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NAME: FRANCISCO, Criezel P.

1. CONTEMPORARY DANCE

Contemporary dance is a genre of dance performance that developed during the mid-twentieth
century and has since grown to become one of the dominant genres for formally trained dancers
throughout the world, with particularly strong popularity in the U.S. and Europe. Although originally
informed by and borrowing from classical, modern, and jazz styles, it has since come to incorporate
elements from many styles of dance. Due to its technical similarities, it is often perceived to be closely
related to modern dance, ballet, and other classical concert dance styles.
In terms of the focus of its technique, contemporary dance tends to combine the strong but
controlled legwork of ballet with modern that stresses on torso. It also employs contract-release, floor
work, fall and recovery, and improvisation characteristics of modern dance. Unpredictable changes in
rhythm, speed, and direction are often used, as well. Additionally, contemporary dance sometimes
incorporates elements of non-western dance cultures, such as elements from African dance including bent
knees, or movements from the Japanese contemporary dance, Butoh.
Dance techniques and movement philosophies employed in contemporary dance may include
Contemporary ballet, Dance improvisation, Modern dance styles from United States such as Graham
technique, Humphrey-Weidman technique and Horton technique, Modern dance of Europe Bartenieff
Fundamentals and the dance technique of Isadora Duncan.

Elements of Dance
 Theme – most basic element of a dance. It conveys the message of a dance.
 Design – pattern of movement in time and space.
 Movement – the bodily actions of the dancer that include his steps.
 Technique – the skill of movement executed by the dancer.
 Music – the auditory background to which a dancer moves.
 Costume & body paraphernalia – properties worn by the dancer that help reflect the message,
customs and beliefs.
 Choreography – the figures and steps in dancing that enable the dancers to perform in an
organized manner.
 Scenery – the background or setting where the dance is performed to make it more realistic and
enriching.

2. MODERN DANCE

Modern dance encourages dancers to use their emotions and moods to design their own steps and
routines. It is not unusual for dancers to invent new steps for their routines, instead of following a
structured code of technique, as in ballet.
Another characteristic of modern dance, in opposition to ballet, is the deliberate use of gravity.
Whereas classical ballet dancers strive to be light and airy on their feet, modern dancers often use their
body weight to enhance movement. This type of dancer rejects the classical ballet stance of an upright,
erect body, often opting instead for deliberate falls to the floor.
Modern dance has many flavors. There are stark differences in the choreography of Ruth St.
Denis and Ted Shawn, who formed "Denishawn", in dances like "Americaine" or "Radha" and today's
Pilobilus, "Symbiosis," or the Swiss dance group, Mummenschanz, whose ultra-dramatic choreography is
set to modern dance movements. Compare this to the style of modern dance in the film "Holiday Inn."
Note the sequence where Danny Kaye performs a modern dance routine entitled, "Choreography," a kind
of spoof on the contrast between modern dance, jazz and tap dance. The movements in "Choreography"
are deliberately exaggerated to show the purpose of modern dance steps and movements.

Characteristics
 Use of space: While ballet dancers typically face the audience directly, modern dancers use all
orientations, even completely turning their back on the audience.
 Relationship to music: In ballet, the dancer's movements correspond harmoniously with the music,
but in modern dance, dancers may dance off-beat or in contrast to the music, ignore the music
completely, or dance on a silent stage.
 Performers: Contrasting the large casts and strict hierarchy of ballet, modern dance
choreographers often also perform. They may work alone or with smaller dance troupes. Women
also gained recognition and influence as choreographers.
 Movement: Ballet has a very strictly defined set of movements that get pieced together to create
different dances. In modern dance, however, dancers create a new language of movement with
every piece, experimenting with how they can manipulate the

Basic Movements of Modern Dance

Basic movements in modern dance are fluidly free style. The ballet step, arabesque, in modern
dance is often performed with oblique angles of the body and in turns. Other ballet steps like chasse, pas
de bourree and port de bra of the arms are similar ballet movements used in modern dance choreography.
Certain modern dance steps are performed on half pointe in bare feet or in modern dance sandals for stage
performances.
Modern dance may include chaine tour (chain turns), glissade (gliding steps) that predicate jetes
(jumps) and tour de basque (leaps) and front-to-back and side-to-side steps, like the ballet step "chasse".
In groups, modern dance choreography often includes geometric shapes like triangular, rectangular and
circular shapes using from dancers' bodies. The use of geometric shapes in modern dance helps the
audience to "see" the theme and subject of each modern dance routine.
Today, modern dance is often confused with "jazz dance", a dissimilar dance form that also relies
on basic ballet movement. It is performed to faster tempos in contemporary music.
The difference between modern dance and jazz is that modern dance choreography is performed
with a theme in mind. Jazz dance is free form and employs a variety of sharp turns, hops, jumps, leaps
and jazz walks set to an upbeat style of music. In modern dance, these movements are softer and more
fluid.

