dance research topics

153 Dance Topics & Essay Examples

Whether you’re writing about the importance of dance, modern choreography, or weight loss benefits of dancing as a hobby, we can help. In this article, our team came up with some ideas of what to cover in your paper.

🏆 Best Dance Topic Ideas & Essay Examples

✅ most interesting dance topics to write about, 📑 good research topics about dance, ⭐ dance topics to talk about in your paper, 📌 simple & easy dance titles for essay, ❓ dance essay topics and questions.

• Benefits of Dancing Essay Dance is an art that refers to the movement of part of the body, some of the parts or the whole body while keeping rhythmical to music.
• Exploring Relationship in Raymond Carver’s “Why Don’t You Dance?” In the story, the author juxtaposes the young couple with the man to highlight the solitary existence of the latter. In contrast to the man, the boy and the girl feel as the people around […]
• What Is Dance: Definition and Genres Jazz dancing is a unique dance as it consists of dancers interpreting steps as well as moves in their own way.
• Dance Elements in “Swan Lake” and “Night Journey” Ballets One of the most famous ballet scenes in Swan Lake is the dance of little swans. In terms of choreography and music, it is a good example of art, since each of the three central […]
• Garba Dance, Its History and Specifics: A Traditional Indian Dance The inhabitants of the state believe that the dance dates back to the ancient times of Krishna. I have seen the live performance of Garba at a Navratri festival; both the dance and music were […]
• History and Development of Dance The art of dancing was connected by Greeks to the idea of harmony and perfection of human body: therefore, dancing ultimately had to be graceful in order to emphasize and not to destroy the natural […]
• Dance and Mathematics Relationship Choreographers, in teaching dance techniques, can use knowledge of mathematics, the knowledge is also used to arrange dancers on the stage and control their movements.
• Hip Hop Dance The TV shows such as the Wild style, Soul Train and Breakin, Beat Street also contributed in showcasing hip hop dance styles during the early periods of hip hop hype.
• The Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja) Sculpture In the sculpture, Shiva is dancing within a halo of flame, in his right hand holding the damaru, which is a hand drum that made the first sounds of creation, and the agni in his […]
• “Shall We Dance”: Movie Analysis This leads a person to hide their actions and lead a life of secrecy which is uncomfortable to the individual and people that are around.
• The Ritual Dance Important Elements On the outside, the ritual dance has all the same elements the other types do: the costumes, the music, the patterns are generally recognizable.
• “Dance of the Dead” by Richard Matheson Although the story mostly belongs to the science fiction genre, its central scene is focused on horror, and more specifically, the horror of the unknown that is emblematic of the dark fantasy genre according to […]
• Dance Analysis: Social and Cultural Context A study of dance involves connection of ideas between the past and the present with an aim of improving the quality of performance in regards to other social practices that arise from cultural beliefs.
• Traditional Chinese Lion Dance and Its Styles The first performer adorns the head of the lion and the other moves the body of the lion. The Japanese Lion Dance is used in traditional and religious festivals.
• History of Samba in Brazilian Society: A Traditional Brazilian Dance The word samba is derived from the Angolan word “semba” which means the movement of the body which is described as the act of thrusting forward the body and which requires the contact of the […]
• “And the Soul Shall Dance” by Wakako Yamauchi and “Silent Dancing” by Judith Ortiz Cofer: Significance of Dancing as Theme There is only one “dancing” character in Yamauchi’s literary work and though the woman is not the protagonist of the short story, the theme of dancing becomes a central one due to the strength and […]
• “The Dance Class” Painting by Edgar Degas In addition to properly chosen techniques and materials, the artist was able to create a story with the past, the present, and the future.
• Beauty: When the Other Dancer Is the Self With the help of her essay, Walker is able to write her own autobiography of her early years of life. Towards the end of her essay, it is evident that she is a successful woman […]
• Jazz Social Dance and Impact on American Culture Jazz is one of the common music genres that define the culture and racial history of the United States. Additionally, the nature of jazz dance was a new opportunity for African Americans to describe the […]
• Impact of the Dance as Education The importance is great for every human being to acquire the vital skills which one will be able to carry through one’s entire life, the skills which will enrich the person’s life and will add […]
• Jazz Dance and Its Techniques The modern and ballet dance styles can be also applied to jazz, as the kind of popular dance styles involves a wide range of dance elements.
• The Grass Dance Cultural Importance Historians believe that the Grass Dance emerged during the early years of The Reservation Period among the warrior societies. This explains that the movement of the dance was meaningful to the natives.
• Dance Writing in Creative and Studying Processes Eventually, the writing did not only feed the creative process but later on was used as an element of the performance, enhancing the experience of spectators, possibly developing more new treatments for the dance and […]
• “The World of Dance” Event As we have already stated, the World of Dance is a unique event in the sphere of art that tries to attract the attention of people across the world.
• Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Its History Alvin Ailey is an American dancer and choreographer, the founder of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, who made a significant contribution to the popularization of modern dance and the emergence of black dancers on […]
• Beyond Description: Writing Beneath the Surface According to Jowitt, in order to describe a dance properly the writer is to possess a variety of different skills allowing them to select appropriate metaphors, apply correct judgment, draw clever comparisons, and present dance […]
• Modern Dance by Jiri Kylian On the whole, analyzing the first part of the ballet from the beginning, we have to point out the appropriateness of the absence of sound accompaniment, which leads the onlooker to concentrate on the pattern […]
• Contemporary Dance: Continuity and Inimitability The study is based on observation of literature sources devoted to contemporary dance and our observation of works of contemporary dance, live and on the video.
• Indian Culture: Dances of Rajasthan Diwali is one of the major festivals in the country. Ghoomar dance is also common in the region.
• Arts Education: Music, Dance and Theatre They will be able to identify the role of “telephones” and “telephone” operators in their society. According to Moser and McKay, it is critical for the students to learn how to determine the type and […]
• Capoeira Dance History and Popularity This paper discusses the history of capoeira, how people relate to it in Brazil, where it went after the end of slavery in Brazil and its popularity worldwide.
• Ballet Pas De Deux: Dance and Architecture Exhibition The theory of choreology is concerned with the elaboration of the connection between the conscious expression of movement patterns in dance and the principles that guide those movements.
• Modern Dance in the United States At the beginning of the XX century, American choreographers and dancers contributed to the development of modern dance by adding their ideas and techniques.
• Nostalgic Feeling Among Asylee Immigrants: The Role of Dance The broad phenomenon of acculturation as a process of adjusting one’s values, beliefs, and habits according to the socio-cultural environment of an individual is an extremely complex social issue.
• Argentine Tango Dance for Cancer Survivors: A Feasibility Study Hence, over the course of this study, the authors evaluated the effect of the adapted Argentine Tango on the cancer patient’s neurological function.
• The “Bellyache” Dance by Billie Eilish The most identified element of the dance is space and energy, while time is the minor element the audience can recognize. One of the components of dance is time, which dance choreography and performance both […]
• Performance Art: Dance Concept It is recommended to resort to performance art to make the gallery attractive to people and demonstrate its relevance in the modern world.
• Creative Destruction and the Virtual Studio of Sydney Dance Company From his perspective, industrial mutations occur in the form of the revolutionization of economic structures, the destruction of older ways of doing things, and the emergence of the replacing practices or products.
• A Generational Dance: How Parents and Kids Relate In summation, it is vital to note that the well-being and development of a child depend on the wholesome relations with their parents.
• Anna Pavlova and Dance Culture in the United States The dance originated from a variety of movements and gestures associated with the processes of activity and emotional impressions of a person from the world around him.
• Poi Dance as Cultural Performance The theme of this dance is the traditional culture of the Maori people, in particular the expression of joy and gratitude.
• Interpretive Dance and Costume Design in Enhancing Music and Plays The ballet dancer’s frequent moves increase the intensity of the song’s message with every rhyme and beat as the song proceeds.
• Belly Dance: Rewarding Activity and an Art Form The dance emphasizes the individuality of a woman, it is believed that each dancer puts a story into the dance – from the rituals of birth to the dances of the priests of the Goddess.
• African Dance Taught by Rujeko Dumbutshena In this dance class, from a series by the Kennedy Center Education Digital Learning, Rujeko Dumbutshena teaches how to use the concept of dancing on the clock to learn African Dance.
• “Shiva as Lord of Dance” (ca. 11th Century): Norton Simon Museum It is evident that the emphasis in the sculpture is put on Shiva, acting as a focal point of the piece. The sculpture of “Shiva as Lord of Dance” emphasizes the complexity of layers the […]
• The Ghost Dance Movement and Its Emergence To conclude, the Ghost Dance was a movement that accumulated the various aspects of American Indians living in the 19th century and delivered their cry for justice and salvation.
• Flamingo or Flamenco Dance This is a very expressive dance in nature and it involves movement of the whole body but more specifically the hands in such a way that the audience can follow and understand the whole dance.
• Case Analysis Article “Shall We Dance?” They both agree on the idea of targeting the boomers because of the role they play in the economy of Canada.
