A-Z Definitions
Note - not all words are found in the Syllabus. Syllabus definitions are in orange. The others are approved personal definitions that will be useful.
A
Abstraction - the move from the representational to the symbolic; the process of removing movement from a particular or representative context and (by manipulating it with elements of space, time and force) creating a new sequence or dance that retains the essence of the original
Active Space - when the space itself becomes alive, when it has meaning, or takes on symbolic suggestions of its own. (Symbolic and dynamic space are apart of active space).
Alignment - the relationship of the skeleton to the line of gravity and the base of support
Appreciation - the knowledge of dance as an art form derived from the procedures of research, analysis, interpretation, writing, criticism and evaluation
Axial Movement - any movement that is anchored to one spot by a body part using only the available space in any direction without losing the initial body contact. Movement is organised around the axis of the body rather than designed for travel from one location to another; also known as non-locomotor movement
Active Space - when the space itself becomes alive, when it has meaning, or takes on symbolic suggestions of its own. (Symbolic and dynamic space are apart of active space).
Alignment - the relationship of the skeleton to the line of gravity and the base of support
Appreciation - the knowledge of dance as an art form derived from the procedures of research, analysis, interpretation, writing, criticism and evaluation
Axial Movement - any movement that is anchored to one spot by a body part using only the available space in any direction without losing the initial body contact. Movement is organised around the axis of the body rather than designed for travel from one location to another; also known as non-locomotor movement
B
Body Articulation - the ability of the dancer to isolate and combine individual body parts to communicate a desired intent
C
Choreography - the art and craft of planning and arranging dance movements into a meaningful whole
Choreographic Principles - the essential qualities of choreography relating to the areas of study, ie manipulation of the element of dance; generating movement; organising the movement; and organising the work, and additional considerations
Choreography Structure - the specific compositional forms or frameworks used to determine the overall structure of an entire dance/work
Composition - the arrangement of parts to produce a complete and unified whole, including the processes of exploring, improvising, selecting and forming movement into a dance
Concept - the motivation behind the composition/choreography of movement
Contrast - the use of different attributes of the elements of movement
Control - the ability to employ dance technique to meet the needs of the dance/work
Choreographic Principles - the essential qualities of choreography relating to the areas of study, ie manipulation of the element of dance; generating movement; organising the movement; and organising the work, and additional considerations
Choreography Structure - the specific compositional forms or frameworks used to determine the overall structure of an entire dance/work
Composition - the arrangement of parts to produce a complete and unified whole, including the processes of exploring, improvising, selecting and forming movement into a dance
Concept - the motivation behind the composition/choreography of movement
Contrast - the use of different attributes of the elements of movement
Control - the ability to employ dance technique to meet the needs of the dance/work
D
Dynamics - one of the elements of dance; the level of energy or force applied to the execution of a movement or movement sequence
Dynamics - one of the elements of dance; creates light and shade within the dance. Force, weight, energy, movement qualities and Laban's eight effort actions are all components of dynamics.
Dynamics - one of the elements of dance; creates light and shade within the dance. Force, weight, energy, movement qualities and Laban's eight effort actions are all components of dynamics.
E
Energy - the potential for force; propels or initiates movement. A component of dynamics.
Environment - happenings and occurrences within the space of the dance activity
Era - an identifiable period of time in which significant development in dance took place that relates to a developmental aspect of dance as an art form
Elevation - the ability to jump high into the air and give the appearance of remaining suspended at the apex of the jump
Environment - happenings and occurrences within the space of the dance activity
Era - an identifiable period of time in which significant development in dance took place that relates to a developmental aspect of dance as an art form
Elevation - the ability to jump high into the air and give the appearance of remaining suspended at the apex of the jump
F
Force - the magnitude or intensity of the energy exerted, expended or released. A component of dynamics.
Form - the overall shape, organisation or development of a composition according to a preconceived plan
Form - the overall shape, organisation or development of a composition according to a preconceived plan
I
Improvisation - movement that is created spontaneously, ranging from free-form to highly structured environments, but always with an element of chance
Intent - the purpose behind the composition or performance of movement
Interpretation - the application of dance technique and individual performance quality to realise the concept/intent of a piece of choreography
Intent - the purpose behind the composition or performance of movement
Interpretation - the application of dance technique and individual performance quality to realise the concept/intent of a piece of choreography
K
Kinaesthetic Awareness - kinaesthetic sensations are feelings of the body’s muscles, joints and tendons while in motion or stillness. The kinaesthetic sense is of primary importance to movement and dance. Perceptions of the body’s movements are gathered through receptors in the tendons, muscles and joints and relayed to the brain. By becoming aware of their own kinaesthetic sensations, students can more accurately direct and control their movements as well as copy movements demonstrated to them. This results in students increasing their dance techniques
Kinaesthetic Awareness - kinaesthetic sensations are feelings of the body’s muscles, joints and tendons while in motion or stillness. This sense allows me to accurately copy movements shown to me and to make subtle adjustments to my alignment and movements whilst dancing.
