LESSON 1: INTRODUCTION TO DANCE

LESSON CONTENT

Dance (Sayaw)
Sayaw – saya happy, Dansom stretching results to dance
 it has a therapeutic effect to the dancers
 They do not simply heal some pain
 It gives satisfaction and success

Typically, rhythmic and to music, used as a form of audience entertainment in a performance setting. It is a powerful
impulse, but the art of dance is that impulse channeled by skillful performers into something that becomes intensely expressive and
that may delight spectators who feel no wish to dance themselves.

There are two concepts on the arts of dance:

1. Dance as a powerful impulse and dance as skillfully choreographed art practiced largely by a professional few.
2. The most connecting ideas are running through any consideration of the subject. In dance, the connection between two concepts is
stronger than in some other arts, neither and can exist without the other.

Components of Dance
1. Dancer - Dancers are not just performing artist; their bodies are also the instruments through which the art is created. The quality of
art is dependent on the physical qualities and skills of the dancers.
2. Basic steps and formation - The basic steps and formation of a dance depends on the kind of whom the dancers present. Basic
dance steps in ballet and modern dance is of difference art the basic steps and formation of folk dance and social dance.
3. Choreography - is the art of making dance, the gathering and organization of movement in order and pattern . A choreographer
needs to master the dance.
The choreographer must be:
 A dancer or a former dancer
 Someone who has studied dance techniques and who understands the capabilities and limitations of his aesthetic
material; that is the human body.
 Someone who has a variety of steps at his command to avoid monotony; and
 Someone within imagination and feeling who can give character and beauty to the dance.

TYPES OF DANCE
1. Ballet - Ballet serves as a backbone for many other styles of dance, as many other dance genres are based on ballet. Ballet is based
on techniques that have been developed over centuries. Ballet uses music and dance to tell stories. Ballet dancers transport audience to
another world.

2. Jazz - Jazz is a fun dance style that relies heavily on originality and improvisation. Many jazz dancers mix different styles into their
own expression. Jazz dancing often uses bold, dramatic body movements, including body isolation and contractions.

3. Tap - Tap dancing is an exciting form of dance in which dancers wear special shoes equipped with metal taps. Tap dancers use their
feet like drums to create rhythmic patterns and timely beats.

4. Hip-hop - Hip-hop dance style usually danced to hip-hop music that evolves from the hip-hop culture. Hip-hop includes various
moves such as breaking, popping, locking and krumping, and even house dance. Improvisation and personal interpretation are
essential to hip-hop dancing.

5. Modern - Modern style is a dance style that rejects many of the strict rules of classical ballet, focusing instead on the expression of
inner feelings. Modern dance was created as a rebellion against classical ballet, emphasizing creativity in choreography and
performance.
6. Swing - Swing dance is lively dance style in which couples swing, spin and jump together. Swing dancing is a general term that
means dancing to swing music or music that “swings”.

7. Country and Western - Country and Western dance includes several dance forms usually danced to country-western music.

8. Belly Dance - Belly dance is a unique form of dance characterized by sharp rolling movements of the hips and abdomen.
9. Latin Dance - Latin dance is a fast paced, often sensual, partner dance characterized by sexy hip movements . However hip
movements are not intentional in any of the Latin dances. The hip motion is a natural consequence of changing weight from one foot
to the other.

10. Folk Dance - It usually deals with traditional representation belonging to the past. Its cultural characteristic is specific to the
people of a given time and place. The people and place may not be exact but its origin could be assumed. Folk dance also has national
items particularly the costume. It is universal.

BASIC ARMS POSITION

1. Arms Raise to a Circle at Chest Level
This is also known as the first position.
2. Open Arms Sideward
Elbows slightly rounded pointing downward to the ground; it is also known in dance as second position.
3. Raise Arms Sideward
While the other arm stays in the second position the other is raised overhead. This is the third position.
4. In front of the chest raise one arm while the other remains overhead.
This is the fourth position.
5. Raise Both Arms Overhead Forming a Graceful Curse.
This is the fifth dance position.

FEET POSITION

1. Toes of both feet are turned out of both feet are placed together. This is referred
to as the first position.
2. From the first position, the right foot is placed sideward with heels apart from
the line. This is referred to as the second position.
3. Pull the heel of the right foot to the instep of the left foot. This is the third
position.
4. From the third position, obliquely bring the right foot forward; the right toe
points outward. This is the fourth position.
5. Place the heel of the right foot to the toe of the left. This is the fifth position.

