Dance Styles Across Cultures Lesson 5

Lesson 5: Creating Cultural-Inspired Dance

Create a dance sequence inspired by a cultural style.

Use elements of dance (space, time, dynamics) to reflect the cultural context.

Success Criteria

Begin creating a short dance sequence inspired by a cultural style.

Apply the elements of dance to communicate cultural significance.

Learning Intention

What is Cultural Choreography?

Choreography is the process of creating a sequence of dance movements.

When choreographing inspired by a cultural dance style, we must:

✔ Respect and understand the cultural context

✔ Avoid copying or mimicking sacred or ceremonial elements

✔ Use inspiration from movement qualities, formations, gestures, and themes

💬 We’re not replicating — we’re learning from and responding to cultural ideas.

Start With Cultural Intention

• Unity and community (e.g. African circle dances)

• Spiritual storytelling (e.g. Indian Bharatanatyam)

• Connection to land and ancestors (e.g. Indigenous Australian dance)

🎯 Your intention will guide your movement choices.

Examples:

❓ What value or theme from the cultural style do I want to reflect?

Before you begin, ask:

Elements of Dance in Choreography

Use the elements of dance to shape your sequence:

Element	Choreographic Use	Example
Space	Pathways, formations	Diagonal travel, group circle
Time	Tempo, rhythm	Sharp counts vs flowing counts
Dynamics	Energy/effort	Strong, sudden vs smooth, sustained
Relationships	How dancers interact	Mirroring, unison, solo vs group

​💡 These tools help communicate your intent clearly to the audience.

Beginning the Choreographic Process

📍Watch your teacher demonstrate the first steps of creating a cultural-inspired phrase.

1. Select a cultural idea: e.g., Celebration and rhythm in West African dance

2. Choose a movement inspiration: grounded footwork, open arms, circular pattern

3. Combine with elements:

• Use a circle pathway (space)

• Match the tempo to drum rhythms (time)

• Add strong, bouncing dynamics (dynamics)

Final Movement Phrase Example

Teacher performs a short 4–6 count phrase:

• Movement 1: Step and stomp to the side (low level, strong dynamic)

• Movement 2: Arm sweep upward (mid-level, fluid)

• Movement 3: Turn in a semi-circle with arm gestures (space: circular pathway)

• Movement 4: Pause in open pose (held stillness – use of time and focus)

Open Ended

What cultural qualities or values can you see in this phrase?

Open Ended

Which elements of dance were most effective?

What You’ve Learned

✔ Choreographing in response to culture requires respect, understanding, and intention

✔ Use the elements of dance (space, time, dynamics, relationships) to build meaning

✔ Start small — focus on a clear cultural theme and build movement around it

👀 Next, you’ll begin creating your own group choreography using these tools!
Check Google classroom for the task.