Origin

The Waltz dance style is actually derived and has evolved from two different Austrian styles of peasant dances from the 18th century, namely, the walzer and landler. During those ancient times, peasant dances were performed wherein the man and woman danced in a way that they were having close contact to one another, as compared to upper class dances, wherein the partners always kept a certain distance between them as they performed their dances.

Now that the peasant dances have evolved from what it was before, some of their basic dance moves are now replaced with different styles and methods. An example of this is the replacement of stomping and clomping with gliding, giving these modern versions of the old dances a sense of smoothness and gracefulness in their movements.

Waltz Basic Steps

There are actually a lot of different steps that you can use when dancing Waltz. You can actually use a variation of different steps. However, all these different variations and different steps can be taken from six basic steps in Waltz. These six basic steps are actually referred to as the Waltz basic box step. Master these four steps and you should be able to dance the Waltz already. Add a little bit of your own variations, direction changes and lifts, and you should be able to come up with a dance step that is more complex.

The Waltz Basic Box Step

Basically, you perform the Waltz basic box step with two complete one-two-three counts. What happens is that the person leading the dance steps first with his left foot, while the follower steps the right foot back at the same time. After that, the leader then steps to the right using his right foot, and the follower simply follows the leader and steps her left foot in the same direction. Then, they both simply close their feet together, with the leader bringing his left foot together with his right, and the follower bringing her right foot together with her left.

The leader then steps back using his right foot, and the follower simply steps forward with her left foot. After which, the leader then steps his left foot to the left, and the follower does the same with her right foot. Then they close out the steps by simply closing their feet together, wherein the leader simply brings his right foot together with his left, and the follower does the same, bringing her left foot together with her right.

Types Of Waltz

There are actually a lot of different kinds of Waltz dances. You have slow versions of the Waltz called the Slow Waltz, and you also have faster versions of it, such as the Viennese Waltz. Some styles of Waltz require that you only have closed figures while performing the routine, while others allow for more movement and variations in posture and form.

Where Can You Learn Waltz?

There are actually a lot of places wherein you can learn Waltz. Dance studios, especially those that offer ballroom lessons, would be able to provide you with some assistance with regards to this. You simply need to enroll in a class, and find a partner to dance with, and you should be on your way.

Tango Styles

There are a bunch of different Tango dance styles that have developed over the years, each one varying in technique and style. These differences are made even clearer as different influences, like fashions in clothing and music, differ from each and every Tango dance style. Some of the more well known Tango dance styles are Tango Argentino, which is basically one of the original Tango dance styles, Tango Oriental, Tango Liso, Tango Canyengue, Tango Orillero, Tango Salon, Tango Nuevo, Tango Milonguero, Show Tango, Finnish Tango, and Ballroom Tango. All these different Tango dance styles are danced using different types of music, such as Tango Electronico, Vals, Milonga, Alternative Tango, and simply Tango.

Ballroom Style Tango

One of the more popular styles of Tango dance is called Ballroom Tango. It is actually divided into two different styles, namely, the “English” or “International” Tango dance style and the “European” Tango dance style. The English Tango dance style also evolved and created another style, which is the American Tango. Basically, English Tango more of a competitive style of dancing, while American Tango developed as a form of social dance that is more focused on the concept of leading and following skills of the dancers.

Basic Tango Steps

The most basic beginning for most Tango dance styles involves a slow-slow-quick-quick-slow counting, wherein the slow counts are held for about two beats, while the quick counts are only held for one. Performing this form of dance requires you to not drag or shuffle your feet, but rather, you need to strike the floor with your feet fairly quickly, sometimes referred to as staccato. However, you can drag or shuffle your feet during the final slow count. You should also keep your knees bent for most of the time that you are dancing Tango, however, a few exceptions can be made, depending on the routine.

Basic Tango Posture

There are basically two types of postures when dancing, which are basically either a closed dance position or an open dance position. When dancing Tango, you usually use the closed dancing position. This means that the partners are in a close hold to one another, wherein they need to maintain contact from their hips up to their ribcage. If you are still a beginner, you can actually keep a little bit of distance between you and your partner. Once you become more adept to dancing this style, then you can start dancing in the close position.

Benefits Of Tango

Research has shown that Tango, more specifically Argentine Tango, is able to help heal certain neurological diseases, one in particular is Parkinson’s disease. Certain Tango movements, such as turning, moving at various speeds, dynamic balance, walking backwards and initiating movements, are all relevant in improving your balance, memory, heart health, as well as assist in losing some weight.

