Lesson 1 Dances from the Past
Dance comes from the German word damson, which means
"to stretch or "to drag". It developed as a natural expression
of united feeling and action. Dance is considered the mirror
of society because it responds to historical and religious
events as well as social and political statements.
Although there have been immense comparative differences
in period and culture, people still dance mainly for four
reasons: (a) to please gods; (b) to please others; (c) to
please themselves; and (d) to build community within an
ethnic group or social interaction.
History and Development of Dance from the Different
Periods
Dance During the Prehistoric Period
 It had been a major form of religious ritual and
social expression within primitive culture.
 It was used as a way of expression and reinforcing
tribal unity and strength.
 It is based on superstition and infused with magic.
Shamans as lead dancers acted as physicians and
religious leaders and kept tribes healthy,
prosperous and safe.
Dance During the Ancient Civilization
Ancient Egypt
 3,300 BCE (First Dancing). It is believed that the first
people to dance were the Egyptians. Archaeologists
discovered paintings of dancing figures in rock
shelters and caves.
 As a way of expressing religious service and
teaching ancient myth, three (3) major dancers were
evolved:
1. the king;
2. the priests who performed magical dances;
3. virgin dancers who were trained to perform during
ceremonies led by the priests.
Ancient Crete.
 The Cretan civilization (3000-1400 BC) was a cultural
link in the ancient world between Egyptians and
Greeks.
 Cretans used dance to perfect their military training
which made excellent.
Ancient Greece.
 Dance was not just for religious and military
training but also a form of entertainment and
display.
 Plato immensely gave importance to dance in
education as stated in the education on the Laws.
He highlighted the two kinds of dance and music:
the noble (fin and honorable) and the ignoble
(imitating what is mean or ugly).
Ancient Rome.
 Gave less importance to dancing which eventually
became an integral part of the corruption in the
latter days of the Roman Empire resulting in the
condemnation of dance by early Christians.
 Dance was primarily performed for religious, social
and entertainment. However, theatrical
entertainment was prohibited but still existed and
was performed within church during religious
ceremonies.
Dance During the Middle Ages and The Renaissance
 1400 (Ballet Comes into Play). Ballet started in this
year in Italy but didn't really become popular until
around the year 1500. Ballet gained its popularity
when a lady of the arts, Catherine de Medici,
married King Henry 11 and threw festivals where
they would perform ballet dances. Ballet is believed
to be the main core of every single dance style.
 A vast dance movement occurred throughout the
courts of Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries.
During these times, new court dances performed by
the nobility came about as well as the rise of the art
of ballet in Italy and France.
 Several other dance forms continued to sprout and
spread across several countries.
Lesson 2 Dancing toward the 21st Century
Modern History
Dance During the Late 16th and 17th Centuries (1501-1700)
 1600 (Masque Dancing). Masque dancing started
from elaborate pageants and shows in the 16th
century. Masque dancing involved intricate
costuming and stage designing that also
incorporated singing and acting as well as dancing. It
was often used as court entertainment.
 A period in the history of dance in Italy, France, and
England which was considered to be pleasantly
deep and rich. France became the forerunner in
dance during this period.
 Dance increased as a court amusement and later
transformed into professional entertainment.
Dance During the 18th Century (1701-1800)
 1795 (Classical Persian Dancing). This style of dance
evolved from courtroom dancing. An era influencing
Persian dance was the Qajar Dynasty which lasted
from 1795 to 1925. Dancers would perform artistic
and lively dances for the Shah. The music is usually
played by a small band.
 1800 (Tippity Tappity, Time for Tap). Tap dancing
originated from African tribe dancing. Tap dancing
makes percussion sounds because dancers most
commonly wearing leather shoes with two pieces of
metal and clip and clap against hard floors. Tap is
still very popular to this day.
Dance During the 19th Century (1801-1900)
 1890 (Merengue Dancing). It is a Caribbean dance
style that involves partners holding each other in a
tango-like position and moving their hips side to
side.
 1900 (Jazz and Acro). It involves doing smooth and
flexible movements, and lots of back bending and
tricks. Both styles are widely popular to this day.
 Ballroom dances also emerged during this period
like Cotillion, Polonaise, Quadrille, Waltz and Polka.
20th Century Dances (1901-2000)
 Described as a period of "dance fever" wherein the
young and old alike were not limited to expressing
emotions through dance.
 1950 (Contemporary Dance). Contemporary dance
is a style that combines jazz, ballet, and modern
dance. It can be many different styles, but most of
the time it is melancholy and or intense.
 1970 (Hip Hop Dance). There are many styles of hip
hop that include breaking, popping, locking, and
more. Street dance was performed both in
nightclubs and on the streets. It is associated with
funk, breakdancing, and hip-hop.
 Several social dance movements also evolved such
as castle walk, tango, foxtrot, Charleston, Lindy Hop,
Rumba, Mambo, Cha-Cha-Cha, Samba, Bossa Nova,
Boogaloo and Twist.
 Popular fad dances also emerged like YMCA and
Macarena.
Ballet in the French courts became so popular that it spread
and influenced the entire Europe.
Ballet today has become multifaceted and several of its
forms are linked together to create what is now known as
modern ballet. Ballet acts as backbone for many other
genres of dance. It was created from techniques that have
been established over centuries. It is a type of dance
compelled with rigorous code of technical guidelines.
Considering the five fundamental positions of the feet and
legs and accompanying positions of the arms and hands,
one can say that the language of ballet is objective, specific,
and fix.
Nature and Characteristics:
* It requires an erect spine, turned out hips, proportioned
and balanced action, and carving fluid lines.
* Elevation, alignment, pointing of the foot, moving and
posing of arms (port de bras), flexibility, and lightness are
the other foundations for a ballet dancer.
* In classical manner, will require for an adagio (slowly), and
with male and female dancers performing together (a pas de
deux) or four (quatre)
* Used pantomime to clarify movement.
* Have the capability to convey stories that bring an
audience to another world.

