Dance

Dance is an art form that involves moving the body in patterns that are beautiful and often have special meanings. These movements can be made up on the spot or planned ahead of time. Dance is usually done with music, and sometimes dancers also play instruments while they move.

There are two main kinds of group dances: theatrical dances, which are performed on a stage, and participatory dances, where everyone joins in. Dances can serve many purposes, such as bringing people together for fun, celebrating special events, competing, or even as part of religious ceremonies. Dance isn’t just for shows; people also dance to stay healthy or to train for other sports.

You can also dance by yourself as a way to exercise or express your feelings. Dancing is something people all over the world enjoy, and it doesn’t always need a planned routine to be meaningful.

Theatrical and participatory dance

Theatrical dance, also called performance or concert dance, is meant to be watched by an audience. It is usually performed on a stage by skilled dancers. This type of dance often tells a story using movements, sometimes with mime, costume, and scenery. It can also show the feelings of the music, which might be made just for the dance. Examples include Western ballet and modern dance, Classical Indian dance like Bharatanatyam, and Chinese and Japanese dances such as the dragon dance. These dances are often seen in opera and musical theatre too.

Participatory dance is done with others, for fun, to meet people, or to stay healthy. It might be a folk dance, a social dance, or a dance done in lines, circles, or squares. Some dances are done with a partner, like in Western ballroom dancing. These dances usually don’t tell a story. Sometimes everyone does the same steps, but in some places, people dance freely together.

History

Main article: History of dance

Dance has a very long history. Archaeologists have found paintings that are about 10,000 years old in Madhya Pradesh, India at the Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka. These paintings show people dancing. In ancient Egypt, tomb paintings from around 3300 BC also show dancers. Before people could write, dance may have been a way to tell stories and share them with others.

Early writers like Plato, Aristotle, Plutarch, and Lucian wrote about dance in Greece. The Bible and Talmud also mention dance and use many different words to describe it. In very old China, pottery shows groups of people dancing together. Dance was part of special rituals and magic in ancient China. In India, important books from a long time ago talk about dance. One of these books is called the Natya Shastra, written by Bharata Muni. Dance continues to be important in India today, in culture, rituals, and even in movies like those from the Bollywood industry. Many dance styles we see now have roots in old traditions and ceremonies.

Music

Dance is often done with music, but not always. Dancers might move to music, or they might make their own sounds, like in tap dance or gumboot dance. Many old dances and music were made for each other, such as the jig, waltz, tango, disco, and salsa. Sometimes a type of music and a dance share the same name but grew in different ways, like classical music and classical ballet. The dance moves and the music work together to tell a story made by the person who plans the dance and the dancers.

Rhythm

Rhythm and dance have always been closely connected. Dance moves often follow a steady beat, like steps that match the music. Different dances have their own special timing and patterns. For example, the tango is usually danced in a specific rhythm called ²₄ time, with steps that match the beat.

Dancers often use strong and weak movements, like stepping left and right or forward and backward. This helps create patterns in the dance. Sometimes dances use more complex rhythms, especially in traditions like the folk dances of the Balkans. Music and dance have influenced each other for a very long time, with each helping shape the other in special ways.

Approaches

Dance can be performed in many different ways, depending on whether it tells a story or is meant for everyone to join in. When dance tells a story, like in a ballet or opera, the movements help show what the characters are feeling and doing. This kind of dance often has longer, more expressive moves. For example, in Swan Lake, dancers use special steps to act out the story.

Social dances, like the waltz or polka, are made for people to dance together. These dances usually match the beat of the music very closely. In some dances, like tap dance, the dancers' feet can even create part of the music. Dancers in different cultures, such as African dance, often follow basic steps but can also add their own creative rhythms.

Cultural traditions

Africa

Main article: African dance

Dance in Africa is closely tied to community life and big events like births, weddings, and funerals. Dances help share cultural values, tell stories, and bring people together. There are thousands of different dances across the continent, with styles ranging from traditional to modern. Over time, outside influences have shaped African dance, but it still plays important roles today, such as celebrating new community buildings or bringing people together in cities.

Asia

See also: History of dance § Asia

Indian classical dances share common features like hand positions and body movements, often performed with music. There are many regional styles across India. In the Punjab area, the Bhangra dance comes from harvest celebrations and festivals. In Indonesia, dances reflect the country’s many cultures and often have religious or ritual meanings. The dances of the Middle East, such as dabke, usually involve participants holding hands and moving in a circle.

Europe and North America

Main article: Concert dance

See also: History of dance § Europe

Folk dances in Europe often include group participation and fixed music patterns. Some, like the maypole dance, are shared across many countries. Ballet began in Italy and France, evolving from court performances into a professional art form. The 20th century brought new styles like modern dance, developed by pioneers such as Martha Graham. African American dances like tap, jazz, and hip hop have influenced dance worldwide. Fusions of ballet with these styles have also emerged.

