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English Ballroom Dance

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English Ballroom Dance

by Benjamin Secino

English Ballroom Dance
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Abstract

This milestone explores modern English Ballroom Dance styles, techniques, and histories. Specifically, the objective of this milestone will be to provide a historical background for International Waltz and International Cha Cha, to experience other International styles through classes, and to generate video demonstrations of learned routines for International Waltz and Cha Cha.

Prior to embarking on this milestone, Benjamin Secino took over one hundred hours of Ballroom classes at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, learning International Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep, American Waltz, Foxtrot, International Cha Cha, Rumba, Jive, Mambo, Bolero, Samba, American Cha Cha, Rumba, East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing, and Lindy Hop. Benjamin competed in four collegiate Ballroom competitions, winning five ribbons. Benjamin is also the Treasurer of the WPI Ballroom Dance Team.

Introduction


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Section 1: Background


Starting in the Middle Ages, Ballroom Dance evolved in Europe as a series of court dances. Although these dances were highly formal in nature, and were most often performed facing the throne, they owed many of their steps to folk dances [1]. Indeed, besides location and atmosphere, very little distinction existed between court and folk dancing [2]. In both cases, lines of dancers moved around the floor in lines or circles, joining together and moving apart as a group [3]. One reason behind this style of movement was the constraint put upon dancers by the rooms they occupied. In the Middle Ages, it was common for rooms to have a central hearth, completely blocking the center of the floor [4]. This forced dancers to move in lines around the periphery of the floor, or to dance in compact square or circular arrangements. Even when chimneys and hearths began to move to the sides of dance floors, the contra dance style remained dominant [5].

Within the overarching contra dance style, new variations were constantly being introduced [6]. Each of these dances needed to be learned and memorized before it could be performed on the dance floor. Learning these dances required either a dedicated instructor or the study of a dance manuel. One of the earliest dance manuels was written by John Playford in 1651, and features instructions and music for one hundred fifty dances [7]. For the next several hundred years, the only major developments in social dancing were these ever-new variations. But while these variations allowed for social dance to take on different characteristics and flavors, they stopped short of delivering anything fundamentally new. This revolution would have to wait until 1812, the year that Waltz entered into the repertoire of English Ballroom [8].

Waltz: Dancing to a New Tune


The introduction, reception, and development of International Waltz.

Popularization of Ballroom Dance


The development and expansion of Ballroom Dance in the 19th and 20th centuries, including the introduction of new dances and the rise of competitions.

Cha Cha: Ballroom Gets Spicy


The history of Cha Cha in England.

Ballroom in the 21st Century


The current state of Ballroom Dancing.

Section 2: Deliverable


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An overview of the classes taken and the routines learned.

International Waltz


An explanation of the Waltz routine and a video of a performance.

International Cha Cha


An explanation of the Cha Cha routine and a video of a performance.

Gallery



Conclusion


In this section, provide a summary or recap of your work, as well as potential areas of further inquiry (for yourself, future students, or other researchers).

References


  1. Cohen-Stratyner, B. (n.d.). Ballroom Dance. Retrieved May 9, 2017, from https://www.britannica.com/art/ballroom-dance
  2. History Of Ballroom Dance. (n.d.). Retrieved May 9, 2017, from http://www.ballroomdance.co/history-of-ballroom-dance/
  3. Wilson, C. A. (n.d.). The Arrival of the Waltz in England, 1812. BRANCH. Retrieved May 9, 2017, from http://www.branchcollective.org/?ps_articles=cheryl-a-wilson-the-arrival-of-the-waltz-in-england-1812
  4. History Of Ballroom Dance. (n.d.). Retrieved May 9, 2017, from http://www.ballroomdance.co/history-of-ballroom-dance/
  5. Wilson, C. A. (n.d.). The Arrival of the Waltz in England, 1812. BRANCH. Retrieved May 9, 2017, from http://www.branchcollective.org/?ps_articles=cheryl-a-wilson-the-arrival-of-the-waltz-in-england-1812
  6. Wilson, C. A. (n.d.). The Arrival of the Waltz in England, 1812. BRANCH. Retrieved May 9, 2017, from http://www.branchcollective.org/?ps_articles=cheryl-a-wilson-the-arrival-of-the-waltz-in-england-1812
  7. Wilson, C. A. (n.d.). The Arrival of the Waltz in England, 1812. BRANCH. Retrieved May 9, 2017, from http://www.branchcollective.org/?ps_articles=cheryl-a-wilson-the-arrival-of-the-waltz-in-england-1812
  8. Wilson, C. A. (n.d.). The Arrival of the Waltz in England, 1812. BRANCH. Retrieved May 9, 2017, from http://www.branchcollective.org/?ps_articles=cheryl-a-wilson-the-arrival-of-the-waltz-in-england-1812



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