Contemporary Dance PDF

# Contemporary Dances (Modern, Jazz, Lyrical, Ballet) ## Introduction * Contemporary Dance is a combination of several dance genres. * It is a style of expressive dance that combines elements of several dance genres including modern, jazz, lyrical, and classical ballet. * Contemporary dancers stri...

# Contemporary Dances (Modern, Jazz, Lyrical, Ballet) ## Introduction * Contemporary Dance is a combination of several dance genres. * It is a style of expressive dance that combines elements of several dance genres including modern, jazz, lyrical, and classical ballet. * Contemporary dancers strive to connect the mind and the body through fluid dance movements. * The term "contemporary" is somewhat misleading, it describes a genre that developed during the mid-20th century and is still very popular today. ## Overview of Contemporary Dance * Contemporary dance, unlike ballet, emphasizes flexibility and spontaneity. * Dancers focus on floorwork, often wearing bare feet, and use various musical genres to accompany performances. * This organic, expressive form allows dancers to express emotions and convey tales through varied movements. ## How to Start Contemporary Dance * Isadora Duncan, Martha Graham, and Merce Cunningham were pioneers of modern dance, disobeying ballet's rigid restrictions and promoting freedom of movement. * Cunningham is often considered the founder of contemporary dance, while Graham pioneered ballet. ## Historical Background of Contemporary Dance * Movement, breathing, and the contraction and release of muscles are the main components of the formalized style of modern dance, which was developed between 1900 and 1950 by pioneers like Martha Graham * Dancers from the 19th century, such as Delsarte, Fuller, and Duncan, challenged ballet standards by emphasizing physical and emotional expression over formal rules. * Between 1900 and 1950, pioneers such as Martha Graham developed the formalized style of modern dance, which focuses on movement, breathing, and the contraction and release of muscles. * Alvin Ailey, a student of Martha Graham, was the first to bring African American aesthetics into contemporary dance while still being connected to earlier methods. ## Contemporary Dance in the Philippines * Dance has always had a big impact on Philippine society, from ballet to ancient tinikling. * With the rise of modern dances like ballet and folkloric dances like pandanggo, cariñosa, and subli, it has evolved into society. * With organizations like the Bayanihan Dance Troupe and the Ramon Obusan Dance Troupe presenting their dances internationally, Filipino dancing has grown in popularity as a result of accolades and recognition. * Of course, there are Filipino organizations like Ballet Philippines, Philippine All Stars, and Jabbawockeez that have won prizes in jazz, hip-hop, and ballet. * However, five women who created and promoted Filipino folk and modern dance came before these ensembles were well-known locally and internationally. * The names to keep in mind are Francisca Reyes-Aquino, Leonor Orosa-Goquingco, Lucrecia Reyes-Urtula, Alice Reyes, and Ligaya Fernando Amilbangsa. ## Today's Contemporary Dance * Contemporary dance today incorporates a wide range of styles, such as ballet, modern, and "post-modern" (structureless) dance. * Some modern dancers execute whole new creations as they create characters, dramatic situations, or tales, while others improvise in their own unique methods. * T. Bedinghaus (2019) # Modern Dance ## Introduction * Modern dance is among the most beautiful artistic genres the world has ever seen. * Through the motions of a dance form, one may express any feeling or emotion imaginable. * The ability to create art might be learned later in life or it can be inherent. * Modern dance is the most common type of dancing to music that you will probably see. * It could move quickly, slowly, forcefully, gracefully, loudly, quietly, violently, or still. * It is capable of moving in any direction, at any pace, and with any emotion you can think of. * As a result, listening to a variety of music is a terrific method to work out. * It's one of the best exercises available and is particularly beneficial for those who are less physically active or have restricted mobility. * In "Choreography," Danny Kaye exaggerates movements to showcase the function of modern dance steps and gestures, showcasing the differences between modern and traditional dance styles. * Modern dances, like "Americaine" and "Radha", differ significantly from traditional dances, like "Denishawn" and "Pilobilus." * Ballet movements serve as the basis for modern dance courses. * On the other side, contemporary interpretive moves are introduced into modern dance. * In certain respects, this is a return to the first types of dance, when the body moves freely and naturally. * Teaching modern dance these days requires an intimate connection between instructors and students' mental images, which extend to the actual movements of the dancers. * A focus on actual body weight rather than force of energy to produce movement is another aspect of the new trends in modern dance. * This is covered in detail in many dance study classes, both online and off. * Teachers of modern dance may find it difficult to incorporate this inclination into a group lesson or dance technique workshop. # Jazz Dance ## Introduction * Jazz dance began in the mid-20th century as a performance dance genre in the US, combining theatrical jazz, popular jazz, and Broadway. * African-American traditional dances, such as ragtime, Charleston, Lindy Hop, and mambo, form the basis for these genres. * The term "jazz dance" has been used to refer to a number of activities that have little to do with jazz music. * Since the 1940s, both Broadway shows and Hollywood movies have used the phrase to describe the choreographies of Bob Fosse and Jerome Robbins. * The term "jazz dance" has been used to describe a variety of practices that are not particularly related to jazz music. * The term has been used since the 1940s to describe Bob Fosse and Jerome Robbins' choreographies in both Broadway productions and Hollywood motion pictures. * Jazz dance encompasses various dance forms, all originating from African and Celtic dances and classical ballet techniques. * Basic turns include spins, jazz turns, chains, stimulates, and ballet jumps. * The "jazz walk" is a hallmark, combining elements from both genres. * The genre's exaggerated quality is a result of its entertainment origins. # Lyrical Dance ## Introduction * Lyrical dance, a blend of ballet and jazz, is choreographed to music with lyrics to evoke intense emotions like love, joy, hurt, and rage, focusing on the dancer's movement rather than flawless movement. * Lyrical dance is a relatively new art form that combines jazz, modern, ballet, rock, folk, pop, and alternative music with the intention of expressing deep, raw emotions and impromptu feelings. * Lyrical dance music, often accompanied by traditional African dance forms, allows dancers to express powerful emotions through their movements, often celebrating independence or victory, and gaining popularity due to its passionate nature. * Dancers use space to perform graceful movements like towering spins, walks, and jumps, while lyrical dancers make beautiful gestures and hold their steps for as long as possible. * Their expressive dance techniques engage the audience. # Ballet Dance ## Introduction * Ballet is an art form that is shaped by human movement. * Being theatrical, it is presented on a set with lighting, scenery, and props in front of an audience. * It can be used to narrate a story or to clarify an idea, feeling, or thought. * It is possible for ballet dancing to be seductive, engrossing, fascinating, or disturbing. * Ballet, a 400-year-old disciplined dance, requires years of development to master its steps. * It is the most academic and difficult style of theatrical dance, studied in classrooms with expert teachers. * Ballerinas, Broadway performers, modern dancers, and most dance professionals have ballet backgrounds. * Ballet is also studied by gymnasts, ice skaters, and athletes to improve flexibility, speed, strength, endurance, and balance. * Ballet is the most academic form of theatrical dance and takes dedication to achieve success. * Here, male and female ballet dancers extend their arms while posing in midair, showing their strength and flexibility. * Edward Villella, a 20th-century male ballet dancer, believed that a three-minute pas de deux required the same physical stamina as a three-minute boxing round, despite the differences in the movements and expressions of the dancers.