Figure 1.1 Fundamental positions of Arms and Feet

DANCE TERMS

1. Arms in Lateral Position.

 Two arms are suspended all together to both sides of the dancer
2. Bleking
 The heel of the foot is placed on the floor
3. Bow
 An act showing salute of honor to the audience or to the partner or opposite dancer; it is done before and after the dance
performance.
4. Brush
 An act of sweeping the foot against the floor
5. Cabeceras
 The word is Spanish origin which mean head. It refers to the couple of dancers occupying the length of the hall while other
dancers are making a square formation.
6. Costados
 It is also known as side pairs. Couple of dancers occupying the width of the dance hall while other dancers are making a
square formation.
7. Cut
 A quick transferring of a body’s weight from one foot to the other.
8. Do si- do
 In a moment the dance partners face each other; then, they exchange place passing either left or right with their shoulders,
without turning.
9. Free-foot
 foot without the weight of the body
10. Free-hand
  The hands without movement or anything being held, hands resting on the waist
11. Hayonhayon
 This refers to the free swinging of hands.
12. Inside Foot
 A dancer’s foot meets the partner’s foot while they stand side by side
13. Inside Hand
 The performer’s hand is near that of his partner’s standing side by side
14. Jaleo
 Elbows of dance partners almost touching each other while doing a step or walking
15. Kumintang
 Clockwise or counter clockwise movements of the hands from the waist.
16. Kundaykunday
- It is exactly the same with the kumintang only this one is done in a faster way.
17. Leap
 An act of jumping on one foot and landing on the other foot
18. Outside Foot
 A dancer’s foot away from that of the partner’s as they stand side by side
19. Outside Hand
 The hand of the performers away from his partner
20. Pivot
 Turning the body using the ball of the foot that is fixed in a place.
21. Place
 Putting the foot on the ground without giving the body weight on it. Direction of the foot depends on the desired place.
22. Point
 A light touch on the ground of the toes of one of the feet with the weight of the body on the other foot.
23. Salok or sarok
 This is swinging on the arm to a download and upward direction passing through the front side of the body, in doing it trunk
is bent forward.
24. Set
 It is made up of two dancers, the unit of a dance formation.

25. Slide
 An act of a forceful bringing of the foot to the ground without the weight of the body in it.
26. Stamp
 An act of a forceful bringing of the foot to the ground without the weight of the body in it
27. Step
 An act of transferring the weight of the body from one foot to another
28. Supporting Foot
 The foot that carries the weight of the entire body
29. Whirl
 An act of a fast turn using a small step

LESSON 2: TRADITIONAL DANCE (ETHNIC DANCE)

LESSON CONTENT

Countries in the world have their own culture made more colorful, beautiful and vibrant because of FOLK DANCES that are
reflection of who they are. In the east, the Chinese have their symbolic Dragon Dance, the Japanese have the ancestral dance Bon
Odori, In the west, the Americans have their Square Dance. On the other hand, the Philippines will not be left behind. “The pearl of
the Orient” Boasts of a variety of Filipino Folk Dances.

Ethnic dances are found among the ethno linguistic groups scattered all over the Philippine islands, who have not been substantially
Westernized, either by Spain or the United States.

3 forms of ethnic dance:

a. the ritual dances, which connect the material world to the spiritual
b. the lifecycle dances, which celebrate an individual’s birth, baptism, courtship, wedding, and demise
c. the occupational dances, which transform defense and livelihood activities to celebratory performances.
At the base of ethnic dance are those that imitate nature and life while at the social core are perform rituals that keep an ethnolinguistic
group which is spirited and cohesive.

Different Birds and Fowls that became inspiration for the various ethic dances;
 Tikling - adept rice-preying birds interpreted into TINIKLING
 Itik - ducks, into ITIK-ITIK
 Kalapati - doves, into KALAPATI and SINALAMPATI
 Klingkingan - swift, clicking birds, into a dance named after them

o DIWATAS- spirit that dwells in nature

o BABAYLAN- Local version of Shaman

The Ethnic groups perform a panoply of dances that show their musical skills. These are the following tools and equipment
that ethnic group used.
 Haglong- boat-shape guitar
 Kubing- carved jaws harp
 Dabakan- various drums like the goblet-shaped
 Kulintang- gongs
 Gabbang- Bamboo xylophone

RITUALS

1. Pagdiwata of the Tagabanwa of Palawan - thanksgiving ritual and is linked with harvest time and full moon.
 She dances armed with a hood, palaspas (fronds), kris or dagger, to the accompaniment of gongs. Dancing swaying in a
swing, she goes into a trance to commune with a spirit, especially the one called MAGUINDUSA.
2. The Subanons of Zamboanga - set up a platform above ground, centered around a long pole (pathaw) that digs like a pestle into a
log (dulugan) that serves as a resonating mortar from below.
 They dance the Buklog that is also officiated by a Babaylan to address the spirit.
 Sundayo- a ritual where people bounce up and down and around to sound out a communal call to the gods and ancestor.

