Explore the World of Dance
Dance is a universal language that speaks through movement, rhythm, and expression. Each style tells its own story, carries its own traditions, and offers unique ways to connect with music and emotion.
Dance styles are distinct forms of movement expression, each with unique techniques, cultural origins, music preferences, and artistic goals. From the structured elegance of ballet to the raw energy of hip hop, dance styles represent different approaches to interpreting music and emotion through the human body.
Every dance style has evolved through specific cultural contexts, historical periods, and artistic innovations. Understanding different dance styles helps dancers, parents, and enthusiasts choose the right form of expression for their goals, whether that's physical fitness, artistic expression, cultural connection, or professional development.
At Dance House Productions, we celebrate the diversity of dance by offering classes in multiple styles. Whether you're drawn to the precision of ballet, the energy of hip hop, or the creativity of contemporary dance, there's a style that will speak to you.
Click on any style below to learn about its history, characteristics, and what makes it special.
How Dance Styles Are Categorized
Dance professionals typically organize dance styles into several main categories:
- Technical/Classical Styles: Ballet, tap, and traditional forms requiring specific codified techniques
- Performance/Commercial Styles: Jazz, musical theater, and styles seen in entertainment
- Expressive/Contemporary Styles: Modern, contemporary, and lyrical focusing on emotion and artistry
- Cultural/Social Styles: Hip hop, Latin, ballroom, and folk dances rooted in specific cultures
- Fusion Styles: Acro, contemporary jazz, and other blends of multiple dance forms
Classical & Traditional
Foundational dance forms with rich histories and established techniques
Ballet
The foundation of all dance
Classical ballet is the foundation of most dance forms, emphasizing grace, precision, and storytelling through movement. Originating in the royal courts of France and Italy, ballet combines artistry with athleticism.
Key Elements:
- Five basic positions of feet and arms
- Turnout from the hips
- Precise alignment and technique
- French terminology
Tap Dance
Rhythm made visible
Tap dance transforms dancers into percussionists, creating rhythms with metal plates attached to their shoes. This uniquely American art form combines African rhythms with European dancing traditions.
Key Elements:
- Rhythmic precision and timing
- Coordinated footwork patterns
- Improvisation and personal style
- Musical interpretation through movement
Contemporary & Modern
Expressive styles that blend tradition with innovation
Jazz Dance
Energy, expression, and individuality
Jazz dance is characterized by its energetic, expressive movements and syncopated rhythms. Born from African American vernacular dance and jazz music, it emphasizes individuality and improvisation.
Key Elements:
- Isolation of body parts
- Syncopated rhythms
- Sharp, dynamic movements
- Personal expression and style
Contemporary
Freedom of movement and emotion
Contemporary dance combines elements of ballet, modern, and jazz dance. It emphasizes versatility, creativity, and emotional expression through fluid, organic movements that connect to the music and story.
Key Elements:
- Fluid, organic movement
- Floor work and levels
- Emotional storytelling
- Versatile technique
Lyrical Dance
Dancing the lyrics
Lyrical dance combines ballet technique with jazz, contemporary, and modern elements to express the emotions and story of the music's lyrics. It's characterized by fluid, expressive movements.
Key Elements:
- Emotional interpretation
- Ballet-based technique
- Connection to lyrics
- Flowing, continuous movement
Urban & Street Styles
High-energy styles born from urban culture and street dance
Hip Hop
Culture, community, and creativity
Hip hop dance emerged from hip hop culture in the 1970s, emphasizing personal style, creativity, and community. It includes various styles like popping, locking, and breaking, all united by the hip hop aesthetic.
Key Elements:
- Personal style and attitude
- Musicality and rhythm
- Freestyle and improvisation
- Community and culture
Breaking
The original b-boy/b-girl dance
Breaking (breakdancing) is one of the original elements of hip hop culture, featuring athletic floor work, spins, and freezes. It's a highly athletic and creative form that emphasizes individual style.
Key Elements:
- Toprock (standing moves)
- Downrock (floor work)
- Power moves and freezes
- Battle culture
Specialty & Athletic
Specialized forms that combine dance with acrobatics and conditioning
Acro Dance
Where dance meets gymnastics
Acro dance combines classical dance technique with acrobatic elements. It requires strength, flexibility, and precise technique to seamlessly blend gymnastic skills with dance choreography.
Key Elements:
- Flexibility and strength
- Tumbling and acrobatic tricks
- Smooth transitions
- Balance and control
Dance Conditioning
Building strength for dance
Dance conditioning focuses on building the strength, flexibility, and endurance needed for all dance styles. It incorporates exercises specifically designed to improve dance technique and prevent injury.
Key Elements:
- Core strength and stability
- Flexibility and mobility
- Dance-specific exercises
- Injury prevention
Frequently Asked Questions About Dance Styles
What dance style should beginners start with?
While any dance style can be started as a beginner, many dancers begin with ballet for its foundational technique or jazz for its accessibility and fun factor. Adults often enjoy starting with social styles like hip hop or Latin. The best style is one that excites and motivates you to keep dancing.
Can you learn multiple dance styles at once?
Yes! Many dancers successfully study 2-3 styles simultaneously. Common combinations include ballet and jazz, contemporary and hip hop, or tap and musical theater. Multiple styles complement each other and accelerate overall dance development.
What's the hardest dance style to learn?
Ballet is often considered the most technically demanding due to its precise positions and requirement for flexibility and strength. However, "hardest" is subjective - breaking requires different athletic abilities, and tap demands complex rhythm skills. Each style has its own challenges.
What dance styles are best for kids?
Young children (3-6) benefit from creative movement and parent/child classes. Elementary ages can begin any style, with ballet, jazz, and tap being popular choices. Hip hop appeals to kids who enjoy current music. The key is finding age-appropriate instruction that makes dance fun while building skills.
Which dance styles help with weight loss?
High-energy styles like hip hop, jazz, and Latin dance can burn 400-600 calories per hour. However, all dance styles provide exercise benefits. The best style for fitness is one you enjoy enough to do regularly.
Do I need to learn ballet before other dance styles?
While ballet provides an excellent technical foundation, it's not required before starting other styles. Many successful hip hop dancers never studied ballet, and tap has its own foundational technique. However, ballet training enhances performance in most other styles.
What dance styles are best for adults?
Adults can learn any dance style! Popular choices include hip hop for fun fitness, ballroom for social dancing, contemporary for artistic expression, and tap for rhythm and coordination. Many studios offer adult beginner classes in multiple styles.