“There was a time when calling movement ‘jazz’ meant it was separate from the concert dance world, so a lot of people dropped the name but not the vocab. That’s why it’s so individualized.” -Maurice Johnson “With jazz dance, it’s really up to the instructor to breathe life into the form. But that means a jazz dancer can easily do all types of dance.” -Sean Cheesman “Jazz is hard to define because it’s constantly changing and growing. The “SYTYCD” Season 10 Top 6 performing Sean Cheesman’s Muni Badnaam Hui Darling (photo by Adam Rose/FOX) Technical steps (soutenu, pirouette, pas de bourrée, etc.) as transitionsĮven the experts admit that jazz is nearly impossible to define. Within the last decade, dancers started taking street jazz out of the gym and into the studio, making it a recognized style.īeyoncé and Justin Timberlake and their backup dancers “It’s a blend of street dance and jazz-a stylization of what was being done in aerobic dance classes,” Maurice Johnson says.
Maurice Johnson teaching a street jazz class at the Joy of Motion Dance Center in Washington, D.C.
Loose arms, shoulders and back with a controlled lower body to execute technical jazz movements Katherine Dunham and Alvin Ailey were pioneers in the exploration and development of the fusion.Īlvin Ailey American Dance Theater in NYC Sean Cheesman says, “It’s a fusion of African dance with the technical elements of jazz.” Technical jazz elements performed to Latin musicĪlvin Ailey American Dance Theater performing Jungle Jazz on “SYTYCD” Season 9 (photo by Adam Rose/Fox) Use of the clave, a rhythmic pattern that forms the backbone of Latin music Maria Torres’ choreography on “SYTYCD” Season 3 Ashlé Dawson further popularized the style on “SYTYCD,” “MADE” and “America’s Got Talent.” Maria Torres developed and popularized the fusion at Broadway Dance Center. “It’s a style that allows a dancer to use the movements of various Latin dance styles without the assistance of a partner by adding elements of jazz,” Maria Torres says. Maria Torres Dance Theatre performing Great Day in the Barrio (photo by Catlin Speiss) Moments where the movement is a very literal interpretation of the lyricsĬhanges in the music leading to changes in the choreographic theme This style was developed to fill the need for backup dancers in these videos.Įmphasis on impressive tricks, such as leaps, flips and turns When MTV debuted in 1981, it created a surge in the production of music videos.
“It’s a mix of hip hop, jazz and the latest dance steps, choreographed to pop songs,” Sean Cheesman says. Initiation from the breathor an unconventional body part (elbow, rib, etc.)Ĭlassic steps-passé, battement, pirouette-with broken lines or changes in weightĪaron Turner and Jasmine Harper performing Sean Cheesman’s Mirror Mirror on “SYTYCD” Season 10 (photo by Adam Rose/FOX) Mia Michaels’ earlier work popularized the style.Ĭhoreography by Sonya Tayeh, Mandy Moore, Stacey Tookey and Mia Michaels on “SYTYCD” Tracie Stanfield says, “It challenges the rules and foundations of classic jazz by adding pedestrian movements, strong storylines and self-expression.” Tiffany Maher and George Lawrence II performing Mia Michaels’ Hometown Glory on “SYTYCD” Season 9 (photo by Adam Rose/FOX) Strong contractions through the chest and hips
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