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Recommended: History of dance
What is ballet? Why do it? Ballet is a type of dance. Dance is a type of art that generally involves the movement of the body. There are several types of dances, such as modern, which is a mixture of smooth movements but also sharp movements. Jazz is mostly composed of sharp actions and varying the heights of the dancer. Ballet is a form of dance characterized by conventional steps, classy poses, and graceful movements including leaps and spins. It originated in the courts of the Italian Renaissance and later developed in Russia and France. By looking at ballet’s sophisticated artistic movements, its level of training, and its spiritual aspect, you can see why this classic dance is so treasured by many.
Ballet is a category of art where dancers use their bodies to charmingly tell a story. It has been around for centuries. The first recorded performance was in the 1400s, during the Renaissance. Ballet unites aspects of painting, poetry, dancing, and music. It may convey a story or a comedy, express a mood, or simply reflect the music. It may paint a picture of sadness or joy. The story of the Nutcracker, Cinderella and many alike are made alive on the stage with the movement of these ballerinas. In the Nutcracker, snowflake dancers flit, float, and fly in the winter flurry. Cinderella and her prince waltz gracefully in the ballroom. These are just some illustrations of dancers using their bodies to elegantly communicate their imaginative expression of the story.
In addition to being used as an artistic demonstration, ballet can also be used as a sport. There is a saying among ballerinas, “Ballet. Like sport, only harder.” Why harder? you might think. It is undertaken mostly by girly girls. It is demanding because...
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... questions that apply to the theme of the month. The teachers really help the dancers mature in their relationship with God. Instead of focusing on the worldly aspects of dancing, Christian dance schools teach the dancers that their ability to dance is a gift from God, and dance can be used as an act of worship.
By looking at the artistic, the sporty, and the spiritual aspects of ballet, hopefully you have gained more understanding of why ballerinas dance, and why the art of ballet is prized by many. Some dance just for artistic reason. Some do it for exercise. Some dance for worship. A small minority of us try to strive for all three. We dance because it is a gift from God, and we can use our body and dance to honor Him. It is also a great activity to keep us in shape. Dance is such an amazing art and a great sport, so why not take a class near your home soon?
Learning about Dance: Dance as an Art Form and Entertainment provides visions into the many features of dance and inspires scholars to keep an open mind and think critically about the stimulating, bold, ever-changing and active world of dance. Learning about Dance is particularly useful for those who do not have a wide and diverse dance contextual, such as students in a preliminary level or survey dance course. This book consists of twelve chapters. Chapter one dance as an art form focuses on the basic structures of dance. Dance is displayed through the human body, it has the control to communicate and induce reactions. Dance can be found in many different places, it enables the participants and seekers to touch and knowledge the joy of movement. Dance is discovered as being one of the oldest art forms worldwide. Dance existed in early cultures was recognized in a sequence of rock paintings portrayed dance. Since this discovery of rock paintings, several other forms of art have been found that depict dance. People used rituals in order to worship the gods and believed that the rituals held magical and spiritual powers. During the ancient period civilizations sentient decisions began to be made with regard to dance. Other periods that had an impact on dance were the medieval period, the renaissance period, and the contemporary period. Chapter two the choreographer, the choreographer is a person who comes up with the movements created into a dance routine. The choreographer expresses themselves through choreography because this is their way of communicating with the audience. In order to be a choreographer you must have a passion for dance. Each choreographer has their own approaches and ways of making up a routine. Choreographers ...
Throughout the article, the author lists themes and characteristics of ballet performances to prove the extent to which ballet has to be regarded as ethnic. Providing support in form of statements about ritualism, flora and fauna that are often included in the performances, the author tries to demonstrate how wrong we are considering ballet to be out of culture. It has inevitable connections to the customs of nations that developed it. Thus, ballet cannot be regarded out of the culturally-historical paradigm, as far as it is deeply rooted in it.
Ballet traces back to the 15-century Italian renaissance court; Ballet is known as the mother of all dance due to its influence on any style of dance no matter how small. In the 15th century ballet was a form of entertainment for the Italian Renaissance court. These performances took place in balls and banquets. (“Ballet”) Ballet one of its first performances included aristocratic amateurs with poetry and song alongside the production. (“Ballet”) During the 15th century, France also became influence with ballet. (“A Brief History of Ballet - Illustrated by Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.”) The influenced of ballet in France was because of Catherine de Medici in 1533. (“Ballet”) She married the French King Henry II which allowed from French and
Ballerinas will never improve if they fall back into old, mundane, and routine habits. They must push themselves outside of their comfort zone in order to build stronger muscles, increase flexibility, and dance with increased grace. This self-motivation to be better helps dancers to be more successful in school, due to the fact that they have the inner drive to study, get the
Ballet is a beautiful and romantic type of performance art. It originated in the Italian court systems in the 15th century (Jonas). Since its origination, ballet has undergone many changes and gained worldwide recognition. Filled with elaborate costumes, cheering audiences, lights, weightless movements and beauty; ballet is admired by many. On the magical stage ballerinas can become whoever they wan to be, and perform in a world of fantasy. For these reasons, children, especially little girls, all over the world dream of becoming ballerinas when they grow up. However, becoming a professional ballerina is an extremely difficult accomplishment, in which few will achieve (Kelso 1). The world of ballet may seem to be filled with glitz and glamor but, behind the curtain there is an entirely different story. There are extreme demands and pressures put on these young dancers to be very thin and nearly perfect. Some of which include body and weight demands, competition, and social pressures. These constant pressures can lead to a negative body-image and even debilitating eating disorders (Price and Pettijohn).