• Flamenco Music and Dance History: Spanish Carte-De-Visite Born in Andalusia The dance is much spread in the world and is considered to be a part of human civilization’s heritage by UNESCO.
• Loïe Fuller: An American Dancer and Actor Fuller recalls that she invented her serpentine dance during her rehearsal for the part in the play. Even when Fuller came to Paris, she met there a young woman who copied her style, and she […]
• The Salsa: Music and Dance Review In the dance perspective, it refers to a dance that tries to communicate the beats found in the salsa music. All these are in an effort to spice up the salsa dance and music.
• Dance in the African Diaspora: History and Effects The dances the slaves performed were distinct in that they were against the culture of the slave owners and yet they were blended in with the culture of the slave owners.
• Classical Dance: Term Definition In Plutarch’s work, when Theseus and the other Athenian youths escape from the Minotaur, they participate in a dance of celebration.”The dances of the ancient times are characterized as dances of war or dances of […]
• History of Capoeira in the Brazilian Community: Social Dance and Form of Martial Arts Some of the historical implications of the capoeira include: originally this art was practiced by the underclasses in the Brazilian community. The middle class accepted the art and this led to the unification of the […]
• Space in Dance Theatre Employing space, a choreographer has an opportunity to establish a connection between the spectators and the performers, thus influencing the perception of the show and emphasizing the core ideas.
• Artists in Jazz Music and Dance Development The core areas in this study will include; the presentation, the ensemble, the musical instruments, and the memories of the events.
• Art, Dance, Nutrition Studies and Their Benefits For architectures to come up with great masterpieces they have to combine the mechanics of construction and the creativity of Art.
• Flamenco Dance and History of Passion Whenever people think of Spain and the Spanish culture, the first thing that comes to their mind is flamenco the dance of passion and the only way to express the nature of a Spaniard, the […]
• Feminist Films: “Stella Dallas” and “Dance Girl, Dance” In my opinion, the film’s main idea is the relations between the mother and the daughter. In other words, I would like to point out that it is a female subjectivity, which is recognized to […]
• “The Power of Myth” and “Lord of the Dance” Films The setting of the dance when the movie starts is a church and the dancing troupe is led by a clergy this gives the dance a religious association.
• Ballet and Jazz Dance: Styles Description The form and line used in ballet dance underline the stage performance and make sure that the main and secondary performers each have their place. The forms and rhythm in jazz dance reflect the people’s […]
• Dance and Architecture in “Ballet Pas de Deux” Exhibition Therefore, dance and architecture are related due to the fact that both of them utilize space as a ground in which creativity is embodied.
• The Royal Ballet Dance in Covent Garden The event was staged by the house of Royal Oprah with mysterious, exciting, and arduous ballet dance broadcast to the audience.
• Lindy Hop Dance: Development, Events, Figures Besides, all the aspects of this dance are going to be taken into consideration the movements, the music, and its origin, dressing styles of the performers throughout the years, public perception of this form of […]
• Alvin Ailey’ and Alexander Pushkin’ Views on the Modern Dance In particular, he greatly contributed to the popularization of the so-called modern dance which was developed at the beginning of the twentieth century.
• The Culture of Electronic Dance Music In a bid to realize its aim, the paper discusses the relationship between attending EDM events and the rationality that leads to the consumption of illicit drugs such as ecstasy.
• The CSN Fall Dance Concert Even if a person is informed about some details of the dance concert and the guests, who are going to participate, it is hard to cope with the emotions and attitudes to everything that can […]
• Ghost Dance Religious Movement The circle dance formed the belief systems of the Native Americans and was later given the name the ghost dance. Jack Wilson also known as Wovoka by the Paiute people, was the founder of the […]
• Dancer Alvin Ailey: Techniques and Artistic Choices Alvin Ailey was able to merge dancing techniques which previously seemed to be completely incompatible with one another, and it is one of the major achievements in the history of choreography because such artistic choices […]
• Dance: Alonzo King Lines Ballet Choreography is one of the strongest aspects of the performance. The entire attention is drawn to the dancers and the dance.
• Chicano Folklore: Mexican Folk Dance Some musicians have also supported this subgenre in different parts of the world. This genre also portrays the realities and experiences of many Mexican Americans in the country.
• The Dance Video “Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake 2” The choreographer has also selected the best styles for the dance. This is successful because of the lyrical and comic aspect of the dance.
• Moon – Solo Dance by Yang LiPing It could be defined as a large stage ethnic primitive genre if it was not for the complexity of the hidden innuendoes that the interpretation of the dance suggests.
• Music and Dance as a Part of Our Culture Our family has a unique connection to the dance and music, and how it was used in the family and in social settings.
• Lord of Dance This paper looks at the relevance of the image of Shiva to the Hindu culture, and the disparity between its presence in a temple and display in a museum of art, away from the culture […]
• The Way of Geisha Dance The way of Geisha dance demonstrates to us the importance of maiko in the traditional Japanese culture. The dance is crucial to the lives of many Japanese women.
• Dance Education and Culture The important elements under discussion for all the dance styles analyzed include, the progression, the uniqueness in steps and the relevance of the knowledge gained to the student.
• Miami Dance Project for Autistic Children For me, what the Miami dance project represents is in line with what is known as the concept of confidence building wherein through the development of certain talents children with autism will begin to have […]
• Role of Advertising in Launching a New Dance School In order to launch a new dance school in the US, it would be necessary to analyze the market. Since its establishment in 1905, the institution has managed to offer training services to over 800 […]
• The Tangs Dancing Business The Tangs spent most of their time running their business as a result, they have no time to refine and polish their sales pitch.
• The Taxi Driver and the Dance With Wolves Films In the film Dance with Wolves, the director seems to be unable to convey the poetry and philosophical inclinations of the colonial masters and the natives of India.
• Survey of Contemporary Dances The aim of this report is to present and interpret the results of the survey on the attitude of people to contemporary dances.
• The Cosmic Dance of Siva Conclusively, the aspect on sex as an element, which contributed to the extinction of dinosaurs lacks enough support to qualify as a fact. Therefore, due to the lack of tangible evidence and a testable hypothesis […]
• Ritual and Philippine Folk Dance
• Dance Therapy for Down Syndrome Effects and Improvements
• Dance and Movement Therapy in Cancer Care
• The Differences Between Real Music and Electronic Dance Music
• Capoeira Brazillian Dance: Martial Art
• Classical Ballet and Modern Dance
• American Music and Culture: Jazz Dance
• American History: Indian Tribes and Ghost Dance
• Dance Movements and Enhance Song Learning in Deaf Children With Cochlear Implants
• The Difference Between Lyrical Dance and Ballet
• Dance and Fitness Concepts for the Physically Impaired
• Beauty That Moves: Dance for Parkinson’s Effects, Self-Efficacy, Gait Symmetry, and Dual-Task Performance
• Hypnotic Dance Music
• Dances and Different Styles in Dance Groups
• The Positive and Negative Effects of Dance on the Body
• Art Forms: Painting, Music, Theater, and Dance
• Different Cultural Beliefs About Dance
• Dance and Architecture: Spatiality and Orientation
• Irish Folk and Dance Music – History and Role
• Bollywood Dance Movies and Indian American Identity Formation
• History, Role, and Origin of Merengue Dance
• Polarized America: The Dance of Ideology and Unequal Riches
• The Dancing Brain: Structural and Functional Signatures of Expert Dance Training
• Street Dance: Frolic Progress Towards Unity Amidst Diversity
• Music, Theater, and Dance: From the Inside Out
• Ballet and Modern Dance: A Revolution Between Traditional and Modern Style
• Modern Dance and Gender Relations
• African American Dance Style
• Abstracting Dance: Detaching Ourselves From the Habitual Perception of the Moving Body
• Hip Hop Dance and the Entertainment Industry
• Relationship Between Electronic Dance Music and Drug Use Among Youth
• Honeybee Linguistics Comparative Analysis of the Waggle Dance Among Species of Apis
• The Lakota Sun Dance: An Overview of the Interconnectivity With All Aspects of Lakota Culture and the Changes Incurred During the Reservation Period
• Dance and Body Expression in the Video Dance and the Real World
• Dance Teaching Philosophies
• Pride and Prejudice: The Function of Dance
• Dance, Music, Meter, and Groove: A Forgotten Partnership
• Cause and Effect: Learning to Dance
• The Origin and History of Dance
• Creek and Cherokee Tribes and Traditional Southeastern Dance Decline
• Can Dance Inspire Change in the Society?
• How Does Culture Relate to Dance?
• How Does the Environment Affect the Viewing of the Dance?
• Will Pole Dance Future Olympic Sport?
• Why Is Dance Important to the Culture?
• How Is Electronic Dance Music Taking Over the World?
• How Is Dance Dance Revolution Getting Kids off the Couch?
• What Was the First Type of Dance?
• How Is Dance Used Today in Our Culture?
• What Are the Benefits of Dance in Mental and Emotional?
• How Can Dancing Improve Your Life and Health?
• How Does Dance Reflect Life?
• What Impact Does the Mass Media Have On the Perception of Dance on Society?
• Does the Waggle Dance Help Honey Bees for Longer Distances Than Expected for Their Body Size?
• How Has Dance Changed?
• How Has the Recent Financial Recession Affected the Arts & Dance Industry?
• When Did Dance First Start?
• Can Dance Change the World?
• How Swing Dance and Jazz Music Impacted America?
• Why Ecstasy Associated With Dance Music?
• How Dance Reflects Culture?
• How Does Ballet Relate to Dance?
• Can Dance Help to Express Emotions?
• How Does Dance Reflect Society?
• How Can Dance Inspire Change?
• How Can Dance Inspire Social or Political Change?
• Why Are Dance Lessons Good for Heart?
• How Can Music Make Us Get Up and Dance?
• How Is Ballet Different From Other Dances?
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2024, March 2). 153 Dance Topics & Essay Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/dance-essay-examples/