Kinaesthetic Awareness - kinaesthetic sensations are feelings of the body’s muscles, joints and tendons while in motion or stillness. This sense allows me to accurately copy movements shown to me and to make subtle adjustments to my alignment and movements whilst dancing.
L
Locomotive Movement - movement that travels from place to place, usually identified by weight transference on the feet. Basic locomotor steps are the walk, run, leap, hop, and jump and the irregular rhythmic combinations of the skip (walk and hop), slide (walk and leap) and gallop (walk and leap).
Locomotive Movement - movements designed to travel through space
Locomotive Movement - movements designed to travel through space
M
Motif - the earliest stage of development of a theme or composition; a movement starting point which gives the first element of form to the dance/work
Musicality - the attention and sensitivity to the musical elements of dance while creating or performing
Musicality - the attention and sensitivity to the musical elements of dance while creating or performing
P
Performance - the act of dancing, and the performances that result. Knowledge in performance depends upon understanding the requirements of the technical skill of dancing and the possible interpretations to which those works are open
Performance Quality -the interrelationship between the quality of line, control and variation of dynamics, and kinaesthetic awareness in realising the concept/intent of a performance
Personal Style - the composer/choreographer’s movement response to a concept/intent. It is influenced by body structure, type of training, prior dance experiences, personality and individual space/time/dynamics preferences. The composer/choreographer may draw inspiration from a variety of sources that are shaped or personalised to communicate his/her intent
Phrase - a brief sequence of related movements that make up the smallest and simplest unit of dance form
Projection - a confident presentation of one’s body and energy to vividly communicate movement and meaning to an audience
Performance Quality -the interrelationship between the quality of line, control and variation of dynamics, and kinaesthetic awareness in realising the concept/intent of a performance
Personal Style - the composer/choreographer’s movement response to a concept/intent. It is influenced by body structure, type of training, prior dance experiences, personality and individual space/time/dynamics preferences. The composer/choreographer may draw inspiration from a variety of sources that are shaped or personalised to communicate his/her intent
Phrase - a brief sequence of related movements that make up the smallest and simplest unit of dance form
Projection - a confident presentation of one’s body and energy to vividly communicate movement and meaning to an audience
S
Sequencing - the organisation of single movement to short and long phrases, to sequences and sections, to a completed dance
Seminal artist/work - one which has significantly influenced how dance as an art form is perceived
Space - one of the elements of dance. The dancer moves in and through space. Dance movement takes up space, and a dance is performed in a space. Direction, level size, focus, and pathway are aspects of space
Stillness - is not inaction, rather a waiting with a sense of ongoingness
Stimulus - the starting point or incentive for creative movement. Stimuli for dance compositions can be auditory, visual, ideational, tactile or kinaesthetic
Style - a distinctive manner of expressing an idea; the characteristic way dance is created or performed that identifies the dance of a particular performer, choreographer, or period.
Seminal artist/work - one which has significantly influenced how dance as an art form is perceived
Space - one of the elements of dance. The dancer moves in and through space. Dance movement takes up space, and a dance is performed in a space. Direction, level size, focus, and pathway are aspects of space
Stillness - is not inaction, rather a waiting with a sense of ongoingness
Stimulus - the starting point or incentive for creative movement. Stimuli for dance compositions can be auditory, visual, ideational, tactile or kinaesthetic
Style - a distinctive manner of expressing an idea; the characteristic way dance is created or performed that identifies the dance of a particular performer, choreographer, or period.
T
Technique - the learning of movement skills; refers to a way of using the body that is anatomically sound, allows maximum facility of use, and is as free as possible from externally imposed stylistic influences
Technology - electronic media, such as computers and videos, used as tools to create, learn, explain, document, analyse or present dance
Time - one of the elements of dance. The aspects of time include movement speed, accents, silences and rhythm
Transition - a natural evolvement from one thing to the next, between individual movements, between phrases, between major sections of a dance/work
Technology - electronic media, such as computers and videos, used as tools to create, learn, explain, document, analyse or present dance
Time - one of the elements of dance. The aspects of time include movement speed, accents, silences and rhythm
Transition - a natural evolvement from one thing to the next, between individual movements, between phrases, between major sections of a dance/work
U
Unity - the overall aim of the construction of a dance
W
Warm Up -movements and/or movement phrases designed to raise the core body temperature and bring the mind into focus for the dance activities to follow