Contemporary dance and Ballet are two of the most widely recognized dance forms of our generation. Both enjoy worldwide fanfare and have successfully seeped into various forms of entertainment known to mankind today, in the form of theater, movies, songs and more. 

In hindsight, these are two very different dance styles. However, that does not mean they don’t share similarities to each other. For instance, it is no secret that ballet has had a strong influence on contemporary dance techniques. Experts and dance enthusiasts can quickly draw similarities between classical ballet and contemporary dance. 

You can say they are both dependent on each other (Contemporary more so than ballet) in order to spice up an otherwise generic dance routine. Contemporary dance in amalgamation with ballet can do wonders on stage. 

Furthermore, people well-versed in ballet can confidently pull off some contemporary dance moves with ease. Same can be said for expert contemporary dancers as well. They too can hope to pull-off complex ballet moves if they are experienced with the contemporary counterpart. 

This is why it important to understand the minor factors common between contemporary and ballet, especially for dancers who aim to become masters of both or either of the dance styles. Oddly enough, some people even confuse these two dance styles with regards to the music used and movement employed. 

So, in this article we would like clarify the similarities that contemporary and ballet share with regards to these two key factors. But first, let’s understand what contemporary dance and ballet mean as unique dance styles. 

What is Contemporary Dance?

Contemporary dance derives most of its moves and techniques from many modern styles and genres. While ballet is more traditional, contemporary has its roots firmly attached to the modern era of dance. Contemporary is also the most popular and widely performed dance form today. In fact, it is impossible to envision a dance academy or competition today that does not feature contemporary performers. 

Contemporary dance is also way more flexible and provides ample freedom for dancer to simply let go and experiment with their own dance routines. 

What is Ballet?

Ballet is a more classical type of dance whose roots can be traced all the way back to the renaissance era. It is a very popular type of dance from that is relatively more rigid and demands more intensity from its performers than contemporary.

The Similarities between Classical Ballet and Contemporary Dance

1 – The Music

It is a misconception that contemporary dance only employs fast music. In reality, both contemporary and classical ballet use slow music. Contemporary can be performed on various types of music, with slow classical rock and R&B being the most prominent options. Contemporary dance also uses classical music similar to the ones found in classical ballet to choreograph a dance routine.

2 – The Movement

Another vital similarity can be found in the slow movements that are employed in both the dance styles. Granted there are many contemporary dance routines that are fast and upbeat, there are contemporary routines that demand slow movement from their performers. Such routines borrow heavily from ballet to complete its choreography. 

The Bottom Line

There are many factors that separate contemporary dance from classical ballet. However, it is a few crucial elements shared between both these styles that really stand out at the end of the day. Contemporary dance may harbor a variety of moves and possess versatility that is absent in ballet, but one cannot deny that ballet does have a strong influence on its modern counterpart. 

Suffice to say, the similarities between classical ballet and contemporary dance may be few, but they are glaringly obvious, especially once you get more and more familiar with both of these dance forms.

Dance schools in Singapore

One can argue that there has never been a better form of expression than the art of dance. Dance in its various forms and style has marked several key events in the History of mankind. From Ballet to Hip Hop, dance is fun, calculative and even intimidating to some. Among all the various styles, Contemporary is undoubtedly the most pervasive dance style in our culture today. 

Contemporary dance can be found in most of the popular music videos we have the pleasure of watching today. As such, it is also a style that is most imitated by dance enthusiasts. However, those who are naturally incited to match their feet to the beats of contemporary music, seldom act on these impulses because they lack the confidence needed to perform some of the more complicated contemporary dance techniques. 

Fortunately, unlike Ballet or Pop n’ lock, mastering Contemporary dance techniques is quite simple, provided you have a great teacher and reliable dance classes to help you. 

In order to understand why Contemporary is relatively easier, let’s understand what this popular dance form actually entails. 

What is Contemporary Dance?

Popular culture defines contemporary dance as a style of dance that gained prominence in the mid-twentieth century and has become a dominant dance form throughout the world ever since. 

