Dance in one form or another has existed throughout history. There is a huge range of dance forms. These have varied across the ages and among different parts of the world. They include formal, free styles, line dancing, ballroom dancing, gavottes, tap dancing, ballet, salsa, breakdancing, belly dancing, folk dancing, jazz ballet, tribal dancing and more.

This page looks at a range of dance forms, with a special section on Ballet. Other styles are covered in less detail at present. Australian sites are listed for your information. There is access to general information including specialist dance groups, dance academies and more.

Note that all dictionaries and glossaries have now been moved to the Dictionary and Glossary pages. Use these links to access them.

Ballet

Australian Ballet Sites

• Australia Dancing
  Portal covering people, companies, performances, oral history, resources, directories, more. Dance Company - Ballets Russes Australian tours 1936-40, is one example of specialised sites accessible through the portal.
• The Australian Ballet
  Our main ballet company, its dancers, their programs, bookings, tickets, more. Check other pages from their site, including those listed below.

• Becoming a Dancer;
• Dance in Australia
  Ballet plus other forms.
• Education site;
• History of Ballet;
• What is Ballet ?

Ballet Companies

Among the most famous are the following.

• Australian Ballet
• Bolshoi
  Click on English Version [top right].
• English National Ballet
• Famous Ballet Companies
  Listing under countries from Australia to United States.
• Kirov

General Sites

• Ballet
  Links to almost every ballet page known. However, there is still a lot more on this fabulous ballet site.
• Ballet [2]
  History, classical ballet, neoclassical ballet, contemporary ballet, gallery, notes, references, links. From Wikipedia.
• Balletanz
  European journal of ballet. Table of Contents, current issue, archives, subscription details.
• Ballet Dancing Links
  This page covers NSW. Select other states from the top, right of the listing.
• Ballet History
  ‘How ballet evolved from the courts of Renaissance Italy to the revival of interest in the 1960s’.
• Ballet Lovers Only
  Tribute site to Russia’s brightest and best in the world of ballet.
• DanceArt [Dance.com Boards]
  Newsletter, pictures, screensavers, postcards, animated ballet steps, glossary, more.
• InterBallet
  History, styles, techniques, ballet wear, injuries, companies, dancers, famous ballets, glossary, more.
• Studio to Stage
  Thinkquest. What is involved in becoming a dancer, various steps, techniques involved, history of ballet, development of a performance.
• Russian Classical Ballet
  Russian Ballet, images, great dancers, history, more.
• The Art of Ballet
  Ballet, how to stay ballet healthy, pictures, links, more.
• The Ballerina Gallery
  ‘A tribute to all these great ballerinas. The photos are strictly for private viewing purposes only and are copyrighted. They come from various ballet books, magazines, programmes, press releases, more’.
• The Ballet
  Ballet, it’s history, great dancers, the ballets. Two main content sections. Studio to Stage has step-by-step articles on ballet including The History, life as a ballet dancer, performing, ballet technique. Encyclopedia is exactly what you think it should be from the name. Lots of information about ballet.
• The New York Public Library
  Performing Arts Home Page. Access resources through this site.
• Yahooligans ! : Ballet
  Enter Ballet in the Search engine.
• Variations
  ‘Ballet basics, shoe guide, stretching, barre work, centre work, audition central’.

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Dance

Australian Dance Sites

• Arthur Murray Dance Studios [Victoria]
  ‘For almost a century the Arthur Murray method of private class and practice lessons has helped people from all walks of life to become confident on the dance floor’.
• AusDance National
  ‘An overview of dance in Australia, to implement Ausdance policies through partnerships and projects of research, publication and dissemination. A focus for lobbying and advocacy at a national level, consultancy services, advice on a wide range of dance issues’.
• Australian Bush & Social Dances
  Information about dances, many Australian. Includes steps.
• Australian Dance
  ‘Dance is a very dynamic part of Australian performing arts culture’. Information with embedded links. From Australia.gov.au.
• Australian Dance Council
  ‘Organisation for dancers, choreographers, directors, writers, artists, students, the general public’.
• Australian Dance Links
  Aboriginal, Ballet/Performing Companies, Dance Schools, Ballroom Dancing, Swing/Rock n’ Roll, Clogging/Square/Line Dancing, Ethnic Dance, Dance Supplies, Other Dance.
• Bangarra Dance Theatre
  Probably the best known Indigenous Dance Troupe. Blend modern and traditional forms.
• Bush Dance Instructions
  Nearly thirty dances included. Glossary of terms, full instructions for each dance. Formation, steps, music time, variations.
• Buzz Dance Theatre
  West Australian based dance theatre that presents workshops and performances for students.
• Ceroc
  Better known as jive. This site will help you become a real old time swinger.
• Dance in Australia
  While initially appearing geared to the provider rather than the consumer, there is a wealth of information available for the latter. The Search process will prove helpful.
• Dance People Dance
  National Library of Australia. ‘Invites you to discover some of the National Library of Australia’s dance treasures, to share some theatrical and illuminating moments in Australia’s dance history’. Sections covering many aspects.
• Dance Trails
  Picture Australia. Dance images for 5 major areas, Social Dance, Indigenous Dance, Women and Dance, Australian Ballet, Ballets Russe.
• DANCEtrain
  Australian. Everything related to dance from a magazine, dance shops, dance schools. Links page is quite good.
• Folk Alliance
  Dance, dance groups, events for every state.
• Headspace 21
  ‘The Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s monthly Arts and Culture magazine’.
• Irish Dancing in Sydney
  While in Sydney, there are resources that help develop a love and understanding of Irish dancing wherever you may be.
• Jigsaw Dance Studio
  ‘Students enjoy a fun, competitive free environment, in which to enjoy learning Jazz, Tap, Ballet and Hip-Hop’. Kellyville, Sydney.
• Sydney Dance Company
  World renowned dance troupe with an innovative, modern style.
• The Bush Music Club
  Music shop, contact, dances, workshops, magazines, history.

