Dance is a beautiful and diverse art form that comes in many styles, each with its own unique flavor, technique, and history. If you’re new to dance or considering which style to try, understanding the differences can help you find the perfect fit for your personality, goals, and interests. At Doty Performance, we offer a variety of styles to suit every dancer’s passion and pace. Let’s explore some of the most popular dance styles you’ll find at our studio!

Ballet: The Foundation of All Dance

Ballet is often called the “mother” of all dance styles. It’s known for its graceful, precise movements and strict technique. Ballet builds strength, balance, flexibility, and discipline. It’s a great starting point for dancers of all ages because it lays the foundation for good posture and control, which help in any other dance style.

Jazz: Energy, Expression, and Rhythm

Jazz dance is all about sharp, energetic movements and strong rhythm. It’s a fun, dynamic style that combines technique with personality and flair. Jazz often incorporates elements from ballet but allows for more freedom in expression and musicality. It’s perfect for dancers who love to perform with attitude and joy.

Hip-Hop: Groove and Style

Hip-hop is a high-energy street dance style with roots in urban culture. It focuses on rhythm, isolation, and improvisation. Hip-hop encourages dancers to find their own style and attitude while mastering foundational moves like popping, locking, and breaking. It’s a great way to build confidence and have fun moving to contemporary beats.

Contemporary: Fluidity and Emotion

Contemporary dance blends elements of ballet, modern, and jazz. It emphasizes fluid movements, floor work, and emotional expression. Contemporary dancers tell stories through their bodies, using creative choreography to evoke feelings and ideas. This style is perfect for dancers who want to explore movement in a more abstract and artistic way.

Tap: Rhythm You Can Hear

Tap dance is all about making music with your feet. Dancers wear special shoes with metal taps on the soles, creating rhythmic patterns as they move. Tap builds coordination and timing, and it’s both a dance and a percussive instrument. It’s ideal for dancers who love rhythm and enjoy combining music and movement.

Acro: Strength Meets Flexibility

Acro dance combines classical dance technique with acrobatics. It involves skills like tumbling, balances, and lifts, all performed with grace and fluidity. Acro helps dancers develop strength, flexibility, and control while adding a wow-factor to performances. It’s perfect for dancers who love the challenge of combining athleticism with artistry.

Where Should I Start?

Looking for more technical training? Ballet, jazz, and tap are excellent foundations. These styles develop strong technique, discipline, and versatility that benefit every dancer.
Wanting more fun and grooves? Tap and hip-hop bring energy and rhythm to the floor and are perfect for dancers who want to express personality and have a blast.
Taking acro and contemporary? We recommend adding technique-focused ballet classes to build strength and control that will support these physically demanding styles.

Why Try Multiple Styles?

Each dance style teaches different skills and helps build a well-rounded dancer. Trying multiple styles improves flexibility, musicality, strength, and creativity. At Doty Performance, we encourage dancers to explore different classes and discover what excites them most!

Ready to find your dance style? Check out our class schedule and join a class today!

Spotlight on Dance Styles: What’s the Difference?