"153 Dance Topics & Essay Examples." IvyPanda , 2 Mar. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/dance-essay-examples/.

IvyPanda . (2024) '153 Dance Topics & Essay Examples'. 2 March.

IvyPanda . 2024. "153 Dance Topics & Essay Examples." March 2, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/dance-essay-examples/.

1. IvyPanda . "153 Dance Topics & Essay Examples." March 2, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/dance-essay-examples/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "153 Dance Topics & Essay Examples." March 2, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/dance-essay-examples/.

• Entertainment Ideas
• Jazz Research Topics
• Music Topics
• Inspiration Topics
• Hobby Research Ideas
• Culture Topics
• Expressionism Research Topics
• Festival Essay Ideas
• Hip Hop Essay Topics
• Classical Music Paper Topics
• Existentialism Paper Topics
• Cognitive Development Essay Ideas
• Social Change Topics
• Emotional Development Questions
• Health Promotion Research Topics

319 Dance Essay Topics & Research Questions on Hip Hop, Ballet, & More

Dancing is a universal form of expression and movement. It has been an integral part of human culture for centuries. From traditional cultural dances to contemporary urban dance styles, this art form transcends language barriers and brings people together.

But dancing is not just about entertainment. It is significant in various aspects of society, from its role in expressing emotions to its impact on mental health.

In this article, our expert team delves into the diverse world of dance. Below, you’ll find interesting dance topics to write about and explore the cultural, social, emotional, and physical dimensions of dance. Read till the end to find a writing guide with examples.

🔝 Top 10 Dance Essay Topics

✏️ dancing essays: writing prompts, 🎓 dance essay titles, 💃🏻 argumentative essay topics about dance, 🕺🏾 hip hop research paper topics, 🔎 dance research paper topics, 📜 dance history research paper topics, 🩰 ballet research topics, ❓ dance research questions, ✍️ dance essay: writing guide, 🔗 references.

• Cultural significance of dance.
• Mental health benefits of dancing.
• Gender roles in dance.
• Dance as nonverbal communication.
• Technological innovations in dance.
• Social impact of dance activism.
• Dance education in schools.
• Emotional expression in dance.
• Dance and cultural identity.
• Politics of dance movements.

Why I Love Dance: Essay Prompt

Are you passionate about dance and want to write about it? Consider including the following points in your essay:

• Explain your deep-rooted passion for dance. Reflect on how dance has influenced your life, shaped your identity, and impacted your personal growth.
• Describe the specific styles or dance genres you are passionate about and explain why they hold a special place in your heart. Share experiences that have strengthened your love for dance, such as memorable performances, challenges , or inspirational moments.
• Discuss how dance has enriched your life and contributed to your overall well-being. Convey your dedication to dance and the importance of this art form in your life.

What Does Dance Mean to You: Essay Prompt

This essay is your chance to reflect on the place of dance in your life. Here are some ideas to include in your paper:

• Express your understanding and connection to dance. Describe what dance means to you on a deeply personal and emotional level. Share your unique perspective on the effects of dance on your life choices and identity.
• Discuss how dance has impacted your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Write about its contribution to your personal growth and development. Describe the emotions and sensations you experience while dancing and how they enrich your life. Discuss any memorable dance experiences, performances, or interactions with fellow dancers that impressed you.
• Depict your passion and appreciation for dance. Articulate the role of dancing in your life. Consider how dance has allowed you to express yourself , connect with others, and navigate life.

Hip Hop Essay Prompt

Are you a fan of hip-hop dance? Then you might enjoy writing an essay about it! Consider the points below to cover in your paper:

• Explore the art and culture of hip-hop. Discuss the origins and evolution of hip-hop dance, including its roots in African, Caribbean, and African-American dance traditions. Study the key elements of hip-hop dance, including its unique style, movement vocabulary, and musicality.
• Discuss the impact of hip-hop dance on popular culture , including its influence on music videos, films, fashion, and the entertainment industry. Analyze the social and cultural significance of hip-hop dance, including its role as a form of self-expression, community-building, and activism . Discuss the diversity and inclusion within hip-hop dance, including its ability to bring people of different backgrounds together.
• Describe any personal experiences or connections with hip-hop dance , and discuss how it has influenced your understanding of dance and culture. Convey your appreciation for hip-hop dance’s artistry, creativity, and cultural relevance. Provide insights into this dynamic and influential dance form.

Why Dance Is a Sport: Essay Prompt

There’s been a long-lasting debate about whether dance should be considered an art or a sport. You can present your opinion on this issue in your essay. Here is a prompt to guide you:

• Study the arguments on both sides of the debate and articulate your stance. Discuss the physical demands of dance, including athleticism, strength, and endurance. Compare them to the criteria used to define sports.
• Explore the competitive nature of dance , including competitions, rankings, and performance expectations . Discuss the training, dedication, and discipline required for dance and compare them to other recognized sports.
• Examine the artistic and creative elements of dance and how they may differentiate dance from traditional sports. Discuss any challenges or controversies surrounding the classification of dance as a sport. It might be the lack of standardized rules, funding, and recognition.
• Consider the cultural, historical, and societal factors influencing perceptions of dance as a sport. Present your argument supported by evidence and examples. Provide a nuanced perspective on this complex and debated topic.

Below, you’ll find plenty of ideas for a college essay about dance. Read on to find a suitable topic for your paper!

Modern Dance Essay: Topics

Modern dance significantly differs from traditional dance forms like ballet. Nowadays, dancers prioritize emotional expression instead of following rigid rules. Here are some interesting dance titles & ideas for your essay on modern styles:

• The diversity of contemporary dance styles.
• Psychological determinants of choosing a particular dance style.
• Creative Movement and Dance in My School .
• Sociopolitical concerns through the prism of dance.
• Modern dance as a form of protest against classical dance.
• Modern Black dance: race in motion.
• Significant people who contributed to the modernization of dance.
• Features of post-modern dance.
• Art Therapy: Creativity as a Critical Part of Art Therapy .
• The new American dance forms.
• Modern dance in the US vs. Europe: differences and similarities.
• Injuries in modern dance: career options for dancers.
• The concepts of modernity, race, and nation in the early modern dance forms.
• Oxygen uptake during a modern dance class.
• Physical Therapy Services for Sports Injuries .
• Socio-demographic correlates of modern dance genre preferences.
• Indian modern dance and feminism.
• Self-expression in modern dance.
• National and transnational modern dance.
• Principles of modern dance therapy.
• Regular engagement in modern dance and depression treatment .
• Modern dance pioneers who revolutionized this art: a case of Lester Horton.
• Incorporating Physical Activity into Lesson Plans .
• Mood changes of people attending dance classes.
• Modern dance classes: can one learn to dance online ?
• Evolving gay stereotypes in modern dance.
• Dance as a reflection of culture.
• Depression and Physical Exercise .
• German modern dance during the Nazi rule.
• Body image and modern dance engagement.
• Eating disorders in professional modern dancers.
• Significant elements of modern dance.
• Dance as a hobby and professional activity.
• Art Education, Its Role and Benefits .
• Examples of popular modern dance styles.
• Controversial dance practices.
• Is folk dance considered modern dance?
• Does modern dance come with serious choreography similar to classical dance?
• Class and ethnicity reflected in dance.
• Physical Activity and Sports Team Participation .
• Modern dance in France.
• The transformative power of flamenco dancing.

