LESSON 1:

Pre – Printed Notes

Brief History of Dance
From the earliest moments of known human history, dance accompanied ancient rituals, spiritual
gatherings and social events. As a conduit of trance, spiritual force, pleasure, expression, performance
and interaction, dance became infused into our nature from the earliest moments of our existence - from
the moment when first African tribes covered themselves in war-paint to the to the spreading of music
and dance across all four corners of the world. Without a doubt, dancing remains one of the most
expressive forms of communications that we know.

The oldest proof of existence of dancing comes from the 9000 year old cave paintings that were found in
India, which depicts various scenes of hunting, childbirth, religious rites, burials and most importantly,
communal drinking and dancing. Since dancing itself cannot leave clearly identifiable archaeological
artifacts that can be found today, scientists looked for secondary clues, written word, stone carvings,
paintings and similar artifacts. Period when dancing became widespread can be traced to the third
millennia BC, when Egyptians started using dance as integral parts of their religious ceremonies. Judging
by the many tomb paintings that survived the tooth of time, Egyptian priests used musical instruments
and dancers to mimic important events - stories of gods and cosmic patterns of moving stars and sun.

Of course, not all dances in those ancient times were intended for religious purposes. Ordinary people
used dance for celebration, entertainment, seduction and to induce the mood of frenzied exhilaration.
Annual celebration in honor of Greek god of wine Dionysus (and later Roman god Bacchus) included
dancing and drinking for several days. 1400BC year old Egyptian painting showed the group of scantily
dressed girls who danced for the wealthy male crowd, supported by the several musicians. This kind of
entertainment continued to be refined, until medieval times and the start of the Renaissance when ballet
became an integral part of the wealthy class.

Definition
Dance, the movement of the body in a rhythmic way, usually to music and within a given space, for the
purpose of expressing an idea or emotion, releasing energy, or simply taking delight in the movement
itself. Dance is a powerful impulse, but the art of dance is that impulse channeled by skilful performers
into something that becomes intensely expressive and that may delight spectators who feel no wish to
dance themselves. These two concepts of the art of dance—dance as a powerful impulse and dance as a
skilfully choreographed art practiced largely by a professional few—are the two most important
connecting ideas running through any consideration of the subject. In dance, the connection between the
two concepts is stronger than in some other arts, and neither can exist without the other.

Elements of Dance
The Elements of Dance are the foundational concepts and vocabulary that help students develop
movement skills and understand dance as an artistic practice. 
The acronyms BASTE helps students remember the elements: 
 
Body    
- Refers to the weight of the dancers
- Know the technique on how to defy gravity; absorb the weight of the body

Action
- series of movement

    
Space     
- Personal Space: the space of the dancer among other dancers
- General Space: whole stage

Time    
- Duration of the tempo of the music
- Go how the tempo or how the rhythm of the music flows and incorporate the appropriate movements

Energy
- the capacity to execute movements
- would vary depending on who’s dancing
- helps in expressing movements

Minor Elements:
Music= must match the dance
Costume= help expounds the meaning of the dance, identifies the theme of the dance
Spectacle= audience

LESSON 2:
Pre – Printed Notes

Common Dance Forms

Ballet, theatrical dance in which a formal academic dance technique—the danse d’école—is combined
with other artistic elements such as music, costume, and stage scenery. The academic technique itself is
also known as ballet.

Modern Dance a free, expressive style of dancing started in the early 20th century as a reaction to
classical ballet.

Cultural Dance can be another term for folk dance, or sometimes even for ethnic dance. The term
'Traditional' is more frequently used when the emphasis is on the cultural roots of the dance.

Dance Sports is formal social dancing in couples, popular as a recreation and also as a competitive
activity. The ballroom dance repertoire includes dances developed from old European folk dances such as
the waltz, Latin American dances such as the tango, rumba, and cha-cha, and dances of 20th-century
origin such as the foxtrot and quickstep.

Pop dance originated in America in 1980. Pop dance is one of the most popular types of dance ever since
it was created. The word "Pop" comes from the word popular. Pop dance and music was always used in
clubs and never heard elsewhere until the 1990's when it started to become more popular and started to be
heard on radios, t.v. and much more. Pop dance became so popular because it was so easy to dance to and
the lyrics were very simple, But remained catchy. Pop dance was used in clubs to include everyone since
pop music is a very easy to dance to type of music.

