The Dance Academic is a structured set of rhythmic movements coupled with the beat of music, which is taught in schools or academies of dance. In many educational institutions, dance is one of the practices that complement the basic education that usually combines theory, scientific study and exercise with sport, here, a complete curriculum or teaching pattern is created in which students Students can opt for premiums or units of academic credit to get their degree, in addition to this, the body adopts a new discipline that complements the person.
What is dance
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The dance is part of one of the many bodily expressions that exist, has an ancestral origin and served so that the first human beings that populated the earth could communicate. This expression is generally expressed with the company of acoustic rhythms and each movement is special, for this reason it is considered a very important body language throughout the world.
The term has its genesis in the French dancier, which refers to a series of body movements in a chain that uses music as an essential complement. From its origins, dance has been taken into account as a universal language.
There are ancient records that prove the existence of dance as a means of communication, in fact, in prehistory it was used through the sounds that nature emitted.
The movements were characterized by being totally passionate and although they were primitive at first, little by little they were adopting delicate, soft elements, more subdued than at the beginning. Over the years, the clapping of the palms, the footsteps and the sound of the trees were replaced by instruments until, finally, the voice was included as a last and excellent element.
Each culture has different characteristics, all according to the tradition in which it originates, for this reason there are specific places that attract more attention, because the society where they have developed has special traditions and makes tourist mobilization increase. considerably, in this way, the particular details of that territory are known, traditions, language, gastronomy, etc. are learned. In this sense, dance has linguistic, cultural and social connotations. An example of this is Samba, African and Japanese dances.
Differences between dance and dance
Dance is an art used in many parts of the world and although it has certain similarities with dance, for example, the use of music, it also has a long list of differences that manage to individualize each discipline. If you start from the significant characteristics of the dance, you are facing concrete facts that relate the dance with movements to the beat, making use of the arms, legs and feet. The main term has rhythmic movements that involve the whole body, they are planned, precise and very aesthetic movements, this is seen in folk dance and contemporary dance.
Another aspect that differentiates both disciplines is that the dance has a free theme, there is no mandatory choreography to follow, thus understanding that there is freedom in the movements performed. Sure, there are specific exceptions.
In dance it is the opposite. In this art you have to rehearse and study the movements carefully because, in addition to dancing, the person is expressing himself, there is always a hidden message behind the steps transmitted to the public. This discipline is stricter than you think, especially when it comes to cultural choreographies that have specific unalterable steps.
Among the differences of both terms are their characteristics. In dance you don't need to study in depth, you just have to learn the basics to execute the movements, it is for entertainment purposes and it tends to be quite spontaneous. Everything changes with the dances, since it participates as an element of rituals, there are choreographies that must be practiced daily, organization and concentration are needed and, finally, there is a dress code according to the type of movement that is being executed. With all this it is quite clear that dance and dance have similarities, but they are not the same.
Dance elements
When talking about the elements of dance, one should immediately refer to the choreography, since it is she that brings together each element, perfects them and shapes them in the different cultural events that are celebrated in various cultures. These elements interrelate with each other, in this way, the emotions and the hidden message behind the body movements reach the public and expand in the artist's anatomy. The constant use of these components can vary according to culture.
That is to say, in the dances some elements may predominate more than others. Most need movements and expressions, but that does not mean that there are others whose objective is to highlight the rhythm. Everything is relative, always taking into account the culture or territory of origin.
Movement
This element is universal in dance, it covers exactly the entire anatomy. You cannot use a component without executing some movement and that includes facial expressions. Feelings are expressed through the body, so each movement must be fully studied. Although it was previously mentioned that not all components are recurring, this is essential.
Rhythm
This is part of the fundamental characteristics in all the arts. In this case, it is nothing more than the ability to move following visual or sound parameters, always following the order of other elements unrelated to these.
Expressions
Here we talk about both body and facial expressions. In both, many aspects of the dance are transmitted, it can be seen that the person is sad, hurt, happy, overwhelmed, full of anger or rage and that is perfectly what is sought, transmit the predominant emotions of that choreography that is being executing and making the audience feel the message with the same or greater intensity. With the look, many things can be deciphered, but with the body each and every one of the artist's thoughts can be felt.
Styles
These are artistic trends that predominate at a certain time and that are still used as a cultural method. Some are part of the traditions, others go down in history, giving the opportunity for other trends to be born and become known in the world. Today, choreographic styles are varied, some older and more respected than others, but all are part of art, the essence of transmitting a feeling and pleasing a specific audience with the artist's talent.
Dance types
This section has a special relationship with the styles of the different existing dances. On the one hand, there is folk dance, one that has clear characteristics of a certain territory, which embodies the culture and traditions, individualizing that area from the rest of the world, in short, an autochthonous dance. An example of this can be the Aztec dance, the deer dance and the dance of the old men, all originally from Mexico. There is also classical dance, which has a medieval heritage, however, over the years different movements have been added that have updated the dance technique.
Ballet perfectly enters into classical dance, being one of the most practiced disciplines in the world, with the highest rate of effort and audience. On the other hand, in the types of dance, there is contemporary dance, performed mostly by the youngest in the world (although there is no impediment for people of any age). Here the social identity of each artist is expressed in movements, expressions and in their way of dressing. In the types of dance styles prevail and these are just some of the many that exist around the world.
