DANCE APPRECIATION AND

COMPOSITION
 WHAT MAKES A GOOD DANCE?
A good dance displays a significant meaning
or conveys a message.
Dance may be presented abstractly and
symbolically but still convey emotion and
meaning
It has a beginning, middle, and end/conclusion
Beginning – shape, a pose or an entrance
Middle – development or exploration of the
main idea.
End – clear and maybe in a form of shape ,
pose or an exit.
What is FORM?
Is the instrument by which ideas and
elements are arranged or combined into
a logical sequence which results in in
unity and consistency, and by means of
which the content or idea can be
expressed and communicated.
Should progress through time from the
beginning to the end of the
choreography.
Each section is composed of several
units that are smoothly connected to
each other.
What is a PHRASE?
The smallest unit of form in
the whole dance
Choreographers and dancers
use movement phrasing when
working on dances
Commonly, a single phrase
consists of eight counts.
What is a MOTIF?
A single movement or a short phrase of
movement that embodies the style and
intention of the dance.
A good dance contains a theme or a motif to
be able to convey its meaning or intention to
the audience.
A good dance uses a motif in which the
movements are repeated, varied, and
developed by manipulating the movement
components or elements
 EXAMPLE

Itik Itik Philippine

Folk Dance
Characteristics of a Good Dance
 Unity – the interconnected phrases of the dance are
coherent and flow smoothly together. It also attracts and
holds the audience’s attention.
 Continuity and Development – the phrases of dance that
are organized progressively, making each movement
phrase move naturally into the next.
 Variety and Contrast – making one or several variations
that highlight the facet of the motif. It add excitement and
flavor in the dance.
 Transition – this is the link between movements,
phrases, and sections of the dance. It is vital because it
keeps the unity and continuity of dance.
 Repetition – it emphasizes movements and phrases that
are important to the dance and gives a feeling of closure
to a work.
 Climax - this is where the apex of energy in the dance is
reached.
EVALUATING A GOOD
DANCE
 According to Linda Rickett-Young
(1996), the evaluator’s roles are
categorized as:
Choreographers – they will evaluate a
part of an ongoing process of developing
a personal style which is both
spontaneous and organized.
Dancers – they will evaluate according to
the specific demands that the
performance places on them.
Audiences – they will evaluate according
to the particular context of the dance.
 Stages in Assessing a Dance
(Dance Critique)
DESCRIPTION – involves close observation of
all elements, characteristics, and components
of dance.
INTERPRETATION – involves an appreciation of
the ideas, content, images and style contained
within the dance.
EVALUATION – takes into the consideration
how effectively the features and the context of
the dance have been utilized in the actual
performance of the dancers to portray the
content and the quality of the dance.
Performance task
Perform a dance choreography
using the characteristics of a good
dance. The dance will be a
recreational dance and a fitness
dance like ZUMBA Fitness and
cardio dance.