American Dance History

There are multiple types of dances such as ballet, tap, and jazz. Each type began in different places around the world and various time periods. Records show that some began as far back as the 17th century. Many of these dances have gained popularity in the United States.

First founder of Dance

No one really knows when dance first started but Most likely the beginning of dance goes back as far as cave paintings. The first purpose of dance was probably a ritual, dance and music begin as partners in service of ritual. Dancing usually expresses your mood, that is how the ancient egyptians did it they just turned on music that expressed their mood then danced.

Why do people dance?

Sometimes people have a natural urge to dance to music.

Sometimes it is to dance or celebrate an event, also for relaxation. Dance is a large part of many religions around the world. Dance is not only for women but for men also.
Choreography
Choreography is the art of creating and arranging dances.

Choreographers create dance movements performed by dancers. Choreography is also know as a dance routine, they can be short or long.

Competition

Dance competitions are when dancers compete against other dance groups in their level. Dance groups perform many different types of dances but mostly ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, hip hop. While the dancers are performing the are being judged by how good they did, were they together ,and was it with the music. Finally the judges will decide the ranking of the groups, if you got 1st 2nd or 3rd place.

Dance Notation

Dance notation is the recording of dance through written symbols. Dance positions are recorded on paper in 2-D. Dance combinations that are horizontal or vertical strokes were recorded by using numbers.

What did dancers wear in the 17th century?

In the 17th century dancers traditionally wore a dress or a skirt. With wigs and jewelry, male and sometimes females wore a leather mask to cover their facial expressions.

What do dancers wear

today?
When dancers go to dance practice today most of the time they will wear a leotard and tights for ballet . But if you were going for hip hop or jazz you would wear something that is comfortable and goes with the dance style. When dancers perform they will wear a costume that is easy to dance in and is glittery and bright so the audience can see it.
What was the first dance shoe created?
The first shoe was a pointe shoe is was established in France in 1661. Pointe shoes were used in the theater and the opera. Pointe shoes were used for the first type of dance created, ballet. The first people to wear the pointed and heeled ballet shoes were dancers at Royal Academy of Dance.
Ballet
It first started in indian renaissance, of the 15th and 16th centuries. Ballet started to spread it went from italy to france. Ballet and music was to entertain in shows. In the early 17th century the first professional ballet theater came out named the “Paris opera Ballet”. The term “ballet” and “ball” as in masked ball come from an italian phrase meaning dance. At first dancers wore masks and many layers of clothes. Even though the clothes looked formal it was extremely hard to dance with. Ballet shoes had small heels that resembled formal dress shoes. But dancing in point meaning on your toes became popular during the 19th century. Point dancing was for women only, they often worn white skirts. Ballet steps are mostly french terms. You would think it would be very hard for dancers to understand the steps if they are in french, but dancers get very used to the terms their dance teacher uses. Some examples are “arabesque” and “Grande jete”. An example of a famous dancer is, Anna Pavlova was one of the most celebrated and influential ballet dancers of all time. She is known for her creation of the role of the dying swan, that she choreographed herself. She became the first ballerina to tour around the whole world.
Jazz
Jazz dance started from jazz music in the swing era of the 1930-40’s. Jazz dance was a popular stage dance. Jazz dance influenced the forms of modern dance. Some popular jazz moves are the twist and the disco. Jazz dance was influenced by jazz music mostly by african americans. Which was developed from ragtime and the blues.. In the late 1800’s, the term jazz was first applied as a style of dance in world war 1. Jazz dance originates from slaves when they were brought on a ship to america. Jazz music is based off of mostly musical instruments, for example a saxophone. Jazz dance is a lot of fun and energetic style dance moves. It involves a lot of fancy foot movements and dancers have to pay attention or they will lose their balance if not careful. The technique involves a lot of jumps and turns, strong and sharp movements are critical in jazz dance. Jazz dance is a lot of fun and energetic style dance moves. It involves a lot of fancy foot movements and dancers have to pay attention or they will lose their balance if not careful. The technique involves a lot of jumps and turns, strong and sharp movements are critical in jazz dance. A famous jazz dancer was, Jack cole. He was the father of jazz dance and started the denishawn dance company. In his choreography his used mostly modern dance technique but added a jazz feel to it. Cole was also very influenced by other forms of dances all around the world.
Tap
Tap dance originated in America, from many sources such as African tribal dances and Irish, Scottish, and English clog dances. It started to become a show business in the 20th century. Tap dance was very big in new york’s broadway show. Tap dancing definitely created something unique and noticeable. Tap dancers wear very unique shoes with a heel and toe that create a tap sound. The tap sounds that the dancers create with their feet are in rhythm with the music. This is very hard to do if dancers are doing a duet because you would have to be perfectly together on the tap sounds. In the late 1800’s tap dance competitions were a common form of entertainment. Competitions were a good way to learn new dance moves and rhythm from other dancers. In 1921 the first tap show was “tap shoes” after this show tap dancing grew largely. Not only is tap a dance but tap is considered an instrument because of the loud tap noises the dancers make with their feet. A famous movie that used tap shoes was wizard of Oz “Dorothy’s slippers”. The Wizard of oz used tap dancing to show that you can do anything another words get to the end of the yellow brick road. A famous tap dancer was, Fred Astaire. He was known for his successful musical comedy films. He performed on broadway many times but one of the more popular shows was “Flying down to Rio” in 1933. He was known for tap but was good at other types of dances also.
Modern dance
Modern dance started in the late 19th and 20th centuries in Europe. Modern dance was big in areas that lacked strong ballet traditions. Modern dance started around the 20th century in Europe. Modern dance was not like any other dance modern dance took over ballet in the 1930’s. The music that is used in modern dance is very interesting. Dancers perform a dance, then when they are done a musical artist write a song to go with the dance moves performed. So modern dance music is only for modern dance and is hard to use for ballet or another type of dance. A modern dancers moves have to be precise. Dancers have to have perfect posture and pointed toes. When there's an audience dancers must have a smile on their face but also remember the dance. This does not just apply to modern dance but all dance types.
Ballroom dance
Ballroom dance originated in Europe and US performed by two people.

