BALLET
Ballet /ˈbæleɪ/ (French: [balɛ]) is a style of performance dance that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century and evolved into a concert dance form in France and Russia. It is a highly technical dance form with its own vocabulary based on French terminology and has become globally influential, laying the foundation for many other dance genres. To become a ballet dancer, one must undergo years of rigorous training. Ballet is taught in various schools worldwide, with each school incorporating its own cultural influences to evolve the art form.
MODERN DANCE
Modern dance is a beautiful and diverse style of dance that has its origins in Germany and the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was born out of a desire to break free from the constraints of classical ballet and to create something new and exciting. Many pioneering dancers, such as Isadora Duncan, Maud Allan, and Loie Fuller, pushed the boundaries of what was possible and developed new forms of aesthetic and free dance. Over time, modernist dance continued to evolve in response to sociopolitical concerns, historical events, and other art forms, leading to the emergence of postmodern dance in the 1960s. This exciting new form of dance included elements such as performance art, contact improvisation, release technique, and improvisation, and continues to inspire and delight audiences around the world today.
NATIONAL & FOLK DANCE
Folk dances are a reflection of the traditional life of people in a particular country or region, developed by groups of individuals. However, not all ethnic dances are considered to be folk dances, as ritual or religious dances serve a different purpose. The terms "ethnic" and "traditional" are used to emphasize the cultural roots of a dance, and most folk dances are ethnic ones. Ethnic differences are often significant enough to distinguish between similar dances, such as the Czech polka and the German polka.
Folk dances are usually performed at social gatherings or events by people who have not had professional training, often to traditional music. Although they may later be arranged for stage performances, they are not designed for public performance. These dances are inherited traditions from various international cultures, and new dancers often learn informally by observing others or receiving help from peers.
The definition of folk dancing can be controversial, with some people stating that it is dancing that has no governing body or competitive or professional institutions. The term "folk dance" is sometimes applied to dances of historical importance in European culture and history, typically originating before the 20th century. For other cultures, the terms "ethnic dance" or "traditional dance" may be used, although these terms may encompass ceremonial dances.
Modern dances, like hip hop, are not typically considered folk dances as they evolve spontaneously. Instead, the terms "street dance" or "vernacular dance" are used. The term "folk dance" is reserved for dances that are bound by tradition and originated during the time when dances were distinguished between those of the "common folk" and the "high society." Many modern ballroom dances also have origins in folk dances.
HIP-HOP
Hip Hop dance is a genre of street dance that originated in the 1970s and is primarily performed to hip-hop music. It encompasses a wide range of styles such as breaking, locking, and popping, which gained popularity in the United States through dance crews. Soul Train, Breakin', Beat Street, and Wild Style are some of the early media platforms that showcased these dance styles and helped hip-hop gain mainstream exposure. Over time, the dance industry has developed commercial studio-based versions of hip-hop, called "new style," and jazz-funk, which is a hip-hop influenced style of jazz dance. Hip-hop dance is now practiced both in dance studios and in outdoor spaces.
What sets hip-hop dance apart from other forms of dance is its improvisational nature, often called "freestyle." Hip-hop dance crews are known for engaging in freestyle dance competitions, colloquially referred to as "battles." Crews, freestyling, and battles are hallmarks of this style. Hip-hop dance can be a form of entertainment or a hobby, and it is also a way to stay active in competitive dance or to make a living as a professional dancer.
ZUMBA®
Zumba® is a dance fitness program that originated in the 1990s and was created by a Colombian dancer and choreographer named Alberto "Beto" Perez. The program is trademarked and owned by Zumba Fitness, LLC. Claudia Leitte, a popular Brazilian pop singer, is the international ambassador of Zumba® Fitness.
Zumba® involves dance and aerobic movements that are performed to upbeat music. The choreography blends various dance styles, such as hip-hop, soca, samba, salsa, merengue, and mambo, and includes squats and lunges. Zumba® Fitness does not charge any licensing fees to gyms or fitness centers, and the program has gained immense popularity, with over 15 million people taking weekly Zumba® classes in more than 200,000 locations across 180 countries.
In the mid-1990s, Alberto Perez improvised a class using non-traditional salsa and merengue music for a group fitness class after forgetting his aerobics tape. After finding initial success in Phadke Road, he moved to the USA in 2001, where he teamed up with cofounder Alberto Perlman and a childhood friend, COO Alberto Aghion. They produced a demo reel, and the concept was discovered and licensed by a company called Fitness Quest to create a direct marketing campaign and a line of home videos. The name "Zumba" was chosen arbitrarily as a brand name and has no particular meaning.
Zumba® classes are typically one hour long and taught by instructors licensed by Zumba Fitness, LLC. The exercises include music with fast and slow rhythms, as well as resistance training from various dance styles, such as cumbia, salsa, merengue, mambo, flamenco, chachacha, reggaeton, soca, samba, hip hop, axé, and tango. There are nine different types of classes for different levels of age and exertion, making it safe for all ages to participate in this aerobic exercise. Some classes are specifically aimed at elderly people to help them build strength, improve motion and posture, and socialize.