Ballet has been an art form since the late fifteenth century, but society did not truly see the impact of ballet until the nineteenth century. Modern day thinkers possess the idea that ballet began with tutus and pointe shoes, but it wasn’t until the nineteenth century that this opinion was observed. Ballet has come a long way. It has survived the turmoil of many wars and has changed itself by accepting new ideas and impressing the audience with its unique stylistic views.
For most dancers, ballet is not just a hobby but a career that requires years of training. Ballet dancers often began training at a very young age as it takes years to mould the body into the unnatural shapes suitable for ballet (Rinaldi, Hanley & D’Amboise, 2010, p. 16). Eight to ten is said to be the best age for girls to start ballet training; boys may begin a bit later (Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, 2015). Ballet dancers train in order to compete in major events such as the Youth America Grand Prix, the New York International Ballet Competition, the Prix De Lausanne and the International Ballet Competitions; but they also train with the purpose of joining a professional ballet company (Diana, 2010).
in order to succeed. Ballet should be recognized as a sport due to the fitness, dedication, and
The first experience of watching a ballet, for me or any little girl, can be fascinating and exhilarating. Wondering how a dancer can be so steady on her toes as she spins in circles and leaps through the air. Watching a ballet, there is a feeling of wanting to be graceful, as well as the warm sensation felt by a little girl as she slips into dream land. My mom had taken me to my first ballet when I was 11 years old. When we returned home home, she signed me up for classes at the local dance center. The expectations to become a prima ballerina would involve much hard work and concentration. I knew when I started it would take years of steady practice and commitment. Learning the history of ballet and the famous dancers made me intrigued. I wanted to be like them. So I had set the goal, then I set the pace. To my misfortune I was unable to reach my goal. Gymnastics was another activity I enjoyed. I was unaware of the damage I was doing to my body until I found myself in a hospital bed being told by the doctors, no more dancing. I could no longer practice ballet, I could only watch. I have no regrets. Watching a ballet is just as much fun.
Nobles and royalty created ballet in the 1400s as a means to showcase the grandeur of their courts (Bailey 16). Today, the performance art has evolved into countless techniques and styles, drawing millions of audience members all around the world. This enduring transformation from noble spectacle to professional craftsmanship was spearheaded by the leaders and influential voices of the dance world: artistic directors. Presently, artistic directors are multitalented individuals who can teach, choreograph, and run a business; although traditional schooling is not required, rigorous multifaceted education is necessary and can prepare an individual for a difficult but rewarding future.
Dance, more specifically ballet, began as early as the 1400s, developing through many parts of the world including France, Italy, Russia, and America. This physical art began for the King and traveled through centuries to transform into the modernistic version America and around the world sustains. To find out how this transformation occurred many people must be mentioned such as King Louis XIV, Rudolf Nureyev, Natalia Makarova, Anna Pavlova, Sergei Diaghilev, Mikhail Baryshnikov, and George Balanchine. To convert from the beginning of ballet to where it is in America now, one must consider style, purpose, and use to find out why it is the way it is now.
Many people around the world are aware or familiar with the dance style of ballet but may not know that there are different styles of ballet from different countries. The most common ballet style out there are the Italian, French, Russian, and American ballet. However, the most stricts ballet style that is out there is the Russian Ballet which is one of the older ballet dance styles that came around the same time as the French ballet came out. In the 1800’s Russian Ballet incorporated native elements from folk dancing as nobles sponsored dance companies of serfs. European ballet critics agreed that the Russian dance had a positive influence on West European ballet” (Curtis).
There is a mysterious concept behind the art of ballet. Ballet is often said to represent the beauty and artistic values of multiple generations. Shows displayed in the land of Paris, depicted a sense of wealth but later evolving into the story telling of several movements. In the year 1877, painter Edgar Degas combined his rebellious views with the traditional techniques in order to create one of my favorite paintings; the Ballet at the Paris Opera. Through this combination, Degas was able to depict a sense of balance in his artwork. During Degas ruin on the Paris art scene, he captured ballet as a romantic sense and tone. Because of Degas’s unorthodox ways, his techniques appear to seem after the time of the post-romantic era. This famous painting allows room for inspiration. Primarily through Degas’s use of smudging, body positioning, and transparent color use “Ballet at the Paris Opera” conveys Degas’s realistic interpretation of dance as a legitimate artistic form of art.
Ballet is a classical form of dance that stems from the 15th century. Ballet is considered the basis of all dance forms, like jazz, contemporary, lyrical, and even hip hop. Ballet, now is such a demanding art form that requires physical, and mental, strength and flexibility. Ballet is not always what it used to be. It has gone through multiple paradigm shifts and changes since the very beginning of its existence. Although ballet started around six centuries ago, these shifts can still be seen today.
Ballet is one of the most popular types of dance. It is known for its grace and elegance. Ballet is a very disciplined style of dance and may take many years to develop the proper technique. Ballet is the foundation for many other types of dance.