Barit, Leshly Marisol A.

2nd BA Political Science

PHE 103 1pm to 3pm

1. Discuss the main objectives of Contemporary dance.

The aim of the dance is to develop students who are sensitive and articulate
physical and verbal communicators of the visual art of dance; who are proficient in the
analysis of dance in its cultural manifestations, leading them beyond knowledge of a
culture to an understanding and celebration of difference; and who are flexible, creative
thinkers able to perceive, examine and evaluate different points of view.

Contemporary dance incorporates many different styles of dance such as ballet,

jazz, lyrical and modern dancing. Contemporary dance was created mainly by a mix of
ballet and modern dance. A certain characteristic that contemporary dance has is strong
and controlled legwork that is like that of ballet. Contemporary dance puts a lot of stress
on the torso, which is like modern dance. In contemporary there is also contact and
release. Contemporary dances involve a lot of floor work. The dancer allows him or
herself to be pulled down to the floor by gravity and spend a lot of the dance on the
floor. Dancer generally do not wear shoes when preforming contemporary dances and
will dance to a large range of music, but generally slower songs.

The purpose of contemporary dance is to let the dancer express his or her inner
emotions to the audience. The dancer tells a story to the audience, that is generally sad
or depressing in hopes of making them an emotion. The dancer with utilize the song to
move the audience. Contemporary is studied in universities and is taught in most dance
studios by professionals. Also, this form of dance is used for the dancer to let out
emotions and express what he or she is feeling.

In Conclusion, the objective of Contemporary dance 1) engage students in the

collaborative process. 2) To strengthen students' creative skills in live performance
through the study of craft and technique. 3) To engage critical studies and histories
of dance, theater, and performance with rigor and curiosity. 4) let the dancer express his
or her inner emotions to the audience. The dancer tells a story to the audience, that is
generally sad or depressing in hopes of making them an emotion.

2. What are the basic skills in ballroom dance?

The basic skills of ballroom dance are the steps and style. First, are the basic steps,
these are the following basic steps I research about ballroom dance.

1. Triple step - Triple steps are popular in swing dancing. The Triple Step is a
three-step sequence taken on two beats of music. If the first step of the triple
step is taken on count 1, the second step is taken on the half beat between
counts 1&2, and the third step is taken on count 2. The step timing is often
called out as 1&2. Usually the triple step is two quick steps and one slow,
called out as "quick-quick-slow", or, using numbers, as "one-and-two.”
2. Rock Step - Here we see a sequence of two steps called a rock step. The
step timing is usually slow-slow.
3. Basic of East Coast Swing - The combination of two triple steps and a rock
step form the basic step of triple timing swing or the East Coast Swing. The
step timing is usually called out as 1&2, 3&4, 5,6.
4. Ball-Change - Here we see a sequence of two steps called a ball-change.
Weight on the ball of the foot is changed to the other foot.
5. Kick Ball Change - A popular swing dance step is the kick-ball-change step,
which can be used to replace the rock step. The timing is usually 1&2.
6. The Basic Step of the Carolina Shag - The combination of two triple steps and
a kick ball change can be used in triple timing swing dances such as the
Carolina shag.
7. Coaster Step - The coaster step is usually a back-together-forward triple step
danced to the timing of 1&2 or quick, quick, slow.
8. Sailor Step - The sailor step has a side to side look. It is also a triple step
danced to the timing of 1&2. The step is accomplished by leaning in the
opposite direction of the crossing foot.
 9. Anchor Step - The anchor step is a stationary triple step danced in third foot
position to the timing of 1&2. It is popular in the west coast swing.
10. Grapevine - The grapevine is a continuous traveling step pattern to the side
usually with alternating crosses behind and in front of the supporting foot.
11. Lock Step – The lock step is usually danced to triple step timing. During the
step, the lower part of the legs crosses such that the back leg becomes
locked behind the leading leg until the leading leg moves forward. The lock
step is often used in the triple step of the cha cha.

While the basic styles in skills of ballroom dance are these:

1. Waltz
This is the most commonly thought-of dance when someone mentions
ballroom dancing. It is 28 bars per minute, done in 3/4 time, and it can be
romantic.
2. Tango

Ballroom tango is different when compared with Argentine tango. It has a

2/4-time signature, and it is 32 bars per minute. While ballroom tango can
certainly be romantic, sensual might be a better word to describe this popular
dance.

3. Foxtrot

This is an all-American dance set to jazz music and can be fast or slow
depending on the band.

4. Quickstep

This dance is inspired by the foxtrot, but it takes on a much quicker tempo,
hence the name.

5. Viennese Waltz

As soon as the 3/4-time music starts, the ballroom studio will become
ablaze with the quick and passionate flow of this ‘old school’ waltz.
6. International Latin Samba

A bouncy dance that is partnered for competitions, but as the national

dance of Brazil, it is solo.

7. Cha-Cha
This flirtatious dance can be thought of as a slower mamba. Much hip
movement will be involved.
8. Rumba

Many people consider the rumba to be the most passionate and romantic
dance on this list. It is incredibly complex and involves many different hip
movements.

9. Jive
A spicy swing dance set to big band music in which the man leads and the
women encourage more men to ask them to dance.
10. Paso Doble

The man dances as if he was a bull, and the woman as if she was
bullfighter.

3. How to dance modern and contemporary with music?

How do we dance modern and contemporary dance with music? When we

dance. we must have rhythm timing with the steps we do while the music is playing,
and the music used in the song must be compatible with steps in the dance.
Example is if the music is about love then dance moves must be connected with
love.

The modern dance styles do not have set rules. Modern dancers often create
their own dance routines using their emotions and moods, but on the other hand,
many performances are choreographed.
 Modern dancers prefer a more relaxed and free style of dancing. While ballerinas
try to be light on their feet, modern dancers use body weight to increase movement.
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. The term “contemporary” is somewhat misleading: it describes a
genre that developed during the mid-20th century and is still very popular today.

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.