Dance History, Forms, Education, and Competition

Introduction

• Dance is the art of movement of the body, usually rhythmically and to music, using prescribed or improvised steps and gestures.
• Etymology: Dance comes from the German word meaning “to stretch” or “to drag.”
• Purpose and meaning: dance is practiced for multiple reasons and in many contexts.

Purposes of dance (reasons people still dance)

• To please gods, as seen in religious or ceremonial contexts (examples include church and tribal rites).
• To please others, for entertainment and social display.
• To please themselves, as a form of self expression.
• To build community within an ethnic group or for social interaction.

History of dance (overview by periods)

• Dance during the Prehistoric Period
  • Major form of religious ritual and social expression in primitive cultures.
  • Expression of tribal unity, strength, and belonging.
  • Based on superstition and infused with magic; shamans acted as lead dancers and functioned as physicians and religious leaders to keep tribes healthy and prosperous.
• Ancient Egypt (First dancing around $3{,}300\text{ BCE}$)
  • The first dancers are believed to be Egyptians; paintings of dancing figures found in rock shelters and caves.
  • Major dancers: (1) the king, (2) the priests who performed magical dances, (3) virgin dancers trained for ceremonies led by priests.
• Ancient Crete (3000–1400 BC)
  • Cultural link between Egyptians and Greeks; used dance to perfect military training and discipline.
• Ancient Greece
  • Dance served religious, military, entertainment, and educational purposes.
  • Plato emphasized dance in education; distinguished two kinds of dance and music: the noble (fin and honorable) and the ignoble (imitating what is mean or ugly).
• Ancient Rome
  • Dance received less emphasis over time and was associated with decay and later Christian condemnation.
  • Dance occurred in religious, social, and entertainment contexts; theatrical performances were restricted but persisted in church ceremonies.
• The Middle Ages and The Renaissance (Ballet comes into play around 1400)
  • Ballet originated in Italy, gained popularity around 1500 with Catherine de Medici’s influence.
  • Court dances spread across Europe; ballet became foundational to many dance styles.
• Modern history: Late 16th and 17th centuries (Masque dancing)
  • Masque dancing in elaborate pageants in Italy, France, and England; court entertainment, complex costumes and staging; France became a leader in dance during this period.
• 18th century (1701–1800)
  • 1795 Classical Persian dancing: Persian court dances under the Qajar Dynasty; music by small ensembles.
  • 1800 Tippity Tappity, Time for Tap: Tap dancing emerging from African and other roots; percussive footwork and leather shoes with metal taps.
• 19th century (1801–1900)
  • 1890 Merengue: Caribbean dance with partner holds and hip movements.
  • 1900 Jazz and Acro: Jazz dance and acrobatic elements; backbends and tricks; ballroom dances like Cotillion, Polonaise, Quadrille, Waltz, Polka gain popularity.
• 20th century (1901–2000)
  • Described as a period of dance fever; broad expression across ages.
  • 1950 Contemporary Dance: fusion of jazz, ballet, and modern dance; often melancholy or intense.
  • 1970 Hip Hop Dance: styles include breaking, popping, locking; street dance linked to funk and hip hop; social dances such as castle walk, tango, foxtrot, cha-cha, samba, mambo, and others emerge.
  • Popular fad dances (YMCA, Macarena) appear alongside evolving social dances.
• 21st century (2001–present)
  • 2018 Dance Nowadays: hip hop influence dominates; popular micro-dances like whip and nae-nae, Gangnam Style, and other approachable hip hop moves.

History of dance in the Philippines

• Before the Spanish era
  • Numerous tribes across the islands with distinct dances; the Igorot of the Luzon mountains preserve mountain-dwelling traditions; dances express love of nature and gratitude to the gods.
• Mindanao voyage (the Moros)
  • In the 12th century, Muslim traders introduced Islam; Moros performed colorful dances with languid arm movements imitating wind, sea, and fish; performances accompanied by Kulintangan
• Maria Clara period
  • 1521 Ferdinand Magellan arrives; three centuries of Spanish rule introduce Western dances such as waltz, fandango, and polka; dances acquire Filipino flair and are renamed or reinterpreted as Maria Clara dances after Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere characters.
• Barrio Fiesta
  • Post-work celebrations where dances revolve around everyday objects such as glasses, candles, benches, hats, and bamboo poles; pandanggo sa ilaw (dance of lights) features women balancing tinghoy lamps on head and hands to imitate fireflies.
• The National Dance: Carinosa
  • Recognized as the national dance in broader cultural discussions; a symbolic Filipino dance form.

