Modern Dance

Modern dance report

a. What is modern dance?

Modern dance is a broad genre of western concert dance, primarily arising out of both Germany and the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is a dance style focuses on a dancer’s own interpretations instead of structured steps, as in traditional ballet dancing. Modern dancers reject the limitations of classical ballet and favor movements derived from the expression of their inner feelings. They express their innermost emotions through dance, often becoming closer to their inner- selves. During the 1900’s, European dancers began rebelling against the rigid rules of classical ballet, they favored a more relaxed, free style of dancing. Modern dance pioneers often danced in bare feet and revealing costumes.

Modern dance encourages dancers to use their emotions and mood to design their own steps and routines, so it is usual for dancers to invent their own steps instead of following a structured code of technique like ballet. Another characteristic of modern dance is the deliberate use of gravity. Modern dancers often use their body weight to enhance movement, which rejects the classical ballet stance of an upright, erect body, opting instead of deliberate falls to the floor.

Martha Graham is considered one of the foremost pioneers of American modern dance. In order to express the passion, rage and ecstasy of humans, she develops her very own language of movement which was sharp and jagged. Her dancing aimed to expose basic human emotions through movements and her brave visions for modern dance have earned her several awards and honors.

I think that modern dance is a free style dance without the strict technique and turnout of ballet. Modern dancers express their innermost emotions or thoughts through the dance and choose the music, costume and props related to the story or to be without music and props. As the...