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STAR Skills What is dance? Body movement through space Rhythmic patterns Control and release of energy Communication and story telling with movement Why dance? To entertain others Express feelings Have fun with friends It is a great form of exercise Keep fit and healthy   Ballet Description Ballet is the foundation of many styles of dance. A dancer can use the techniques of ballet to strengthen the lower body and develop flexibility. Ballet dancing involves many steps performed with particular attention to body stance and movement. When performing the many steps dancers work form five basic positions with the legs rotated outwards.   Skills First position The heels of the feet are together with the toes pointing out. The arms are placed in front of the body at the belly button and are gently curved.   Second position The feet remain in the same position however the heels are shoulder width apart. Arms are to the side slightly lower than shoulder height.   Third position The feet are touching, one foot in front of the other and overlapping, covering half of the foot. The toes should be pointing out. One arm remains out to the side while the other arm is in front of the body.   Forth position This position is the same as third position, however the feet are separated. One arm remains out to the side while the arm that was in front of the body is taken to above the head.   Fifth position The feet are touching with one foot in front of the other. The heel of one foot is touching the toes of the other. Both arms are above the head slightly in front of the body and gently curved.      Jazz Description Jazz dancing uses many techniques from ballet dancing however there are many differences between the two styles. Jazz uses strong, sharp movements with various rhythms and patterns. This style uses kicks, leaps and isolations.   Skills Step ball change Step to right side, with right foot. Place your left foot behind the right on the ball Change your weight to the back foot ( right foot) and place on right foot flat on the ground.  Jazz Walk Step with your right leg. Make sure when you land your legs are bent, (like a pile) Repeat with your left leg Make sure both legs are bent when they touch the floor.  Shimmy Move your right shoulder forwards Move your left shoulder back Move your left shoulder forwards Move your right shoulder back STAR Tip- these movements are done in a really fast shake Jazz hands  Open hands with palms facing forwards Fingers are widely spread.  High kick  Kick one leg high in the air.  This leg must be kept straight. Make sure the supporting leg is kept straight.     Tap Description When tap dancing, dancers wear special shoes which make sounds. When tap dancing, dancers mainly use the bottom half of their bodies, though the arms may be used to add style. When tap dancing, dancers can use odd and even beats in time with the music. Tap dancing involves many steps including, shuffles, brushes, heel digs, tap steps and tap springs. These steps can be either performed slow or fast.   Skills Brush Using one leg the knee is flexed. Imagine a kicking movement and strike the ball of the foot against the floor. The leg rises in the air until the knee is straight. This movement can be done I a forwards or backwards motion.    Shuffle A forward brush followed by a back brush to the front, side or back. This is usually a rapid movement.    Heel Dig  With the toe raised strike the back part if the heel forward onto the floor.    Ball Change Two steps on the ball of the feet, back front.    Pickup With the heel on the floor and the toe up brush the foot back landing on the ball of the foot. This movement creates tow sounds.      Contemporary Description Contemporary dancing is a more modern style of dance that uses a wide range of techniques. The dance style uses movements that work with the natural placement of the body. Contemporary dance involves the use of four techniques: Cunningham – this is a graceful style that uses natural movement Graham -  contraction, release, fall and recovery Limon - working with height. Fall, rebound, recovery and suspension Release – uses minimum tension with efficient use of energy and breath.   Skills Contraction Arch your back. Tuck in your stomach STAR Tip - act like you have just been punched in the stomach.  Feet position Parallel – Toes are facing forwards in line with the knees and hips Turned out – The legs are rotated outwards from the hips therefore the toes point outward  Pile Bend the knees over the toes Straighten the knees STAR Tip – try to make the shape of a diamond Pointed Feet Pointe your toes Arch the instep  Flexed Feet Flatten the instep Pull your toes upward     Social Description Social dancing is a style of dance that is done for leisure and fun. It can be performed at a level that does not require competition. It can be done with friends, pairs and groups. Some styles of social dance include circle, line, ballroom, swing and square dances.   Skills Grapevine Step the right foot to the right side  Step left foot in front of the right Step the right foot to the right side  Step left foot behind the right.  Box Step Step forward with your left foot Step to the right with your right foot Slide your left foot over to your right foot and stand with your feet together Step back with your right foot Step to the left with your left foot Slide your right foot towards your left foot and bring your feet together     Cha Cha Step forward with the right foot Step left Right, left, right STAR  Tip- timing, 1, 2, 3 & 4 (one, two, cha, cha, cha).       Folk Description Folk dance is an informal dance that can be performed during social events. It is based on European culture, but each country has its own special feature which makes it unique from other styles. Folk dance can be learnt through the observation of others, especially family. Some types of folk dance include clogging, English country dance, Irish and maypole dance.   Skills Run over Swish right leg up in the air  Hop onto right foot Ball change with the left foot over the right.       Indigenous Description Indigenous dance is a form of dance that tells stories which can be about communities, land, relationships and culture of the people. Props are often used to help portray the story and to provide musical background. For example boomerangs are used by Aboriginals and warups are used commonly by Torres Strait Islanders. These dances are usually performed during ceremonies commonly known as corroborees. Indigenous dances are passed through generations, which are sacred to their individual community.        Hip Hop/Funk Description Both hip hop and funk styles of dance are a soulful expression of movement.  This dance style relies on matching the dance steps with the beat of the music. The style began as a cultural movement in New York performed by African-Americans. Funk is a combination of hip hop, pop and street funk.   Skills Head roll Leaving your head facing the front, tilt your head to the right side Dip your head further down Then bring your head back up straight.  Pencil turn Step to the right side Put all your weight onto the right leg  Whip your body around to the ride side.  Bring the left leg around when you turn and place it beside your right foot.  Chris Cross Jump Legs shoulder width apart Jump in one foot behind the other Jump out feet shoulder width apart Jump in alternating feet, on foot in front of the other  Slide Turn your right foot so that the toes are pointing out and the heel is in  Lift your right heel off the floor Keep your weight on the right side Slide your left foot away from your right foot Slowly lift your left heel and lower your right heel  Harlem Shake Stand with your feet apart Raise your right shoulder and push out your left hip Go back to the centre Raise your left shoulder and push out your right hip Continue this motion