There are actually a lot of different swing dance styles that have developed from the original ‘Swing’ dance. Each locality actually has a different definition for their ‘swing dance’ and uses their own version of what ‘appropriate’ music they should use to accompany it.

History

The origin of swing dance actually dates back to the 1920’s when the black community discovered Lindy Hop and Charleston as they were dancing to the smooth music of Jazz. Jazz clubs gave an opportunity for dancers to explore swing dance, and pretty soon, different styles of swing dance were created. One of the more popular dance styles is the Lindy Hop, which was one of the very first swing dance styles discovered. Now, you have a myriad of different swing dance styles.

Styles Of Swing

The evolution of swing dance and swing dance music has opened new doors for new dance style to be developed. One of the earlier dance styles of swing is the Savoy Swing, which is a casual-looking style of swing dance that employs a fast and jumpy action. The Lindy Hop, which is another, more popular form of swing dance style, is a much smoother dance style as compared to Savoy Swing.

East Coast Swing is a 6 count version of the Lindy Hop, and is popular among dance schools. Whip is a form of swing dance that involves the leader spinning the follower to move him or her to another dance position. A swing dance style that is used for competitions in the United States is referred to as the Jive. These are just some of the different styles of swing dance. There are actually a whole lot more.

Swing Music

Most of the development in different swing dance styles can be attributed to the different trends and influences in popular music. There are actually a lot of different music that influenced the different styles, such as traditional jazz music for Charleston, swing music for the Lindy Hop, and Pop, R&B, Funk or Blues are used for West Coast Swing.

Swing Competition

There are basically four formats for swing competitions. With the classic format of competition, a couple would dance for a previously choreographed song, but with restrictions and limitations to their drops, lifts and moves. A showcase is the same with the classical format, but they are not subject to much restriction. A strictly format employs a no pre-choreographed steps rule, wherein the competing couple dance to randomly selected music at various heats. Jack and jill is the last format, and it randomly matches partners with each other.

Criteria For Judging

There are basically three criteria for judging, and those are the timing of the dancers in terms of rhythm and tempo of the music, teamwork in terms of how the lead and the follower dance together, and technique in terms of the precision of the dance moves.

History

The history of Lindy Hop can be broken down into three stages — the peak of the Swing era from 1920 to 1940, its evolution in 1950, and its revival in the 1980s.

This dance routine is said to originate from the black community in Harlem, New Work back in the 1920s. In-depth study of this style has broken down its routines into a combination of Charleston, breakaway, hop, and Texas Tommy. Around the 1930′s, Lindy Hop is at the peak of its popularity.

This dance routine is quite popular in the many bars and dancing studios in various cities in the United States. However, it later stagnated when dancing was strongly disapproved due to the heavy tax sanction against bars and dancing halls.

Lindy Hop Today

Today, Lindy Hop is one of the few social dances performed in local regions. It did not reach the stage like other dances that evolved and accepted in various circles in modern society. This dance routine is performed mostly in private and public social events, dance competitions, and other dance performances. The maneuver can be done solo or with a partner.

Techniques

Considering that Lindy Hop is part of the Swing family, many of its moves can be found in other dance styles popular today. This dance routine is defined as an athletic partner dance. As opposed to universal norm in partner dance where partners are supposed to stay upright and mostly connect through their hands, the Lindy Hop starts off with an athletic stance with emphasis on lower body movement or footwork.

Lindy Hop has 2 actual styles, though performers may integrate their own unique moves to give it a more unique style — these are the Savory and G.I. style.

The Savory-styled Lindy Hop places an emphasis on upper body movement — usually involving horizontal sways and jerks that define it as an active version of the dance routine. The second, the G.I. Lindy Hop, places its emphasis on upright body position with active lower body movement.

Footwork of this dance routine borrows some of the more commonplace techniques found in Charleston and Tap dancing. The steps use 6 and 8 counts for the rhythm and put an emphasis on the leader and weight changes during the routine. The music of the Lindy Hop is lively. Since this is an active dance where solo and partnered performers may integrate active movements to their routine, many of these dances are usually performed with an accompaniment of Jazz or hip-hop music in the background.

A History

Irish dance is part of the nation’s culture even before the Celts stepped onto their shores. Native dancing was cultivated by the druids to celebrate the seasons and to worship deities and nature-god icons, like the oak tree. The Celts helped evolve the native Irish dance by introducing dancing styles from Europe. Similar contribution to the art was also made by the Normans in the 12th century.

