Learning About Dance: Dance as an Art Form and Entertainment
Edition: 9
Copyright: 2023
Pages: 270
Edition: 9
Copyright: 2023
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New Ninth Edition Now Available!
Learning about Dance: Dance as an Art Form and Entertainment introduces students to the exciting, daring, ever-changing, and dynamic world of dance.
Learning about Dance invites readers to experience the artistry and excitement of the dance world. The publication presents all aspects of dance as an art form, including chapters on: the choreographer; the dancer; the audience; different dance genres, including ballet, modern and contemporary dance and dance/theatre, jazz, musical theatre dance, tap, world dance, social dance, improvisation, creative movement; dance in education, and careers in dance.
Available in print and eBook formats, Learning about Dance: Dance as an Art Form and Entertainment:
- Features an expanded section on dance and technology and information on dance DVD and digital video distributors.
- Incorporates dramatic photos and helpful charts that illustrate text information, including photos of some of the world’s leading dance artists.
- Presents an expanded chapter on Modern and Contemporary Dance.
- Promotes hands-on, experiential learning through the use of integrated creative projects. Discussion question are also provided that require the student to synthesize information and use critical and creative thinking skills.
To view Teaching Students To Interpret and Critique Dance Webinar click here.
Preface
Features of this Book
Acknowledgments
About the Author
PART ONE: THE ART OF DANCE
Chapter 1: Dance as an Art Form
Dance and Society
Upper Paleolithic (30000−10000 B.C.E.)—Neolithic (7000−3000 B.C.E.) Periods
The Ancient Period: About 3000 B.C.E. to 400 C.E.
The Medieval Period: About 400 C.E. to 1400 C.E.
The Renaissance Period: About 1400 C.E. to 1700 C.E.
The Contemporary Period: 1700 C.E. to the Present
Art and the Aesthetic Experience
Summary
Table 1.1. Dance through the Ages
Discussion Questions
PART TWO: THE PARTICIPANTS
Chapter 2: The Choreographer
The Choreographer as Artist
The Creative Process
Choreographic Elements of Dance
Space
Time
Energy
Summary
Discussion Questions
Chapter 3: The Dancer
The Dancer as Artist
The Dancer’s Training
Summary
Discussion Questions
Chapter 4: The Audience
The Audience as Participant
Understanding Dance
Summary
Discussion Questions
PART THREE: DANCE GENRES
Chapter 5: Ballet
Early Ballet
Classical Ballet
Contemporary Ballet
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Ballet
Summary
Table 5.1. The Similarities and Differences between Classical and Contemporary Ballet
Table 5.2. Outline of Ballet Events
Discussion Questions
Major Figures in Ballet
The Beginnings: Sixteenth through the Eighteenth Century
The Romantics of the Nineteenth Century
The Russian Influence (1910−1930s)
Beyond the Russian Borders: Britain, France, and the United States (1930s−1940s)
Into the Present
Chapter 6: Modern and Contemporary Dance
Modern Dance: The Beginning
Post-Modern Dance
Dance-Theatre
Modern and Contemporary Dance Today
Summary
Table 6.1. Similarities and Differences between Traditional Modern Dance and Post-Modern Dance
Table 6.2. Outline of Modern, Post-Modern, and Contemporary Dance Events
Discussion Questions
Major Figures in Modern, Post-Modern, and Contemporary Dance
The Forerunners
The Pioneers
The Second Generation
The Post-Moderners
The Post-Moderners: Second Generation
The Next Wave
Chapter 7: Improvisation and Creative Movement
Improvisation
Creative Movement
Summary
Discussion Questions
Chapter 8: Dance Across Cultures
Defining Concert and Ritual Dance, and Folk Dance
Concert and Ritual Dance Across Cultures
Japan
Nigeria
Contemporary Influences on Dance Across Cultures
Folk Dance
Summary
Table 8.1. The Characteristics of Concert/Ritual Dance and Folk Dance
Discussion Questions
Chapter 9: Jazz Dance, Musical Theatre, and Tap Dance
Jazz Dance
Musical Theatre
Tap Dance
Summary
Table 9.1. Characteristics of Jazz Dance, Musical Theatre, and Tap Dance
Table 9.2. Outline of Jazz Dance, Musical Theatre, and Tap Dance Events
Discussion Questions
Major Figures in Jazz Dance, Musical Theatre, and Tap Dance
Leading to the Minstrels and Beyond
The Vaudeville Era
Broadway and the Movie Musical
The Masters of Yesterday and Today
Chapter 10: Social Dance
Ballroom and Popular Dance
Social Dance as Medicine
Table 10.1. Engaging In Social Dance
Summary
Table 10.2. Outline of Social Dance Events
Discussion Questions
PART FOUR: RELATED TOPICS
Chapter 11: Dance Production: Behind the Scenes of a Dance Concert