21st Century Dance (2001- Present)

 2018 (Dance Nowadays). Today's dance style has
taken a turn towards more hip-hop dances. Small
and popular dances that involve hip hop and that
most everyone can achieve include the whip and
nae nae, Gangnam Style (it's a little old), shooting,
and more.

Lesson 1 Ballet Dance

Brief History
Ballet was taken from the Italian word "ballare", meaning to
dance, and
"ballo", referring to dances performed in a ballroom. It
started as a performance in the royal court where the male
servants would execute a movement related to the course
they are serving during a court dinner. It was in the 15th
century during the Renaissance period when ballet began in
Italy.
From Italy, Catherine de Medici (Queen of France) brought it
to her country which marked the staging of ballet and
further developed at the French courts during the 16th
century. In 1672, ballet then also became a profession.
Lesson 2 Modern Dance
Brief History
Modern dance developed independently in America and
Germany. It was then known in Germany as Ausdruckstanz,
meaning expressive dance. Modern dance, a term to
describe contemporary dance, is a style of dancing where
dancers are free to express their feelings through
movements without adhering to any rules in dance
particularly that of ballet. It is a dance style that rejects
many of the strict rules of classical ballet, focusing instead
on the expression of inner feelings. At the beginning of the
20 century, a group of pioneering dancers started creating a
new movement that suited the tempo and pulse of the new
century. The pioneering artists were Isadora Duncan, Ruth
St. Denis, and Ted Shawn. All of them studied ballet but
found it not suitable to their temperament and movement
style. They also found it confining and rejected it. Duncan's
style of dancing emanates from the center of the body
where energy flow outward, providing impulses for actions.
Her aim was to create the classical ideals of the ancient
Greeks through her dancing, putting less emphasis on
theatrical effects and focus in pure movement and the use
of the body. Unlike ballet, dancers of modern dance use
their own interpretations instead of structured steps. They
thrust aside classical ballet stance of an upright, erect body,
and instead often opt for deliberate falls to the floor. Beauty
and ethereal qualities of the human situation is what is
mostly being emphasized in ballet, while modern dance
portrays the actual human situation as it is.
Nature and Characteristics:
* Dancers are barefoot, often work with feet and legs
parallel, have flexible torso, and use weight and gravity to
create movements and shapes.
* The choreography uses all level and points in space,
including the floor.
* Dancers may be placed sideways or even with backs
turned to the audience.
* Explore the body in action, and give attention to
choreographic materials that mirror social affairs with
potential for movement from contemporary life.
* Uses minimal prop designs and costumes.
* Movement are spontaneous performed by dancers in
response to suggestions by the choreographer, thus allows
considerable freedom to the dancer