Jazz dance is a performance dance technique and style that first emerged in the United States in the early
twentieth century. Jazz dance may refer to vernacular jazz or to Broadway or theatrical jazz. Both genres
build on African American vernacular styles of dancing that emerged with jazz music.

Dancesports are also example of a ballroom dance. The nature of the dance belongs to ballroom dancing.
Also called a couple dance
- Latin Dance & Modern Standard

Theatrical Dance
- Ballet: there are restrictions of movement
- Contemporary: mixture of the two; free movement
- Jazz: more on bad contouring

Lesson 3
Pre – Printed Notes
Fundamental Dance Positions
FEET POSITION

First Position-feet close and heels parallel

Touching toes at 45 degrees

Second Position-open parallel stride sideward

Third Position-feet close-crossed 

Heel in-step touching
Knees Locked

Fourth position- feet open-crossed

Fifth Position- Feet close-toes

ARM POSITION

First Position- Arms encircled in front at

chest level, relaxed, fingers slightly apart

Second Position-Arms raised sideways a

little below shoulder level.

 Third Position- one arm encircles overhead

in the other raised sideways

Fourth position- One arm encircles like first

position;The other arm overhead

Fifth Position- both arms overhead

Lesson 4
Pre – Printed Notes
Common Basic Folk Dance Steps

2 Time Signature Folk Dance Steps

4

1.Touch step- Point R foot in front( ct. 1), step R close to L (ct. 2). This is commonly done in front. =1M
2.Close step- Step R foot (ct. 1), close L to R foot (ct. 2) = 1M This may be executed in any directions
3. Change Step- Step R foot in front (ct. 1), step L close to R foot in rear (ct. and), step R foot quickly in
front (ct. 2). This may be executed in any directions.
4. Step-Point- Step R foot in front( ct. 1), point L foot in front (ct. 2) This step is executed in all
directions.
5.Plain Polka- Step L foot in front (ct.1), step R close to left foot in rear (ct. and), step L in front (ct.2),
pause (ct. and).
6. Hop polka- Hop on L foot and step R forward (ct.1), step L close to R in rear (ct. and), step R foot
forward (ct. 2) and pause (ct. and). This may be executed in any directions.
7. Heel and toe polka- Place L heel in fourth in front (ct.1), touch left toe in rear ( ct. 2), Take one plain
polka step forward, starting with the L foot (ct. 1, and 2, and).
8. Slide polka- Take two slide step forward and a plain polka: Slide L foot in front (ct. 1), close R to L
foot in rear ( ct. and), slide R foot in front ( ct. 2), close L foot in rear ( ct. and). Take one plain polka
forward starting with the L foot (cts. 1, and 2, and)

3 Time Signature Basic Folk Dance Steps

4

Some dance steps done in 2/4 time rhythm can also be done in 3⁄4 time. Review the step patterns of the
following basic dance steps which are done in 3⁄4 time and identify which dance step can be done in
2/4and 3⁄4 time signature.
1. Touch step- Point R foot in front( ct. 1 ), step R close to L ( ct. 2, 3 ). This is commomnly done in
front. =1M
2. Step point- Step R foot in front ( ct. 1), point L foot in front (cts. 2, 3 ) This step is executed in all
directions.
3. Step swing- Step R (cts. 1,2); swing L (ct. 3) or step R (ct. 1); swing L (cts. 2,3)Step hop step R (cts.
1,2); hop R (ct. 3) =1M
4. Close step- 1) Step R foot ( cts. 1 ), close L to R foot (cts. 2, 3 ) = 1M, ` or 2) Step R foot ( cts. 1, 2 ),
close L to R foot (ct. 3) = 1M This may be executed in any directions
5. Native waltz- Step L foot in front (ct.1), step R close to L in rear (ct.2), step L in front (ct.3) This may
be executed in all directions.
6. Cross waltz- Step R foot across the L foot in front and raise slightly the L foot across in rear (ct.1), step
the L foot close to R in rear( ct.2), step R foot in front (ct. 3). Step on the ball of the rear foot on the
second count.
7. Waltz balance- Step R in front (ct.1), close L foot to R in rear and raise heels (ct.2), lower heels with
the weight of the body on the R foot (ct.3). The knees are slightly bent before raising the heels. This may
be executed forward, backward, obliquely forward and backward, sideward right and left.
8. Three-step turn- step R (ct. 1) turn and step L(ct. 2); turn and step R (ct. 3); close L to R (ct. 1); pause
= 1M

