Page 223 - The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 11 and 12: The Arts, 2010

dance style. A way of performing dance that is characteristic of a particular period, setting, choreographer, performer, group, culture, or other category. See also genre.
dance science. The application of scientific principles to the study of dance, with a focus on preventing injuries and on improving the performance and the general health of dancers. Disciplines that are often part of the study of dance science are anatomy, biomechanics, phys- iology, and psychology. Study of somatic prac- tices such as Pilates, yoga, and the Alexander technique may also be included.
elements of dance. Fundamental components of dance, which include the following:
– body. The instrument of dance. The term body may also refer to body positions or shapes (e.g., curved, straight, angular, twisted, symmetrical, asymmetrical) or to body move- ments (e.g., locomotor, non-locomotor).
– energy. The force with which the body moves (e.g., light, strong, sustained, sudden).
– relationship. The way in which two or more things are connected to or associated with one another (e.g., dancer to dancer, dancer to object, right arm to left arm).
– space. The physical area in which the body moves; also, the area surrounding the body.
– time. An element involving rhythm, tempo, accent, and duration. Time can be based on measured beats, as in music, or on body rhythms, such as breath, emotions, and heartbeat.
energy. See elements of dance. ensemble. A group of performers.
flocking. A type of improvisation in which students move in groups, with no set pattern or in a diamond formation, following a leader and all doing the same movements simultaneously. This is an extended version of mirroring for three or more people. Participants do not neces- sarily need to be able to watch each other, as long as they can see the leader.
fluency. The ability to perform dance movements with apparent effortlessness.
fluid movement. Movement that is easily changing, smooth, or unconstrained.
freeze. A stop; an absence of movement.
genre. A category of dance (e.g., ballet, Bharata
Natyam, modern, Afro-Caribbean).
guided improvisation. In dance, a movement or series of movements created spontaneously by a dancer, with teacher guidance. See also improvisation.
improvisation. In dance, a movement or series of movements created spontaneously by a dancer, either independently or in a group.
kinesthetic awareness. The ability to be aware of one’s own body parts (e.g., muscles, tendons, joints), position (e.g., posture), and movement (e.g., tension and relaxation of muscles, shifting of weight, movement of the body through space). Dancers who have developed kinesthetic awareness, or body awareness, are more likely to be able to perform the various movements
of dance safely, to have a good sense of balance, and to respond to stimuli appropriately (e.g., judge correctly where to move while dancing
in a group).
level. The height of the dancer’s movements in relation to the floor, usually measured as high, medium, and low.
locomotor movement. A movement that involves travelling from one place to another across a space (e.g., walking, galloping, rolling).
mirroring. A type of improvisation. Two students face each other. Student A initiates the move- ment, while student B follows, maintaining eye contact as appropriate; students switch roles after a set time.
motif. A distinctive recurring gesture, movement, sequence, or image that can be elaborated upon in a variety of ways. A motif may be used to pro- vide a theme or unifying idea for a dance piece.
GLOSSARY
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