Dance education and occupation

• Dance education
  • Today dance studies are offered in arts and humanities programs across higher education institutions; degrees include Bachelor of Arts and higher.
  • Curriculum encompasses dance practice, performance, choreography, ethnochoreology, dance notation, and dance therapy.
• Occupation
  • Dancer: performance-focused or instructional roles; may coach competitive dancers.
  • Dance teacher/instructor: often has performance experience in taught styles; dancesport coaches frequently are former competitors.
  • Choreographer/coach: often university-trained; may work on specific projects or as resident choreographer for dance companies.
• Competitions
  • Organized events where contestants perform before judges for awards or prizes; major types depend on dance style; categories include dancesport, open competitions, single style, etc.

Types of dance

• Solo dance
• Partner dance
• Group dance
• Others include ballet, contemporary, modern, jazz, street dance, hip hop, tap, acrobatics, figure skating, gymnastics, martial arts, cheer dance, folk dance, ethnic dance, belly dance, pole dancing, and more.

Dancesport and ballroom

• Ballroom dance: set of partner dances enjoyed socially and competitively worldwide; also performed on stage, film, and television.
• Dancesport definition: modern narrowed scope with the emergence of competitive dancesport; traditionally five Standard and five Latin dances are recognized in many contexts.
• Origins of the term ballroom dancing
  • The term ballroom dancing is derived from the practice in ballrooms; the language surrounding its formalization traces back to European court life where dancing was central to social gatherings.
• Competition structure and governance
  • Competitions are typically divided into professional and amateur events; in the USA pro–am competitions are common alongside professional events.
  • The International Olympic Committee recognizes competitive ballroom dance; the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) is the body representing dancesport in the Olympic context, though Olympic inclusion remains debated.
• Latin dances in competition
  • Cha Cha, Rumba, Jive, Paso doble, Samba.
• Standard dances in competition
  • Waltz, Tango, Quickstep, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot.
• Elements of competition
  • Dancers judged on poise, hold or frame, musicality and expression, timing, body alignment and shape, foot and leg action, and presentation; scrutineers tally scores across rounds to finals.
• Other ballroom dances sometimes placed under the umbrella
  • Nightclub dances such as Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing, Nightclub Two Step, Hustle, Salsa, Merengue.
• Basic dance descriptions and steps (highlights)
  • Cha Cha: basic steps include Cha Cha chasse, The Fan, The Hockey Stick, The New York, The New York Bus Stop, Underarm Spot Turns, Alemana Turn.
  • Foxtrot: a smooth, flowing dance; easy for beginners; long movements across the floor.
  • Jive: lively swing variation with high energy; often begins with a rock step; basic pattern rock step, chasse left, chasse right; distinct steps include American Spin, Throwaway, Chicken Walks, Arm Breaker, Jig Walks.
  • Paso doble: lively dance modeled after the Spanish bullfight; dramatic and theatrical.
  • Quickstep: fast version of the Foxtrot; very quick stepping, syncopation, and rapid runs; considered one of the most challenging ballroom dances.
  • Samba: highly popular Brazilian dance; often danced solo or with a partner; energetic hip movements.
  • Viennese Waltz: rapid rotation with rise and fall; considered technically difficult.
  • Waltz: smooth, progressive, long flowing movements with rise and fall; looks like gliding on the floor.
• World Cup reference
  • A nod to global competition culture in dance sport and ballroom events.

Elements of dance and composition

• Elements of space
  • Space is the area the performers occupy and move within; spatial elements can be described as four aspects: movement direction, level (high/medium/low), spatial focus, and audience orientation.
  • Movements can travel in any direction; actions can be expanded or reduced; performers may change focus.
• Timing
  • Movements synchronized to tempo or beat; timing can vary with underlying rhythm and musical cues.
• Dance energies
  • Sustained: smooth, continuous, flowing
  • Percussive: explosive or sharp
  • Vibratory: trembling or shaking
  • Swinging: tracing curved lines or arcs
  • Suspended: perched in space or hanging in air
  • Collapsing: surrender to gravity
• Bodily shapes
  • Asymmetrical shapes
  • Symmetrical shapes

What makes a good dance? and form concepts

• A good dance often has significant meaning and conveys a message; it has a clear beginning, middle, and end.
• Form: an instrument by which ideas and elements are arranged into a cohesive whole; unity and consistency in content.
• Phrase: the smallest unit of form; combines movements with others; commonly around 16 counts.
• Motif or Theme: a recurring idea that gives unity to the dance.

