Concert Dance
Jade Robichaux
Professor LeJeune
October 12, 2014
English 101
Types of Dance Styles
When a person dances they create a series of rhythmic and patterned body movements that are usually performed to music. Rhythm and tempo of the music and movements of ones body creates different variations of dance styles. Shoes and outfits help to identify what type of dance is being performed. Every dancer has their own style. Main types of dance are jazz, ballet, or modern dance. Dance is not just a female dominated activity. Many men are starting to become dancers than before.
Jazz dance is one of the more popular dance styles out there. This type of dancing is a fun and energetic type of dance to watch. Jazz dancing has historic roots that have changed over the years. Before the 1950’s jazz dances originated off of old African American vernacular dances. In the 1950’s a new version of jazz dance came about which was considered Modern Jazz Dance. Jazz dance style originated from Caribbean traditional dances. The movements to any jazz dance that the performer makes usually showcases that dancers originality and individual style. A jazz dancer interprets and performs moves and steps their own way. The music a jazz dance performs too is mostly jazz music, but is also starting to use popular music, blues, and rock music have also been included in dancers choices. Jazz dancers use many ballet movements, but put their own spin on the way the moves are put together. Many jazz dancers have a strong background in ballet. Jazz dancers wear tight, but movable forms of clothing. The shoes a jazz dancer wears appears to look like a sneaker type shoe, but near the arch of the foot it is only made of cloth. The design of the shoe allows the dancer to be able to bend and point their foot in order to perform the movements of the dance. The father of jazz dance technique is considered to be Jack Cole. Cole’s style emphasized isolations, angled placement, and long knee slides.
Professor LeJeune
October 12, 2014
English 101
Types of Dance Styles
When a person dances they create a series of rhythmic and patterned body movements that are usually performed to music. Rhythm and tempo of the music and movements of ones body creates different variations of dance styles. Shoes and outfits help to identify what type of dance is being performed. Every dancer has their own style. Main types of dance are jazz, ballet, or modern dance. Dance is not just a female dominated activity. Many men are starting to become dancers than before.
Jazz dance is one of the more popular dance styles out there. This type of dancing is a fun and energetic type of dance to watch. Jazz dancing has historic roots that have changed over the years. Before the 1950’s jazz dances originated off of old African American vernacular dances. In the 1950’s a new version of jazz dance came about which was considered Modern Jazz Dance. Jazz dance style originated from Caribbean traditional dances. The movements to any jazz dance that the performer makes usually showcases that dancers originality and individual style. A jazz dancer interprets and performs moves and steps their own way. The music a jazz dance performs too is mostly jazz music, but is also starting to use popular music, blues, and rock music have also been included in dancers choices. Jazz dancers use many ballet movements, but put their own spin on the way the moves are put together. Many jazz dancers have a strong background in ballet. Jazz dancers wear tight, but movable forms of clothing. The shoes a jazz dancer wears appears to look like a sneaker type shoe, but near the arch of the foot it is only made of cloth. The design of the shoe allows the dancer to be able to bend and point their foot in order to perform the movements of the dance. The father of jazz dance technique is considered to be Jack Cole. Cole’s style emphasized isolations, angled placement, and long knee slides.
Citations: Bedinghaus, Treva. "Your Introduction to Jazz." Jazz 101. About., 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 13 Oct. 2014. Bedinghaus, Treva. "Everything You Need to Know About Modern Dance." What Is Modern Dance? About., 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 12 Oct. 2014. Bedinghaus, Treva. "Ballet Dance." Ballet Dance. About., 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 12 Oct. 2014.