It is essentially a combination of many popular dance forms like Ballet, Lyrical Jazz and Hip Hop. What really makes contemporary easier than all the other dance styles we just mentioned is its flexibility. It doesn’t possess complex or rigid techniques like the other styles. It provides dancers with more freedom to experiment and come up with their own moves. 

How a Good Teacher Helps?

‘There are no bad students, only bad teachers.’ These wise words are as true today as they were when first spoken. Sometime all you need to master anything in your life, let alone contemporary dance, is a good teacher. A good teacher who themselves are master of the genre, can impart students with the tips, tricks and techniques needed to perfect contemporary dance. 

A Good teacher will first assess your skill level and accordingly design a dance program that helps you progress the best. They can also help correct your mistakes in real-time. You rest assured that someone professional is by your side as you move through the various lessons of contemporary dance. 

Other Aspects that also help improve Your Contemporary Dance Techniques

Stepping Up your Workout Routine

Contemporary dance can be intense, requiring dancers to pull off leaps, jumps and many other high-octane moves. You need your body to move fluidly to execute these moves impeccably. Hence, it is highly advisable to indulge in exercises that improve your strength and dexterity. You can try Yoga, Stretching and Strength building exercises to perfect your contemporary dance techniques

Understanding Integral Aspects of Contemporary Dance Choreography

Although heavy on physical moves, Contemporary also focuses majorly on narration, expression and emotions. This is what makes choreography the most fundamental aspect of contemporary dance. It is highly recommended to choreograph a piece yourself to any of your favorite music while consistently improving on it. You can keep on adding new elements to your choreography to come up with a dance routine that is unique and connects with the audience on an emotional level. 

The Bottom Line

Contemporary Dance Techniques may seem daunting to the uninitiated, but are incredibly easier once you start practicing them yourself. Of course, having a good teacher as your ally also ensures you have someone to guide you towards your desired goal of mastering the Contemporary dance style. 

Dancepointe Academy is one such institute that provides state-of-the-dance classes across Singapore with the help of a team of expert dance tutors. If you too seek to polish your contemporary dance techniques, then reach out to us and learn how we can turn you into a pro dancer in no time.

Ballet Classes in Singapore

When it comes to dance forms, Ballet is arguably one of the oldest styles being performed globally today. Originating centuries ago, there is a very rich and interesting history associated with this widely celebrates style of dance. What once developed as a formalized dance form under aristocratic influence in Italy now enjoys the admiration of millions worldwide. Many ballet enthusiasts, men and women alike aspire to master this athletically elegant dance style. 

In this article, we will be unearthing a few buried facts from century’s worth of Classical Ballet Dance history. We will look into some fascinating events that led to ballet becoming a global phenomenon and understand how Ballet has evolved over the years. 

So without much further ado, let’s get started

Century’s worth of Classical Ballet Dance History in a Nutshell. 

The 15^th and 16^th Century

Ballet’s origins can be traced all the way back to 15^th century Italy, where it began as a form of entertainment exclusively reserved for aristocrats. It was first performed in Italian renaissance courts and quickly spread to France with the help of Catherine de’ Medici. Eventually, Ballet found new admirers within royalty as well, with King Louis XIV laying the foundation for Academie Royale de Musique, which resulted in the development of the world’s first professional ballet company. This is what officially kick-started Ballet’s modern era. 

Early Ballet depended heavily on aristocratic money. It gradually shrugged off its aristocratic roots as it became less dependent on royal courts moving into the 16^th century. Ballet eventually spread from Italy and France to other parts of Europe such as Poland, Spain, Germany, and Portugal. Ballet dancers used to organize into special troupes and performed for their affluent audience throughout Europe. 

The 18^th Century

18^th Century saw a significant change in how Ballet was performed. Dancers employed movements that were more focused on storytelling and characters. Venice took the center stage at the height of ballet’s popularity, where several dancers congregated from around the world here.  

This is when Ballet became a crucial part of opera dramatizations. The prominent French dancer and ballet master Jean-Georges Noverre played a major role in this development. Ballet essentially became an amalgamation of dance, music and scenery that all worked together in service of a central plot. This is also the era where three formal ballet techniques (serieux, demi-caractere, and comique) were introduced.

