freely
on the stage. Research has discovered that emotions in the
motion can be rooted in the kinesthetic responses created by
sensible dance moves and the music, although some
fundamentals still stay the same. Any human movement starts
in the mind. The brain plans the motion, and sends those plans
to the body to be executed. While an emotional state can
inspire a distinct movement or movements, using dance to
convey emotion actually starts with the intellect. When we
watch expert choreography, we understand the movement on
cognitive, interpretive and emotional levels, as trust and
confidence in the material and in the portrayal of the
choreographed character's feelings play essential roles. And the
usage of body and face expressions is very important while
dancing because they serve the purpose of transmitting a
specific emotion for the audience to understand and interpret;
the size of the movements as well as gestures and the choice of
action on the dance floor are also the factors that help us
transmit an emotion to the onlooker. Every single part of the
body is used to describe an emotion in the dance, while the
choreographer has to be very cautious about the music; the
selection of a specific musical piece and the genre is very
important to match the type of dance that is being expressed.
Also, the rhythm and the lyrics in the music have to be taken
into consideration in order to aid in the emotional rendition on
the dance floor. It was found that people who watched the
smiling and peaceful performance were capable of recognizing
'happiness' and 'tenderness' emotions through poor and
incorrect recognition. In fact, during experimentation with eye
movement and kinesics, it was found that it took much shorter
periods of time for people to associate viewing joyful
performance with facial expression of 'happiness'. Such
prolonged emotion then pulled the attention away from the
dancer's body actions. Thus, in finding an emotional state, a
choreographer's work needs to commence from the intellect.
The reason why you might listen to a specific music and be
lifted into a good mood; it is because music can activate the
brain and chemically generate the feeling of joy. Musicians and
artists generally start with a sensation that they want to
transmit. This was backed up by a scientific comment that in
order to convey an emotion through dance or any other type of
art, a choreographer needs to form a clear sensory and
emotional opinion before they tackle the piece. Infusing the
dance with an independent meaning and responding to the
music in an emotionally powerful way, while translative touches
can also be encouraged, accelerating the release of feelings.
Every single living person is capable of moving.

4.2. Choreography and improvisation

Modern dance choreography differs from ballet choreography in

that it puts more emphasis on the dancer's own creativity and
individuality, instead of the traditional steps and routines.
Choreography is the art of making dances, the gathering and
organization of movement into order and pattern. It is an art of
dance that involves the sequence of steps, movements, and
gestures in a patterned structure, whereas improvisation is the
art of making or creating movement spontaneously. However,
improvisation is the absence of planning or preconception, a
physical intuition present in the act of creating movement.
While improvisation is often used as an exercise or technique
for an upcoming dance, choreography and improvisation are
the two most key components in the study of dance and are
crucial in developing the dance form. Although choreography is
usually taught as a separate aspect in the study of dance, it is
sometimes informed by work done in improvisation, and it's
important to experience and understand both at work because
it equips the study on how dance is created and developed.
When making a new piece of dance, choreography is usually
used by producing movement material, selecting and
organizing material into a structural composition, and
developing the work into a complete piece. In general,
choreography calls for a clear approach to the formal
organization of movement as well as critical thinking and
problem solving. On the other hand, improvisational approaches
to dance composition suggest a direct engagement with the
kinaesthetic, emotional, and dynamic possibilities of the body in
movement. By having more freedom in dance movement, it
allows the potential discovery of movement that is interesting,
exciting, and innovative. As a matter of fact, by experiencing
improvisation, it seems to yield new insights and greater
physical enjoyment in dance, and students are often
encouraged to reflect on their experiences throughout the
study. However, in the professional world, choreography is often
regarded as the act of making dances, and as an established
and recognized activity, whereas improvisation is seen as a
student's inferior and immature form of choreography, and its
place has been misunderstood. In defiance of this,
choreographers like Richard Bull use improvisation process as
the central platform of making current work. Contrary to what
we often perceive, improvisation is the ultimate origin and it is
actually the most effective method used by choreographers in
generating new ideas and restructuring their thinking. By using
improvisation, the choreographer's intention and idea of the
theme could be portrayed more authentically and the gut
feeling as when dance is being performed could be
strengthened. With the continuous development and evolution
in technology, choreography in dance can also be studied in a
scientific way. In fact, investigation into the computer's
potential capability in aiding the choreographic process through
dance technology is currently launched and researchers have
seen great possibilities in expanding the field through this
method. It is identified that choreographic research can be
approached through the current available methods, including
articulated body mapping in space and time to give different
representations of film and animation, and expert system and
artificial intelligence applications. Through discovering the
potential in preserving the tradition and acknowledging the
impact of technology in the field of choreography, it is a huge
step forward in making society aware of the applicability of
choreography in today's dance world. Moreover, it is believed
that students and dance professionals alike have recognized the
value of computer-aided approach as well, and immense
potential exists to further improve the system for the
betterment of dance studies and in exploring new horizons in
the field of dance.

4.3. Dance as a form of storytelling

Dance is not just a physical phenomenon, but an emotional and
social one. Dance has been used to tell stories throughout
human history. In some cultures, for example, a dance may tell
a story that has been handed down for generations. Dancing,
storytelling, and singing are part of many Native American
cultures. In some types of dance, the connection to storytelling
is obvious. For example, in narrative dance the movement tells
a story. Think of the story of a young man going off to war. In
narrative dance, the movements might show him leaving his
friends and family, the trip to a distant place, and the actual
battle. Many different kinds of dance are used as story and
history telling. However, storytelling in dance is not limited to
obvious narrative forms like narrative dance. Every dance is a
reflection of the culture and the time in which it is created. This
means that even abstract and improvised movement is a
window into the society and the values of the artists. When we
talk about dances that tell stories or that work as a kind of
history, we usually are referring to identity dances. Identity
dances are a form of narrative dance that makes the historical
or cultural experiences of a group real and immediate. These
kinds of dances often use historical events or recount a
community legend in visual form and the movements
themselves are based on stories and traditional steps that have
been passed down through the years. Much like a novel or a
play, dance can explore themes such as love, war, and social
issues. Dance, for me, represents the human condition. Matt
Sakakibara, an associate professor of ethnomusicology and
dance, studies different forms of storytelling in dance. He has
found that many people use the term "storytelling" broadly
when they talk about the meaning of a particular dance, and it
is not always connected to a specific narrative. Prof. Sakakibara
points out that storytelling in dance is a way to build stronger
connections between the audience and the dancers themselves.
When people talk about storytelling in dance, they are often
referring to the idea that the movements and the performance
as a whole can communicate something to the viewer. This
notion is illustrated by the methods used to convey a narrative
 in dance. For example, costume design, stage sets, lighting, and
props can all help to transport the audience to another place -
whether that is a specific historic time or a fantasy world.
Musicians or other performance elements like choirs and
soloists can add layers of auditory and visual information for the
audience. Even the location of a performance can help to tell a
story. All these 'extra' elements tell the story but it is the
movements of the dancers that drive the narrative and fill in the
details.

ACTIVITY
1. What is your definition of dance? Explain your response. How does your definition
differ from those in the textbook?
2. What factors influence your dance aesthetic?