Latin America

Main article: Latin American dance

Dance is a key part of life in Latin America. Dances such as Brazilian Samba, Argentinian tango, and Cuban salsa are popular around the world, while other dances like merengue and cueca are important to their own cultures. These dances bring together different groups of people and have helped shape a shared identity across the region. Traditional festivals, like Carnival, feature many of these dances in big celebrations.

Dance styles

See also: List of dance styles

Dance comes in many different styles, each with its own special moves and feelings. Some dances, like ballet, started a long time ago during the Italian Renaissance and are known for their beautiful, exact steps and stories told through choreography. At parties like weddings, people might dance ballroom dance, which includes dances such as the waltz and tango, usually done with a partner.

Other dances come from specific cultures, like jazz dance from African-American folk dance or Bollywood dance that mixes old Indian dances with new styles. New styles also appeared in the 1970s, such as aerial dance, hip-hop dance, modern dance, and street dance. Dances often start in one place but then spread to be enjoyed all over the world.

Education

Dance is studied in many colleges and universities through arts and humanities programs. Some schools offer Bachelor of Arts and other degrees in Dance. Students can learn about dance performance, creating new dances, the study of different dance cultures, how the body moves, ways to write down dances, and even how dance can help people feel better.

Dance classes are for people of all ages, starting as young as two years old. You can find dance lessons in studios all around the world. Some public schools also offer beginner dance classes and have dance teams that perform at school events.

Occupations

Main article: List of dance occupations

Professional dancers often work on a contract basis or for specific performances. They usually face strong competition and may not earn a lot of money, so many need extra jobs to stay financially stable. In the U.S., many dancers join unions such as the American Guild of Musical Artists, Screen Actors Guild, and Actors' Equity Association to help protect their working conditions and ensure fair pay. Dancers need a lot of energy and athleticism, and having skills in many different dance styles helps them succeed.

Dance teachers help others learn and perform dance, sometimes also preparing them for competitions. They usually have experience performing themselves and need to understand many dance styles to create good routines. Teachers may work for dance schools, universities, or private studios.

Choreographers create the movement sequences in dances, often working on specific projects or sometimes joining a dance company.

Dance studios are private businesses that offer many types of classes, such as hip hop, jazz, contemporary, and ballet. These studios have grown steadily and are popular places for people to learn and enjoy dancing.

Competition judges are experienced dancers who have worked in professional settings like Broadway or ballet companies. They use their knowledge to score routines and give feedback to help dancers improve.

Competitions

A dance competition is an organized event where dancers perform in front of judges to win awards and sometimes prizes. There are many types of dance competitions, each focusing on different dance styles. These events usually last two to three days and happen at both regional and national levels. Dancers perform choreographed routines, often about two minutes long, in styles such as contemporary, lyrical, jazz, tap, hip hop, and ballet. Judges score routines based on choreography, emotional performance, technique, and overall impression, which can include costumes and music choice. These competitions help dancers learn and perform in front of others, sometimes in professional settings or school theatres. Categories often depend on the dance style, age, experience, and number of dancers.

One special type is ballroom dance, which became a competitive sport when the World Dance Council set the rules for standard dances. These include the Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, and others. Dancers work for years to master these styles, starting from un-classed and aiming for the highest international level. They compete in pairs, often staying together for many years, and must place in the top three to move up levels. They begin at local competitions and later compete nationally or internationally, sometimes traveling to other countries. Judges use a scoring system to decide who moves to the next rounds.

Other types of dance competitions include single-style events, like highland dance and Irish dance, which only allow one dance style, and open competitions, which allow many different styles. Dance has tried to become an Olympic sport since the 1930s, and Breakdancing was included in the 2021 summer Olympics.

Main Article: Ballroom dance

Dance diplomacy

During the 1950s and 1960s, dance played an important role in international relations, especially between East and South Asian countries. For example, the People's Republic of China used dance to show respect for the traditions of newly independent nations like Indonesia, India, and Burma. This helped build friendship and show support for countries that were once ruled by European powers.

Health

Dance can be good for your health in many ways. It helps your heart, reduces stress, makes you more flexible, and strengthens your muscles and bones. Dancing also improves your balance and coordination. It can even help your brain by improving memory and reducing the risk of memory loss as you get older. Dancers often feel better about themselves and can make friends through dancing.

However, some dancers might worry a lot about their body shape. The pressure to look a certain way can sometimes lead to unhealthy habits, like eating too little or exercising too much. It's important for dancers to take care of their bodies and eat well to stay healthy.

Dance in pop culture

Dance has become very popular on social media platforms like TikTok. During 2020, many people used TikTok dances to stay connected while staying at home. Professional dancers have used the app to share their art and earn money, even though most of them usually work in big studios.

Television shows such as Dancing with the Stars, So You Think You Can Dance, and Dance Moms have helped more people appreciate dance. These competition shows show how much skill and practice go into dance routines, encouraging more children to try dancing. Commercial dance is used to advertise products or ideas in places like music videos, TV shows, commercials, movies, advertisements, concerts, Broadway, and Las Vegas shows.