Dance Research Paper

The first experience of watching a ballet, for me or any little girl, can be fascinating and exhilarating. Wondering how a dancer can be so steady on her toes as she spins in circles and leaps through the air. Watching a ballet, there is a feeling of wanting to be graceful, as well as the warm sensation felt by a little girl as she slips into dream land. My mom had taken me to my first ballet when I was 11 years old. When we returned home home, she signed me up for classes at the local dance center. The expectations to become a prima ballerina would involve much hard work and concentration. I knew when I started it would take years of steady practice and commitment. Learning the history of ballet and the famous

Costumes during the period immediately preceding the Revolution, commonly known as the Baroque period, were extremely showy. Dances were typically cold and extremely stylized, they did not seek to connect with the audience but rather to astound them with extreme wealth. Watching a ballet from the time period would more likely leave the audience in awe at the scenery and intricacies rather than feeling raw emotion from a moving storyline. Ballet’s that were shown in the theaters leading up to the fall of the Bastille were always subject to scrutiny and censorship. Each ballet or play that was shown on stage had to be consistent with the political and social views of the monarchy.

Ballet started in the late 1400s during the Renaissance. When Catherine de Medici who married King Henry the second of France know for throwing large parties. These parties would last for 8 hours straight of music, food, dancing and other entrainment. These

Something I found interesting is that Ballet was actually FIRST introduced during the Renaissance time and Modern dance history in Europe actually started with Renaissance (http://www.ducksters.com). There were also several new dances that were invented at the time (http://www.dancefacts.net). Music and dance were actually the main forms of entertainment (http://www.ducksters.com). However, dance quickly rose to importance among art and science (https://socialdance.stanford.edu). Unfortunately, no choreographic descriptions of the dances survived from the 14th century, the Renaissance time (https://socialdance.stanford.edu).Most dances were actually a passionate form of flirting. The actual true purpose of the dance steps were flirtations (http://dance.lovetoknow.com). Dance was considered as much a part of education as reading or eating with a knife or fork (http://dance.lovetoknow.com). Dance was mainly to socialise (http://www.streetswing.com). These are some interesting facts I learned about the past of Renaissance

Commonly referred to as the “Sun King” after his memorable performance as Apollo, King Louis XIV heavily influenced 17th century court dancing over his 72-year reign (the longest of any other known European sovereign). Not only did Louis XIV transform the French monarchy and establish France into the dominant European power, but he created a glittering court at Versailles and ushered in a golden age of art and literature as well. As a passionate dancer, himself, Louis XIV lead one of the most pivotal eras of ballet and remains a symbol of absolute monarchy of the classical age.

The Romantic Ballet period was an international movement spreading from Paris to New York (Garafola “Rethinking...”). Although it can be seen throughout many cultures, it remained predominantly in Paris, where it began. The stage was the ballerina’s focal point. The Théâtre de l'Académie Royale de Musique or Paris Opéra first introduced the prospects that Romantic ballet could provide. In fact, it proved to do much better than critics had once thought.

Ballet de Cour originated in the 1400s in Italy during the Italian Renaissance. Eventually, ballet moved to the country of France when Catherine de Médicis, who belonged to one of the ruling families of Florence, married King Henry II in 1547. Catherine then began to introduce curt ballet to her new French court. She strikes me as the overall instigator of the ballet movement that allowed ballet to become as big as it has. A major ballet during this time was the Ballet Comique de

Any artist would agree with me in saying that experiencing art is of value to, and almost necessary to achieve, a well cultured life. This research should give a non-dancer a great idea of why dancers love what they do.

Louis XIV was born as a son of Louis XIII and Anne of Austria. He was portrayed as a gift

Walter began dancing in his hometown, Buenos Aires, when he was twenty-one. He first started dancing as a therapy – a way of coping with loss – but the Tango life soon seduced him and he dedicated more and more of his life and time to dancing; and what started as therapy became a profession. In 2000

Atlantaballet.com says that “Ballet began during the Renaissance around the year 1500 and that there weren’t very much dance steps. Ballet dancers had to wear layers upon layers of costume and every ballet dancer wore a mask to go with their costume.

The romantic tutu, a calf-length, full skirt made of tulle, was introduced.” Through all of the many kinds of ballet, they all tell a story in some way.

Ballet dancing is very famous around the world as it acts as the foundation for many other dancing styles. Ballet dancing is a form of art that utilizes music and dance to tell a story. It is characterized by point work and very specific movements Ballet is common among wealthy

Ballet has always been important throughout history. It was and is still a thrilling way to celebrate special events and ballet is also a form of expression. Ballet was originated during the 15th century in the Italian Renaissance Courts. Two very passionate dancers began to fund and help popularize ballet. Their names were Catherine de Medici and King Louis XIV. Victor Marius Alphonse Petipa was also a very well known French ballet dancer, teacher and choreographer. He is considered to be the most influential ballet master in ballet history becuase he internationally popularized dance and his works made a long lasting impression. Petipa choreographed many famous ballets, and among them, one of the most famous classical ballet in existence that he choreographed is Swan Lake. The physicality of the movement made this ballet simply beautiful, but by combining music, costumes and stage sets, Petipa created an extraordinary experience in the theater.

From my first time on stage, I felt a sense of freedom and expression that I had not experienced before. From that point on, dance has made such a significant impact on my life. Dance has contributed in a huge way to all of your achievements so far in life such as education, transitioning from childhood to adulthood, interpersonal relationships, etc. as it taught me dedication, perseverance, discipline, and teamwork. All of these are essential life skills. I believe all these characteristics with be the reason for a successful career in dance.