The Artistic Director
Steps in the Production Process
People Behind the Production: The Support Staff
The Artistic Collaborators
The Lighting Designer
The Costume Designer
The Set and Scenic Designer
Composers and Musicians
Dance and Technology
Summary
Discussion Questions
Chapter 12: Dance in Education and Careers in Dance
Dance in Education
Careers in Dance
The Final Word
Discussion Question
PART FIVE: ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Suggested Readings
Ballet: History and Criticism
Ballroom and Social Dance
Biographies and Autobiographies
Choreography
Dance Education/Dance Pedagogy
Dance Across Cultures
Jazz Dance, Musical Theatre, and Tap Dance
Modern and Contemporary Dance: History and Criticism
Philosophy and Aesthetics
Related Topics
Magazines, Periodicals, and Newspapers
Dance DVD and Digital Video Distributors
Dance on the Internet
Suggested Videos and DVDs
Endnotes
Bibliography
INDEX
Composers and Compositions
Terms
Nora Ambrosio is a Professor in the Department of Dance at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, where she has taught since 1988. Ms. Ambrosio has been instrumental in developing their highly acclaimed and nationally accredited dance program, and served as department chairperson from 1998–2011. Ms. Ambrosio currently teaches Dance in Contemporary Times, Dance Composition, Teaching of Dance, and Senior Capstone. She has also served as the Artistic Director of Slippery Rock University Dance Theatre. She is the author of Learning about Dance: Dance as an Art Form and Entertainment and The Excellent Instructor and the Teaching of Dance Technique, 3rd Edition, published by Kendall Hunt Publishing Company, 2018. She received her M.F.A. in Dance from Smith College in Massachusetts. Ms. Ambrosio is an active choreographer, working in the jazz dance, modern dance, and dance/theatre genres.
Lindsay Guarino's Review in Journal of Dance Education - August 27, 2019
Learning about Dance: Dance as an Art Form and Entertainment is a wonderful text for my dance appreciation students. It is clear, concise and includes a breadth of knowledge accessible to students who have no previous experience to the dance art form.
Meredith Lyons, Assistant Professor of Dance, Colorado Mesa University
I teach an online dance appreciation course that serves as an art and/or culture course intended for non-dance majors. In my experience, Learning About Dance: Dance as an Art Form and Entertainment provides an accessible and informative guide that touches on numerous performative aspects of dance, everything from the extensive history of Western ballet, to cultural dances of indigenous peoples. I feel this resource has provided my students with useful information about dance as a performance art, all while encouraging personal reflection, in a fun and easy to understand manner!
L. Carina Fourmyle, Choreographer / Dance Educator, Montclair State University
New Ninth Edition Now Available!
Learning about Dance: Dance as an Art Form and Entertainment introduces students to the exciting, daring, ever-changing, and dynamic world of dance.
Learning about Dance invites readers to experience the artistry and excitement of the dance world. The publication presents all aspects of dance as an art form, including chapters on: the choreographer; the dancer; the audience; different dance genres, including ballet, modern and contemporary dance and dance/theatre, jazz, musical theatre dance, tap, world dance, social dance, improvisation, creative movement; dance in education, and careers in dance.
Available in print and eBook formats, Learning about Dance: Dance as an Art Form and Entertainment:
- Features an expanded section on dance and technology and information on dance DVD and digital video distributors.
- Incorporates dramatic photos and helpful charts that illustrate text information, including photos of some of the world’s leading dance artists.
- Presents an expanded chapter on Modern and Contemporary Dance.
- Promotes hands-on, experiential learning through the use of integrated creative projects. Discussion question are also provided that require the student to synthesize information and use critical and creative thinking skills.
To view Teaching Students To Interpret and Critique Dance Webinar click here.
Preface
Features of this Book
Acknowledgments
About the Author
PART ONE: THE ART OF DANCE
Chapter 1: Dance as an Art Form
Dance and Society
Upper Paleolithic (30000−10000 B.C.E.)—Neolithic (7000−3000 B.C.E.) Periods
The Ancient Period: About 3000 B.C.E. to 400 C.E.
The Medieval Period: About 400 C.E. to 1400 C.E.
The Renaissance Period: About 1400 C.E. to 1700 C.E.
