Dance life & Soul OF Music

Types Of Dance
SALSA DANCING

Here's your chance to understand the complete world of salsa dancing! This section of our website includes salsa dancing video, salsa dance history, salsa music, information on salsa on 2 New York Style, and salsa dance wear. Theres a lot of salsa dancing information in here, so check it out!

BACHATA DANCE

The Bachata is probably one of the most suggestive and physically interactive dances in history. That's why we know you want to learn it!! Our Bachata is loaded with great information including bachata dance steps, bachata music, the history of bachata, and some really helpful bachata videos that will help you learn.

WALTZ DANCE

Everything you need to know in order to learn waltz dancing, the history of waltz, waltz steps, and of course, waltz music. These pages are packed with useful and relevant information on the waltz.

FOXTROT DANCE

Commonly danced at at weddings and other ballroom functions, the foxtrot is an important dance that carries bith grace and respect. These pages include information on foxtrot steps, both explained on video and in text, the history of the foxtrot, foxtrot dance music, and more.

SWING DANCING

Swing dancing is one of the most fun and popular dances in the world. Our swing dance section is loaded with valuable information. Sections include swing music, swing dance wear and jump suits, swing dance history, and of course, great swing dance instruction videos!!

RUMBA DANCE

Ballroom rumba (also spelled rhumba) is a smooth, cool dance perfect for weddings and other ballroom events. Our rumba page includes everything you want to know about this dance including: rumba music, how to dance rhumba videos, the history of rumba, and much more!

BALLROOM DANCING

Ballroom dancing is a vast subject. But don't worry, we have all the information you need inside. Make sure to check out our Ballroom Dance Videos. We have the leading products in ballroom dance instruction. Other categories include: Ballroom dance music, History of Ballroom Dance, and Ballroom Costumes.

WEDDING DANCE

Hoping for some information or instruction on wedding dance? You're in the right place! We've got a great wedding dance video series as well as a ton of other useful information. Find out the most popular first dance wedding songs. We have all types of wedding songs listed for all dances: father daughter, mother and son wedding dance songs, and more! Check it out!

DANCE WORKOUTS / PILATES EXERCISE

Pilates and Dance Workouts are slowly taking over as the most popular workouts in the world. Thats because they are both effective and fun! In these pages, you can find our great dance workout video and our pilates video, as well as some helpful information on the history of pilates, pilates clothes, and mats.

CHA CHA DANCE

Don't cha wanna learn the cha cha? Our cha cha dance section will give you lots of information on all things related to cha cha. Listed inside you can find cha cha dace history, cha cha dance instruction, cha cha steps, and more!

MERENGUE DANCE

Our merengue dance section is packed with all the information you need to learn to dance merengue. We also have a lot of other relevant information on merengue steps, merengue history, and merengue music. Check it out!

TWO STEP DANCE

This is our Two Step Dance Instruction page. Inside you can check out our amazing "Learn How To Dance Two Step" video series, as well as other great information on the history of two step, nightclub two step dance music, and country nightclub two step dance music. Enjoy!

LINE DANCING

Isn't about time you learned line dancing? We've got a great line dancing section for you including our "Instructional Line Dancing Video" series, line dancing steps, songs for line dancing, and even the history of line dancing. Check it out!

HUSTLE DANCING

Do you know the Hustle Dance? Not only is this dance fun, it gives you a foundation for many other dances you may want to learn in the future. This section includes: Hustle Dance Video Instruction, Hustle Music, Hustle Dance Steps, and even an explanation of disco history.

SLOW DANCE

Our Slow Dance Section will give you all the information to get you looking good on the dance floor plus tons more! Check out our "learn how to slow dance" section for our amazing videos, and also our "Steps To Slow Dancing" section so you can find out what steps you will be learning. We have also listed some great slow dance music for you to dance to. Enjoy!

HIP HOP DANCING

All aspects of Hip Hop Dancing are covered in this section: Learn the hip hop dance moves both through our videos and in text. Find out about the history of hip hop, find great hip hop music to dance to, or explore more information about hip hop culture.

SAMBA DANCE

We've got a great section here on samba dancing! Find everything you need in a four main sections: Our Learn To Dance Samba Videos, Samba history, Samba Music, and Samba Dance Steps. This information will get you well on the way to becoming one of the great samba dancers!

TANGO DANCING

The Tango, particularly Argentine Tango, is one of the most popular dances to learn. That's why we're providing you with all the lessons, background information and more! Our Tango Dance Section is divided into 4 categories: Tango Videos, Tango Steps, Tango music, and Tango History.

BALLET DANCING

Ever dreamed of becoming a ballroom dancer? Even if you already are one, you should check out our Ballet Dancing page. Its loaded with information about the histroy of ballet, ballet costumes, basic ballet steps, and much more!

BOLERO

Our Bolero page is loaded with information! Click inside to learn how to dance bolero, what the great bolero music is, bolero history, and more!

