Dance Styles Overview

Dance Styles

• Ballet originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century and was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form.
• Ballet uses music and dance to tell stories, and the word "ballet" comes from the French word "ballare" meaning "to dance".
• Ballet serves as a backbone for many other styles of dance.

Modern Dance

• Modern dance was born in the early 20th century as a rebellion against classical ballet.
• Modern dance emphasizes creativity in choreography and performance, and focuses on the expression of inner feelings.

Pop/Popular Dance

• Popular dance, also known as social dance, is performed in public or private for the enjoyment of the participants.
• Popular dance was practiced as early as 3000 years ago at both community and family levels.

Ballroom Dance

• Ballroom dance refers to a set of partner dances enjoyed socially and competitively around the world.
• Ballroom dance is also performed on stage, film, and television, and is judged on criteria such as poise, musicality, and presentation.

Folk Dance

• Folk dance refers to dances developed by groups or communities, rather than by a choreographer.
• Folk dances are passed down from generation to generation and reflect the traditional life of a certain country or region.

Philippine Festivals

• Filipinos take their festivals and fiestas seriously, with every town having their own annual celebrations devoted to their Patron Saint.
• Most Philippine festivals are religious in origin due to Spanish influence on Filipino Catholic spirituality.
• Festivals are marked with elaborate costumes, food, drinks, parades, processions, and competitions.

Ati-Atihan Festival

• Ati-Atihan is the oldest festival in the Philippines, dubbed as the "Mother of All Festival".
• The festival is a two-week celebration that culminates on the 3rd Sunday of January, featuring people dressed in costumes made of indigenous materials, dancing in the streets to the beat of drums.