Dance Critique Essay: Topics

A dance critique essay requires you to evaluate carefully a particular dance performance or a specific aspect of this art form. Check out some dance titles for an essay to inspire your critical response :

• Degradation of dance quality in the 21st century.
• Passion versus physical characteristics in dance performance.
• Racism and gender discrimination at the dance competitions.
• Gender inequality in professional dance.
• Subway dance – a subculture or simply a weird place for practice?
• Dancing and Its Effects on Self-Esteem .
• How did industrialization contribute to the departure from classical dance?
• The rise of burlesque as a rebellion against ballet.
• The Role of Music and Movement in Education .
• The ideology and importance of radical dance.
• The Wigman technique of dance.
• José Limón’s contribution to contemporary dance.
• The place and influence of the American Dance Festival in modern American dance traditions.
• Art, Music, and Dance in Therapeutic Treatment .
• Combination of choreography and multimedia in Alwin Nikolais’s works.
• The flaws and loopholes of early modern dance.
• Popularization of African American dance across the world.
• Ballet elements in contemporary dance.
• The Importance of Arts in the School Curriculum .
• The contribution of Grete Wiesenthal to modern dance development.
• What place does concert dance occupy in the dance typology?
• Place of women in dance – now and then.
• Differences between modern and contemporary dance styles.
• Pole dance’s potential for inclusion in the Olympic Games list.

Dance Reflection Essay: Topic Ideas

Are you looking for thought-provoking dance topics to talk about in a reflection paper ? Check out the list below:

• What features and character traits should a good dance teacher possess?
• What does it mean to be a dance revolutionary?
• What did modern dance pioneers do to create new dance types?
• Should professional dance be taught in college?
• Sports Psychologist: Working With Athletes .
• The national dance of my country.
• My first experience in a dance class.
• My music preferences for dancing.
• Dances with Wolves Essay – Movie Analysis .
• Dancing as a personal form of relaxation and meditation.
• Why do some people prefer dancing alone at home and others need an audience?
• My favorite movie about dancing.
• Ballet as my passion and my greatest disappointment.
• My opinion of dancing as a profession.
• Music in the Service of Social Movements .
• Importance of dancing in my culture .
• What I think makes a good and bad dancer.
• My experience of participating in a dance contest.
• The role of dance in my family.
• My fascination with Indian dance.
• My dream is to become a hip-hop dancer.
• Benefits I see in regular dancing.
• The pros and cons of professional engagement in dance.

There are some controversial issues related to dance you can explore in your paper. Below, you’ll discover a list of dance topics to express your reasoned opinion about.

• Dance can be a tool for social change .
• How can culture be reflected through dance?
• Should College Athletes Be Paid?
• The impact of the environment on dance perception.
• The importance of dance styles and types for specific cultures.
• Dance as an intangible cultural heritage.
• Is dance a kind of sport?
• Sports-Related Problems and Conflicts .
• Why do people start to dance?
• Why is the audience attracted to dance performances?
• What is the motivation behind starting to dance at an early age?
• Why is contemporary dance more popular than classical dance today?
• The Cognitive Performance and Physical Activity Link .
• Are modern dance styles, like hip hop, easier than ballet dancing?
• Dance training is highly traumatic and shouldn’t be practiced at an early age.
• The risk of trauma and permanent injury among professional ballet dancers.
• Street dance is not serious dance.
• Exercise – The Mind and Body Connection .
• The impact of motivation and self-confidence on dance performance.
• Dancing positively affects the physical and cognitive health of aging adults.
• Dance is a tool against aging .
• Different dance styles and genres require different physical endurance and energy expenditure.
• Music Incorporation into Classes .
• Importance of choosing your dance style according to your BMI and bodily peculiarities.
• Partner dancing is healthier for motor control and coordination than solo dancing.
• Benefits of ballroom dancing.
• The economic effect of dance development.
• What is the hardest dance style?
• Cultural Appropriation in Music .
• Ghost dance as a religious movement.
• Electronic dance as a new subculture.
• Techniques of dancing to jazz music.
• Flamenco dance as a reflection of Spanish passion.
• Students’ Motivation and Satisfaction of Music Festival .
• Cultural significance of feminist dance films.
• The impact of proper nutrition on dance performance.
• The art of staging a dance performance.
• The social significance of street dance.
• Creative Art Therapy for Mental Illness .
• What does dance have to do with math?
• Belly dance as a recreational activity.
• Interpretative dance as a strong therapeutic tool.
• The use of dance therapy for individuals with Down syndrome .

Hip-hop dance is a popular street dance style that emerged in the second half of the 20th century. It encourages freedom of expression and is characterized by freestyle movements, particularly drops to the ground and sharp turns. If you seek to write a paper on hip-hop, here are catchy dance titles to inspire you:

• The role of dance in hip-hop culture.
• Chinese Hip Hop and Identity .
• Hip-hop dance and body power.
• Hip-hop as an African diaspora dance style.
• Meanings and messages in hip-hop dance.
• Genders, Sexuality, and Hip-Hop .
• Origins of hip-hop.
• Injury incidence in hip-hop training and performance.
• Commercialization of hip-hop dance.
• Core elements of hip-hop dancing.
• The Uprising of Hip-Hop: Music History .
• Hip-hop dance in modern ballet choreography.
• Low back pain in hip-hop dancers.
• B-boying in hip-hop.
• Motivations of hip-hop dancers for professional engagement with this dance style.
• The “breaks” concept in break dancing.
• The Evolution of Hip-Hop Culture .
• The roots of hip-hop choreography.
• Battling among hip-hop crews.
• Hip-hop scandals – sex and violence in hip-hop content.
• Theorizing hip-hop dance.
• Hip-Hop’s Response to Crime Analysis .
• Hip-hop dance consumption: who is the target audience?
• Globalization and hip-hop dancing.
• Principles of hip-hop dance codification.
• Hip-hop as a black social dance.
• Metaphors in hip-hop dance moves.
• Black feminism in hip-hop dance.
• Concepts of Elite Culture and Popular Culture .
• US Ebonics as the language of American hip-hop choreography.
• Extreme kinematics in hip-hop performances.
• What injuries are the most common among hip-hop dancers?
• Can hip-hop be a professional career?
• Basic rhythmic movements of hip-hop dance.
• Hip-hop practice’s impact on the dancer’s mood.
• Body poetics in hip-hop performances.
• Standards for judging hip-hop contests.
• Cultural Movement: Hip-Hop Related Films .
• Le hip hop – a French hip-hop subculture.
• The hip-hop culture in New York.
• Perceptions of race in the hip-hop community: white vs. black dancers.
• Hip-hop theater in London: a new level of dance style’s legitimization.

Do you want to learn more about dance? Then why not write a research paper on that? Below, you’ll discover a list of engaging dance topics to research.

• Novel approaches to dance: a blend with architecture at the Barnes Foundation’s exhibition.
• Dance from an anthropological perspective .
• Politics and poetics in dance.
• The biology of dance movements’ language.
• Teaching dance: should it be art or sport?
• Dance ethnology.
• Women in dance since antiquity : the images of sylphs and sirens.
• Philosophy of the dance: universal or nationally bound?
• What is a dance movement?
• Dancing and the brain.
• Psychology of dance.
• Dance as a mighty psychotherapeutic tool.
• Should national dance be included in the school curriculum?
• Living through psychological trauma in dance.
• The role of dance improvisations.
• Reform and revival of old dance styles.
• The role of space and subjectivity in dance.
• Shakespeare and the dance tradition of England.
• The social anthropology of dance performances.
• Theories and methodologies in dance research.
• A Eurocentric approach to the study of dance.
• Dance and the body.
• Dance as a method of self-study .
• Computer technology and dance.
• The evolution of Irish dance.
• The contribution of Merce Cunningham to modern dance.
• How does dance stimulate social fantasy?
• Partner dancing as a way to strengthen relationships in a couple .
• Verbal language of dancers and choreographers.
• The political side of national dancing.
• Dance and physics.
• The mind-body concept in dance.
• What can be regarded as contemporary dance?
• Dance imagery in various dance styles.
• What makes people dance? The philosophy of bodily movement.
• Dancing out one’s emotions: the dance of anger or happiness.
• The neural basis of human dance movements.
• Isadora Duncan’s revolutionary dance theory.
• The challenges of the interactive dance genre.
• Dance from the position of existential phenomenology.
• Dualism and body-soul separation: a dance perspective.
• Dance and embodiment.
• Dance and self: a philosophical perspective .
• Body as object vs. subject in dance.
• Freedom and intention in body movements during dance.
• Staged dance: the concept of created body.
• A tension between the personal and the universal in dance.
• Health benefits of recreational and professional dance.
• Japanese dance as an embodiment of culture.
• Turning body and identity into dance choreography.

