Women have danced in heels for centuries, but "Heels" represents a distinct dance style that amalgamates elements from various genres.

 

It draws technicality, fluidity, and clean lines from jazz; confidence, hard-hitting moves, and intricacy from hip hop; and sensual floorwork inspired by exotic dance, as well as influences from vogue, Latin dance, and burlesque.

 

Characterised by sharp and precise movements, Heels dance emphasises footwork and body control while performed in high-heeled shoes, often stilettos, to a variety of music genres, including pop, hip-hop, and R&B

 

Beyond its artistic appeal, Heels dance serves as a means of enhancing physical attributes. It fosters balance, core engagement, coordination, and leg muscles while honing muscle control and building strength and stability.

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Hip Hop dance encompasses a variety of styles, rooted in street dance, to the rhythm of hip hop music and was developed within the hip hop culture.  Bboying (breakdance) was the original style, but as hip hop music evolved in the 1990s, new dance styles emerged. Later styles are referred to as new school or new style, while the earlier styles, such as breakdance and various funk-influenced styles integrated into hip hop, are considered old school.

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Typically involving a curved spine, bent knees, and a close connection to the ground. It incorporates percussive and improvisational elements, with a strong sense of community and call-and-response interactions. Pantomime and isolations play a role, engaging various parts of the body, such as the neck, shoulders, arms, torso, rear end, hips, legs, knees, and feet.  Hip Hop exudes fluidity, with flexed feet rather than pointed.

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Popping and locking, two distinct dance styles, are frequently merged together, blending seamlessly to create captivating dance routine.

 

The unique jerking appearance of popping arises from a forceful outward movement of body parts, involving muscle contraction and the subsequent relaxation.

 

By contracting and relaxing muscles in sync with the music's beat, popping creates a striking hit effect. Its execution may vary, ranging from rapid successions to slow, deliberate movements, each adding emphasis to specific beats in the music. 

 

Locking is characterised by distinctive stops, in essence, involving momentarily halting a rapid movement and holding that position before transitioning fluidly back into the dance flow.

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Lyrical dance, blends elements from modern dance, ballet, acrobatics, jazz dance, and various other dance genres.

 

Notably, it emphasises fluidity, intense emotions, and the embodiment of song lyrics in its choreography.

 

The term "lyrical dance" aptly captures the essence of this art form, deriving from the graceful and flowing motions inherent to its movements, as well as the influence of song lyrics that inspire the overall tone and structure of each dance.

 

This stylised and expressive contemporary dance form masterfully incorporates a diverse range of dance techniques.

 

Though the exact origins of lyrical dance remain shrouded in mystery, it gained popularity in the twentieth century, finding its place on Broadway stages and flourishing in dance competitions

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Dancehall originated in 1970s Jamaica as a dynamic fusion of dance and music, branching off from reggae and ska. 

 

It intertwines energetic and upbeat rhythms with synchronised movements - the music often revolves around the dance moves themselves, with many songs dedicated entirely to showcasing the various steps. In essence, dancehall is a genre primarily designed for dancing, as the name says, in halls or clubs. 

 

This dance style demands the engagement of the chest, back, and core muscles, promoting a grounded and slightly bent posture, setting it apart from more classical forms of dance like ballet. The essence of dancehall lies in complete freedom of expression, encouraging dancers to infuse their performances with distinctive personality.

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Contemporary dance emerged in the mid-20th century. It is performed to a wide range of music allowing for freedom in artistic vision and continues to evolve to this day. It  combines elements from various dance styles, including modern dance, ballet, jazz, and other art forms like improvisation and postmodern dance.

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Emphasising self-expression, creativity, and individuality, contemporary dance allows dancers to explore and communicate their emotions and ideas through movement. 

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This style is known for its fluidity, use of gravity, and exploration of the body's natural movements. Contemporary dancers often work with the concepts of weight, momentum, and breath to create expressive and powerful performances.

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Contact Improv is a partner dance style centered around the physical elements of touch, momentum, shared weight, and, most importantly, maintaining a mutual point of contact.

 

Drawing from modern dance and components of Aikido, this dance form delves into the art of falling, rolling, counterbalance, and effortless lifting techniques, along with the ability to stay light while being lifted.

 

It emphasises centring, breathing practices, and being responsive to both dance partners and the surrounding environment. 