Irish dance is classified into two categories with their own specific variations, namely the social dance and the performance dance. The Irish social dance is mostly performed during special occasions and holidays. This type of Irish dance is further broken down into 2 other categories — the set dancing and “Ceili”.

The more traditional solo social dance is called the Sean-nos Irish Dancing. This is well-known for its close-to-ground footwork following a slow tempo unlike stepdancing, as well as free arm movement and battering steps following accented music. The Sean-nos Irish Dance is mostly done solo, but can also be free-styled to include partners or small groups without any physical contact between dancers.

Irish performance dance can also be called as the “stepdance”. If you were able to watch the “Riverdance” show in 1994 then you were lucky enough to witness the best Irish performance dance of the century. This type of dancing is well-known for its rapid movements — mainly on the legs while the upper body is left almost stationary throughout the performance.

Stepdancing

Stepdancing is the modern form of Irish social dancing classified as a performance dance. The rapid leg movements and rigid upper body stance is made popular by the “Riverdance” performance back in 1994. Today, stepdancing is not only limited to performance and shows but is also popular in dance competitions composed for both small and large groups.

Also, stepdancing is further broken down into two types of steps — the soft shoe and hard shoe. The soft shoe often follows the 4/4 tempo with movements including reel, light jig, slip jig, and single jig. Hard show follows the 2/4 hornpipe, hard or treble jig, treble reel, as well as the traditional steps. The name soft and hard shoe is also evident in the footwear used during their performance.

Old-Folk Irish Dance

The Irish social dance can be easily described as the Ireland’s folk dance known as the “Ceili” — a combination of Irish music and dancing during social gatherings. This can be performed solo or in combinations. In social events, the “Ceili” is often performed in 2 lines where dancers face each other, circular formation, quadrilles, or the long-line formation up to 16 dancers.

History

The Flamenco’s history dates back to the Golden Age of the gypsies, though historians only found vague records in regards to where the dance actually came from. Studies show that the Flamenco is actually more into the category of music than a dance. The music, though its original composition was lost in history, are said to contain influences from Muslim and Christian cultures.

Many researchers believe that the Flamenco did not exist before 1780. Gypsies who were known to dance the Flamenco during their social gathers, mostly in secret, does not know when or where the dance came from — only that it was passed on from generation to generation.

Music

According to research of renowned historians and dance critics, the Flamenco started off as an impromptu dance following a steady beat — mostly staccato clapping of the audience. Later, it was modified its repertoire of movement to follow the complicated harmony produced by the “togue” (flamenco guitar), as well as the rhythmic clapping and stamping of the audience or the band. The dance was later termed as the “baile” — a common social dance of those with Spanish decent.

Live Performance

The Flamenco dance went into the public scene later in the 1869. Due to its popularity, many have utilized its unique and appealing music and dance maneuvers to attract customers to public events and roadside cafes. Later, the dance was introduced as paid performance enjoyed by Spaniards and foreigners.

The year 1869 to 1910 is considered to be the Golden Age of Flamenco. The dance and music evolved as new inspirations and cultures were introduced into the mix. In the 19th Century, Flamenco was introduced in romantic theatrical plays that depict a woman seducing their partners into a web of romantic palette that is a favorite pastime in European countries.

Live Lessons

There is no fixed class in regards to how Flamenco is passed to the next generation. Gypsies passed the culture through watching and listening — inviting their sons and daughters to social gatherings to educate them to the music and body interpretation that resulted in the dance.

This is one reason why the dance routine has shed its traditional form and has succumbed to the changes of modern world. Music critics shed light to the Flamenco being a dance of unlimited possibilities — the creativity and personal interpretation of individual performers and musicians giving light to new maneuvers and techniques that shows the modern Flamenco we know today.

Choreography

A dance choreographer bases its teachings in the art of choreography. It is considered as an art due to the various innovations that is mostly limited to the creativity of an individual.

By definition, choreography is the process of designing various form and movements of the human body — much like a person teaching you new body motions through their own unique experience. Dance choreography has a more specific scope — integrating new and unique dancing techniques and maneuvers through the inclusion of set dancing styles today.

For example, a dance choreographer can incorporate various dancing styles for a cheerleading competition — like ballroom, Rock and Roll, and the likes to come up with a new dance maneuver.

