MODERN DANCE

What is Modern Dance?

Modern dance is a style of dance that developed as a reaction to the strict rules that
defined ballet. This is because it emerged at the beginning of the 20 th century in a
time when ballet had previously dominated the dancing world. While Europe claims
the roots of modern dance, the innovations made by dancers in the United States
quickly gave a home to the developing dance form.
As a dance form reacting to the constraints and formality of ballet, modern dance
developed through the ideals of 20th-century America, such as democracy, social
protest, and individuality, disregarding the strict aristocratic roots and conformity
from which ballet emerged. This changed the language of dance choreography and
the way that dances developed.
MODERN DANCE, serious theatrical dance forms that are distinct from both
ballet and the show dancing of the musical comedy or variety stage.

History of Modern Dance

BEGINNING OF MODERN DANCE
The modern dance movement began in the early 1900s as a rebellion against the
formality and structure of ballet. Dancers wanted to move freely and naturally
through space, not just vertical high as was typical of ballet. They wanted to be free
of toe shoes and grasp the floor with bare feet. They wanted to involve the whole
body in their dance, using torso, shoulders, head, arms, hands, even fingers. They
wanted to incorporate the facial expressions that accompany the feelings and
emotions of dance. Most importantly, they wanted their dance to be not just an
intellectual and physical endeavor, but a creative one as well! Modern Dance was
born; a dance discipline retaining some ballet technique, expanding upon it and
freeing it to encompass the exciting world of total body involvement and creative
expression.
Modern dance has evolved from the 19th to the 20th century. The evolution and
history of modern dance can be traced back to three distinct waves of time. This
lesson will explore how modern dance’s elements, focus, and movements have
transitioned from the first, second, and third waves.
The first wave of modern dance can be traced back to the founders, Ruth Dennis
and Isadora Duncan. In the 19th century, modern dance was recognized as “non-
traditional” and was inspired by non-western cultures such as Asia, Greece, and
Africa. Much of the movement was taken from the artwork and sculptures of these
cultures. The style and movement of modern dance were first introduced in Europe
but were brought to the forefront when the first school of modern dance, The
Denishawn School of Dance and Related Arts, opened in the United States. This
introduced audiences around the world to this unconventional and creative way of
movement, going against the rigid ways of ballet.
The second wave of modern dance brought new contributions and styles to this new
form of dance. Martha Graham is the most well-known pioneer of this era bringing
new and natural movements to modern dance. During this time, the focus was on
the basic movements of breathing, walking, contracting, and releasing. This wave
during the 1930s survived the times of the Great Depression and WWII. The
significance of this time, and the raw emotions that many people felt in society due
to these events, was reflected in dance. Modern dance was no longer looked at as an
abstract dance but was welcomed into the theatrical world as a familiar and
respected form and style.
The third wave of dance began in the 1960s and is what we know as modern dance
today. African American culture was the main influence of this period. This brought
more movements and styles, including jazz and tap, into the forms of modern
dance.
Types of Modern Dance
Modern dance was derived from the foundational and traditional ways of ballet.
Modern dance has evolved into various styles and a culmination of types through
the years and different waves.
Some types of modern dance include hip hop, lyrical, freestyle, and fusion. These
different types of dance redefine ballet and mix the known styles of tap and jazz
into the movements and choreography.
 1. Hiphop – is a unique and exciting style of street dance that is most commonly
performed to hip-hop music. Hip-hop dance is a vibrant form of dance that
combines a variety of freestyle movements to create a cultural piece of art.
2. Lyrical – is a dance style that embodies various aspects of ballet, jazz,
acrobatics, and modern dance. The style combines ballet technique with the
freedom and musicality of jazz and contemporary
3. Freestyle – Freestyle dancing is improvisation. It’s when you do moves on the
spot that weren’t choreographed ahead of time. You probably freestyle all the
time already! You don’t have to be in a battle or cypher; full-out performing
while you do Karaoke or dancing with a girl at the club (ayy) are versions of
freestyling!
4. Fusion – is a type of contemporary social improvised partner dance that
combines different dance styles to create a new aesthetic. It does not require
conforming to any particular defined dance styles, but typically uses a lead-
follow approach that emphasises musicality
Modern dance is a revolutionized form of dance that gave way to the rigid and
strict forms of ballet. There were three waves of modern dance throughout history
that have allowed the style and types to evolve. Many pioneers made significant
changes and contributions throughout the different waves of evolution, such as:
- Isadora Duncan - considered the mother and founder of modern dance.
- Martha Graham - most well known for her piece in the 1930s, Frontier.
- Alvin Ailey - incorporated African-American themes.
Characteristics
- Use of space - While ballet dancers typically face the audience directly,
modern dancers use all orientations, even completely turning their back
on the audience.
- Relationship to music - In ballet, the dancer’s movements correspond
harmoniously with the music, but in modern dance, dancers may dance
off-beat or in contrast to the music, ignore the music completely, or
dance on a silent stage.
- Performer - Contrasting the large casts and strict hierarchy of ballet,
modern dance choreographers often also perform. They may work alone
or with smaller dance troupes. Women also gained recognition and
influence as choreographers.
- Movement - Ballet has a very strictly defined set of movements that
get pieced together to create different dances. In modern dance,
however, dancers create a new language of movement with every piece,
experimenting with how they can manipulate the body.