What are the dance elements?

What is dance?

by Teacher Beatriz Sánchez

​Dance is...

​The movement of the body, in a rhythmic way, usually to music and within a given space, for the purpose of expressing an idea or emotion, releasing energy, or simply taking delight in the movement itself.

(​Mackrell, J. 2021)

Multiple Choice

Can we dance with no music?

• Yes, as long as the movement has a rhythm

• No, that's not considered dancing

​There are five elements of dance:

• ​Body

• ​Action

• ​Space

• ​Time

• ​Energy

Fill in the Blanks

Poll

Which dance elements have we used in The way you make me feel choreography?

• Body

• Action

• Space

• Time

• Energy

1. ​Body

​Dance is an art form of and by the HUMAN BODY.

​A dancer can use the whole body, or emphasize individual body parts, when moving or staying still.

(Kennedy, 2021)

​Action is any human movement involved in the act of dancing.

​Action includes small movements like facial expressions or gestures, as well as larger movements like lifts, carries, or catches done with a partner or in a group. “Action” is also considered the movement executed as the pauses or stillness between movements.

2. Action

(Kennedy, 2021)

Multiple Choice

Is running considered "dance"?

• Yes, if you do it as part of your choreography.

• No, running is a sport and dancing isn't.

​Space is where the action of dance takes place. Dance moves through space in an endless variety of ways.

​Space can be both indoors and outdoors, and some dances are created with specific spaces in mind.

3. Space

(Kennedy, 2021)

​Refers to the moment the body moves in relation to time.

​​It can refer to the speed of the movement or the moment it is executed. Every movement has a beginning and an end.

It can also be the moment a dancer starts performing.

4. Time

(Kennedy, 2021)

Multiple Choice

When the teacher says "5, 6, 7, 8" is applying one of these dance elements

• Body

• Space

• Action

• Time

​Energy helps us to identify how the dancers move.

​Perhaps their movements are sharp and strong, or maybe they are light and free. Energy also represents the quality of the movement—its power and richness.

5. Energy

(Kennedy, 2021)

Multiple Choice

This is a word used to remember the 5 elements of dance:

• Baste

  B-A-S-T-E

• DancEl

  Dance elements

• Tempo

  Time in dancing

• Tesba

  T-E-S-B-A

Poll

Which are the two dance elements used the most in the choreography "La llorona"?

• Body

• Action

• Time

• Space

• Energy

References:​​

Mackrell, Judith R.. "Dance". Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Nov. 2020, https://www.britannica.com/art/dance.

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​Kennedy, C., 2021. Do You Wanna Dance?. Kennedy-center.org. https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/resources-for-educators/classroom-resources/media-and-interactives/media/dance/do-you-wanna-dance/