4 Time Signature Basic Folk Dance Steps

4

1. SCHOTTISCHE CT.1234=1M step, close, step, hop (RAISE FOOT IN FRONT)

2. ESCOTIS CT.1234=1M step, close, step, hop (RAISE FOOT IN REAR)
3. CHOTIS CT.12341234=2M brush, raise, brush, raise, step, step, close or pause

Lesson 5
Philippine Folk dances
Pre – Printed Notes
Sample Luzon Folkdances 
Cariñosa (IPA: [ˌkariˈɲosa]) is a flirtatious Philippine group dance in the Maria Clara suite of Philippine
folk dances where the fan or handkerchief plays an instrumental role as it places the couple in a hard-to-
get romance scenario. Despite popular belief, Cariñosa has always been the national dance of the
Philippines, whereas the Tinikling is just a worldwide favorite.
Abaruray is a contraction of the words “Aba” and “Ruray”. “Aba!” is an exclamation which is
equivalent to “Hey!”,”Hi!”, or “Hail!” in English. “Ruray” is a nickname for Aurora.This dance is known
in the Philippines be several names, suchas “Hapayan”, “Tagayan”, “Pandango sa Baso”, and
“Abaroray”.In any social gathering in the remote “barrios” of the Philippines,it is customary to offer wine
to the visitors. The offering is usually made by a young lady. She goes around with a glass and a bottle of
native wine offering a drink to the visitors. This wine offering is a signal for the beginning of folk
dancing and singing.The musicians play the introduction of “Abaruray” music. The girl who is offering
the wine picks out a young man from among the guests and offers him a drink. This is her way of hinting
at her desire to dance with him. The young has to accept it or he commits a breach of etiquette and the
girl is offended. His acceptance of the drink will signify that he will dance with the girl. He then stands
and they begin dancing, with the girl leading him on. The girl dances with the glass of wine on her head
from which the young man drinks.Her dancing skill is shown in her ability to keep the glass on her head
and in not spilling a drop of the wine. The audience sing and clap their hands in time with the music. The
description given below is the “Abaruray” from Tayabas.
La Jota Manileña is a dance named after Manila, the old capital of the Philippines. The dance is an
adaptation of the Castilian Jota where dancers where where dancers use bamboo castanets and clack them
to provide music.The costumes are inspired by Spanish culture.
Maglalatik- This a mock war dance between the Muslims and the Christians that originated from Binan,
Laguna, Philippines. The dance is about a fight for the latik or coconut meat during the Spanish era.
Today, this dance is performed in honor of the town’s patron saint, San Isidro Labrador. All dancers are
male and are naked to the waist except for the coconut shells attached to their chests, backs and hips. The
Muslim dancers wear red trousers while the Christian dancers wear blue. There are also coconut shells on
their thighs and knees. As they dance, they touch these shells with their coconut shells on their hands.

