#7 Ballroom Dancing

Ballroom dancing is usually danced with a partner and is a Latin form of dance. Ballroom dance comes from England, and is now world wide. Ballroom dancing focuses on the use of the hips, but the torso and the upper body help compliment the movement that occurs at the bottom half of the body.  Ballroom dancing is very synchronized and clean. There are many forms of ballroom dance, such as the waltz, the tango, the jive, the foxtrot, and many more. Ballroom dance is very entertaining and is used on many TV shows, performed at cotillions, and shown at performances. Male ballroom dancers wear form fitting clothing that show off the lines of the body, and for women, it varies depending on the particular style that is being performed. Some women wear long dresses that they can hold and use in the routine, but for other routines, some women wear short dresses or something that is form fitting as well. Women usually dance in high heals so they are elevated off the ground.

The jive is one of many styles of ballroom dance. The jive originated in the United States during the 1940s and is a variation of swing dancing. The jive is danced at a fast pace and to upbeat music. Since the jive is the fastest form of ballroom, it is danced at 44 bars per minute. In the jive, one has to be able to transfer their weight between each foot quickly. Jive includes a lot of lifts, and quick kicks. The knees remain close together throughout the whole duration of the routine, and is kept controlled under the body.

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jive_(dance)
Picture: http://www.my-ballroom-dance-shoes.com/date/2009/08/

#6 Competition vs. Convention

Dance competitions were something I did while growing up. I started competing around the age of five, and stopped competing when I was 14 years old.  A dance competition is an organized event in which dance studios from all over come together to to perform, and they get judged by what they showcase. Then, they are awarded with prizes and metals for their accomplishment. Having a child grow up in a dance competition circuit, is definitely a great way to get them used to performing to a big audience. There are certainly many things that the judges look for while critiquing a dance. They look for technique, presence, and how well one can execute the movement. Depending on the score one would receive on the routine, they are given an award from, Platinum being the greatest, and Bronze being the lowest score. Dance competitions can get very competitive at times, but they are very fun and enjoyable to watch.

This is a picture of a bunch kids attending a convention
learning a  combination.

A dance convention on the other hand, is very different. Unlike a dance competition, people don't gather to compete against one another, they come together to learn. A dance convention is a big event where professional choreographers come together to teach a bunch of kids. There are certain levels- Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced, and from there, you are given the chance to take class from these professional choreographers. Conventions are a great way to train the brain to pick up choreography faster. I started conventions around the age of six, and it has helped me grow so much as a dancer. Conventions enable you to adapt to different choreographers as well. There are a ton of different conventions that focus on certain styles of dance, and it is a great way to learn and meet new people even. Also, with conventions, you are able to meet accomplishing and professional choreographers who already know and can help you prepare for auditions in the real world. Conventions usually last for a weekend only, and on the last day of the weekend, there is usually a ceremony where dancers who stood out to the choreographers during class are awarded a scholarship. Depending on the scholarship you receive, once can get a scholarship that enables you to come back to another convention for free or it can also give you a scholarship to a dance center in Los Angeles.

Sources: Brittany Andres
Picture: Taken by my mother, Myrtle Andres

Contemporary

Contemporary is a very special type of dance. Contemporary is an art form that is used mainly to express emotions. Behind all contemporary work there is a theme of the piece and can be very meaningful to the choreographer. Contemporary derives from ballet, and uses a lot of technique. The movement varies depending on the message of the routine, but usually, contemporary is very soft and slow. When we refer to contemporary work, it is something that is living or occurring at the same time. Contemporary examines different shapes that can be made with the body and the process of how people choreograph. Contemporary is primarily danced bare-footed, or with socks. But, there are still many dancers that may dance contemporary with jazz shoes or 'dance paws' that protect the ball of your foot.

Improvisation is big in contemporary, as it is in all styles of dance. Improving gives you the capability to move your body in any which way. When improving contemporary, one allows the music take over his/her body. You adapt to whatever music that is playing, and you translate what you feel through movement. Improving is a way to explore new movement, and to try different things you haven't tried before, without any limits. During choreography, you have to do the certain movements, but with improvisation you are free to do anything. Many choreographers today like to see a dancer improve first because, during improvisation, it allows the choreographer to learn about the dancers style, and even personality. Improving can show a lot about a person.

This is an example of contemporary today. Teddy and Jonny Forance

Tap

Tap is a form of dance that solely has to do with tap shoes. Tap shoes are shoes that have silver metal plates and the bottom of the shoe, that help to create different sounds and beats when coming in contact with the floor. Tap is very unique in that you are able to create music yourself. Tap dancers are considered musicians because of the ability to create music. Tap dancers mainly use their feet and their legs while they dance. The upper body is only used to create a nice image and to show off the feet. There are many different ways to create beats with tap shoes. Since there are two metal plates on each shoe, when stomping your foot on the ground it creates a hard percussive sound.