The history of dance dates back millennia. So, there is so much to explore! Check out possible dance research project ideas for your history paper:

• Approaches to rethinking dance history.
• The elements of early European modern dance.
• Feminist perspectives on dance history.
• Dance at the dawn of history.
• History of somatic education and its relationship to dance.
• History of classic theatrical dancing.
• New media use in dance history reconstructions.
• The evolution of dance and sexuality relationship.
• Tools for capturing dance from the past.
• Dances in prehistory.
• Early records of dance performances in historical manuscripts.
• Ancient Greek dance traditions and forms.
• Dancing in Ancient Rome.
• Dance at court: the 16th-17th centuries in Europe.
• Evolution of dance from royal court to theater in the 18th century.
• The early dancing traditions in the 17th-century US.
• Dancing genres in Medieval Europe.
• The history of waltz: origin, evolution of dance elements, and traditions.
• How did the tango dance emerge?
• The emergence of belly dance.
• Flamenco dance history: a style born in Andalusia.
• Historical perspectives on dance research.
• The Ojibwa dance drum: history of the practice.
• Yoeme performs as a narrative of Yaqui history.
• The evolution of African American dance.
• The African roots of Latin American popular dance.
• Ethnographic elements of modern dance performances.
• The dance halls of Britain, 1918-1960.
• A historical overview of social dance.
• Global history of dance development.
• Dance in the French baroque opera.
• The history and meaning of tango dancing in Argentina.
• What materials to use when studying dance history?
• A cultural history of dance in the troubled areas: a case study of Palestine.
• The hidden history of capoeira: intersections of battle craft and dance.

Ballet is a highly formalized dance form with rigid rules and predefined positions. If you’re interested in this classical type of choreography, check out the dance research topics below:

• Is free dance a subtype of ballet?
• The evolution of ballet traditions by Isadora Duncan.
• Russo-American ballet at the start of the 20th century.
• Emerging American ballet: the 1930s onwards.
• Romantic and classical ballet traditions in the 19th century.
• Classical ballet in Russia.
• Classical ballet vs. modern dance: key similarities.
• Injuries in professional ballet.
• Static and functional balance in ballet dance.
• Ballet as a form of ethnic dance.
• The impact of ballet dance attire on female dancers’ self-perception.
• Endurance of pain among ballet dancers.
• The concept of the ideal ballet body.
• Methods of preventing hip and knee injuries in professional ballet.
• Physiological eligibility characteristics for classical ballet.
• Evolution of ballet dancer identity in the process of training.
• Incidence of sprained ankles in ballet dancers.
• Physiological responses to active ballet exercise among dancers of different ages.
• Importance of artistic performance ability in ballet dancers.
• Disordered eating patterns among ballet dancers.
• Management of stress fractures in ballet dancers.
• Ballet dancer career: an international perspective.
• Incidence of scoliosis in young ballet dancers.
• Travesty dancing in the 19th-century ballet tradition.
• Gender issues in ballet.
• The cultural power of ballet.
• Degenerative joint disease risks among female ballet trainees.
• Hip arthrosis as a long-term consequence of ballet training.
• History of the “Apollo’s Angels” ballet.
• Sleep quality in professional ballet dancers.
• Heteromasculinity images among male ballet dancers.
• Postural stability before and after a ballet injury.
• Dance classicism as an ideology.
• Royal Ballet’s dancers and body perception.
• How do professional ballet dancers perceive injury and aging?

Are you looking for research topics about dance in the form of questions? We’ve got you covered! Look through the list below to find good dance topics to research:

• How does dance education foster creativity in children ?
• How do feminists view belly dance?
• What is the impact of technology on dance performances?
• How to preserve indigenous peoples’ traditional dance forms?
• How have traditional gender roles been challenged through dance?
• What creative strategies do choreographers employ?
• What is the impact of dance on community building?
• What factors contribute to the commercialization of dance?
• How does dance function as a means of storytelling ?
• What is the link between dance and spirituality in different religions?
• What is the role of costumes and stage design in dance performances?
• What are the cognitive benefits of dance for older adults?
• How has ballet adapted to modern artistic movements?
• How has globalization affected the cross-cultural exchange of dance styles?
• What dance styles have been influenced by flamenco?

Do you need help writing an essay on dance? Below, we’ve prepared a short guide with examples. Read on to learn how to write each section of your dance essay.

Dance Essay Introduction

The introduction is the opening paragraph of an essay that should engage the readers. Use a hook to grab the readers’ interest and introduce your topic. It can be a catchy quote, interesting question, or controversial statement.

Hook example : Imagine a world where bodies move in perfect harmony, telling stories without words. That’s the magic of dance, an art form that transcends language and culture, captivating audiences for centuries.

After that, you can provide some background information about the subject. End your introduction with a thesis statement .

Thesis Statement about Dance

The thesis statement outlines the central argument or purpose of the essay. It is the last sentence of your introduction, summarizing the whole paper. Your thesis should include all the main points mentioned in your writing in the same sequence.

Dance thesis example : Dance is not only a form of artistic expression but also a means of communication, a tool for personal growth, and a reflection of cultural identity.

Essay about Dance: Body Paragraphs

The essay’s body contains paragraphs that provide evidence and support for the thesis statement. Each section should begin with a topic sentence that presents a point related to your central argument.

Topic sentence example : One significant aspect of dance is its ability to convey emotions and stories through movement.

Evidence, such as examples, facts, or research, should support the topic sentence. The evidence should be analyzed and explained to show how it supports the thesis statement.

Evidence example : In classical ballet, dancers’ graceful movements and facial expressions can portray a wide range of emotions, from love and joy to sorrow and anger.

Dancing Essay: Conclusion

The conclusion is the final part that summarizes the main points made in the essay’s body. It should also restate the thesis statement in a paraphrased form without introducing new information. The conclusion should leave a lasting impression and a sense of closure.

Conclusion example : In conclusion, dance is a powerful form of expression beyond mere movement. It is a universal language conveying emotions, facilitating personal growth, and reflecting cultural identity.

How to Describe Dancing: Words & Tips

When describing dancing in an essay, use vivid and sensory language to convey the experience. Words such as “graceful,” “rhythmic,” “expressive,” and “dynamic” can capture the movement and style of dancing.

Emotive words like “joy,” “passion,” “energy,” and “freedom” can convey the emotional impact of dancing. Describing the physical sensations of dancing can make the description more immersive. You can write about the feeling of one’s body in motion, the sound of feet tapping, the swish of skirts, or the rush of adrenaline.

Metaphors or similes, such as “floating like a butterfly,” can add depth and creativity. Overall, using vivid language that engages the senses and emotions will benefit your paper.

We hope you found a perfect essay topic in this article. Use our free online title generator to get even more creative topics about dance and writing inspiration.

• Dance 260: Introduction to Dance: Dance Topics | BYU Library
• Dance: Topics in Dance and Dance History | Utah Tech University Library
• Research Areas | UCI Claire Trevor School of the Arts
• Dance | PBS Learning Media
• Dancing Styles | Boston University
• Dance 260: Introduction to Dance: Research Help | BYU Library
• Writing a Dance Critique | Utah Tech University Library
• Glossary for Dance | Connecticut’s Official State Website
• Guidelines For Writing a Dance Review | Human Kinetics

414 Proposal Essay Topics for Projects, Research, & Proposal Arguments

725 research proposal topics & title ideas in education, psychology, business, & more.

Dance Research Paper Topics

Original & engaging dance research paper topics.

There are a lot of aspects you can cover in your dance research paper. For example, you can choose a specific dancer that was famous or significantly contributed to the development of specific dancing techniques. Or, you can write about modern dancing styles, their characteristics, and history.

How to Select the Best Dance Research Paper Topic?

The variety of research papers about styles, techniques, history, and other aspects is wide, and sometimes it is challenging to select only one subject. But we are here to help you with it. So please keep reading to find helpful advice on selecting a research paper topic and some of our ideas for your paper.

Tips on Choosing the Best Dance Research Paper Topic

Choosing an interesting topic is essential for creating a good paper, as professors usually appreciate original works. Thus, it is necessary to thoroughly investigate the subject and find new topics and current issues in performing arts to understand what you should focus on in your research. To choose an engaging topic for your paper, keep in mind the following tips:

• A perfect topic should be not too broad and not too narrow. You can create a comprehensive research paper without exceeding the requested word count.
• Focus on your interests. Please don’t choose a boring topic, as it will make the research and writing process way more difficult for you.
• Make sure there is enough data for conducting in-depth research. Otherwise, your research paper will not be as detailed and exciting as you want.

To ensure your topic is the best, you can request assistance from our writers. Then, all you need is to describe which aspects are interesting for you, and we will come up with an ideal topic for a research paper.

Useful Sources With Fresh and Interesting Topic Ideas for Dance Research Paper

Wondering where to look for engaging topic ideas? Here are a lot of sources that can help you, but we want to share with you the most useful ones:

• News about dancing in online newspapers
• Dancing forums and websites
• Academic articles and journals.

If you don’t want or don’t have enough time to search through all these sources, you can ask us for help. We are ready to assist all students who need any academic writing help. So please place your order or call us now, and our experts will help you to choose the best topic and create an A+ research paper.