Sample Visayas Folkdances 

Mananagat (Cebuano for "fisherman") is a mimetic dance that depicts fisherman at sea. Dancers in long-
line formations mimic women scooping water from the banca (canoe) with bamboo shells and men
wielding wooden paddles.
Itik – Itik is a mimetic dance that depicts the movements of wading and flying itik (ducks). Dancers
mimic the short swaying gait of waddling feet and the intense energy of close-crop flapping wings.
MANANGUETE (coconut wine tapper) reenacts the stages of making tuba (coconut wine). The dance
starts with movements that mimic the sharpening of the sanggot (scythe) and then proceeds to the
cleaning of kawit (bamboo container), climbing of the coconut tree, extracting of the sap, and finally, the
tasting of the tube.
KURADANG also known as curacha, is a lively wedding dance popular in Bohol, where it is performed
to the accompaniment of rondalla, an ensemble of string instruments.
Sample Mindanao Folkdances
Singkil also known as the Princess Dance or the Royal Maranao Fan Dance, the dance is based on the
Maranao interpretation of the ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana: the Darangen. The Singkil narrates a
scene in which Sita (Putri Gandingan) escapes her abductor, the demon king Ravana and is lost in the
forests of Alangka, thereupon being found by her husband, Prince Rama. Interesting to note is that in the
original Ramayana epic, Rama selects Hanuman, the Hindu monkey-god, to find Sita on his behalf; the
fact that in the Singkil it is Rama (Rajah Bantugan) who finds her suggests a modification of the original
Hindu narration in order to agree with monotheistic Islamic ideology. Kasingkil refers to the art of
moving one’s feet in and out of two clicking bamboo poles in imitation of Putri Gandingan who
gracefully avoided the falling trees brought about by an earthquake.
KARASAGUYON The dance is classified under Tribal dance. it originated from Lake Sebu, South
Cotabato. “Karasaguyon” of the T’boli portrays a polygamous male in the process of picking his next
wife from among four sisters vying for his attention. The jingling of beads and brass bells around their
waists and ankles provide musical accompaniment.
PANGALAY This dance is classified under Muslim/Moro dance. It is a popular festival dance in Sulu,
during wedding celebrations among the affluent families. They may last for several days or even weeks
depending on the financial status and agreement of both families. Dancers perform this dance to the
music of the kulintangan, gabbang, and agongs during the wedding feast.

Folk Dance according to Purpose

1. Occupational Dances- dances that depict actions, characteristics, occupations, industries, and phases
of human labor.
2. Religious or Ceremonial Dances- performed in connection with religious vows, practice, and
ceremonies. A religious dance may be performed to drive away evil spirits, ask for a favor to have child,
give thanks for having recoverd from sickness, favors granted and vows fulfilled.
3. Courtship Dances- dance that depict love-making or the love theme.
4. Wedding Dances- performed by newlyweds, by friends or relatives of each bride and groom or by the
father of the bride and mother of the groom.
5. Festival Dances- performed in connection with celebrations, a feast, a barrio fiesta, good harvest and
good fortune.
6. War Dances-intended to show imaginary combat or duel with the use of fighting implement like bolo,
kris or spear.
7. Comic Dances- dances with funny and humorous movements mainly intended for entertainment
8. Game Dance- dances that have some play elements and are for recreational purposes.
9. Social Dance-dances performed during social gathering.

Lesson 6
Itik – Itik Dance
Pre – Printed Notes

Itik-Itik
This dance originated from a dance called Sibay, which was performed to the tune of Dejado. The present
form got its name in the following manner.
At one baptismal party in Carmen, Lanuza,Surigao, a young lady called Kanang, (nickname for
Cayetana) who was considered the best dancer and singer of her time, was asked to dance the Sibay. She
became so enthusiastic and spirited during the performance that she began to improvise movements and
steps similar to the movements of ducks as they walk with short, choppy steps and splash water over their
backs while calling to their mates.
The people around who saw her dance liked it so much they all imitated her. The dance has since been
called Itik-Itik from the word Itik, which means duck.
This dance is now very popular among the Visayan settlers of the province of Surigao, especially in the
towns of Cantillan, Lanuza, and Carrascal. It is usually performed as a ballroom dance in social
gatherings. There are many variations of Itik-Itik steps from which the dancers make their selection and
combination.
 
The description below is for classwork or for demonstration.

COSTUME. Girls wear patadyong or balintawak style costume and Boy wear barong tagalog or camisa
de chino and white trousers. 
MUSIC is composed of two parts: A and B.

COUNT one, two, three to a measure.

FORMATION. If performed as a ballroom dance, couples are scattered around the room. For
demonstration, partners stand about six feet apart, Girl right side of partner when facing audience or
front. One to any number of pairs may take part in this dance.

