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What Is Contemporary Dance?

The Combination of Several Dance Genres
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Phil Payne Photography / Getty Images
by Treva Bedinghaus
Updated April 01, 2017
Contemporary dance is a style of expressive dance that combines elements of several dance genres
including modern, jazz, lyrical and classical ballet. Contemporary dancers strive to connect the
mind and the body through fluid dance movements.

Contemporary dance stresses versatility and improvisation, unlike the strict, structured nature of
ballet. Contemporary dancers focus on floorwork, using gravity to pull them down to the floor.


This dance genre is often done in bare feet. Contemporary dance can be performed to many
different styles of music.

Pioneers of contemporary dance include Isadora Duncan, Martha Graham, and Merce
Cunningham. These contemporary dancers all believed that dancers should have freedom of
movement, allowing their bodies to freely express their innermost feelings.

Watch Now: How To Start Contemporary Dance


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