List of Dance Research Paper Topics — 15 Great Ideas

Instead of wasting hours searching for decent research paper topics about dance, you can look at the lists we prepared for you. Below, you will find original ideas that can become the main focus of your research.

• Jive Technique: Common Mistakes Among Beginner Dancers
• How Do Contemporary Dances Improve Creative Thinking?
• Choreography and Film Techniques: How Dances Add Meaning to Movies
• Diversity of Traditional Dancing in Asia: China, Japan, India, and the Philippines
• Folk Dances & Hip Hop: Main Differences and Similarities
• Dance Injuries in Teens and How to Prevent Them
• What Dancing Style Tell Us About People’s Personalities
• Establishing a New Dancing School: Initial Steps and Challenges
• Children Dancing Classes: Methods for Teaching a Pop Dance Class.
• Children’s Emotional Growth and Ballroom Dancing: What Is the Connection?
• Techniques and Artistic Decisions Used by Dancer Gregory Hines
• Ballet Pas de Deux Exhibition: Connection Between Dancing and Architecture
• What Practical Skills Can We Learn From Dancing?
• Eclecticism and Stylization in Modern Dancing
• How Are Dancing Styles Chosen for Singers?

10 Dance History Research Paper Topics

Dances have a long history, and it can be exciting to investigate the stages of development of different styles. Here are some ideas for a history research paper.

• The History of the Philippine Traditional Dances
• Dances of Medieval People: Techniques and Styles
• Dancing Styles of Famous Singers Throughout the History
• Folk Dancing of Slavic People: How Did They Change?
• Hip Hop Dancing : How Did They Become Popular?
• The Development of Musical Theaters: From Middle Ages to the 21st Century
• Viennese Waltz: History of Creation and Interesting Facts
• The Overview of the Dance Scene in the 17th and 18th Centuries
• Origin of African American Dancing Style
• What is the background of tap dancing?

10 Modern Dance Research Paper Topics

In the last decades, many new dancing styles have been created. Their history and characteristics can become great topics for your research.

• Dances Today: What Are the Most Popular Types of Dancing?
• Research of Types of K-Pop Dancing Movements
• The Most Famous American Dancers of Our Time
• Relation of Music and Dances: How Does Modern Music Impact the Development of Dancing Styles?
• Modern Dances Inspired by African Traditional Dancing Movements
• The Impact of High Heels Dance on Health
• Incorporating Social Dances Into Athletic and Artistic Performances
• Pop Dance Growth Over the Decades
• Reasons for the Global Popularity of Electronic Dancing Music
• Teaching Contemporary Dancing: Practices, Opinions, and Guidelines.

10 Popular Dance Research Paper Topics in 2023

• The Evolution of Contemporary Dance.
• Cultural Appropriation in Dance. Balancing Appreciation and Respect.
• The Impact of Dance on Mental and Emotional Well-being.
• Gender Representation in Ballet. Breaking Stereotypes and Embracing Diversity.
• Exploring the Intersection of Dance and Technology.
• The Role of Dance in Social Activism and Community Engagement.
• Dance Education. Strategies for Enhancing Teaching and Learning Methods.
• The Significance of Dance in Rituals and Celebrations Across Cultures.
• Dance and Aging. Promoting Healthy Aging and Well-being Through Movement.
• Analyzing the Influence of Dance on Popular Culture and Media.

10 Unique & Engaging Dance Research Paper Ideas

Are you looking for something exciting and original to surprise your professor? Here are some topic ideas that will make your paper stand out from others.

• Tik Tok Dance Phenomenon: The Secret of Success
• Sub Styles of Bachata and Other Latin Dances
• The Positive Impact of Dancing on Mental Health
• The World’s Most Famous Tango Performers
• Evaluation of Dancing Performances: Main Principles and Criteria
• The Most Challenging Dancing Styles: From Ballet to Capoeira
• The Uniqueness of Folk Dancing Around the World and Their Significance for Each Culture
• Ballroom: The Main Rules and Purpose of the Female Dress Code
• Inclusive Ballroom: How to Teach Dancing Classes for People With Disability
• What Are the Drawbacks and Benefits of Dancing for the Body?

Learners who effectively allocate their free time always leave their “ help me write my paper ” requests with our company. They entrust our skilled professionals with tricky writing assignments while working on other responsible projects. If you need expert help with your paper, our team’s expertise will come in handy. Forget about the stress caused by sophisticated essays!

I have always wanted to combine my passion for writing with a desire to help people. Now, I have a perfect job where I can express myself through my imagination and assist students with their assignments as well.

• All categories
• Essay Topics (39)
• Research Paper Guides (11)
• Research Paper Topics (39)

Biology Essay Topics

History essay topics, law essay topics.

• Write My Research Paper
• Research Paper for Sale
• Research Paper Help
• Buy Research Paper
• Cheap Research Papers
• College Paper Help
• Buy College Paper
• Write My Term Paper
• Paper Writing Service
• Pay for Paper
• Term Paper Writing Service
• Term Paper For Sale
• Custom Term Paper
• Term Paper Help
• Buy Term Paper
• Write My Philosophy Paper
• Term Paper Writer
• Pay for Research Papers
• Nursing Paper Writing Service
• Buy Nursing Paper

• Skip to search box
• Skip to main content

Princeton University Library

Dance: a guide to research and resources.

• Introduction
• Dance Encyclopedias & Resources

Key Dance Periodicals (Print or Online)

Dance periodical databases (citations & full text), music periodical databases with significant dance coverage, subject search links for dance & ballet periodicals.

• Streaming Dance Resources
• Dance Companies & Organizations
• Archives & Collections
• American Journal of Dance Therapy
• Dance Chronicle Publishes research on dance and seeks to expand the constituencies, methodologies, and theoretical frameworks represented within the field of dance studies.
• Dance Magazine First published in June 1927 as The American Dancer. Dance Magazine has multiple sister publications, including Pointe, Dance Spirit, Dance Teacher, Dance 212, and DanceU101.
• Dance Research Journal Includes scholarly articles on dance history, theory, pedagogy, politics, science, ethnography, and intersections with cultural, gender, critical race, and diasporic studies. Published 3 times a year by the Congress on Research in Dance.
• Dance Research: The Journal of the Society for Dance Research Covers dance worldwide both from a historical and contemporary perspecive, engaging with current debates on dance and across cognate disciplines with dance at the centre of inquiry.
• Journal of Dance Education The official publication of the National Dance Education Organization.
• Performing Arts Periodicals Database This link opens in a new window Comprehensive coverage of the performing arts, including dance, film, television, drama, theater, stagecraft, musical theater, broadcast arts, comedy, opera, and more. IIPA indexes more than 210 periodicals. Full text is available from 1998 to the present; citations to articles are indexed back to 1864. Formerly known as International Index to the Performing Arts Full Text.
• International Bibliography of Theatre & Dance with Full Text This link opens in a new window Provides extensive full-text of articles, reviews, & other content from many leading, primarily English-language journals & magazines in theater, dance, & the performing arts (1995+). Also offers citations, abstracts, & some full text for articles, books, book chapters, & dissertations back to 1982. Additional selective content dates back to 1929.
• RILM Abstracts of Music Literature with Full Text This link opens in a new window Covers all aspects of music, including historical musicology, ethnomusicology, instruments and voice, dance, and music therapy. If related to music, works in other fields, such as literature, dramatic arts, visual arts, anthropology, sociology, philosophy and physics are included. 1967+
• Dance periodicals--English language
• Dance periodicals--all titles
• Dance periodicals--online
• Ballet periodicals--English language
• Ballet periodicals--all titles
• Ballet periodicals--online

These prefabricated searches of the Princeton University Library catalog capture select groups of journal titles (including annuals) by subject terms dance or ballet. The default sort is alphabetical by title. After clicking and retrieving the result set, you can further refine the results by the search limits in the left sidebar (date range, language, etc.) as well as re-sort the list by other options. You can also click the back-up button to view the original catalog search and design your own (changing the geographical area, language, etc.).

Note: there is some overlap between the result sets for subject searches on dance or ballet (some cataloging records include both keywords). But a number of journal titles have only one or the other subject descriptor depending upon the focus of the journal.

• << Previous: Dance Encyclopedias & Resources
• Next: Streaming Dance Resources >>
• Last Updated: Mar 18, 2024 1:11 PM
• URL: https://libguides.princeton.edu/dance

Society for Dance Research

Welcome to the society for dance research.

The Society for Dance Research is an internationally focused, British-based non-profit society that supports and develops scholarly interests in all forms of dance through seminars, conferences, performances, and publications. Our journal, Dance Research , is addressed to scholars and practitioners working within the many disciplines which constitute dance studies, providing an international forum for the presentation and discussion of contemporary dance research.

