Learn Jazz Dance

Here at the Dance Connection, we love to dance and our instructors love to teach Jazz, which is a high-energy dance form with roots in African American vernacular movement, characterized by sharp, fluid motions, syncopated rhythms, body isolation and improvisation. Jazz emerged in the early 20th century alongside jazz music, blending African rhythmic styles with European dance traditions and ballet techniques, and has since evolved into diverse styles with European dance traditions and ballet techniques, and has since evolved into diverse styles like commercial jazz, lyrical jazz, and Broadway jazz.

Jazz, a Brief History

Jazz dance has been popular for a very long time. It originated from African-American culture in the United States, blending African dance traditions with European styles in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Continue reading to learn more.

• Derived from African Roots: Foundational jazz was introduced to America by enslaved Africans. Forbidden from using their drums or performing traditional dances, they used their bodies to create rhythms through foot-stamping and clapping, laying the groundwork for this amazing dance style.
• Late 19th and Early 20th Century: : Early vernacular jazz dance developed in African American communities and appeared in minstrel and vaudeville shows. It gained popularity in the 1920s with the rise of jazz music, and giving rise to social dances like the Charleston and the Lindy Hop.
• Mid-20th Century: Modern Jazz, as we know it, emerged on the Broadway stage, incorporating ballet and modern dance techniques into more structure choreography. Influential choreographers of this ear, such as Jac Cole, Bob Fosse, and Katherine Dunham, developed new technical systems and expressive styles.
• Modern Day: It’s not a surprise that Jazz dance has continued to expand and flourish, incorporating hip-hop, funk, and pop culture into commercial, contemporary, and street jazz styles. It is a versatile and constantly evolving dance form performed on stages, in studios, and in music videos across the world.

Dance Classes Overview

The Dance Connection is focused on achieving the highest standards of dance and or vision to that every student that walks through our doors will feel well cared and respected for. We are committed to age-appropriate dancing, costumes, and music. Our teachers are fully committed to confidence-boosting instruction through the use of encouraging words and actions. We offer a warm and positive environment, and many dance classes to foster the growth that all dancers want and need. Click below for our dance class overview.

Classes Overview