What is dance?

Dance is a performing art form consisting of purposefully selected

sequences of human movement. This movement has aesthetic and
symbolic value, and is acknowledged as dance by performers and
observers within a particular culture.
move rhythmically to music, typically following a set sequence of
steps.
move in a quick and lively way.

Elements of Dance
Space = Shape, Level, Direction, Pathways, Focus, Size
Time = Beat, Tempo, Accent, Rhythmic, Patterns, Duration
Force = Heavy/Light, Sharp/Smooth, Tensed/Relaxed,
Bound/Flowing

SPACE is the area surrounding a person in which he/she is able to

move while TIME is the duration of the movement. On the other hand,
FORCE is how the body uses energy.

Benefits of Dancing in :
Physical
- Improves condition in heart and lungs
- Increases muscular strength, endurance and motor fitness
- Increases aerobic fitness
- Improves muscle tone and strength
- Weight management
- Strong bones and reduces risk of osteoporosis
Emotional
- helps reduce stress, anxiety and depression
- helps us feel more connected and social
- encourage social bonds and friendships which are key factors in
improving our mood and mental health
Mental
- Improves mood, lowers stress and anxiety
- DANCE as a form of depression reduction
- DANCE as a tool of therapeutic expression and social anxiety
therapy
Social
- Improves physical health and fitness
- Keeps your mind sharp and improves reflexes
- Combats stress and improves self-confidence
- Widens social circle
 - Improves social interactions and can help conquer shyness
- Helps make or enhance a romantic connection
Moral or Spiritual
- Allows you to have a direct line of communication of God.
- Helps you meditate
- Allows you to be in a moment
- Provides an escape from harsh realities
- Provides a connection with others

Characteristics of Dance
Physical Strength
- Without physical fitness and stamina, dancers cannot successfully
perform. Their art requires hours of workouts to maintain proper
weight and fitness, as well as enough energy to physically withstand
long hours of rehearsal.
Creativity
- Dancers require creativity, which helps them to express the music
and story lines they dance to using unique body movements.
Team Work
- Dancers almost always need to work with others, even if they
occasionally perform solo. They must be able to take direction from
their choreographer, and the characteristic of teamwork is equally
essential for coordinating their dance routines with other dancers in
their company or production group.
Persistence
- Dancers do not achieve seamless performances without careful and
consistent practice – over and over again. It may take years before
they develop the expertise to perform professionally.
 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
archeological artifacts that can be found today, scientist 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.
This tradition continued in ancient Greece, where dance was used very
regular and openly to public (which eventually brought the birth of the
famous Greek theatre in 6th century BC). Ancient paintings from 1st
millennia clearly speak of many
dance rituals in Greek culture,
most notably the one before start
of each Olympian Games,
precursor to the modern Olympic
Games. As centuries went on,
many other religions infused
dance in the core of their rituals,
such as Hindu dance "Bharata
Nhatyam" which is preformed even
today.

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 integral part of the wealthy class.

European dances before the start of Renaissance were not widely

documented, any only few isolated fragments of their existence remain
found today. The most basic "chain shaped" dance practiced by
commoners was most widespread
across Europe, but the arrival of
Renaissance and new forms of music
brought many other styles in fashion.
Renaissance dances from Spain,
France and Italy were soon surpassed
by Baroque dances which became
widely popular in French and English
courts. After the end of French
Revolution, many new types of
dances emerged with focused on less
restrictive woman clothing, and tendency for skipping and jumping. These
dances soon became even more energetic in 1844 with the beginning of so
called "international polka craze" which also brought us the first
appearance of famous waltz.

After the short period of time when great ballroom masters created wave of
complicated dances, the era of modern day 2 person dance started with the
careers of famous ballroom dances Vernon and Irene Castle. After those
early years of 20th century many modern dances were invented (Foxtrot,
One-Step, Tango, Charleston, Swing, Postmodern, Hip-hop, breakdancing
and more) and the expansion of musical brought those dances into
worldwide popularity.

-SALVEDIA, JOE AIRE

-SUSON, MARY ANTONNETE
-VILLAGONZALO, FRANCINE
-MARATA, MATEO LOUIS
-RODRIGUEZ, TYRONE KENNETH