Dance Routines

A dance choreographer teaching new dancing moves that involves various body movements — not necessarily dependent on fixed dance moves today. In most cases, dance routines taught by a choreographer includes events, like cheerleading, gymnastics, cinematography, fashion shows, marching bands, ice skating, stage shows, and even in competitive dancing, like dancesports.

The technique of coming up with new dance moves is termed as dance composition. This includes 2 fundament techniques, namely improvisation and planned choreography.

The fundamentals of improvisation can be easily defined as “impromptu” dance lessons. No specific steps are followed and choreographers base body movements depending on the type of music used for the dance.

In most cases, improvisation is mostly determined by the personal interpretation of the instructor or the dancers itself. Planned choreography is purely the work of the choreographer. Movements and scores are all directed by the instructors without any need for personal interpretation from dancers.

Passion In The Art

The success of dance choreographers in coming up with highly unique and quality dance routines is devoted to their passion in the art of dancing. If you ask dance instructors in how they come up with unique body interpretation to music, they will just smile and tell you that it’s more on creativity than actual learning of fixed dance styles.

In some ways, we can say that this statement is true. Passion makes up 90% of their creativity and only 10% comes from their knowledge on fixed dance routines.

Another requirement of a dance choreographer is the need to go beyond the boundaries of dancing and into the realm of art. This is one reason why they are all unique — coming up with their own dance routines with only a moment of thought. If you find a dance competition with only a single music as its theme, you will see that each choreographer will have their own interpretation.

To learn exactly how each routine is choreographed and how each step contribute to an entertaining whole, read about each aspect of the routine below.

Pre-Routine Preparations

When performing cheer dance for a competition, you need to focus on the criteria that the judges are looking for, as well as getting the audience involved. Some of the most basic technical areas to consider include techniques, dance moves, skill level, consistency, synchronization, and creativity.

However, a cheer dance routine consists more than just the dancing elements since it also combines cheer or chants, tumbling, stunts, and pyramids. It is therefore important to properly plan each routine, practice them thoroughly, and have self-discipline to ensure that each aspect of the routine are executed precisely.

Beginning

At the start, the energy level of the members are still high so you can expect a lot of high energy movements and dance routines. This is where you’d often witness a lot of basic stunts and tumbling. If you are coming up with a cheerdancing routine, this is where you need to choreograph the tumbling elements. You must also assign your best stunt performers and tumblers in the front for a clean execution. And since this is just the introduction to the entire routine, high intensity performance right off the bat is also a great way to capture the audience’s attention.

Middle

Once you have grabbed the audience’s attention, it is now time to move into the ‘gist’ of your performance – the cheers and dance. If you can, minimize or totally avoid doing stunts here, or else it will become overkill. You need to showcase variety into your cheer dance routine and here is when you can do that. You can even use the beginning part of the routine as a transitionary period so you can get the dancers into their dancing positions. Avoid dancing as a full squad, instead you can divide them into small pockets for more coordination and to make the entire routine aesthetically pleasing.

End

Just as important as the start is how you end your routine. Hence, you must aim to make an impression on the judges and the audience. From performing in small pockets, you can let your squad performance as full team to make it visually impressive. However, settle for crisp yet manageable dance routines that creates an impact. You can also incorporate easy pyramid formation for the last time here.

Tips For More Coordination

In most cases, cheer dance routines are well planned and the dance moves or stunts are well choreographed but it could still turn disastrous if not executed properly. Hence, you must not aim solely for a creative routine, but a polished one. Use proper counting system for sharp movements and synchronization.

Take note of even the tiniest details as foot positioning, jumps, kicks, arm extensions, angles, and the like, to create more impression. And finally, time your routines properly and limit each dance move or stunt to no more than two minutes at one time for smooth transition.

But the most important tip to remember when performing cheer dance routines is to learn to have fun. Never forget to smile and always perform with confidence!

Capoeira is an art form with an Afro-Brazilian origin. It is categorized as a dance form but is quite unique in its merging of various elements from music, dance, and martial arts. Historians and dance enthusiasts believe it first came about around 16th century when the African concept of slavery was introduced in Brazil. It wasn’t long until its influences became felt across Afro-Brazilian generations, particularly in various Brazilian regions like Rio de Janeiro, Pernambuco, and Bahia.