Other rituals:
1. Dugso of the Bukidnon
2. Anito Baylan of the Mandaya
3. Bawi of the Itneg
4. Anituan of the Negrito of Luzon

Different Ethnic Dances

a. People’s life-cycle - blessing a child among the Bago (an Itneg group) is done in the Gabook, where the officiating by the
mandadawak (the north’s babaylan) dances.
b. The coming of age of a girl is dramatized in the Pandamgo of the Matigsalug (culminating in a deathly combat between
suitors)
c. Pangalay and Lunsay dances of the Tausug and Jama Mapun exhibits a slow spectacle or a game
d. The ifugao’s Talip is a courtship dance that approximates those of the fowls;
e. Marriages are always with dances as the Yakan’s Pagkawin, Bagobo’s Kasal sa Banig and Pagasawa-uy of the
Matigsalug
f. Udol - a musical log of the Tagkaolo, they dance to call the on the dead spirits to come home from a distance battle.
g. Idudo - the Integ man raise up their babies with singing and dancing, while their women are in the fields

LESSON 3: TRADITIONAL DANCE (FOLK DANCE)

LESSON CONTENT

PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE

1. Binasuan- originated in Pangasinan Province “meaning with the use of drinking glasses”, this vibrant dance basically shows off
balancing skill of the performers.
2. Rogodon- Originated from Spain, this dance is commonly performed at formal affairs like inaugural balls.
3. PandanggosaIlaw- Originated from Lubang Island in Mindoro. It is characterized by lively steps and clapping while following a
varying ¾ beat. Pandanggo requires excellent balancing skills of the performers.
4. Sublian- The dancers appear to be lame and crooked throughout the dance. This version is originally a ritual dance of the native of
the Bauan, Batangas, which is shown during fiestas as a ceremonial worship dance to the town’s icon, the holy cross.
5. Kuratsa- Commonly performed in the festivals in Bohol and other Visayan towns, this dance portrays a youngs couple’s attempt to
get each other’s attention. It is performed in moderate waltz style.
6. Itik- itik- Originated in Surigao Del Norte, it is performed by imitating the movements of an “itik”, a duck, as it walks with choppy
steps and splashes water on its back while attracting its mate.
7. Tinikling- It is considered as the national folk dance with a pair of dancers hopping between two bamboo poles held just above the
ground and struck together in time to music. Originated from Leyte Province. This dance mimic movement of “tikling
birds”.
8. Maglalatik- Originally performed in Binan Laguna as a mock war dance that demonstrates a fight between Moros and the
Christians over the prized latik or coconut meat during the Spanish rule. All dancers are male with harness of coconut
shells attached on their chest, backs, thighs and hips.
9. Cariñosa- a word that describes an affectionate, friendly and lovable woman. This dance is performed in flirtatious manner with
fans and handkerchiefs to assist the dancers hide and seek movements.
10. Sakuting- Originated in Abra, this dance interprets a mock fight between Ilokano Christians and non- Christians with training
sticks as props.
11. Pantomina- Meaning the “Dance of Doves”, this dance is the highlight of Sorsogon’s Kasanggayahan Festival every third week
of October. It is a courtship dance imitating the courtship and love making of doves that then showed during the dance
where men attempt to please the women.

LESSON 4: MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY DANCE

CONTEMPORARY DANCE

 A collaborative style that includes jazz, ballet and hip-hop elements.

 A genre of dance performance that developed during the mid-twentieth century and has since grown to become one of the
dominant genres for formally trained dancers throughout the world, with strongly popularity in the US and Europe.
 Referred to the movement of new dancers who did not want to follow strict classical ballet and lyrical dance forms, but
instead wanted to explore the area of revolutionary unconventional movements that were gathered from all dance styles of the
world.
 Does not use fixed moves and instead try to develop totally new forms and dynamics, such as quick oppositional moves,
shifting alignments, expression of raw emotions, systematic breathing, dancing moves performed in non-standing positions
and in general trying to find the absolute limits of our human form and physique.
 Focused much more upon unconventional choreographic moves that were devised in the first 60 years of the 20 th century by
various masters of the craft.
 Dancers who introduced and greatly popularized the contemporary dance to the worldwide audience was Martha Graham
(1894-1991)
 Most dances prefer using their bare feet or soft ballet slippers, and often costumes as well that will express their story and
allow for easy movement on stage.

LESSON 5: MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY DANCE

LESSON CONTENT

MODERN DANCE

 A specific style of dance that is free form and stems from the core or torso, of the body and uses elements like contact-
release floor work, fall, recovery and improvisation.
 A free expressive style of dancing started in early 20th century as a reaction to classical ballet. In recent years it has included
elements not usually associated with dance, such as speech and film
 It is a style of dance that developed as a reaction to the strict rules that define ballet.

