1.

Define Dance

Dance is a a series of movements that match the speed and rhythm of a piece of music.
Oxford. Dance. In Oxford Dictionary of Current English

Dance is the movement of the body in a rhythmic way, usually to music and within a given space, for the
purpose of expressing an idea or emotion, releasing energy, or simply taking delight in the movement
itself.
Britannica.com article written by Judith R. Mackrell

Dance- to move one's body rhythmically usually to music : to engage in or perform a dance
Merriam-Webster (n.d.) Dance. In Merriam- Webster.com dictionary.Last Updated: 18 Feb 2023

Dance to move one's feet or body, or both, rhythmically in a pattern of steps, especially to the
accompaniment of music.
From Dictionary.com

A dance is a series of movements — sometimes choreographed, but sometimes not — where the person
moves in time to music. Rumba, tango, disco, swing, and ballet are all examples of types of dances.
From Vocabulary.com

2. History of Dance

Bharatnatyam
1500 - Present

Bharatanatyam is one of
the oldest and most
popular forms of classical
dance that originated in Kathak, one of the eight forms of Indian
Tanjore district in Tamil Nadu in South India. classical dances, originated from India, traces
The origin of this dance can be traced to the its origins to the nomadic bards of ancient
sage Bharata Muni's Natyasastra. northern India, known as Kathakars or
storytellers. Its form today contains traces of
Kathak
temple and ritual dances, and the influence of
1600 - Present the bhakti movement.

Royal Academy of Ballet a rejection of, or rebellion against classical

1600 - Present ballet.
First school of ballet Waltz
Modern 1830 - Present
1800 - 2013 This form was established in the 1830s by
Modern dance is a broad genre of western Joseph Lanner and the elder Johann Strauss,
concert or theatrical dance, primarily arising and from then the waltz was particularly
out of Germany and the United States in the associated with Vienna, although it was
late 19th and early 20th centuries. Modern popular throughout Europe.
dance is often considered to have emerged as Jazz
 1900 - Present
Jazz dancing, and its steps and style, originated
from the dancing of African Americans that
were brought to America as slaves. Later it was
brought from vernacular to theatrical
Tap Dancing
1920 - Present
Tap dancing has evolved considerably to
become the art form we know today. Before
there were tap shoes, dancers wore soft shoes,
or clogs. Tap dancing originated as Juba, a kind
of dance practiced by African slaves. It melded
with Irish dancing and continued to alter as it
encountered the influence of jazz dance.
Salsa
1930 - Present
Salsa represents a mix of Latin musical genres,
but its primary component is Cuban dance
music. The roots of salsa originated in Eastern
Cuba (Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo) from the
Cuban Son (about 1920) and Afro-Cuban dance
(like Afro-Cuban rumba)
Contemporary Dance
1944 - Present
Although originally informed by and borrowing
from classical, modern, and jazz styles, it has
since come to incorporate elements from many
styles of dance. Due to its technical similarities,
it is often perceived to be closely related to
modern dance, ballet, and other classical
concert dance styles.
Hip Hop Started
1970 - Present
Hip-hop dance refers to street dance styles
primarily performed to hip-hop music or that
have evolved as part of hip-hop culture. It
includes a wide range of styles primarily
breaking which was created in the 1970s and
made popular by dance crews in the United
States.