The 19^th Century

The 19^th century saw the Ballet scene being dominated by female dancers. So much so, that these dancers even played male roles in ballet productions. Vienna became a teaching center for ballet around this time. Ballet was no longer a dance form meant strictly for an aristocratic audience. Prominent Ballerinas also became bolder in their experimentation, inventing new techniques such as the ‘pointe technique’ in the process. Toe ballet shoes were also used for the first time and became ballet mainstays. 

Tutu, a stiff short skirt also became a formal outfit element during this period. Ballet also started gaining prominence in Russia, who embraced its more traditional characteristics. 

The 20^th century

The 20^th century is when Ballet really blossomed into a worldwide cultural phenomenon. It became an integral part of the Russian culture, driven by the ideological beliefs prevalent in the country at that time. It became a symbol of strength, virtuosity and perfection for dancers in the country. 

It wasn’t long before Ballet reached American shores, where it was heavily commercialized. It found room in American television and movies. There was a more flexible approach to ballet than before. The theme for ballet in America was also relatively more dramatized than plot driven. 

Ultimately, several experiments by creative ballet performers led to the invention of contemporary ballet, which mixes the elements of modern dance with classical ballet. So this is where our journey into Classical Ballet Dance History culminates.  The success of Ballet is a powerful reminder of how art can transcend societal boundaries and unify a world divided by manufactured constructs.

Best Dance schools in Singapore

Ever wondered what goes into making the perfect dance studio? A large empty room may suffice casual dancers who like to practice their alone, away from prying eyes. However, as a dance studio has to welcome more than one dancer, there are a number of things to consider in making the venture look considerably more professional and aesthetically appeasing to students and teachers alike.

This factors pertaining to pure aesthetics and mandatory requirements combine to breathe life into a dance studio.  A great dance studio will create the atmosphere needed to make the art of dancing both fun and incredibly rewarding at the same time.

In this article, we will be looking at some of the most crucial components needed to create an impeccable dance studio.

The components we are about to discuss are mandatory requirements for any competent dance studio in Singapore to function. 

So without much further ado, let’s jump right in

Must Have Components for a Dance Studio in Singapore

1 – Space

Starting with the most obvious, dance is a physical form of art that requires intense movement and mobility to be performed accurately. As such, dance studios need to afford dancers with ample space to move, shake and lift freely from one place to another.

A wide rectangular space that can accommodate enough dancers is something dance academies must consider before renting out, or building a dance studio. It is specifically advised that dance studios for children should be 150 square meters large whereas adult spaces should at least be a minimum of 10×9 meters.

2 – Safe Floors

Floors should be of the utmost important when opening up a dance studio. Wrong types of floor can severely damage dancers and cause serious knee and leg injuries. Therefore, it is extremely important to have adequately padded floor that provide ample support to dancers.

It is highly recommended to have wooden sprung floors to offer students with a comfortable learning experience. Harlequin floors, in particular, are a great addition to your dance studio to ensure guaranteed safety to both adult and child dancers.

3 – Mirrors

You simply cannot open a dance studio without having mirrors covering its walls. What may first seem as a purely aesthetic component is crucial in perfecting a variety of dance technique and forms. Mirrors should be implemented in such a way that dancers are able to see their entire body, right down to their feet.

Mirrors can help dancers find out flaws in their technique, and mimic the style of their tutor while still in the process of completing the dance session. Needless to say, a studio must have at least one wall with a mirror attached to it.

4 – Lighting

Lighting is another key component of a dance studio, and should be installed to seamlessly compliment the colors and mirrors employed in it. The lighting shouldn’t be too bright or too dim. The lighting on the ceiling should be soft and fluorescent so as to spread evenly across the dance floor.

You can also let in natural light by having windows strategically placed higher up on the walls. This can help prevent any sort of distractions to the dancers. 

The Bottom Line 

All of the above mentioned components are crucial to the success of any dance studio. Dancers, in particular, must make sure there are enough space, proper lighting and safe floors available for them to practice their lessons without a hassle.

Dancepointe Academy just happens to be the premier Dance Studio in Singapore that provides all of the above necessary components, and much more in order to offer dance aspirants with a floor and space to learn or master an array of dance styles they desire. 

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