Hip hop
It is an indigenous culture of the Bronx, in New York, with movements close to the ground and a style that not only encompasses dance, but also rap, graffiti and DJing. It began in the early 70's and was practiced by young Puerto Ricans and African Americans, but over the years, the culture spread throughout the world, reaching unexpected corners. At present it is part of modern dance and. in fact, it is one of the most executed in the world.
Arabic dance
Better known as the dance of the belly, but the term is used incorrectly, it also needed from other parts of the body to be able to run the Arabic dance, hip being the main body element of culture. Its origin is from the Middle East, so it is applied in Egypt, Greece, North Africa, among others. In the past it was considered one of the ritual dances, that is, it was a type of sacred language. There is a dress code here.
Top-type shirts are used with countless striking accessories and a matching skirt, exposing the abdomen to appreciate the movements executed by dancers, professionals or beginners.
sauce
With Cuban origin, salsa is danced in pairs, however, there are different dance steps that work perfectly alone. This is one of the dances that denotes the sensuality of the Latin American. Little by little, like the other rhythms, it has reached every corner of the world.
Kuduro dance
It is originally from Angola and is part of the combination of different dance rhythms, including the Kizomba, ragga, sungura and Semba. The Kuduro dance is quite common in its country of Origin and in Portugal, in fact, the term comes from the Portuguese Cu Duro.
Aerial dance
Also known as aerial gymnastics, it is a fairly popular discipline nowadays, in addition to being complicated, it should be noted, since it takes enough strength in the upper and lower extremities to stay in the fabrics and perform the acrobatics. In this rhythm the contemporary style is combined with some sports techniques, so it is taken into account such as gymnastics and ballet.
Robot dance
The dance steps or techniques of this aspect seek to imitate the movements of a robot. The creator of this trend was Charles Washington.
But in addition, there are the types of rhythms characteristic of the different countries, in this case, those of Mexico will be reflected.
- Jarabe Tapatío: this is a choreography originally from Jalisco, dates from the 19th century and has international representation from Mexico, becoming known as the hat dance. This style is accompanied by Mariachis and the dance consists of stomping under flirtatious terms. It is a culture where the male character makes a kind of courtship to the woman, conquers her with his steps and techniques. In this type of dance, the female figure can move accepting the invitations of her dance partner or simply reject, always following the rules of the Jalisco tradition.
- Northern Polka: this is originally from Germany. He arrived in Mexico when the German population began to emigrate, reaching the north of the territory and providing part of their culture to the locals. These dances are ballroom and generally in pairs, with the company of instruments such as the saxophone. It is a quite cheerful style and is used in national or local holidays. The dance has been modified as the years go by and that also applies to the costumes, because, like some other dances, this one has a dress code that consists of flowered skirts, a white shirt and boots.
- La Bamba: It is part of the folklore of Veracruz and is one of the dances recognized throughout the Mexican territory, even reaching across borders and reaching some Latin American territories. It has a Spanish and Cuban combination, but with Mexican musical rhythms. It is danced in pairs, although this does not deny the possibility of making exchanges or adding one or more people. The bamba is considered the hymn of Veracruz, so all its inhabitants know the song and, of course, the dance steps of this wonderful folk choreography.
- Flor de Piña: represents Oaxaca, the indigenous culture of the town predominates and honors their ancestors. It is one of the few dances performed by women to represent indigenous Mexicans. The dance is born in San Juan Bautista Tuxtepec and has 3 phases, in the first one, the young women make the entrance by taking a tour of the site with slow steps, similar to a waltz, but following the rhythms of the music.
The second phase is to position yourself in a V shape and follow the most rhythmic and joyful steps, finally, a line is created in which they perform different steps, dancing all over the place.
What is academic dance
When talking about academic dance, one immediately refers to the Ballet, as this style is one of the most important and complicated in the whole world. It takes study and practice to be able to execute the movements, as well as a complete concentration and corporal and emotional balance to continue until the end. In academic choreography a deep academic nuance is needed, starting from the origins of dances to the most current. After this step, the techniques are explained, which will be mixed with the emotions and feelings that are sought to be externalized.
But in addition to the existing styles and dances, this one has a particular characteristic and that is that it has laws or security methods to protect the health and integrity of the artists and maintain the choreography given to each dancer in a state of perfection. It should be noted that the dancers of the academic dances must combine with the choreographies awarded, make them their own, feel them. In this way they will be able to experience the magnitude of emotions that melodies and movements convey and, finally, externalize it so that the public has the same effect. The instructions or classes are given by professionals in the area.
Apart from the Ballet, there is another predominant rhythm in academic dances, for example, the waltz, whose origin is from Austria but which has reached many countries in the world, especially in Latin America. This is a type of choreography that had a lot of prominence in the nobility, executed by important royal characters throughout history. The waltz has also been combined with the Ballet and its rhythms are quite in line with the opera. The waltz has different works according to the territory, for example, in Mexico Juventino Rosas and his theme on waves are known.
