CONTEMPORARY

DANCE

DEFINITION
CONTEMPORARY DANCE IS A COMMON FORM OF
DANCE THAT IS OFTEN MISUNDERSTOOD. UNLIKE
TRADITIONAL DANCE METHODS, IT IS A RAW FORM
OF DANCE THAT DOES NOT FOLLOW ANY RULES.
POPULAR TO AUDIENCES AND DANCERS ALIKE, IT
PORTRAYS THE WORLD THROUGH THE EYES OF THE
DANCER, THEIR EXPERIENCES, STORIES, AND
EMOTIONS. HERE WE LOOK CLOSER AT WHAT
EXACTLY CONTEMPORARY DANCE IS AND HOW IT
IS PERFORMED.

HISTORY

Around 1980s, the world "contemporary dance" referred to the

movement of new dancers who did not want to follow strict classical
ballet and lyrical dance forms, but instead wanted to explore the area
of revolutionary unconventional movements that were gathered from
all dance styles of the world. Contemporary dances therefore do not
use fixed moves and instead try to develop totally new forms and
dynamics, such as quick oppositional moves, shifting alignments,
expressions of raw emotions, systematic breathing, dancing moves
preformed in non-standing positions (for example lying on the floor),
and in general trying to find the absolute limits of our human form
and physique.

The origins of this popular dance movement can be traced to

several influential dance masters such as Isadora Duncan, Martha
Graham and Merce Cunningham. They all wanted to show to the
world that contemporary dancers should embrace freedom,
ignore old dance conventions and explore the limits of the human
body and visual expression of feelings. Also, one of the precursors
to the contemporary dance can be found in the millennia's old
techniques of Zen Buddhism and Indian Health Yoga, which
incorporates various dancing philosophies that closely follow the
principles of contemporary dance.

Contemporary danced emerged in the 20th century as dancers

strived to exhibit more personal expression in their dancing. It
was a way to stray from the more traditional and structured
styles. Breaking the conventional style of dance, contemporary
focuses on the freedom of movement. When performing, dancers
focus on connecting their mind and body through fluid dance
moves. This allows dancers to explore emotions, and use their
natural energy to portray personal expression in their dance
techniques. There is no rule of thumb to what type of elements
their performance can include, but you will find a combination of
techniques often ranging from ballet, jazz, modern, break dancing
and even yoga and Pilates.

HTTP://WWW.DANCEFACTS.NET/DANCE-TYPES/CONTEMPORARY-
DANCE/#:~:TEXT=AROUND%201980S%2C%20THE%20WORLD%20%22CONTEM
PORARY,DANCE%20STYLES%20OF%20THE%20WORLD.

HTTPS://WWW.GRETALEEMINGDANCE.COM/WHAT-IS-CONTEMPORARY-
DANCE/

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6#IMGRC=L8F0JW9P-HOXFM
 FOLK DANCE
Folk dance is a form of dance that reflects the traditional life
of a group of people in a certain country or region. These dances
are developed and performed by people that portray the beliefs,
interests, habits, customs and practices of the native.

Examples of Philippine Folk Dances

FESTIVAL DANCES
Cultural dances performed to the strong beats
of percussion instruments by a community of
people sharing the same culture usually done in
honor of a Patron saint or as a thanksgiving for a
bountiful harvest.
Examples: Sinulog Festival
Ati-Atihan
Dinagyang Festival

CEREMONIAL/RITUAL
DANCES
Performed in connection with religious vows
and ceremonies.

Examples: Dugso
Subli

OCCUPATIONAL
DANCE
Depict action of certain occupation, industry, or
human labor.
Examples: Binatbatan
Mag-asik D

COURTSHIP DANCES
Depict the art of courtship and portray love-
making or affection belonging to this
classification.

Examples: Pantomina
Kuratsa

WAR DANCES
Representation of performers illustrating
struggle in a combat or duel.
Examples: Maglalatik
Sagayan

INTERPRETATIVE/
CREATIVE DANCES
Depict movements of animals and things
around us.

Examples: Itik-itik
Tinikling

Sources:
https://lovefolkdance.wordpress.com/
https://philnews.ph/2019/07/12/list-philippine-folk-dances/
https://www.liveabout.com/folk-dance-overview-1006565
https://www.slideshare.net/OphelynnCano/4-q4-contemporary-
dance
https://www.slideshare.net/chelTobato/festival-dances
 Theatrical
Dance
A form of dance that is performed for an audience, as
opposed to social dance, which is primarily social in nature. It
is usually performed in a theater or another public venue, and
examples include ballet, jazz, tap, musical theatre, and more.

