The Art of Dance - an essay by semwriter

The Art of Dance

For as long as I can remember, dancing has always been a big part of my life. My mom was a dancer all her life, and she got me started when I was very young. My parents would always tell me that I have so much personality when I am on stage. I take dance as a form of self-expression as well as most other dancers. Dance is an art form. Dancers have the power to choose the style of dance that suits them the most and make it their own. Dancing can almost act as an escape from reality because it is so easy to get wholly engaged in the music. One of the most amazing things about dance, in my opinion, is that it can truly alter people's emotions when they watch a performance. Just by applying the perfect movements and music, the choreography can tell a story. That is what sets dance apart from all other sports and makes it so unique to its own. There are so many distinctive genres out there to give dancers countless ways to express themselves through the art of dance.

Ballet, often referred to as the principal of all good dancers, is one of the most exquisite styles of dance. For anyone aspiring to become a strong, skilled dancer, ballet is the best genre to start out with. The majority of people would not think of ballet as being a good style of dance for beginners because of its level of difficulty, yet its specific technique and form are key to shaping a quality dancer. Ballet is the most graceful method of self execution when it comes to all styles of dance. Ballet is very physically demanding and works all muscles of the body. Ballet dancers have to follow crucial requirements in each performance, such as pointed toes and turned out feet, all while making it look effortless on stage. Ballet dancers gain a sense of self-confidence and pride in their bodies and what they accomplish. When ballet dancers get to a certain age, they can trade in their ordinary ballet slippers for a pair of pointe shoes. Going on pointe can be a very exciting, although incredibly painful, step in the life of a ballerina. It is recommended that the dancer does not go on pointe until they are around ten years old. Pointe work can be dangerous and detrimental to dancers feet if young ballerinas start too early. Pointe shoes are a big deal and have to be treated seriously. Ballet dancing can be done on pointe or not; it is all ballet. Pointe shoes make ballet dancing look magical and even daring. They create an illusion of lightness and give a sense that the ballerina is floating on air. Ballet is purely a beautiful style of dance; having a strong foundation in ballet can help dancers to prosper in all other genres.

In contrast to ballet, jazz is usually a more upbeat and fast tempo movement. Jazz is one of the most popular forms of dancing. Jazz has become so popular in recent years mainly due to its popularity on television shows, movies, music videos, and commercials. Jazz is perfect for anyone who simply loves to dance. It is much less complex than ballet and usually more relaxed, fun, and even sassy. Although jazz may be easier than ballet, it still consists of unique moves, fancy footwork, big leaps, and agile turns. Jazz is a tremendous form of exercise because of its fast movements to get the heart rate going. My favorite thing about jazz is the freedom to be myself while dancing. No two dancers interpret and execute the music and choreography the same way so all moves are done unique to that person. This style of dance is a great way to express individuality. Jazz seems to be the heart of a wide variety of styles. The different styles of jazz include: classic, lyrical, street-funk and swing. Each style is very different but they all trace back to jazz dancing. Dancing should be fun and jazz is most likely the way to go if a dancer is searching for a pleasant dancing experience. If someone has never danced in their life before, wants to get a real taste of the dance world and pick up some moves along the way, there is no better start than a Jazz lesson.

Tap dancing, one of the most unappreciated styles of dance, has been around for generations. It is much more thorough than people think. Tap was certainly much more popular in the early 1900s. Tap has diminished over the years due to its unpopularity with modern generations. This unique style of dance even dates back to the 1800s because it shares deep roots with clogging, an American type of dance in which rhythm is kept with the heel of the foot. Tap dancing is a variation of different taps, brushes, and turns while wearing special aluminum plated shoes. Good coordination is a fundamental element in being a good tap dancer because of the rapid and difficult footwork involved. Some would even refer to tap dancing as a form of composing music. Tap is characterized by using the sounds of tap shoes striking the floor as a form of percussion, similar to playing the drums. This production of music using the taps of the shoes make tap so much different than all styles because background music is not always necessary. The tap shoes can make their own music as well as portray dazzling choreography. Tapping takes years of experience and practice to master. It is surely a fantastic thing to get into if the dancer is looking for a challenge; it is difficult and a great deal of hard work and dedication. Patience is a vital aspect in tap dancing as well because it may take multiple attempts to get the footing just right with the counts. Tap dance can be adapted for any age or fitness level. There's tap dance classes for everyone out there; young children, senior citizens, and absolutely everyone in between.

There are so many different genres out there to give dancers numerous way to express themselves through the art of dance. Each and every style is different in its own way but they all share one thing in common; art. Dance is such an impactful way to adequately express oneself. Dance can be exciting, boring, difficult, or easy; as long as there is an interpretation of movement, art is constructed. All dancing is art, and the dancer is the artist. Artists have the ability to contribute their thoughts and ideas through a masterpiece created by something so simple; dancers do the same. As a dancer, I am able to take my emotions and invest them into something so fascinating, and that is a privilege I will never take for granted.