What is dance?

Dance is the outward movement of the body in space.

Music and dance are a universal language, found and originating from all cultures and tribes, and people all over the world can relate to dance in its various forms. Dance can be done with or without music, sound, instruments, singing and spoken word like poetry.

Dancing can involve the full body, or just the lower body or only the upper body while one is sitting down, as in the case of those who are wheelchair bound or bed ridden. Anyone can dance including the deaf, dumb, and blind.

What is interpretive dance?

It’s a form of modern dance in which the dancer's movements depict an emotion or tell a story. The movements are expressive of feelings.

Dance styles

• Styles of expression that can be used for interpretation can be any dance style to include ballet, hip hop, ballroom, contemporary, jazz, tap, folk, modern dance, rhythmic gymnastics, Afro dance amongst others.
• Other forms of expression are signing language, drama, props, amongst others.
• Props can include banners, flags, cloth, scarves, ribbons, umbrellas, hats, amongst others.

It is important to find your niche and a style that you use best to express yourself and develop it.

Ballet gives discipline and grace, embodies emotions, breath-taking in its beauty, expresses what cannot be put in words.

Dance props 

• Dance props are a language and a form of communication. 
• They are vital in enhancing a dancer's expression and adding more vibrancy, rhythm, and clarity of the dance. 
• They are also an outward expression of dancers' feelings, character, and inner world. 
• Props are part of the environment and atmosphere of the stage and help to decorate the stage. 

Benefits of Dance

• Dance is a form of exercise that is therapeutic and promotes health and well-being, while releasing tension and stress.

• A dancer develops and maintains discipline

• Develop creative thinking skills

• Build and enhance self-confidence

• Enhance social skills

• Improve posture

Through dance, a dancer learns life lessons and develops discipline.