General Sites

• Arts Alive
  ‘Dance lovers, students, teachers, this is where you’ll find engaging and interactive educational resources, videos, games, learning tools, information designed to build your understanding of and appreciation for dance’. Canadian site.
• Authentic Dancing
  Thinkquest. ‘Our site is about Authentic Dances around the World. In this site we explore the stories behind the dances, music, costumes and for certain countries, influences of other cultures on their music and dance’.
• Dance Heritage Coalition
  English site. Has educational material including a downloadable Power Point display.
• Dance Schools
  While the dance schools listed are international, there is other information you can access. Lessons, dance history, dance styles, dance careers, glossary, dance steps,more.
  Well presented !
• Dance Steps, Instruction, Lessons, Tips
  Links under headings for Partner Dancing, Ballroom, International, Breakdance/Hip Hop, Swing, Miscellaneous.
• Dancing for Busy People
  Mix of dance types covering steps, books, articles, etc., for leaders of groups.
• Erik Summer’s Framework
  ‘The basics to most common dances can be referenced from this site’. Music, videos, more.
• History of Dance
  ‘Ballroom, country, fad, flamenco, jazz, Latin dance, salsa, swing, western’. Links to other resources.
• Free Online Dance Lessons
  LearntoDance.com. ‘These online dance lessons will teach you the basic dance steps and styling for the dance style you choose’. Check the video clips.
• Sadler’s Wells
  ‘Cutting-edge performance to mainstream contemporary dance, tango to tap, flamenco to family shows, the joy of movement and celebration of dance are always at the heart of Sadler’s Wells’.
• Saturday Night Fever
  Travolta, the Bee Gees, more. The movie, the music, the dance.
• Yahoo! Kids - Dance
  Links to different forms of dance.

Resources

Additional to any on the The Arts Resources page.

• Dance Lesson Ideas
  ‘The dance/rhythmic lesson ideas may be helpful to those who teach dance and rhythmic movement in your physical education program. Some are original, others are instructions for dances that have been around for some time’.
• Let’s Dance
  Education Queensland. A unit that looks at, and helps develop understanding of, a range of dance.
• Sites2See
  Dance information under headings of Classical Ballet, Modern Dance, Contemporary Dance. Centre for Learning Innovation, DET New South Wales.

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Specific Dance Forms

Ballroom Dancing

• Ballroom Dancers
  Everything you want, even animations to help you.
• Ballroom Dancing Worldwide
  ‘Links to major Ballroom Dance websites in the world [select a country]’.
• Free Ballroom and Latin Dance Steps
  ‘Here we present dance steps in format suitable for printing on paper’.
• Online Tutorial
  ‘To begin learning how to ballroom dance, click on the category of your choice. Each category contains lessons listed in order from least difficult to advanced’.

Belly Dancing

• Amera’s Palace
• Belly Dancing
  The Art of Middle Eastern Dance. Everything you want is on this site.

Breakdancing

• Breakdance
  Steps through a number of moves, help site, events calendar.
• Breakdance, B-boying
  Terminology, dance techniques, history, music, gender inequity, media exposure, references, links including a List of breakdance moves. From Wikipedia.

Greek Dancing

• Greek Dances
  Full, detailed descriptions and diagrams for several Greek dances.
• Greek dances : An Ancient Link, A Living Heritage
  Extensive text article covering their history.
• Greek Dancing
  Development, changes through the centuries, other information.

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Jazz Dance

Sometimes called Jazz Ballet.

• Jazz Dance
  History, techniques [includes common movements], particular directors, dancers, links. From Wikipedia.
• Jazz Dance - 4 Jazz Styles
  ‘The four main styles of jazz which are classical, Latin, lyrical, theatrical’.
• Jazz Dance Terminology

Line Dancing

• Line Dance
  History and culture, step descriptions, popular line dances, references, external links [good collection], more. From Wikipedia.
• Line Dance Stepsheets
  ‘48 907 stepsheets’. UK site. Also has gallery, articles, links, more.
• Line Dancing in Australia
  A link listing for groups in particular.

Salsa

• Club Salsa
  Everything you need to know plus CD recommendations.
• Learn to Dance Salsa
  Basic Steps for Beginners. Approximately 7 minute video on YouTube.
• Salsa [Dance]
  Basic movements, salsa styles, references, links. From Wikipedia.
• Salsaroc
  ‘Software to learn Salsa Shines using Sound, Pictures and Video Clips. Lessons are on your computer’. Some free lessons to download.

Tap Dancing

• All About Tap
  History, Tap Legends, contemporary leaders, tap movies, information links, books, writings, viewings, more. Part of the International Tap Association site.
• Glamour Puss Studios
  In Melbourne. Claimed to be the largest tap dance studio in Australia. Especially helps older people to work on their tap style.
• A Glittery Tapping Wonderland
  Tap Dance studio in Melbourne. Links to further information.
• Miss Caroline Tap Dance
  Another source for Tap in Melbourne. For adults and children. Other aspects covered.
• Tap Dance Home Page
  Considered ‘the best tap resource on the web’. Links to reference materials. Information about supplies, more.
• Tap Dancing Links
  This page is for NSW. You can select other states.

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