3. BALLROOM DANCE

Ballroom dance is a set of partner dances, which are enjoyed both socially and competitively
around the world. Because of its performance and entertainment aspects, ballroom dance is also widely
enjoyed on stage, film, and television.
Ballroom dance may refer, at its widest definition, to almost any type of partner dancing as
recreation. However, with the emergence of dance sport in modern times, the term has become narrower
in scope and traditionally refers to the five International Standard and five International Latin style dances
(see dance categories below). The two styles, while differing in technique, rhythm and costumes,
exemplify core elements of ballroom dancing such as control and cohesiveness. Developed in England,
the two styles are now regulated by the World Dance Council (WDC) and the World Dance Sport
Federation (WDSF). In the United States, two additional variations are popular: American Smooth and
American Rhythm, which combine elements of the Standard and Latin styles with influences from other
dance traditions.
There are also a number of historical dances, and local or national dances, which may be danced
in ballrooms or salons. Sequence dancing, in pairs or other formations, is still a popular style of ballroom
dance.
The term 'ballroom dancing' is derived from the word ball which in turn originates from the Latin
word ballare which means 'to dance' (a ball-room being a large room specially designed for such dances).
In times past, ballroom dancing was social dancing for the privileged, leaving folk dancing for the lower
classes. These boundaries have since become blurred. The definition of ballroom dance also depends on
the era: balls have featured popular dances of the day such as the Minuet, Quadrille, Polonaise, Polka,
Mazurka, and others, which are now considered to be historical dances.

Standard Ballroom Dance Styles

The types of ballroom dances are being regulated by the World Dance Council and the World
Dance Sport Federation.

1. Waltz
Waltz was first danced as a country folk dance in Bavaria and Austria in the 17th century and
later introduced in England in the 19th century. It is the smoothest type among all ballroom dances, and it
consists of uninterrupted turns, rise and fall, and long, flowing moves.
It involves postures where the man holds the woman close to his body. While dancing, the upper
body is maintained to the left side throughout all stances.
On moves where the woman leaves the man, she must be on his right side while her head extends
to follow the elbow. The movements in waltz involve rotations with a slight rise and sways on the second
step.

2. Tango
Tango came from Buenos Aires in the late 19th century. It involves movements where the women
dance in harmony with the tango male leader.
The dance is like walking to the music, but you keep your feet grounded. On every step, your
knees and ankles brush against each other.

3. Foxtrot
Foxtrot is an American ballroom dance first performed by Harry Fox in 1914. It is very easy to
learn, making it the ideal ballroom dance for beginners.
It involves long, smooth, and flowing movements through the dance floor.

4. Quickstep
The quickstep is an English dance developed in the 1920s.
It is characterized by fast movements including runs, walks, chases, and some combinations of
the Charleston and quicker tempo of the foxtrot.

Latin Ballroom Dance Styles

The Latin styles of ballroom dancing usually have more complicated steps and forms, which are
suitable for advanced ballroom dancers.

1. Pasodoble
Originating from Spain, pasodoble is basically a dance that portrays bullfights.
 It has many choreographic instructions, which is the main reason why it is popularly performed in
competitive ballroom dances.

2. Cuban Bolero
Fashioned from the form of trova and using the traditional song in eastern Cuba, the Cuban
bolero is the most loved ballroom dance in Latin America.
It is a dramatic dance of couples falling in love of which the movements involve a combination of
other ballroom dances including slow salsa, rhumba, waltz, and foxtrot.

3. Spanish Bolero
The Spanish bolero was formed out of seguidilla in the late 18th century and was popularized by
famous court dancers like Sabastian Cerezo.
It was widely performed in the 19th century, but it became outdated in the 20th century. It was
replaced by Cuban bolero; another bolero style danced along with a Cuban music genre.

4. Samba
As the national dance of Brazil, samba is widely enjoyed by Brazilians of all ages. It can be
danced socially with a partner or solo during the Carnival in Rio de Janiero.

It is also performed in many parts of the world such as Paris, U.S., and Latin America.

5. Rhumba
Rhumba involves movements such as figure-eight hip rotation, revolving foot action, knee-
lengthening, and other Cuban bolero dance.
It originated from Cuba and arrived in the U.S. in the 1920s. Among the ballroom dances,
Rhumba is the most sensual and romantic.

6. Mambo
Mambo is also a Cuban dance. In fact, it is the spin-off of danzon, the national dance of Cuba.
It was developed by brothers Orestes and Cachao Lopez in the 1930s. It became very popular in
the 1940s and 1950s in Cuba and New York.
Mambo is considered the most emotional ballroom dance. It involves arm movements, facial
expressions, and hip movements that make up the overall sensuality of the dance.

7. Cha-cha
Cha-cha involves flirtatious movements with many hip rotations and synchronized partner
movements.
It is also performed with curving and straightening the knees. Enrique Jorrin developed cha-cha
in the 1950s as a sluggish version of Mambo.