PASO DOBLE DANCE

We have a great Paso Doble Section! Learn all of the important Paso Doble Dance Steps from our amazing series. We have also included some great background infirmation on the history of Paso Doble, and Paso Doble Music. Check It Out!

In Europe and North America

In Europe and North America

Ballet

Ballet developed first in Italy and then in France from lavish court spectacles that combined music, drama, poetry, song, costumes and dance. Members of the court nobility took part as performers. During the reign of Louis XIV, himself a dancer, dance became more codified. Professional dancers began to take the place of court amateurs, and ballet masters were licensed by the French government. The first ballet dance academy was the Académie Royale de Danse (Royal Dance Academy), opened in Paris in 1661. Shortly thereafter, the first institutionalized ballet troupe, associated with the Academy, was formed; this troupe began as an all-male ensemble but by 1681 opened to include women as well.

Dance in India

During the first millennium BCE in India, many texts were composed which attempted to codify aspects of daily life. In the matter of dance, Bharata Muni's Natyashastra (literally "the text of dramaturgy") is the one of the earlier texts. Though the main theme of Natyashastra deals with drama, dance is also widely featured, and indeed the two concepts have ever since been linked in Indian culture. The text elaborates various hand-gestures or mudras and classifies movements of the various limbs of the body, gait, and so on. The Natyashastra categorised dance into four groups and into four regional varieties, naming the groups: secular, ritual, abstract, and, interpretive. However, concepts of regional geography has altered and so have regional varieties of Indian dances. Dances like "Odra Magadhi", which after decades long debate, has been traced to present day Mithila-Orissa region's dance form of Odissi, indicate influence of dances in cultural interactions between different regions.

From these beginnings rose the various classical styles which are recognised today. Therefore, all Indian classical dances are to varying degrees rooted in the Natyashastra and therefore share common features: for example, the mudras, some body positions, and the inclusion of dramatic or expressive acting or abhinaya. The Indian classical music tradition provides the accompaniment for the dance, and as percussion is such an integral part of the tradition, the dancers of nearly all the styles wear bells around their ankles to counterpoint and complement the percussion.

Clssical Dances in India

•	Bharathanatyam	•	Kathak
•	Kathakali	•	Kuchipudi
•	Manipuri	•	Mohiniyattam
•	Odissi

Dance occupations

There are different careers connected with dancing: Dancer, dance teacher, dance sport coach, dance therapist and choreographer.

Dancer

Dance training differs depending on the dance form. There are university programs and schools associated with professional dance companies for specialised training in classical dance (e.g. Ballet) and modern dance. There are also smaller, privately owned dance studios where students may train in a variety of dance forms including competitive dance forms (e.g. Latin dance, ballroom dance, etc.) as well as ethnic/traditional dance forms.

Professional dancers are usually employed on contract or for particular performances/productions. The professional life of a dancer is generally one of constantly changing work situations, strong competition pressure and low pay. Professional dancers often need to supplement their income, either in dance related roles (e.g., dance teaching, dance sport coaches, yoga or Pilates instruction) to achieve financial stability.

In the U.S. many professional dancers are members of unions such as the American Guild of Musical Artists, the Screen Actors Guild and Actors' Equity Association. The unions help determine working conditions and minimum salaries for their members.

Dance teachers

Dance teacher and operators of dance schools rely on reputation and marketing. For dance forms without an association structure such as Salsa or Tango Argentino they may not have formal training. Most dance teachers are self employed.

Dancesport coaches

Dancesport coaches are tournament dancers or former dancesports people, and may be recognised by a dance sport federation.

Choreographer

Choreographers are generally university trained and are typically employed for particular projects or, more rarely may work on contract as the resident choreographer for a specific dance company. A choreographic work is protected intellectual property. Dancers may undertake their own choreography.

Dance competitions

A dance competition is an organized event in which contestants perform dances before a judge or judges for awards and, in some cases, monetary prizes. There are several major types of dance competitions, distinguished primarily by the style or styles of dances performed. Major types of dance competitions include:

• Competitive dance, in which a variety of theater dance styles—such as acro, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, and tap—are permitted.
• Open competitions, which permit a wide variety of dance styles. A popular example of this is the TV program So You Think You Can Dance.
• Dancesport, which is focused exclusively on ballroom and latin dance. A popular example of this is the TV program Dancing with the Stars.
• Single-style competitions, such as highland dance, dance team, and Irish dance, which only permit a single dance style.

Dancing and music

Many early forms of music and dance were created and performed together. This paired development has continued through the ages with dance/music forms such as: Jig, Waltz, Tango, Disco, Salsa, Electronica and Hip-Hop. Some musical genres also have a parallel dance form such as Baroque music and Baroque dance whereas others developed separately: Classical music and Classical ballet.

Although dance is often accompanied by music, it can also be presented independently or provide its own accompaniment (tap dance). Dance presented with music may or may not be performed in time to the music depending on the style of dance. Dance performed without music is said to be danced to its own rhythm.