From Preceden.com

3. Elements of Dance
1- Body
The center of any dance is
the dancer, who is in charge
of executing the movements
with the rhythm and tenacity
necessary to convey a feeling
to those who witness the
dance.
Each part of the body is
important in the dance; the
trunk, the extremities, the
easy expressions and the
postures must be
complemented correctly to
obtain a natural and pleasant
movement in sight.
2- Action
The dance itself consists in
the realization of movements.
The action refers to these
movements, which can be as
subtle as turning the neck or
a hand, or as elaborate as
jumping, tumbling and even
running around the stage.
There must be a balance
between action and pause;
Many times the pause is
necessary to create a
sufficiently noticeable
contrast with the movement,
and in this way highlight this
even more.
3- Time
The rhythm and repetition
patterns of a dance are called
time. It is this element that
dictates not only the duration
of a dance, but the speed in
the execution of its steps.
The rhythm of a dance can
be previously choreographed
or be free, giving the dancer
freedom to move at will.
4- Energy
In combination with time and
action, the energy
corresponds to the degree of
tension or fluidity with which
the steps are executed.
Energy is considered as the
most complex of the
elements of dance, it can
take years to develop.
Even if a dance is performed
with an appropriate rhythm
and movements according to
it, the energy can convert the
dance from rigid to fluid and
with naturalness. The talent
of the dancer has a great
influence on this aspect.
5- Space
The scenario or context
where the dance takes place
will affect the viewer's vision.
The space may vary in color,
composition and size.
The decorative elements or
allusive to the dance
reverberate in the necessary
harmony between dance,
dancer and stage.
Retrieved from
https://www.lifepersona.com/t
he-5-most-important- elements-of-dance
Fourth Position
5 Fundamental of arms and the feet
In the fourth position, put your foot forward
Feet Positions while the other foot still retains its position. The
distance between the two feet should be about 12
First Position inches.

For the first position, form a V-shape with your

feet by bringing your heels together to touch
while keeping your toes away from each other.
Fifth Position

In the fifth position, bring the heel of the foot in

front to touch the toe of the other. Both feet
should still be pointing outward.

Second Position

For the second position, move one foot

sideward. Your feet should be parallel to each
other while maintaining a distance of about 12
inches.
Arms Positions

First Position

For the first position, raise your arms into a

circle in front of your chest. Your hands should
be aligned in front of your chest with both arms
slightly curved, and your fingertips should be at
Third Position least 1 inch apart.

For the third position, bring your foot’s heel to

touch the arch of your other foot, with both feet
turned outward.

Image by Gaynor Minden

Second Position
For the second position, open your arms
sideward at shoulder level.
Image by Gaynor Minden
Third Position
One arm is raised above your head, while the
other arm maintains the second position. The
arm that was raised should be slightly curved as
well.
Image by Gaynor Minden
Fourth Position
50 Reasons why people dance
1. It makes people fit.
2. It maintains our flexibility and agility.
3. It lets us meet more people and
makes friends.
4. Dancing is fun and it can let some
people forget their problems.
In the fourth position, the arm in the second
position would be raised forward in front of your
chest again, similar to how it was in the first
position. The arm that is lifted above your head
will still maintain its position.
Fifth Position
For the fifth position, both arms should be lifted
above your head, slightly curving. The posture is
similar to that of the first position but raised
above the head instead.
Retrieved from
https://abm11hype.medium.com/the-five-
fundamental-positions-dancing-for-beginners-
90137c0ad8e7
5. Some people dance for a living.
6. It is a way of expressing one’s
feelings.
7. To gain popularity.
8. Because it is one’s passion.
9. People use it to represent their
culture.
10. Some doctors recommend dancing 42. To exercise their brain.
as physical therapy. 43. It makes people’s mind and body
11. For mental clarity and emotional work together.
stability. 44. It teaches us to move with the beat
12. To impress someone they want to and rhythm
impress. 45. To automatically vibe with
13. To lose weight. strangers.
14. To practice their footwork. 46. To improve posture.
15. To overcome fear. 47. To prove to ourselves that we can
16. To have the opportunity to go learn everything we want.
overseas. 48. Because it is interesting.
17. To express prayers (Doxology). 49. To have an amazing wardrobe.
18. Use as tribute to someone. 50. To have a back-up profession.
19. It can give entertainment.
20. To gain confidence.
21. To improve hands and feet
coordination.
22. Stress reliever.
23. It can make someone feel beautiful.
24. It keeps people young and happy.
25. To learn new things.
26. To challenge themselves to be
knowledgeable.
27. Sometimes people dance because
they are good at it.
28. For advertisement of milk or
vitamins.
29. For grades.
30. Because he/she is encouraged by
their peers.
31. Because it is easy.
32. Because it has no age or gender
limit.
33. Job qualification.
34. To vibe to the music.
35. Sideline for more income.
36. To express love.
37. To express admiration.
38. Because of their admiration of their
idols.
39. To participate in sport competition .
40. To express emotions that can’t be
expressed by words.
41. To be attractive.