Modern and

Contemporary dances
 In the previous module, you learned how the native
Philippine dances were modified due to the integration
of culture brought about by the Spanish occupation.
When the Americans arrived in the late 19th century
and ruled over the Philippines for more than three
decades, they brought with them a dance culture that
further added to Philippines dance tradition. It was
during this time that ballet was introduced to the
Philippines.
Ballet is a formal form of dance which came not from the United States but
from Russia and France. The term ballet is related to the Italian word
balleto, a variation of the word ballo, meaning “dance”. Russia and
France pioneered ballet dance as public entertainment, and it spread
throughout Europe.
Ballet’s art expressions rely on its precise and highly formalized set of
steps and gestures. With light, graceful, and fluid movements, ballet
dances perform en pointe (on toe) on the dancing area. The en pointe
dance style became popular during the early 19th century, and it was
reserved only for women during that time. Women dancers wore an all-
white dress and white, black, or pink pointed shoes. They also wore
leotard, tights, and a bell like wrap skirt. This classical style of ballet,
however, leaves little room for creative expression because of its rigid and
premediatated style of movements.
MODERN DANCE
The rigid and premeditated style of ballet made some dancers of the 19th
century to rebel and experiment on a new style that is more loose and flexible.
The result of this experimentation was the birth of modern dance in the late
19th century. It eventually flourished in the early 20th century. Compared to
ballet, modern dance is more free and relaxed as it focuses more on the
dancer’s own interpretations of the music rather than on structured steps as in
ballet.
Mood and emotions are the
Modern dance sprang as
basic source of steps and
protest to the rigid and
movements in modern and
structured steps of ballet.
contemporary dance.
 Dance elements in modern dance
Body is the first element of dance. If dance is an art of form, then
the body is the instrument used by the artist. In using his or her
body, the dancer may be relatively still or constantly moving
throughout the performance. In modern dance, the dancer usually
starts his or her movement from the middle of the body, using the
abdomen muscles to bend or make a round shape at the center of
the torso while sitting. Moreover, a dancer deliberately changes his
or her body’s shape or size and extend his or her limbs depending
on the mood and emotion he or she wants to express.
Action is the next dance element. Actions are the movements that the
body performs. It is the modern dancer’s actions that make modern
dance distinct from ballet. For instance, modern dance makes
deliberate use of gravity, as opposed to classical ballet’s light,
floating, and airy movement on feet. Ballet creates an illusion of
freedom from gravity by effortlessly jumping and soaring through
the air. Modern dance is different because it utilizes body weight to
enhance movements. Hence, it is common for modern dancers to
deliberately fall to the floor and to bend not to remain upright-
movements that are the exact opposite of the erect posture and
turned-out position of ballet dancers.
Space is the third element of dance. Space refer to the area
where the dancer performs. It describes how he or she
maximizes the use of space-to stay in one place or move
constantly to another. Space offers variation to the movement
of the dancer. Modern dancers usually assume a
multidimensional orientation, thus making use of all
dimensions of space. Most of the time, they turn their backs
to the audience or stand sideways, both of which are
gestures that ballet dancers do not usually do as the basic
orientation of the latter is face the audience.
Time is the fourth element of dance, is when movements are done in a
performance. It is important to observe proper timing in every
movement, which is commonly in accordance to the rhythm of the music
or is synchronized with the actions of the other dancers. In modern
dance, there is a parallelism between the rhythm of the music and the
momentum and impulses, but is not always the case; sometimes, the
dance is choreographed before the music to underscore the impulses of
the dance movement. Dance momentum may also run counter to the
rhythm. There are times when music is absent in modern dance; in effect
the sound of the dancers’ movements become the music. In this case,
timing becomes even more important to better highlight the moods and
emotions being expressed in every movement.
Energy is the last element of dance. It refers to the force of an action
that brings character to the movement. In modern dance, energy can
be shown in the variation of movements. Steps, for example, can be
light or heavy, powerful or gentle. There is also the concept of
countertension, which refers to equal giving of energy to two
opposing body parts. For instance, extending your right led
backward and your left arm forward makes use of countertension.
Such movement demonstrates apowerful and energetic connection
between your legs and arms. Countertension also happens when two
dancers hold hands and pull away with equal force without letting
go.
Basic modern dance steps
Modern dance is an emotion-driven genre; thus, the
steps in modern dance vary from one dancer to another.
Modern dancers advised to be observant and creative
because what they can see in many other dancers or in the
natural movements in their surrounding can be adapted in
modern dance.
Most common Modern dance moves
 Curl Down and Up
- Start with the first position in jazz. Put your arms at your side and look downward.
Slowly, curl your spine over. Be careful not to collapse. Before you go down the
floor as you curl, bend your knees. As you reach your lowest, stop, and then go
back upward slowly until you are back to your first position

 Leg Swings
- After doing the Curl Down and Up, do the second position of jazz. Slowly slide your
right leg forward en pointe until you go back to first position. Then brush the same
toe backward while slightly bending the knee of your left leg.
 Flat-Back
- Position with your feet parallel and hip distance apart. Bend over and
keep your spine as straight as possible, then raise your arms with your
palms facing each other. In a single fluid movement, raise back up with
your arms.

 Tendu
- Stand with your feet parallel to each other. Then have one foot point
forward then back to parallel position. Do this again, with your foot
moving to the side then back to parallel position. On the third time,
move your foot backward, then back to parallel position.
 The emergence of contemporary dance
The third period of development of modern happened after the Second World War in 1945. By
this time, modern dance had emerged as contemporary dance. Contemporary dance integrated the
techniques and styles from social dance, ballet, and modern dance. Among the contemporary
dancers of this time were Americans Merce Cunningham, James Waring, Twyla Tharp, Alwin
Nikolais, Paul Taylor, and Alvin Ailey. Their revolutionary thinking changed the style of modern
dance as they tackled unique expressions such as the relationship of the present time to abstract
space, humorous juxtapositions of movements, and parodies of dance styles of different
performers. Some of them even jumped into the extreme limit of what was acceptable dance style.
By the mid-1980s, modern dancers were no longer interested with traditional techniques as
they relied on more theatrical elements and the use of literary and pictorial devices on their
dance styles. For instance, Karole Armitage’s dances are characterized by stabbing, insect-like
motions and savage confrontations. There was also the buto of the Japanese dancers group
Sankai Juku. Buto is a form of dance theater that avoids structured choreography. It strives to
express primitive emotions by making minimal use of costumes and actual movement.
Steps in contemporary dance
Contemporary dance, just like modern dance, is emotionally-
driven. Thus, it is typical for contemporary dancers to
experiment in their dance steps based on how they feel and
according to the message that they want to convey.
Contemporary dance, however, is also characterized by flowing
movements mixed with quick and exaggerated steps. The
choreography is also normally edgy in its story telling.
Safety protocols in performing modern and
contemporary dance

As mentioned in the previous module, safety protocols

are important to secure safety in your performances. The
first thing that you should always remember is to do
something, warm-up, and posture exercises before your
dance practice and actual performance.
Performing modern and contemporary dance

The basic locomotor skills will come in handy when you

perform modern and contemporary dance. After learning
about some common steps in modern and contemporary
dance, explore the steps, directions, and rhythm using a
combination of the simple locomotor skills. Try practicing
the steps by accomplishing the next What Have I Learned
So Far?