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West Coast Swing is a partner dance style that originated in the United States during the mid-20th century, with origins in Lindy Hop. It is a form of swing dance that is characterised by its elastic appearance resulting from the extension-compression technique used in partner connection.

 

Compared to East Coast Swing, West Coast Swing distinguishes itself by utilising "body leads" as opposed to "arm leads," and is danced predominantly within a slotted area on the dance floor recognisable by its smooth and slotted movements, which means that the dancers travel linearly up and down the dance floor along a designated "slot" rather than moving circularly like in traditional swing dances. Unlike other partner dancing, this dance style encourages both partners to creatively improvise steps while dancing together.

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Salsa is a partner dance style that originated in the Caribbean, particularly in Cuba and Puerto Rico. It is a fusion of various dance forms, including Afro-Cuban, mambo, cha-cha-cha, and other Latin dance elements.

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Salsa incorporates sensual hip movements, body isolations, and stylish arm work to add flair to the dance. The lead dancer guides the partner through a series of turns, spins, and intricate patterns, while the follower responds. 

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Salsa is not only a social dance but also a performance art, with choreographed routines often showcased in dance competitions and stage performances. It is widely popular around the world, and its joyful and passionate nature makes it a favorite dance style in various social and cultural settings.

Bachata is an intimate partner dance that originated in the Dominican Republic. Like Salsa, Bachata (the dance) grew from Bachata (the music). A music form that developed in the early 20th century, Bachata music has its origins in Cuban son, boleros and Afro-Caribbean rhythms. 

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New fusion styles that have been developed over the years include: Urban Bachata (Hip Hop influenced), Bachatango (Argentine Tango influenced) and more commonly danced here in Australia - Sensual Bachata (a sensual fusion of Moderna and Dominican styles).

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Like Salsa, Bachata is not only a social dance but also a performance art, with choreographed routines often showcased in dance competitions and stage performances. 

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Zouk is a smooth flowing partner dance style that originated in the French Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique in the late 1970s. It was influenced by various dance forms, including the traditional Brazilian Lambada. Over time, Zouk evolved into its own distinct dance style with several variations, including Brazilian Zouk and Caribbean Zouk. 

 

Zouk has a characteristic wave-like movement, elongated steps and striking head movements by the follower. The movements are a rhythmic side to side and a rippling forward and back wave-like motion.

Originally danced to Zouk music only, it is now danced to various music genres, including pop, R&B, and contemporary songs. Dancers aim to match their movements to the rhythm, melody, and emotional content of the music.

Animal Flow is a modern fitness practice and movement system that draws inspiration from various animal movements and bodyweight exercises, combining elements from gymnastics, parkour, yoga, and bodyweight training to create a dynamic and engaging workout.

 

Using activations, form specific stretches, switches and transitions, travelling forms and flows. This system is designed to improve strength, power, flexibility, mobility, and coordination, with a focus on proper form, breathwork, and body awareness throughout the movements.  

 

Animal Flow can be adapted to various fitness levels, from beginners to advanced athletes. The exercises can be modified to suit individual abilities and fitness goals. 

Commercial jazz is a dance style that emerged from the fusion of traditional jazz dance techniques with elements of contemporary and hip-hop styles. It is often characterised by its energetic and dynamic movements, incorporating sharp and fluid motions, isolations, and intricate footwork. Commercial jazz is commonly seen in music videos, live performances, and various entertainment productions, making it a popular choice for commercial purposes such as advertisements, concerts, and television shows.

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Dancers who specialise in commercial jazz often possess a strong foundation in jazz dance fundamentals, but they also incorporate elements of urban dance styles, modern dance, and other contemporary influences. The style frequently adapts to the latest trends and music, allowing it to stay relevant and appealing to a wide audience.

Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of acrobatics, dance, music, and game-like movements. It was developed by enslaved Africans in Brazil during the colonial period as a form of self-defense, cultural expression, and resistance against oppression.

 

Capoeira is characterized by its fluid and rhythmic motions, often performed in a circle called a "roda," where participants engage in improvised sequences of kicks, sweeps, spins, and other acrobatic maneuvers.

 

One of the distinctive features of capoeira is its integration of music and rhythm. Participants gather around the roda and play traditional instruments such as the berimbau (a single-stringed bow instrument), atabaque (drum), and pandeiro (tambourine). The music sets the pace and mood of the game, and participants often sing songs in Portuguese that convey historical and cultural messages.