For the love of Dance

Ballet, with all it's grace and beauty, is still one of the most popular styles of dance and is also one of the oldest recorded styles of dance, dating all the way back to the late 1400's. Ballet has become synonymous with tutu's, pointe shoes and grande story-telling, with such pieces as Romeo and Juliet, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle and The Nutcracker. The technique required to dance Ballet is so important to the movement and the flow of each routine, making each pirouette, grand-jete and rombersay seem effortless. The captivating stories, enchanting music and beautiful dance partnerships is what brings people back time and time again to watch classical ballet theatre.

photo credit: photo of Karen Kain, courtesy of www.artsalive.ca

Jazz is one of my favourite styles of dance; with its upbeat music, sharp lines and quick movements, jazz is fun to watch and to perform. This is the style that really brought dance to the masses (think that whole Jazz Era... ) by fusing African-American dance with Ballet form and technique. The energized movements of Jazz are engaging for both the young and the young at heart, and added with some great music, even those unwilling to step foot in a ballet theatre can appreciate and enjoy dance.

photo credit: Savage Jazz Dance Company, voiceofdance.com

Bojangles is the name that comes to mind when I think about Tap; with its toe-tappin' music, fancy footwork, cool top hats and zuit suits, even men were eager to learn this style of dance (...think how cool 'Singing in the rain' was - and still is.) With a heavy Jazz influence, Tap can have exciting formations, while using strong sharp arms, loose flowing arms, or no arms at all. Tap is entertaining to watch, and to perform!

Lyrical dance (not to be mistaken for Contemporary) is another of my favourites. This dance style combines the grace, beauty and technique of Ballet with the sharp lines of Jazz and the movement of Contemporary. Most often accompanied by emotionally powerful pop music, Lyrical dance is one that requires the dancer to truly perform from the heart, expressing strong emotions, and allowing each movement to flow from one movement to the next with interesting formations, leaps and floor work. Lyrical dance, with its captivating movement and heartfelt emotion is truly a dance that moves the spirit, making it as enjoyable to watch as it is to perform.

photo credit: courtesy of www.danceability.ca

Contemporary Dance is an engaging style that demands a full emotional connection from the dancer performing a Contemporary piece. While this style may use some of the techniques found in Ballet , Modern and Post-Modern dance, Contemporary mostly uses improvisation and various compositions to guide unchoreographed movement. This is a style where the dancer has free expression, often dancing with flat feet and using awkward arm and body positions... it is the dancers powerful emotions and interesting formations that engage the audience.

For many, when they think of Ballroom dance, they think of elderly couples dancing at weddings, or of period costumes and couples from long ago dancing in large formations across grand ballroom floors, but Ballroom dance is not just for old people and in fact is growing more and more popular with the rise of dance reality shows, such as 'So You Think You Can Dance.' Many dance studios, such as the 'Fred Astaire Dance Studio', offer classes in many styles of Ballroom dancing, including Tango, Waltz and Salsa to those who are eager to learn Ballroom dancing. As with Ballet, much technique is needed in order to dance the steps correctly; partners need to be strong and flexible and have great posture. To watch a pair of great dancers perform a waltz can be magical.