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Creative Dance is a contemporary form of dance that
combines movement and artistic expression, without the
need for specific training. Typically, creative dance
focuses on the development of motor skills and
emotional expression, as opposed to the aesthetics based
focus of dance in more traditional structured settings.
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TYPES OF DANCE GENRES
CREATIVE DANCE
Ballet - Ballet was developed during the Italian Renaissance
and is a choreographed dance set to classical music.
Contemporary - Contemporary dance was created in the
mid-twentieth century. It draws on classical, modern and
jazz dance styles, and is the most popular form of dance
studied today.
Tap Dance - Tap dancing is often performed as part of
musical theatre and focuses on timing, with dancers often
performing in unison.
TYPES OF DANCE GENRES
CREATIVE DANCE
Hip Hop - Hip Hop or Street dance dates back to the late
1970s and draws upon the fashion and music of America at
the time. Street dance can be a competitive dance, with
groups challenging each other to a dance battle
Jazz - Jazz dancing is known for its improvisational and
dramatic body movements. The Lindy Hop and the
Charleston dance are popular types of jazz dance.
TYPES OF DANCE
MOVEMENTS AND TERMS
AIR STEPS
Steps or kicks performed in the
air after being lifted from the
ground by a partner.
BREAKAWAY
Section within a dance where
partners separate and improvise
dance steps on their own.
CANON
A dance technique that involves
two or more dancers performing
the same action one after the
other. The action is staggered,
like a Mexican wave.
CLIMAX
The most significant part of a
dance.
DYNAMICS
How the body performs particular movements to
express the mood or the tone of the dance. Dynamics
can refer to the speed, energy or flow of movements in
a performance. For example, a movement can be
performed energetically or lazily, quickly or slowly, and
flowing or jagged. The different dynamics will affect the
'feel' of the dance.
EXPRESSION
Performers can express emotions through
their dance. The performer's expression of
these emotions can come through their
actions of their facial expressions
IMPROVISE
When improvising, dancers create movements and
actions spontaneously, without rehearsal. They use
music or other stimuli as inspiration and develop their
actions 'on the spot'.
LEVELS
Dancing at different levels is a great way to add
interest to a dance. Level refers to the height of
the dancer in relation to the floor. For example,
stretching up would be high-level, crouching
would be mid-level and sitting or lying down
would be low-level.
MIRROR
When mirroring, dancers perform the same actions at
the same time but using opposite body parts so that it
appears that the action is being reflected in a mirror.
MOOD
MOTIF
The 'feel' of a dance created by deliberate
combinations and expressions of movement.
A movement phrase that represents a theme or idea.
MOVEMENT
PHASE
PRECISE
A short sequence of connected actions that has
a sense of thematic completion.
When performing actions, it's important for
dancers to show precision. This means they
perform their actions sharply, clearly and
accurately so that the audience can clearly see
what the dancer is doing.
RHYTHM
In dance, rhythm refers to the timing of the movements in a
particular dance. When performing to music, it's important that
the rhythm of the dance matches the rhythm of the music. This
means that the timing of the movements matches the timing of
the sounds within the music.
STRUT
A dance style under the popping dance. In strutting you
move with strikes and shufflle your feet.
INTRODUCTION TO
MODERN DANCE
MODERN DANCE
Began at the turn of the century (19th). The spirit of change
was in the air and was contagious amount people in many
different areas of dance and art.
Modern dance began with a choice to move away from the
rules, structures, and ideas of the past and to move to a
more individually creative theory of dance.
Modern dance does have rules and forms. Each modern
dance artist has developed a personal style of dancing and
therefore a way of preparing their dancers.
Modern dance is an experience in movement. Dance is
movement. Movement is life, and it surrounds you every
moment.
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WHAT IS MODERN DANCE?
Modern Dance is based on highly
individualized or personalized
movements based upon the
dancer’/choreographers’ artistic
intent.
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WHY STUDY MODERN DANCE
• Increases your body awareness and knowledge of how the
body moves • Increase your strength, flexibility, and general
fitness level
• Introduce you to a new form in which you experience the
joy of movement and compete solely with your self
• Heighten your appreciation of other movement forms and
music
• Expand you awareness and appreciation of your own
artistry and artistry of others
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No set curriculum
No particular music
CHARACTERISTICS
No particular costume
No particular body type
Natural, pedestrian
carriage of body
Cause & effect/ Action &
Reaction
Weighted – use of gravity
CHARACTERISTICS
Flexibility and
articulation of spine
Contraction & release
Softening into the floor
Rebellion against ballet
focus
projection
musicality
timing
emphasis
expression
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TO BE CONTINUED...