Performs of capoeira form a circle wherein each performer take turns in either ritually sparring, playing an instrument, or singing. Each sparring comes with fluid transition of sweep, kicks, acrobatic play, feints, and headbutts. Other techniques that are not used as often as the ones mentioned above, but are also allowed, include slaps, body throws, elbow strikes, or punches.

Various Interpretations

Due to the unique style of dancing involved with capoeira, there has been several interpretations to arise from this dance form. Many believed it was designed for rebellion that used dance as a disguise. However, proponents to this dance form insist that it merely follows a combative art form and incorporates dance elements that reference to historical events and ideas.

In fact, capoeira is not alone as a dance form that signify combative traditions. There are several other similar styles of dance that include the same approach and elements such as Martinique’s danyme and Cuba’s mani, to name a few. These dance styles are characterized by dance moves in mock-combat form and are often performed with music.

Development as a Sport

Due to the above interpretations that pointed to Capoeira as a dance that resembled the idea of rebellion, it was temporarily banned in Brazil and anyone caught performing this dance was punished by law. However, that did not stop this particular dancing style from evolving until the public has learned to accept it, not just as a style of dance but as a sport, as well. The ban was officially lifted in the 1930s due to a successful defense posed by Reis Machado that was able to convinced the authority of Capoeira’s cultural value.

Today, there are even various dancing schools aimed specifically at teaching capoeira to willing students. From the traditional Angola styles, several variations were introduced into this dancing technique until it was categorized as a sport. There are several known personalities, including UFC Middleweight champion Anderson Silva, who are a regular practitioner of Capoeira.

Music in Capoeira

Like most dance forms, music plays an integral role in the performance of capoeira. The music played for this one is suited for the style and tempo of the movements. The music is usually composed specifically for this dance using various instruments. However, the music could widely vary from very slow to fast tempo. Aside from music, some capoeiras are combined with a song that tells of a rich story that helps to inspire performs to do better with their dancing. Dancers change their pace of movements depending on the music that is being played, which supports the idea that music is what drives this dance form.

Three Types of Music Used

Below are three types of music that you can use along with your performance of capoeira:

• Ladainha: This type of music is typically sung at the start of the roda and is performed by the master. It can either be two types of songs: a popular song, or improvised by the master on the spot.

• Chula: This often follows Ladainha, which follows a call-and-response pattern. The aim with using this particular type of music in performing capoeira is basically to thank a divine being and teacher.

• Corridos: Finally, this type of music is used while a game is being played. But this capoeira music still follows the call-and-response pattern, but the response change according to the song that is being played.

History

If you study dancing history then you will see that breakdancing is nowhere to be found in the records. The trend started in the streets of New York — a way for kids and teenagers to show off their “cool moves” with the inclusion of music. It was observed that this form of modern dance is a combination of athletic moves and dance maneuvers — with emphasis on extreme “power moves” with “freezes” during breaks in the music. The trend started with the Latinos and Black youths in Bronx, but was later performed by the general populace and eventually in the international level.

Naming

Breakdancers don’t like to be called as such. They have their own terms to define who they are in this modern dance routine. Notable performers often term themselves as “b-boy” or “b-girl” and the dance itself is named as “breaking”

Break And Dance

Breakdancing got its name from the “breaks” in the music where performers put a halt on their extreme dance moves to show off. In most cases, the musics are remixed to fit in these breaks to allow more emphasis on the maneuvers. There are 5 moves incorporated into this modern dance routine, namely:

1. Toprock – steps performed while standing;

2. Downrock – emphasis of feet and body movements on the floor. This is often termed as footwork or floorwork;

3. Power Moves – these are termed as acrobatic maneuvers that require physical strength, balance, and stamina. Initial movement includes circular maneuvers for the body to gain momentum to execute power moves;

4. Freezes – the performer stays in a pose, usually after executing power moves, during the break in the music;

5. Suicides – this is an extreme maneuver that usually denotes the end of a routine.

Requirement

If you break down the fundamentals of “breaking”, one will observe that the emphasis is more into the person’s physical strength and balance. The moves can be quite tricky and require complete control of the body or ends up in very painful consequences brought about by lack of timing and experience.

In most cases, professional breakers who teach breakdancing often start their lessons in improving a performer’s physical strength and balance. Each maneuver is executed individually until they learn to grasp complete control of their body and proceed to more complicated techniques.

There has been a major debate saying that breakdancing is more into power than style. However, breakers classify themselves into these two fundamentals — one incorporating the use of power to amplify and support their moves, while one group focus more into mastering unique “power moves” to their dancing.