Foundation
Elements of Dance
5 Elements of Dance
It is crucial for dancers to understand these foundational elements, as they are essential for building skills and processes.
We encourage our students to explore, improvise, experiment, and demonstrate their grasp of the basic elements of dance, combining them into sequences.
Body
What is moving?
Body awareness, use of body parts, body shapes, locomotor and non-locomotor movements, body bases, symmetry vs. asymmetry, geometric vs. organic shape, angular vs. curved shape.
Time
When are we moving?
Tempo, rhythm, pause, stillness, with music, without music, duration, acceleration/deceleration.
Space
Where are we moving?
Pathways, directions, positive vs. negative space, proximity of dancers to one another, various group formations.
Energy
How are we moving?
Effort, force, quality.
Relationship
With what are we moving?
Dancers to props/objects, meet/part, follow/lead, emotional connections, groupings.