The Art of Dance.
Dance develops balance, control, posture, focus and fine tuned listening skills. Because dance inherently involves problem solving, pattern and sequence, it enhances higher thinking abilities. Dancing promotes self confidence, creativity and a sense of exuberance in accomplishment. Dancers may be classified as a ballet dancer, jazz dancer or hip hop dancer based on their style.
Ballet is a form of dancing performed for theatre audiences. Like other dance forms, ballet may tell a story, express a mood, or simply reflect the music. But a ballet dancer's technique and special skills differ greatly from those of other dancers. Ballet dancers perform many movements that are unnatural for the body. But when these movements are well executed, they look natural. Ballet dancers seem to ignore the law of gravity as they float through the air in long, slow leaps. They keep perfect balance while they spin like tops without becoming dizzy. The dancers take joy in controlling their bodies, and ballet audiences share their feelings. Ballet technique is called classical because it stresses the purity and harmony of design.
Jazz dance has improvisation and individuality at its core. Jazz can be danced solo or as a formation. Many ballet dancers convert to jazz, as it breaks the traditional ballet lines making dancing much more contemporary and casual in style. Jazz has a .
Lacie Lanclos.
Page 2.
mixture of ballet and hip hop. It is in the middle of both. Jazz has more funk than ballet but less individual technique than hip hop. Jazz dance is a constantly evolving form of popular and artistic dance movement. It is a reflection of our popular culture, and as the culture changes so does the face of jazz dance.
Hip hop dancing is a culture of youth and street toughness. It has its own style of music, clothing and vocabulary. The dance moves of hip hop are derived from the same base as jazz dance.