Choreographic forms

• Sequential forms
  • AB (two-part form)
  • ABA (three-part form)
  • ABACA (rondeau form) with verse, chorus, verse 2, ad lib, chorus 2
  • Theme and variation: dynamic shifts in space, mood, tempo and form
• Contrapuntal forms
  • Ground bass: solo interplay with repeating bass line
  • Round or canon: two or more movements played in sequence
  • Fugue and accumulation: adding different movements
  • Suite: different tempos and styles within a single work
• Episodic form
  • Tells a story through episodes
• Other compositional forms
  • Natural structures
  • Collage
  • Tableau
  • Chance

Evaluating a good dance

• According to Linda Rickett-Young (1996), evaluators consider roles of choreographer, dancers, and audiences.
• Stages of assessing a dance performance
  • Description: close observation of elements, characteristics, and components
  • Interpretation: appreciation of ideas and meanings
  • Evaluation: judgment and feedback
• Example activity: written evaluation (guiding questions for videos)
  • Style/genre, dance energies, costume and choreography, overall score 1–10, and suggestions for improvement

Dancesport and ballroom details (summary of core ideas)

• Ballroom dance involves partner dancing for social and competitive contexts; widely performed on stage, film, and TV.
• Dancesport terminology has evolved with a formal competition structure and governance; Olympic recognition exists via IOC and WDSF as the representative body; inclusion in the Olympics remains debated.
• Major ballroom divisions
  • Latin dances: Cha Cha, Rumba, Jive, Paso Doble, Samba
  • Standard dances: Waltz, Tango, Quickstep, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot
• Competition elements and scoring
  • Dancers are judged on poise, frame, musicality, timing, alignment, leg and foot action, and presentation; scrutineers tally scores across rounds to determine finalists.
• Additional dances under the ballroom umbrella
  • Nightclub dances: Lindy Hop, West Coast Swing, Nightclub Two Step, Hustle, Salsa, Merengue
• Notable plain-language description of some dances
  • Cha Cha: Cuban motion; basic steps include Cha Cha chasse, The Fan, The Hockey Stick, The New York, Bus Stop, Underarm Spot Turns, Alemana Turn
  • Foxtrot: smooth and flowing; easy to learn, ideal for beginners
  • Jive: high energy Swing variation with a rock step start; 6-beat basic pattern
  • Paso Doble: Spanish bullfight-inspired drama
  • Quickstep: fast, quick stepping; one of the most difficult ballroom dances
  • Samba: Brazilian, very popular with young and older dancers
  • Viennese Waltz: rapid turning with rise and fall
  • Waltz: smooth, flowing with rise and fall, gliding feel

Practical and cultural notes

• The Filipino dance tradition blends indigenous practices with colonial influences, resulting in a unique repertoire such as Carinosa and pandanggo sa ilaw.
• Dance education links to broader health and well-being through dance as exercise and as a cultural expression.

Key numerical references (highlights)

• First dancing in $3{,}300\text{ BCE}$ in Ancient Egypt.
• Ancient Greece references to dual kinds of dance: noble and ignoble.
• 120 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise recommended as a health guideline: $120$ minutes.
• The 5 Latin and 5 Standard dances are core competitive categories in many ballroom contexts.

Quick reference list of major dances and terms

• Latin dances: Cha Cha, Rumba, Jive, Paso doble, Samba
• Standard dances: Waltz, Tango, Quickstep, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot
• Other styles mentioned: Street dance, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Ballet, Folkdance, Cheer Dance, Tap, Acro, Martial arts-inspired dance, Belly dance, Pole dancing
• Key dance-related concepts: space, timing, dance energies, bodily shapes, motif, form, phrase, choreography, evaluation, and audience role

Connections and implications

• Dance as a cross-cultural art form: from prehistoric rituals to global ballroom competitions, dance reflects social, religious, and political dynamics.
• Ethical and practical implications: dance education shapes cultural preservation, promotes physical health, and raises questions about access and representation in competitive contexts.
• Real-world relevance: in modern education and sport, dance integrates performance, biomechanics, artistic interpretation, and intercultural communication.