Different Dance Styles
Ever since the dawn of time, people from all over the world have been dancing. In fact, many of the dance forms of today have their roots in dance styles that go back for hundreds of years, while others were devised in the 20th century. And while it can be said that every form which can be read about boasts its own unique style, every one of them represents the celebration of the human body and our natural artistic expression. The following puts the spotlight on two of the most popular dance forms we enjoy today, ballet and jazz.
Ballet
Born in Italy in the 15th century, and then spreading to France, ever since that period, ballet, which is a fine art form in its own right, has had a major influence on most types of dance.
Classical Ballet
Classical ballet achieved its prime in 19th-century Russia and France. It is frequently orchestrated, and often story driven, with exciting fantastical costumes and theatre sets. “The Nutcracker Suite” is an excellent example. This type of movement stresses dancing on the toes (pointe work), symmetry, and graceful body movements.
Neoclassical Ballet
This classical ballet’s evolution came to life in the beginning to the middle of the 20th century. The dancers’ movements have less symmetry, and are more urgent and quicker, with simple costumes and sets. There may not be a plot at all, and the dancers are often accompanied by soloists, bands and orchestras.
Contemporary Ballet
Just as with neoclassical, there is no plot. In fact, unlike former ballet styles, it is not always dance-like; rather, there is simply an exhibition of pure movement and physical expression. More often than not, the set designs and costumes are abstract or simple. If it is used, sound work and music or are frequently experimental or contemporary in nature.
Jazz
Jazz is an active dance form which comprises a lot of improvisation and originality. It frequently involves dramatic, bold body actions, such as contractions and body isolations, and this means you have to be fit to do them. In order to be safe, it is always wise to have an app on your phone that can arrange immediate medical help. Ever since the dawn of time, people from all over the world have been dancing. In fact, many of the dance forms of today have their roots in dance styles that go back for hundreds of years, while others were devised in the 20th century.
At the time of the wonderful 1930s big-band era, and during the early 1940s, the Hip Hop and swing dancing turned into a type of popular jazz dance expression. Later, during the middle to late 20th century, dance professionals integrated these physical expression improvisations into their choreographies. The roots of this magnificent dance lie in traditions from Africa, and these were brought across to the US a few hundred years ago, by the poor slaves. Over time, jazz morphed into a street dance style which quickly became popular in the early 20th-century jazz clubs.
Modern Dance