The Contemporary Period: 1700 C.E. to the Present
Art and the Aesthetic Experience
Summary
Table 1.1. Dance through the Ages
Discussion Questions
PART TWO: THE PARTICIPANTS
Chapter 2: The Choreographer
The Choreographer as Artist
The Creative Process
Choreographic Elements of Dance
Space
Time
Energy
Summary
Discussion Questions
Chapter 3: The Dancer
The Dancer as Artist
The Dancer’s Training
Summary
Discussion Questions
Chapter 4: The Audience
The Audience as Participant
Understanding Dance
Summary
Discussion Questions
PART THREE: DANCE GENRES
Chapter 5: Ballet
Early Ballet
Classical Ballet
Contemporary Ballet
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Ballet
Summary
Table 5.1. The Similarities and Differences between Classical and Contemporary Ballet
Table 5.2. Outline of Ballet Events
Discussion Questions
Major Figures in Ballet
The Beginnings: Sixteenth through the Eighteenth Century
The Romantics of the Nineteenth Century
The Russian Influence (1910−1930s)
Beyond the Russian Borders: Britain, France, and the United States (1930s−1940s)
Into the Present
Chapter 6: Modern and Contemporary Dance
Modern Dance: The Beginning
Post-Modern Dance
Dance-Theatre
Modern and Contemporary Dance Today
Summary
Table 6.1. Similarities and Differences between Traditional Modern Dance and Post-Modern Dance
Table 6.2. Outline of Modern, Post-Modern, and Contemporary Dance Events
Discussion Questions
Major Figures in Modern, Post-Modern, and Contemporary Dance
The Forerunners
The Pioneers
The Second Generation
The Post-Moderners
The Post-Moderners: Second Generation
The Next Wave
Chapter 7: Improvisation and Creative Movement
Improvisation
Creative Movement
Summary
Discussion Questions
Chapter 8: Dance Across Cultures
Defining Concert and Ritual Dance, and Folk Dance
Concert and Ritual Dance Across Cultures
Japan
Nigeria
Contemporary Influences on Dance Across Cultures
Folk Dance
Summary
Table 8.1. The Characteristics of Concert/Ritual Dance and Folk Dance
Discussion Questions
Chapter 9: Jazz Dance, Musical Theatre, and Tap Dance
Jazz Dance
Musical Theatre
Tap Dance
Summary
Table 9.1. Characteristics of Jazz Dance, Musical Theatre, and Tap Dance
Table 9.2. Outline of Jazz Dance, Musical Theatre, and Tap Dance Events
Discussion Questions
Major Figures in Jazz Dance, Musical Theatre, and Tap Dance
Leading to the Minstrels and Beyond
The Vaudeville Era
Broadway and the Movie Musical
The Masters of Yesterday and Today
Chapter 10: Social Dance
Ballroom and Popular Dance
Social Dance as Medicine
Table 10.1. Engaging In Social Dance
Summary
Table 10.2. Outline of Social Dance Events
Discussion Questions
PART FOUR: RELATED TOPICS
Chapter 11: Dance Production: Behind the Scenes of a Dance Concert
The Artistic Director
Steps in the Production Process
People Behind the Production: The Support Staff
The Artistic Collaborators
The Lighting Designer
The Costume Designer
The Set and Scenic Designer
Composers and Musicians
Dance and Technology
Summary
Discussion Questions
Chapter 12: Dance in Education and Careers in Dance
Dance in Education
Careers in Dance
The Final Word
Discussion Question
PART FIVE: ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Suggested Readings
Ballet: History and Criticism
Ballroom and Social Dance
Biographies and Autobiographies
Choreography
Dance Education/Dance Pedagogy
Dance Across Cultures
Jazz Dance, Musical Theatre, and Tap Dance
Modern and Contemporary Dance: History and Criticism
Philosophy and Aesthetics
Related Topics
Magazines, Periodicals, and Newspapers
Dance DVD and Digital Video Distributors
Dance on the Internet
Suggested Videos and DVDs
Endnotes
Bibliography
INDEX
Composers and Compositions
Terms
Nora Ambrosio is a Professor in the Department of Dance at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, where she has taught since 1988. Ms. Ambrosio has been instrumental in developing their highly acclaimed and nationally accredited dance program, and served as department chairperson from 1998–2011. Ms. Ambrosio currently teaches Dance in Contemporary Times, Dance Composition, Teaching of Dance, and Senior Capstone. She has also served as the Artistic Director of Slippery Rock University Dance Theatre. She is the author of Learning about Dance: Dance as an Art Form and Entertainment and The Excellent Instructor and the Teaching of Dance Technique, 3rd Edition, published by Kendall Hunt Publishing Company, 2018. She received her M.F.A. in Dance from Smith College in Massachusetts. Ms. Ambrosio is an active choreographer, working in the jazz dance, modern dance, and dance/theatre genres.
Lindsay Guarino's Review in Journal of Dance Education - August 27, 2019
Learning about Dance: Dance as an Art Form and Entertainment is a wonderful text for my dance appreciation students. It is clear, concise and includes a breadth of knowledge accessible to students who have no previous experience to the dance art form.
Meredith Lyons, Assistant Professor of Dance, Colorado Mesa University
I teach an online dance appreciation course that serves as an art and/or culture course intended for non-dance majors. In my experience, Learning About Dance: Dance as an Art Form and Entertainment provides an accessible and informative guide that touches on numerous performative aspects of dance, everything from the extensive history of Western ballet, to cultural dances of indigenous peoples. I feel this resource has provided my students with useful information about dance as a performance art, all while encouraging personal reflection, in a fun and easy to understand manner!
L. Carina Fourmyle, Choreographer / Dance Educator, Montclair State University