CHOREOGRAPHIC FORUM “AILEY” – 20 MAY 2023  BOLOGNA – Choreographic Forum online 

Screening of the film Ailey by Jamila Wignot (2021), followed by Choreographic Forum in which the themes addressed by the film will be discussed in the presence of scholars, dancers and the film’s director.

Inspired by an event organised by the Society for Dance Research last year in Bristol, the evening will include the projection of the film Ailey by Jamila Wignot (2021, duration 95 minutes, Italian subtitles) accompanied by a Choreographic Forum, in which the themes addressed by the film will be discussed thanks to the presence of scholars, dancers and the director of the film. The introduction is entrusted to Elena Cervellati, who will introduce the figure of Alvin Ailey in the context of the American dance scene; some reflections on the figure of Ailey will be proposed by Thomas DeFrantz, professor at Northwestern University and director of SLIPPAGE: Performance, Culture, Technology, by the director of the film, as well as by other artists and scholars.

The Choreographic Forum will also be accessible online, via Zoom, for members of the Society for Dance Research and Kauma Arts, as well as for other guests who cannot be in Italy.

Viewers are invited to watch Alvin Ailey’s masterpiece Revelations (1960, duration 30 minutes), available on YouTube.

The aim of the Choreographic Forum is to begin to reflect critically, also in Italy, on dance techniques and innovations originating from the African continent and diasporas. Alvin Ailey was a pioneer, through the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre Company and especially his masterpiece Revelations (1960), in promoting the participation and visibility of black communities and the African diaspora in the dance industry.

You can purchase/watch Ailey via the following link: https://watch.dogwoof.com/film/ailey/

https://site.unibo.it/damslab/it/eventi/proiezione-del-film-ailey-di-jamila-wignot-2021 

New Mobilities “on the Turn”? Society for Dance Research, The  Place & Dance Studies Association 

CALL FOR PAPERS

A quarter of a century after the ‘mobile turn’ in anthropology, cultural studies, geography, migration studies and sociology, this symposium sets out to explore the limitations of/to mobility in the current historical moment. The phrase ‘…on the turn’ speaks both to mobility as a paradigm across the humanities being in a state of change, and to mobility and its promises turning sour, giving way to critiques and a leaning into mobility’s limitations. In London, for instance, this question manifests itself in response to the impact of Covid-19 lockdowns, the full implementation of Brexit, the increasing unease with the environmental impacts of travel and the changes in arts and education policies towards disability and social mobility issues. We propose to question how dance and performance studies might speak to the various mobilizations of movement as it encounters pandemics, wars, migration, and border controls. Hence, this event seeks to bring together voices from within and beyond the disciplinary boundaries of dance and performance, through conversations and interventions. 

Submissions by 25 May 2023 Click here to read more and apply

University of Bedfordshire and Society for Dance Research

Early career researchers are invited to a researcher development day focusing on the theme Dance, Health and Communities.

The day will offer opportunities to workshop and develop writing, opportunities to present work in progress and research papers in progress.   The day will be facilitated by the University of Bedfordshire and the Society for Dance Research.

All early career researchers whose work focuses on Dance, Health and Communities are welcome to attend. Early career researchers can include MPhil/PhD students and those within eight years of completing their PhD studies.  

The day will take place at the Bedford Campus, with access to both classrooms and dance studio spaces.

Join us for a day that aims to inspire and catalyse your research development, and network with like-minded peers.

A small number of travel bursaries of up to £50 are available for those from outside of the University of Bedfordshire who need support with travel.

Programme for the day:

10.30 am Arrival and registration

11.00 – 11.15 Introductions

11.15 – 13.15 Workshop session 1

13.15 – 14.15 Lunch

14.15 – 15.30 Presentations and showings of research in progress  

15.30 – 15.45 break

15.45 – 17.00 Workshop session 2

17.00 – 17.15 Closing and next steps

If you wish to attend the day, please send an expression of interest in an email to [email protected] giving a brief overview your current research, your researcher development needs, and if you wish to share some work in progress, either practice or presentation. Please indicate if you wish to apply for a travel bursary.

Please send all expressions of interest and applications for travel bursaries by Monday 15 May 2023.  

Society for Dance Research AGM 2023 Sat 4 March, 11am – 1pm  The Place, London  Click here to reserve your free place 

The Society are delighted to invite you to this year’s Annual General Meeting. 

The AGM will begin with a provocation from Thea Stanton and Jane Chan and a celebration of Dance Books, followed by a summary of The Society’s annual activities. 

Attached to this email you will find the list of nominees and the ballot paper.

Packaging process: Exploring the risks, effort and challenges in holding and sharing a dance product, whilst maintaining an ongoing practice in a capitalist state

In a deliberate attempt not to create a ‘fixed or finished’ presentation, Jane and Thea will be exploring the following provocations in a series of voice notes between 6 February and 28 February 2023, drawing inspiration from the method introduced by Broderick Chow and Royona Mitra for the 2021 Critical Pedagogies annual lecture, where they exchanged a series of voice note conversations prompting an opening up, as opposed to a pinning down.

Excerpts of these voice notes, as well as Thea and Jane’s in person responses to the provocations, their ongoing dialogue and their own practice and research will be shared at the SDR AGM on 4 March 2023. The entirety of the voice notes will also be available online following the AGM. 

List of provocations

• What are the risks and effort in producing and disseminating a dance product, whilst maintaining a practice in a capitalist state/way of being?
• How do you package process? 
• How do societal structures and situations such as covid and being a woman of the global majority affect our approaches with disseminating dance/research?
• How might methods of dissemination such as podcasts and zines be playful, fun and disruptive and invite the unexpected? 
• How does abstractness / intention play a part in dissemination for example, doodles / visuals/ voice notes? What are their value(s)?
• What role does/should access play in the dissemination of dance research?

Jane Chan  is an independent dance artist and works at the intersections of making, performance, teaching, project managing, mentoring, writing and change instigation. She is the lead artist of F-ing Good Provocation and one of thirty Clore leaders, Clore Leadership Inclusive Cultures 2022. She is also a lecturer at London Contemporary Dance School and a member of Amina Khayyam Dance Company. She works in an artist-advisory capacity for Akademi and Sadler’s Wells & mentor for Arts Emergency. Her work is auto-ethnographical; it questions and reclaims cultural / social misrepresentation, as well as dismantling, redistributing and reconstructing the

power dynamics within dance and beyond. 

Thea Stanton  is an indigenous Chilean British dance researcher, choreographer and educator currently undertaking a Practice as Research PhD at the University of Chichester where she is exploring the notion of immersive choreography as a means to negotiate, boundaries, difference and societal power structures within immersive and participatory performance frameworks. Thea is currently a Lecturer at Bath Spa University, and a Visiting Lecturer and Supervisor at Rose Bruford College and Roehampton University. Recently, Thea has presented papers at Our Dance Democracy 2, The Society for Dance Research Inclusion and Intersectionality Symposium, TaPRA 2021, The Dance Studies Association Conference 2022, and What Dance Can Do (Chichester University). She is currently a co-convenor for the Theatre and Performance Research Association, Body and Performance Working Group, and has been invited to speak on SDR’s Inclusion and Intersectionality Podcast as well as the ResDance podcast, produced by Dr Gemma Harman. Thea is a recipient of the Society for Dance Research’s Ivor Guest Research Grant 2022. 

Click here to view the AGM Agenda 

The Society for Dance Research is pleased to announce the recipients of the 4th round of the Ivor Guest Research Grant: 

• Adesola Akinleye 
• Clare Parfitt
• Daniela Perazzo 
• Rachael Davies
• Thea Stanton
• Laura Smith

You can read more about the recipients projects here

Society for Dance Research statement on Dance programmes at risk  –  29 June 2022  

The members of the Society for Dance Research are very dismayed to hear of recent proposals to make significant cuts to performing arts staff and courses at several UK higher education institutions (HEIs). In particular, the proposed plans for the University of Wolverhampton and the University of Roehampton, t he latter hosting one of the top Dance departments in the UK in terms of research, will have a detrimental effect on dance provision nationally resulting in a negative impact both on the field of dance and opportunities to widen access to the performing arts. For a relatively new discipline built upon the extraordinary efforts of internationally recognised scholars, such cuts will have a significant negative impact. However, we recognise that these cuts are prevalent throughout the Arts and Humanities and the Society also stands with and supports colleagues similarly affected at other HEIs including at Huddersfield, De Montfort, Dundee, The Royal College of Art and Goldsmiths.

While the cuts affect teaching course provision, they will also reduce research capacity. Additionally, research posts will be lost. Therefore, we are concerned about the detrimental effect these changes will have to the outstanding dance research culture present in the UK.  

These recent decisions result from cuts to HE arts funding which follow on from changes in secondary education and have been detrimental to the arts, and particularly the performing arts. The Society for Dance Research stands firmly against such attacks on the prized and vital arts and cultural provision fostered in the UK. In the wake of national and international division, the COVID-19 pandemic and worsening pressures on public life (cost of living, mental health crises), the arts are needed now more than ever. Please read One Dance UK’s advocacy statement  here  for more on the impact of these cuts and the importance of continuing high-quality and geographically diverse dance provision.  

