DANCE
CONTEMPOR
ARY
An Introduction to the Dances
Ellajean Gallogo Ojil
Outline
0 Define Dance
1
02 Key Aspects of Dance
03 Key Features of Dance
04 Kinds of Dance
Dance Definition
Dance is the rhythmic movement of
the body, often set to music, used as
a form of expression,
communication, performance, or
celebration. It can be artistic,
spiritual, social, or therapeutic, and
exists in every culture around the
world.
Dance is the purposeful movement
of the body in space and time,
usually to music, to express or
communicate emotions, ideas, or
cultural meaning.
Reasons Why
Do People
0
1 worship Dance
It has been used in
05 as in old ties it brings
magical power to people
It brings victory or
02 It plays a role in courtship 06 somehow restores health
to life
It serves as a form of
03 acquaintance for a man and 07 It serves to entertain
woman others
It gives beauty and
04 It is an expression of the 08 inspiration to others
joy one feels
Key Aspects of
0
1
Dance
Expression
0 Cultural Identity
2
0 Celebration
3
0 Spiritual/ religious Belief
4
0 Art Form
5
0 Social Bonding
6
0 Physical Movement
7
1.Expression 2. Cultural Identity
Dance communicates Many dances reflect a
emotions, ideas, or stories society's traditions, history,
without words. or beliefs.
3. Celebration 4. Spiritual/Religious
Dance is used in festivals, Rituals
In many cultures, dance
weddings, and life events to connects people to the
express joy. divine
5. Art Form 6. Social Bonding
Dance is a creative medium like Dance brings people
music or painting, performed for together—social dances help
aesthetic appreciation. build community.
7. Physical
Movement
Dance also serves as a form of exercise, enhancing coordination and
fitness.
Key Features of
Dance
Dance
Dance is a unique form of
expression that combines
movement, rhythm, and
emotion. Its main features can
vary depending on the style,
but here are the core features
common to most forms of
dance:
1.Movement
-Primary element of dance.
-Includes gestures, steps, turns, jumps, and
poses.
-Can be fast or slow, sharp or fluid.
2. Rhythm and Music
•Most dances are performed to music or beats.
•Movements often follow a specific tempo or count (e.g., 8-
count).
•Some dances (like tap or Kathak) use the dancer’s body to
create rhythm
3. Space
•How the dancer uses the area around them.
•Includes levels (high, middle, low), directions,
and formations.
4. Time
•Refers to timing, tempo, duration, and synchronization.
•Dancers must move in time with the beat or each other.
5. Expression and Emotion
•Dance often conveys feelings or ideas through
movement and facial expression.
•It can be joyful, sad, powerful, sensual,
aggressive, or spiritual.
6. Style and Technique
•Every dance form (ballet, hip hop, Bharatanatyam,
salsa) has its own rules and techniques.
•Posture, form, balance, and coordination are essential.
7. Body Awareness and
Control
•A dancer must have strong body coordination,
balance, and strength.
Control of isolated body parts (head, hands,
torso) is key in many styles.
8. Cultural and Social
Meaning
•Many dances carry cultural, religious, or historical
significance.
•Folk and traditional dances often tell stories or symbolize
shared values.
9. Creativity and
Improvisation
•Dancers may create their own movements or add
personal flair.
Freestyle and improve are essential in many styles
like hip hop or contemporary.
Kinds of
Dance
1.Ethnologic 2. Social Dance
– this is a dance that isDance
– these are popular type of dancing for pleasure
indigenous to a certain
as generally performed by pairs or group of
race or country. The term ethnic is used to
distinguish religious dances, and design as hymns people following a definite step or pattern. Most
of praise to a god, or to bring on good fortune in of these have specific rhythms and coordinated
peace and war. They are symbolic in meaning with the movement and steps of the body,
that cant be understood easily by persons who hand, Foot and head.
don’t belong to the ethnic group.
Example:
Example: Tinikling a. Ballroom
b. Folkdance
3. Spectacular or
Theatrical Dance
these are dances which are intended for viewing
audience. Usually, these are performed for the
entertainment of spectators.
a. Contemporary
b. ballet
c. Modern
Elements
of Dance
Time
*speed: slow. Medium fast,
*rhythm: pulse, beat, pattern
Space
*place: personal, general
*size: small, medium, big
Level: low, middle, high
Direction: forward, backward, left, right ,up down,
diagonal
Pathway: straight, curved, zigzagged, turning
Energy
*light, strong, weak, sharp, smooth
Body
*Shape
*Parts
Movement
Concepts
*locomotor –walk, run, leap jump, slide, crawl, roll.
*non-locomotor – bend, twist, stretch, swing, push. Fall, shake.
Dance is a way to tell
stories, to remember
our past and to
celebrate life.
Through dance, we can bridge the gap
between generations and cultures, and create
a shared experience of joy and understanding.
Thank
your for
listening!
Lecture by Rosa Maria Aguado
Wednesday, January 25th at 8:00 a.m.