It is distinguished from folk and country dance. In the 21st century ballroom dance was present in many parts of the world, professional dance exhibitions and dance competitions. Ballroom dance refers to a set of partner dances, which started in germany and people have enjoyed it socially and competitively around the globe. It is performed on stage, on Tv, and at invitational events. Many of these dance steps were adapted from folk traditions. These dancers were required to dress formally, and dancers were performed with live music. The ballroom dance program for schools started in 1994, With one 5th grade class with 30 students, and has grown to more than 7000 students in 68 New York City schools. Dancing in classrooms captured the attention of television broadcasters and made the movie, “Mad Hot

Ballroom”.
Lyrical
Lyrical dance originated in Russia in the 20th century. Lyrical allows you to have sharp moves through the music. Lyrical is when your dance moves go exactly with is song. Lyrical dance is a mix of ballet, jazz, and modern dance techniques to create lyrical dance style.The idea in the 20th century was to convey the music through the movement of the arms and how it goes with the music. The show “So you think you can dance” regularly features lyrical dancers like, Mia Michaels. The impressive leap, turns, and acrobatics on the show helped push lyrical dance to new levels of difficulty. Television has made lyrical dance popular with dance audiences worldwide. Lyrical dancers usually perform with music with lyrics, the lyrics of a song serve as an inspiration to expressions and movements. Powerful expressive songs are often used in lyrical dance to give dancers a chance to express their emotion through dancing.
Hip-Hop
Hip-Hop originated in New York specifically the Bronx in the 1970’s. Much of early hip hop was not recorded because it was considered just messing around. Hip hop was not recorded until 1979 when sugar hill records in new jersey released a new song. Many people confuse hip hop and funk dance but hip hop has african american culture and history, and funk is what Jennifer Lopez and Britney Spears do.