Modern dance has become an important style that is recognized throughout the dance industry. This expressive style compliments classical ballet technique and training with its equal yet opposite focus on body movements and isolations. The essence of this style is self-expression and emotive movement, as opposed to the rigid structure of classical ballet.
It allows for fluidity in movement that highlights technique and style from the combination of many genres of dance while allowing a platform for improvisation and emotion in performance. Inspiration for Modern dance comes from a merging or blending of techniques from Classical Ballet, African dance, Jazz, Contemporary and more. Though more relaxed and freeing in movement than ballet, it requires a strong core and study in classical ballet technique to be effectively understood and mastered by the dancer. Dancers train and perform barefoot to feel the floor and work from a more grounded body placement.
Modern dance had a difficult start and was not recognized as a technical style of dance until the late nineteenth century. Loie Fuller, Isadora Duncan, Ruth St. Denis, and Ted Shawn are considered the lead pioneers by many in the Modern dance movement that lead to its relevance in the professional dance realm.
At first, it was seen as a rebellion against classical ballet in its early beginning. Today it is considered a crucial style that compliments classical technique. There are now three main Modern dance techniques each with their own specific stylized characteristics that are taught around the world today: the Cunningham Technique, the Graham Technique, and the Limón Technique.
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