Tap came about in the mid 1900's in very poor areas, when famous dancers like Gregory Hines and Fred Astaire tapped. Fred Astaire created a more ballroom look, while dancing. Tap has evolved ever since. Now, tap beats are created to have a more urban style to it. A main part to tap dancing is improvisation. Improvisation is when you learn to tap and generate your own tap sounds. There are some basic tap steps like the shuffle, flap, pullbacks, and wings. Then, when you are a little more advances, these steps are combined together to make it more complicated. It's really a pleasure to watch tap being performed because it's amazing to see how fast a person can move their feet and it's fascinating to hear all the beats that are produced just by dancing with your feet.

Here is an example of an amazing tap dancer today: Laurie Johnson

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tap_dance

Hip-Hop

Hip-hop is very unique compared to the many other styles of dance. Unlike ballet or jazz, hip-hop is very loose and doesn't require much technique. Hip-hop is very grounded and funky. Hip-hop dancers usually wear loose clothing and sneakers. There are many different forms of hip-hop such as popping, breaking, locking, house, and lyrical hip-hop. Popping has to with flexing and releasing your muscles quickly. There are some experts in popping that can pop many different muscles in your body you wouldn't even imagine. When you flex, and release your muscles, your muscles 'pop'-- and this in incorporated into dance movements. Breaking has do with a lot of floor work. In order to be able to break, you need to have a lot of arm and upper body strength. While breaking, you have to be very careful because you can get easily injured.

Hip-hop has originated in the Bronx in New York, when dancers would dance in the streets as a way to express themselves. They would interpret the beat of the songs into their bodies, which is where popping and locking comes from. Hip-hop is usually danced to R&B, and or rap type of music. Many people gather into groups to form crews, and crews all around the world get together at events to compete against one another. For example, America's Best Dance Crew, a television show were the producers of the show audition crews to battle against one another. Since there are many different forms of hip-hop, people have their own individual style, which makes everybody dance unique. Hip-hop in my opinion, attracts more people because it is such a pleasure to watch and it's entertaining. Hip-hop, personally, is my favorite because its something I enjoy and have fun doing.

This link is a show held by Macy's where the first winners of America's Best Dance Crew, the Jabbawokeez perform. This is an example of hip-hop today. Click Here.

Jazz

There are many different forms of jazz, one being musical theatre. Musical theatre is a very stylized type of jazz and involves a lot of character. Musical theatre focuses on more of the personality and emotion of the piece rather than technique. Musical theatre is much used in musicals and Broadway shows. In musical theatre, you have to be able to play different feelings well, because throughout a musical, there are many different roles that are crucial to the performance.  Musical theatre has been around since the early 20th century and continue to live and thrive. Some musicals that include musical theatre are shows such as, Wicked, Hair Spray, All That Jazz, and Chicago. 

First off, Jazz first came from the 1950's and originated from African American vernacular dancing. Than, in the 1950's, that style of jazz turned into modern jazz, what we know today. An image of a jazz dancer consists of jazz shoes, and form fitting clothing. Jazz shoes help a dancer turn smoothy and be able to to do floor work without having difficulty. Jazz requires much of a ballet background because technique is used at all times while performing jazz. Also, jazz consists of many tricks. Being able to turn, to leap, and to be flexible are what makes a jazz dance very interesting. Jazz is usually danced to a hip, upbeat type of music. Most jazz routines are usually performed at a fast pace and the movements are very percussive and sharp. While dancing in a group, clean arms and lines are very crucial in making sure the group looks together.

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_theatre

Ballet

Ballet is a unique style of dance and is something very vital for all dancers. There are many different variations on how ballet is taught, but they all teach of the same technique. Ballet is a very structured type of dance. Unlike hip-hop, and jazz, ballet is very conservative and placed. Also, there is a certain dance attire that ballerinas wear. A leotard, pink tights, ballet shoes, and a hair in a bun is usually what you will see a ballerina wearing. Ballet is usually danced to classical music and something very soft. Training and perfecting ballet takes a lot of time, and focus. It teaches about proper technique and how to make certain connections within your body. Ballet goes as far back as the Renaissance. King Louis VII appreciated art, and supported the arts a lot. That is why the Renaissance is a revival of literature and art under the influence of classical models in the 14th to 16th centuries. There are many performances such as Swan Lake, and the Nutcracker, that are all ballet pieces.

Dance

Dance is an art form, and gives people the freedom to express themselves. Dance starts way back, and continues to live, grow, and inspire. There are many different forms of dancing such as hip-hop, lyrical, modern, ballet, contemporary, jazz, musical theatre, tap, plus many more. All the styles are similar, but different in many ways. In order to do most styles of dance, including hip-hop, it is important to have some sort of ballet background. Ballet teaches about proper technique and how to use your core. Dance for most people is their passion and is just as hard as any other sport. Dance is worldwide and is open to all ages. Today, there are many professional company's and dance studios that are open for many people to join and take class.

Introduction.

I will be using this blog to talk to about, dancing.  Dancing is something that I am very passionate about. I have been dancing since I was 2, and ever since it has always been something that I loved to do. It has been a big part of my life and I would like to share everything about dance and share my interest with you. I have studied many styles of dance and have danced professionally. Many people dance for a living, and others do it as a hobby. Either way, it is also a great way to keep your body moving and active. Like any other sport, dance requires a lot of effort and hard-work and is just as challenging.