Articles from September 2022

A Brief History of Ballroom Dance

Ballroom dance is a broad term that encompasses a variety of dance styles that are performed in a ballroom setting. These styles include the Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Quickstep, and Viennese Waltz. The history of ballroom dance can be traced back to the 16th century in Europe, where it was primarily a social activity for the upper class. However, it wasn’t until the 19th century that ballroom dance began to be formalized and Standardized.

Ballroom Goes Mainstream

Barrie Chase with Fred -One of the most iconic figures in ballroom dance history is Fred Astaire. Astaire was a Hollywood actor and dancer who appeared in a number of musical films throughout the 1930s and 1940s. He is best known for his partnership with Ginger Rogers, with whom he appeared in 10 films. Astaire’s smooth, elegant style and ability to make complex dance routines look effortless helped to popularize ballroom dance in the United States and around the world.

The Ballroom TV Revolution6329cfb3edbe7f00190f00a1 -

In the mid-20th century ballroom dance experienced a resurgence in popularity due to its inclusion in popular culture. The television show “Dancing with the Stars” which started in 2005, has helped to introduce a new generation to the world of ballroom dance and has made it more accessible to the general public. The show features celebrities paired with professional dancers, as they compete against each other in a variety of ballroom dance styles.

In recent years, ballroom dance has also experienced a resurgence in popularity in pop culture, with the success of films such as “Shall We Dance” and “Mad Hot Ballroom.” These films have helped to introduce the sport to a new audience and have made it more accessible to the general public.

 

Ballroom dance continues to evolve and change with the times, with new styles and variations being created all the time! Today, it is enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds, and is a beloved pastime for many.

For more information on the history of ballroom dance, you can check out the following resources:

The International Dance Council

The National Museum of Dance

Learn to Dance With Fred

These resources provide detailed information on the history, evolution, and current events in the world of ballroom dance!

Jessica He on the Joys of Being a Professional Ballerina

Visualize your favorite hobby—is it drawing, cooking, running? Now, visualize yourself in your element, whether at your desk, in the kitchen or on the trail, and you are totally consumed in your craft, your brain is so focused on the task at hand that external thoughts are unable to penetrate your intense, but effortless, concentration. Time seems to stop and you are truly living in the moment.

As a child, I found a similar groove in reading. I remember devouring the Harry Potter books and getting in trouble for reading in bed under the covers when I was supposed to be asleep. I was obsessed with the calming feeling that reading brought me, and how words on a page could steal me away to a magical world where anything was possible. Ballet became that escape for me as I got older, and I found a calmness in the daily routine and tunnel-vision focus that it requires.

Starting ballet at the age of 5, I never really saw any other way of life and left home at the age of 14 to train pre-professionally in Philadelphia. I developed in my career and danced with Houston Ballet’s second company, and this all led to me being where I am today: a company dancer with Atlanta Ballet. The hard work that goes into this art form has always captured my focus in a way that nothing else has been able to, and my brain and my body began to crave the flow state of mind that it brings me. When my attention is completely attuned to the movements of my body, the strain in my muscles and lungs falls away and I find a feeling of serenity and an out-of-body experience.

Every day, I chase the headspace that ballet gives me, and my genuine appreciation for the art has only grown. The best moments in our lives are when we are challenging ourselves, pushing our limits in an effort to accomplish something that is hard to attain yet worthwhile. It brings me joy and fulfillment to devote my time, energy and focus to the never-ending goals and challenges that come with being a professional ballet dancer. I have come to appreciate that it is truly a gift to be able to step into a studio and leave everything outside for a few hours, to step onstage and become a different character, and to give audiences the immersive experience of seeing us convey stories and emotions through movement and music. Dancing leaves me feeling ecstatic, inspired and fulfilled—and always coming back for more.

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