Examples Theatrical Dance

Ballet
Is one of the most widely known forms of
theatrical dance. It developed in the 17th
century, and it is characterized by the body
being open with the toes facing outward while
they are pointed. The movements are fluid and
graceful, and the classical style is symmetrical
in terms of the dancers’ bodies.

Modern Dance
It was a reaction against the limited and heavily
structured parameters of ballet. One of the
founders of modern dance was Isadora Duncan,
who felt that ballet was too artificial. She was
inspired by nature, including the wind and waves,
and she danced barefoot with a lot of leaps,
skips, and strides. Modern dance was designed
to express the human spirit, and it explored
emotions, conflicts, and passions that lay within.

Musical Comedy
Dance
It is a type of play or film that has singing
and dancing as part of the story and that is
humorous and entertaining, especially one
written before the middle of the twentieth
century.

Tap Dance
is a style of dance where dancers wear special
shoes that have heel and toe tapping devices
installed. When they dance, they make sounds
in time with the music. It was first begun in the
United States as a combination of different
ethnic percussive dances. It became popular in
dance contests, and then it started to spread
out across the country.

Jazz Dance
It appeared in the 1950s in the United States,
and it was named for the jazz music that
accompanied it. Jazz was made even more
popular when it was included in Cabaret and
Broadway, and today, it influences many styles
of dance today, including ballet, contemporary,
and lyrical. It includes spins, quick moves,
leaps, and more, and it is an upbeat and fun
type of theatrical dance.

Sources:
https://www.ballroomdanceplanet.com/what-is-theatrical-
dance/#:~:text=Theatrical%20dance%20is%20any%20form,%2C%20musical%20theatre%2C%20an
d%20more.
https://www.slideshare.net/OphelynnCano/4-q4-contemporary-dance
https://dancestyle14.wordpress.com/2014/11/13/classical-tap/
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/musical-comedy
http://www.moderndancearts.com/
https://www.pbt.ph/#home
 ELEMENTS OF

CONTEMPORARY

DANCE

Theme
Unifying or dominant idea in a movement
pattern, sequence, or dance from which
variations may be developed.
Most basic element of dance
It conveys the message of a dance
.

Design Movements
It refers to the plan or organization It is the action of dancers as they
of movements in time and space use their bodies to create or
organize a pattern

Music Technique
The skill of movement executed by the dancer
The auditory background Set of rules or standard for a method of
to which a dancer moves training
It is the manner in which technical details are
Motivates the
treated or used in accomplishing a desired
movements in dancing result
For a dancer, the
technical line is where
balance and full
extension is found

Costume & body paraphernalia

Properties worn by the dancer
that help reflect the message,
customs and beliefs
Enhanced the effect of the
dance

Choreography
The figures and steps in dancing
that enable the dancers to
perform in an organized manner
The forms, arrangements, and
organization of dance steps and
movements
Scenery
The setting or background,
establishing the place of action of
any dance important to make it
more realistic and beautiful

https://www.slideshare.net/OphelynnCano/4-q4-contemporary-dance
INFORMATION
https://www.slideshare.net/jundel3/f6912050
SOURCE
https://www.scribd.com/document/99880516/Elements-of-Dance
https://artsintegration.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/vsc_dance_glossary.pdf

NAME : ANGELA T . BAQUERO

GRADE AND SECTION : 12- STEM B . NEBRES

Notable Figures
Notable Figures in
in
Philippine Dance
Philippine Dance

Alice Reyes
Alice Reyes known as the "THE MOTHER
OF CONTEMPORARY DANCE"
She is a filipina
dancer, choreographer,
teacher, director and
producer.
She is the founder of
Ballet Philippines
together with Eddie
Elejar.

Lisa Macuja-Elizalde
Lisa Macuja-Elizalde
She is the founder of
Ballet Manila in 1995
with Osias Barroso.
In 1984, she became the
first foreign soloist to
ever join the Kirov
Ballet.
She was the Vice-Chairman
of Philippine UNESCO
National Commision.

Douglas Nierras
Douglas Nierras
founder and resident
choreogrpaher of Powerdance.
He is the choreographer and
director of Douglas Nierras
Powerdance.
Nierra's company is well
known in Philippines and has
won International Awards.

Norbert Dela
Norbert Dela Cruz
Cruz III
III
He graduated from
Juilliard School in New
York City.
Danced as a soloist with
the Metropolitan Opera
House and in the other
dance companies in Europe