Jazz Dance
Energy, Dynamic, Attack

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Whilst jazz dance may seem very different than ballet, there are many similarities between the two styles. Jazz in particular emphasizes a dancer's individual style and has a more fun, energetic quality. Yet both require a strong core and a great sense of rhythm and musicality.

Jazz has many unique moves and some of them are similiar to ballet, including big leaps and quick turns. In a jazz class, some of the basic steps include chaines, piques and pirouettes. There are also big leaps including grand jetes and tour jetes.

The intention for jazz is much more lively and energetic, so the emhpasis is also on the dancer to bring their own originality to the steps. In particular, jazz dance benefits from having a good understanding of the technique of ballet.

Jazz dancers who have a strong background in ballet are able to really stand out, as it encourages a sense grace and balance. Yet ballet dancer's also benefit from studying jazz dance to encourage attack and dynamic in their movement. Jazz is influenced by other styles of dance including ballet, contemporary and hip hop.

The attack and high dynamic in jazz is definitely something young dancers can take in their ballet classes, as in exercises such as grand allegro ballet dancer's have to give the movements their highest energy in order to achieve their maximum height.

Ballet is a great basis for many other styles of dance inluding jazz and contemporary. It gives you a sound technique and builds a strong core, balance and sense of co ordination. Therefore, ballet allows dancers to be versatile enough to challenge other styles.

It is a great skill as a dancer to be versatile and it is rare to go through your career only performing one style of dance. Nowadays, even classical ballet companies are beginning to incorporate more modern works.

A leading figure in dance, Katherine Dunham, formed a company in the 1930s which consisted of versatile artists including dancers, singers, actors and musicians. The troupe's work showed a mixture of Afro-Caribbean, ballet, and modern dance. It became the first African Amercian modern dance company and the the only permanent American dance troupe at that time.

To look a dance as a career, you have to be creative and willing enough to go out of your comfort zone and challenge other styles. Some of the most dominant forms of dance include ballet, jazz, contemporary and tap.

Dance companies will be looking for professional dancers who can be adapatable for their repertoire. Therefore, many vocational dance schools include jazz and contemporary classes as well as ballet to give the dancers a wider range of style in dance.

Ballet dancing is a very tough career to pursue and I know of many dancers who began with a sole dream to become a ballet dancer, yet along the way their career development plan changed and they found great passion in jazz, contemporary dance, musical theatre.

So be open-minded to your dance career and enjoy other forms of dance as well as ballet. So even if ballet is your dream, it is wise to know that your ballet training can lead you to many other options.

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