The Dance Experience: Insights into History, Culture and Creativity

Using a global approach, this collection of 22 original essays considers ballet, modern, jazz, and tap dance, Broadway and movie dance, folk, ethnic, and social dance. Students, professionals, instructors and enthusiasts will learn how to look at dance and how to appreciate dance styles from around the world. Providing an understanding of the history, evolution, and universality of dance, it explores the significance of dance in culture, its relationship to other art forms, the contributions of great choreographers, dancers, and teachers, and the creative process. Section One details the vibrant diversity of the world of dance from Asia, Africa, Europe, North America and Latin America. Section Two provides insights into dance teaching, criticism, and the craft and artistry of dance. An extensive annotated Appendix of Video/Film Resources gives suggestions for viewing dance to enhance the dance experience.