PATHFIT 4

INTRODUCTION TO DANCE
VARIOUS DANCE FORMS
HIP-HOP
Hip hop dance refers to a broad category of street dance styles primarily
performed to hip hop music or that have evolved as part of the hip hop
culture.

Hip hop dance encompasses a wide range of styles, including breaking

(breakdancing), popping, locking, krumping, and more.

Hip hop dances are known for their energetic moves, precise body
control, offbeat rhythms, and spontaneous creativity.
POPULAR DANCE
Popular dancing includes ballroom dancing, latin dancing and flok
dancing.

Ballroom dancing is a partnership dance where couples, using step-

patterns, move rhythmically, expressing the characteristics of music.
Ballroom dancing consists of two styles: the Smooth, or Standard, and
the Rhythm, or Latin
Latin dance is a broad term that encompasses a
variety of different styles of dance, such as
salsa, bachata, merengue, and tango.
It is dance style and body movement that we
perform with latin music.
These dances originated in Latin America and
the Caribbean and have become popular
throughout the world.
Latin dance is known for its passionate,
romantic, and energetic movements.
 Folk dance, generally, a type of
dance that is a vernacular, usually
recreational, expression of a
historical or contemporary culture.
LINE DANCE
 Line dancing is exactly what its name
implies: people dancing in lines to music.
Line dances are choreographed dances with
a repeating series of steps that are
performed in unison by a group of people
in lines or rows, most often without the
dancers making contact with one another.
FESTIVAL DANCE
 Festival dances are cultural dances
performed to the beats of
instruments, usually percussion, by
a community sharing the same
culture. These are usually done in
honor of a Patron Saint or in the
thanksgiving of a bountiful harvest.
 INTERPRETATIVE/
CONTEMPORARY DANCE
Interpretive or contemporary dance is a family of
dance styles that seeks to translate particular
feelings and emotions, human conditions,
situations, or fantasies into movement and
dramatic expression combined. It can also
translate major characteristics of any traditional
ethnic movements into more modern expressions
through exploration of the origins, cultural
influences, rhythms, movements, emotional
manifestations, and intonations, as well as the
stories inherent in the dances themselves.
MAJOR AND MINOR ELEMENTS
OF DANCE
The minor and major elements of dance are essential components
that contribute to the overall quality and impact of a dance
performance.
The major elements of dance can vary slightly
depending on the perspective and context, but
generally, they encompass the following:

Body: The physical form and movements of the dancer.

This includes posture, alignment, gestures, and the use
of different body parts.
Space: How the dancer occupies and moves through space. This involves
dimensions like level (high, middle, low), direction (forward, backward,
sideways), and pathways (straight, curved).
Time: The rhythm, tempo, and timing of movements.
This encompasses aspects such as speed, duration,
accents, and pauses.
 Energy: The quality of movement, including
dynamics like force, weight, flow, and tension. This
element contributes to the expression, emotion, and
style of the dance.
 Relationships: How dancers interact with each
other, objects, or the environment. This includes
concepts like distance, proximity, contact, and
group formations.
 The major elements play a vital
role in shaping the overall structure
and impact of a dance performance.
Minor elements of dance include:

Gesture: Small movements or expressions made

by the body, particularly the hands and face, to
convey meaning or emotion within a dance.
 Facial expression: The use of the face to
communicate emotions or intentions, adding
depth and nuance to the performance.
 Costume and Props: Clothing and
accessories worn by the dancer, as well as
any objects or tools used during the
performance, which can enhance the visual
and thematic aspects of the dance.
 Music: The accompanying soundtrack or musical
composition that sets the mood, rhythm, and atmosphere
for the dance, influencing the movements and overall
presentation.
 Lighting and Stage Design: The
arrangement of lights and the overall
stage setting, including backgrounds,
sets, and decorations, which can
enhance the visual impact and
storytelling of the dance.
Narrative or Theme: The underlying story, concept,
or idea that the dance seeks to convey, providing
context and coherence to the movements and
choreography.
While these elements may be considered "minor" compared to the
major elements of dance such as body, space, time, energy, and
relationships, they still play important roles in shaping the overall
aesthetic and communication of a dance performance.

By combining the minor and major elements effectively, dancers can

captivate the audience, evoke emotions, and convey messages through
their art.