BENEFITS OF MODERN DANCE

If most of the dances were concern over lack of co-ordination is keeping you away from dance classes, trying some modern dance
moves is a very good, safe place to start.

Modern dance moves are all designed to encourage freedom of movement and personal interpretation while weaving in many varied
and demanding steps and positions.

As there are many dances that you’ll do under the umbrella of Contemporary dance that are free flowing and aren’t series of
choreographed steps for you to remember, you’ll have freedom to move the way you like moving.

CHARACTERISTICS OF MODERN DANCE

Use of Space - While ballet dancers typically face the audience directly, modern dancers use all orientations, even completely turning
their back on the audience.
Relationship to music - in ballet, the dancer’s movement corresponds harmoniously with the music, but in modern dance, dancers
may dance off-beat or in contrast to the music, ignore the music completely, or dance on a silent stage.
Performers - contrasting the large casts and strict hierarchy of ballet, modern dance choreographers often also perform. They may
work alone or with smaller dance troupes. Women also gained recognition and influence as choreographers.
Movement- ballet has a very strictly defines set of movements that get pieces together to create different dances. In modern dance,
however, dancers create a new language of movement with evert piece, experimenting with hoe they can manipulate the body.

LESSON 6: BALLROOM DANCE

LESSON CONTENT

BALLROOM DANCE

 A type of social dancing that is performed by couples and follows prescribed step
 Ballroom dancing is derived from the word ball, which in turn originates from the Latin word Ballere which means “to
dance”
 Ballroom dancing is a world class, tradition, and passion.
 Ballroom dancing traces its origin to the early 20 th century, when the West End establishments were developing the art of
ballroom dancing. The world’s leading board for ballroom dance examinations, the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing
(ISTD), was established in 1904.

People who were instrumental in the development and promotion of modern dance:

 Josephine Bradley- the ‘First Lady’ and world class champion of ballroom dance

 GK Anderson- who founded the English style

 Lady Humphries- who help establish the Modern Ballroom Dance Faculty of the Imperial Society

 Alex Moore- who contributed to the writing of Technique of Ballroom Dancing.

TYPES OF BALLROOM DANCE

1. The cha-cha is a lively, flirtatious ballroom dance full of passion and energy. The classic "Cuban motion" gives the cha-cha
its style. Partners work together to synchronize each movement in perfect alignment.

2. The foxtrot is a ballroom dance that is lots of fun and simple to learn, making it an excellent dance for beginners. In the
foxtrot, dancers make long, smooth, flowing movements across the floor to swing or big-band music.

3. Jive is a ballroom dance style that originated in the United States with African-Americans. It is a lively form of swing
dance and a variation of the jitterbug.

4. The Lindy Hop is the ballroom dance considered to be the father of all swing dances. It is known for its athletic style and
often contains aerial jumps, twists, and flips. It was named for Charles Lindbergh's (Lucky Lindy) transatlantic flight and
popular in the 1930s.

5. The mambo is one of the most emotional Latin American ballroom dances. Swaying hip movements, facial expressions, arm
movements, and holds all contribute to the sensuality on display in the dance. It's different than what modern Americans call
the mambo and was hot in the 1940s and '50s in Cuba and New York, after being invented by Perez Prado.

6. The Paso Doble is one of the liveliest ballroom dances, originating in southern France. It is modeled after the sound, drama,
and movement of the Spanish bullfight and is danced to music used during a bullfight.

7. The quickstep is a quick version (naturally) of the foxtrot. It is a ballroom dance composed of extremely quick stepping,
syncopated feet rhythms, and runs. The quickstep is exciting to watch but among the most difficult of all the ballroom dances
to master.

8. The rumba is considered by many to be the most romantic and sensual of all Latin ballroom dances. It is often referred to as
the "Grandfather of the Latin dances" and its music has an insistent 4/4 beat. The ballroom version derives from Cuban son.

9. Possibly the most popular of all Brazilian ballroom dances, both young and old enjoy dancing the samba. It can be
performed solo, such as during the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, or with a partner socially.
10. The tango is one of the most fascinating of all ballroom dances. This sensual dance originated in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in
the late 19th century. The style used in competitions today is different than Argentinian styles of tango.

11. The Viennese waltz is a quick rotating ballroom dance with a subtle rise and fall. It is considered by most to be one of the
most difficult dances to learn. The simple and elegant rotational movement characterizes the Viennese waltz. It's up to four
times faster than the regular, or slow, waltz, and the steps are slightly different.

12. The waltz is one of the smoothest of ballroom dances. It is a progressive dance marked by long, flowing movements,
continuous turns, and rise and fall. The dance is so graceful and elegant that waltz dancers appear to glide around the floor
with almost no effort.