LESSON 7:
Pre – Printed Notes

Different Kinds of Social Dancing/Ballroom Dancing

Waltz is a dance born in the suburbs of Vienna and in the alpine region of Australia. It is a smooth dance,
travelling around the line of dance. It is Characterized primarily by its rise and fall action. The shoulder
moves smoothly, parallel with the floor, not up and down. The head should turn in the direction of the
turn , otherwise the man’s head is upright and looking over the right shoulder of the lady. 
Polka is defined as a vivacious couple dance of Bohemian origin in duple time; was a basic pattern of
hop-step-close-step; lively Bohemian dance tune in 2/4 time.
Foxtrot originated by Vaudeville actor Harry Fox. He adopted the stage name of “fox” after his
grandfather.the combination of quick and slow steps permits more flexibility and gives much greater
dancing pleasure.
Tango,(the dance with the stop “Baille Con Carte”). Originating in Spain or Morocco, the Tango was
introduced to the New World by the Spanish settlers, eventually coming back to Spain with Black and
Creole influences. The story of Tango as told is that it started with the gauchos of Argentina. They wore
chaps that had hardened from the foam and sweat of the horse's body. Hence, gauchos walked with knees
flexed. They would go to the crowded night clubs and ask the local girls to dance. Since the gaucho
hadn’t showered, the lady would dance in the crook of the man’s right arm, holding her head back, Her
right hand was held low on his left hip close to his pocket, looking for a payment for dancing with him.
The man danced in a curving fashion because the floor was small with round tables, so he danced around
and between them.
Rumba is of Afro-Cuban origin, deriving from the days of Negros Slavery…and is an exotic dance with
violent and sinuous movements of hip, shoulder and torso.
Rumba contains three main characteristics that distinguish it from other dances:
1.the action is in the feet and the knees;
2.there is a delay shift of weight; and
3. the upper body is upright and quiet, with a focus on one’s partner.
These work together in a spot dance form to “tease” your partner into exotic and rhythmic taunting and
flirting, creating the excitement of a relatively slow and simple dance step.
Cha Cha, originally known as Cha-Cha-Cha,  is an offshoot of the Mambo. In the slow Mambo tempo,
there was a distinct sound in the music that people began dancing to, calling the step “the Triple
Mambo”. When the English dance Teacher Pierre Lavelle visited Cuba in 1952, he realized that
sometimes the Rumba was danced with extra beats. When he returned to Britain, he started teaching
these steps as a separate dance. The name could have been derived from the spanish Cha Cha meaning
“Nursemaid'' or “charchar” meaning to chew coca Leaves,’ or from ‘char’ meaning “tea”, or most likely
from the fast and cheerful Cuban dance: the Guaracha.It has also been suggested that the name Cha Cha
is derived onomatopoeically from the sound of the feet in the chasse which is included in many of the
steps. 
Mambo originated in Haiti. The word”Mambo” is the name of a Voodoo priestess in the religion brought
by the Negroes from Africa. There are three forms of mambo: single, double and triple.
Paso Doble is the “man’s” dance, portraying the story of the matador with (the female being) his cape,
where the matador is to wield his cape according to the “anger and intensity” of the roaring boar.
Quick Step or “joy” dance of ballroom dancing, is noted as a quick Foxtrot. It is characterized by a slow-
slow-quick-quick-slow rhythm performed relatively fast 48-52 bars/min.music that brings out all of the
“frills” it has.

LESSON 8:
Pre – Printed Notes

Cha Cha originally known as Cha-Cha-Cha is an offshoot of the Mambo. In the slow Mambo tempo,
there was a distinct sound in the music that people began dancing to, calling the step “the Triple
Mambo”.
When the English dance Teacher Pierre Lavelle visited Cuba in 1952, he realized that sometimes the
Rumba was danced with extra beats. When he returned to Britain, he started teaching these steps as a
separate dance.
The name could have been derived from the spanish Cha Cha meaning “Nursemaid” or “charchar”
meaning to chew coca Leaves,’ or from ‘char’ meaning “tea”, or most likely from the fast and cheerful
Cuban dance: the Guaracha.It has also been suggested that the name Cha Cha is derived
onomatopoeically from the sound of the feet in the chasse which is included in many of the steps.
Rhythm:    4/4, 4 beats per measure:  All steps break on count 2.   Slow    slow    quick-quick slow,  or 
step    step    cha-cha-cha   or  two  three   four-and  one

Posture:  head erect, straight back, bent knees, loose hips, Cuban Rhythm (like walking up stairs with
delayed weight placement.)
Flirty style Position:  Closed Latin position, two hands held, one hand hold and no hands in contact are
all used for the Cha Cha.  Eye contact with your partner should be maintained throughout all variations.
Variations Starter Step:  Breaks on count 2.  Man steps with L to the side, rocks back on R ft, forward on
L, cha cha cha-before going into basic to begin the dance.  Lady'’ step is:  Step R to R side, rock forward
on L, back on R, cha cha cha.