Introduction to Dance - Unit 1

What is Dance?

• Dance consists of rhythmic and expressive body movements coordinated into patterns, usually accompanied by music.
• It reflects feelings and emotions, adapting human movement in sync with musical beats.

History of the Dance

• Prehistoric Dance:

  • Served purposes such as entertainment, war rituals, and religious ceremonies.

• Ancient History of Dance:

  • Earliest evidence of dance dates back to 9000 years ago with cave paintings in India depicting hunting, childbirth, religious rites, burials, and communal dancing.

• Dance in Egypt:

  • Originated in the third millennium BC, integrated into religious ceremonies.
  • Egyptian priests utilized dance and music to illustrate divine stories and celestial events.

• Dance in Ancient Greece:

  • Dance was prominent and accessible to the public, contributing to the formation of Greek theatre in the 6th century BC.

• Rebirth of Dance:

  • Evolved through medieval times into the Renaissance, where ballet became popular among the wealthy.
  • Post-French Revolution saw new dance styles emerge, emphasizing less restrictive clothing for women.
  • The international polka craze began in 1844, introducing the waltz to the dance repertoire.

Elements of Dance

• Rhythm:

  • Characterized by the repetition and variation of movements at varying speeds.

• Design:

  • Refers to the structured arrangement of movements into recognized patterns.

• Dynamics:

  • Involves variations in the force and intensity of movements, affecting the overall expression of the dance.