The Society for Dance Research rejects the perpetuated narrative that a shift towards greater skills-based courses requires a reduction in arts provision. We want to encourage leadership at HEIs to engage in purposeful and open dialogue with staff and students to explore and develop ways forward that address their emerging pressures. We believe dance as a field has much to offer in developing responsible, skilled, and creative graduates who can play a vital part in a changing world.  

We are aware that statements of support are only one facet of activism, so we are also seeking out practical ways that we can help. Should you want to show your support and take action, below are some suggestions of how you can get involved: 

• University of Roehampton: Sign this open Letter  https://forms.gle/38C4yUKUd6jQS9oM8  and/or petition  https://chng.it/jnHQkHy7z7   
• University of Wolverhampton: read updates on the ongoing situation via UCU  here
• Write to your MP to express your concerns  https://www.theyworkforyou.com/   
• Share your thoughts on social media using the hashtags #stopthecutsUoW and #Roestopthecuts  

Black Lives Matter – Solidarity Statement

The Executive Committee of the Society for Dance Research wishes to express solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and people of colour around the world suffering under structures of systemic racism, white supremacy, inequality and oppression.

We recognise we have further work to do to embed anti-racist practices in our work to advance the field of dance research. As a starting point, we commit to prioritising the work of dance scholars of colour for funding and support and to addressing the underrepresentation of BAME people on the Executive Committee.

We welcome any suggestions for action from members and others who engage with the Society through different channels.

The Executive Committee of the Society for Dance Research

Everything begins with an idea!

Dance Research Paper Topics

Dance refers to a series of steps and movements that match the rhythm and speed of a piece of music. It might surprise some people to realize that dance involves more than the movements they see while watching a dancer. Dance actually has some connections with the mind, emotion, health, lifestyle, and a few other things which people may not really think of. All the impacts of dance on people and the connections that it has with the things we mentioned earlier are worth researching. Dance research is particularly very important to students who are studying art courses. We are aware of the challenges that many students face before they get dance research topics, so we’ve decided to help students get topics easily. As you scroll down, you will find the best dance research paper topics. All the topics that you find here are interesting, enlightening, and easy enough for students to research. By using one of the dance research paper topics ideas below, you will easily know what to write about your topic even without doing excess research. Students who use the topics below should be confident about the success that awaits them at the end of their research.

• How dance teaches its audience some vital lessons
• The significance of dance in music
• The influence of dance on its audience
• The role of talent in dance
• How new dance styles go viral
• The importance of dance to humans
• How is dance a tool for promoting peace in a particular territory?
• The origin of Tango
• Reasons why dance is a unique activity
• The correlation between dance and good health
• How professional dancers contribute to the art of dancing
• The concept of dance in ancient Greece
• The role of Hip Hop in American dance culture
• The connection between dance and the mood of a dancer
• The universal purposes of dance
• How dance facilitate interaction among people
• How dancers influence their followers
• The romantic elements of dance.
• The challenges associated with dance
• The origin of breaking-dance
• Skills that professional dancers must possess
• The impacts of dance on the lives of people
• The shortcomings of dance education
• The benefits of dance education
• The evolution of dance styles in the Western part of the world
• The effectiveness of dance education
• Vital lessons in dance
• The importance of national dance
• How dance can serve as the identity of a particular country
• Taiwanese-American modern dance
• The impact of dance on society
• The benefits of dance to the mind
• The negative impacts of dance on human health
• How can dance serve as motivation?
• The role of dance in the work of Michael Jackson
• Contemporary dance technique
• Classical Indian Dance
• The harmony that exists between dance and music
• How dancers use music as a tool for controlling their movements
• Why is dance a unique art?
• How music trends influence styles of dance
• The contemporary dance styles in European countries
• The concept of dance
• How dance has evolved over the years
• The kinds of messages that dance can convey
• The correlation between dance and music
• Do professional dancers have a different brain structure?
• The impact of dance on children who learn how to dance
• Why toddlers show some elements of dance whenever they hear upbeat music
• Things that occur within a dancer’s mind
• How can a live dance performance boost the confidence of dancers?
• Why dance is a good form of therapy
• How dance styles can influence lifestyle
• What roles do professional dancers play in the economy of a nation?
• Is dance style a reflection of culture?
• The mental benefits of dancing
• Is dance beneficial to aged people?
• The general motives of dancers
• The views of professional dancers on entertainment
• The health benefits of learning how to dance
• The role of dance in a dance drama
• The uniqueness of breaking-dance
• How can dance affect an individual?
• How morals can be taught through dances
• What makes dance a unique form of entertainment
• Why dance can be considered as a non-verbal form of expression
• The psychological impacts of dance on dancers and their audience
• The connection between dance and emotions
• The role of dance in advertisements
• Why dance is an ideal tool for persuading people
• The beliefs associated with Tango

Have top experts do your papers.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

108 Dance Essay Topics

🏆 best essay topics on dance, ✍️ dance essay topics for college, 🎓 most interesting dance research titles, 💡 simple dance essay ideas, ❓ essay questions about dance.

• Classical Ballet and Modern Dance: Swan Lake vs. Night Journey
• The Agbadza Dance: Traditional Dance in Africa
• The Igbo Dance Positioning in Nigerian Culture
• Classification of Dance: Dancing Styles and Their Characteristics
• The Language of Dance in the “La La Land” Movie
• Art, Music, and Dance
• Belly Dance, Its History and Movements
• Cultural Identity in Yamauchi’s And the Soul Shall Dance and Tan’s Two Kinds Plays In the play And the Soul Shall Dance, Yamauchi provides an overview of the life of Japanese immigrants in the United States.
• Ballroom Dance: History and Characteristics Ballroom dances are performed in pairs in social gatherings as well as on competitive stages. Different types of dances are included in this ballroom dance.
• Traditional Dance in Immigrants’ Lives Migrants who have left their countries often seek to maintain a connection with their native culture, and folk dance can help in this effort.
• Kathakali Dance Theater Overview The history, performance style, music, and appearance of the actors are unique to the Kathakali theatre, and it awakes the interest in it from the people around the globe.
• Hawaiian Dance: Hula Dance Styles Hula or Hawaiian dance is the soul of Hawaii depicted in motion and its initial performance is traced to the goddess performances, which makes it holly.
• Swing Dance in History and Modern Trends The development of jazz became one of the prerequisites for the birth and spread of swing, which, in turn, changed the idea of dance freedom.
• Belly Dance in Russia Foreign dance classes have become popular in Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The paper, in general, is aimed to pinpoint various nature of the Belly Dance in Russia.
• Dance Movement Therapy Review The term ‘dance movement therapy’ refers to the use of movement in improving the mental and physical health of a person.
• The Chinese Dragon Dance and Lion Dance Both the Dragon Dance and the Lion Dance have shaped considerably. The Lion Dance was transformed into another fertility fest, while for the Dragon Dance, a female version was provided.
• Riverdance: The History of the Dance, Features Riverdance is a dance performance with steps from traditional Irish step dancing. The main feature of this performance is only quick movements in the legs of the performers.
• Dance Activities and Morality in Bangladesh Society This article explores the connection between dance activities, morality, and social context in Bangladesh society.
• Analysis of Maya Ritual and Dance Maya ritual and dance are inseparable and based on several principles: sounds and movements are express sacrifice.
• Impact of Colonization on Dance In the history of humankind in the period the era of great geographical discoveries, there was a page that today is called shameful – colonialism.
• Dance Education and Its Influence on Future Career The paper discusses the influence of dance or art education in general on people’s future careers that may be not related to the dance sphere.
• Tap Dance: History and Personal Attitude Tap dance was started by the American slaves but later grew into a widely performed dance by people from different cultures.
• The Transmission of Dance Techniques The transmission of dance techniques can be summarized as a way of cultivating particular movement patterns through replication.
• African Ritual Dance Style Cultural significance of people is depicted in the trends in art. Thus, to understand the inner world of African people, it is essential to consider their style of dancing.
• Dance for Self-Expression and Social Change Nowadays, dancers are not treated as criminals and dance as a form of self-expression is appreciated and admired.
• The Rite of Sun Dance: Ancient Native American Practice The rite of the Sundance is an ancient Native American practice by the Lakota Sioux. It is a ceremonial dance done during summer at a Sun Dance gathering.
• The Tap Dance: Dormeshia’s and Arnold’s Performances Though the performances of Chloe Arnold and Dormeshia both incorporate the primary and more advanced elements of tap dance, the features of their performances are different.
• Square Dance Calling in the United States Initially, musicians did not call the dances; similar to earlier country dances and minuets, musicians memorized the steps and figures after being taught at dancing schools.
• Relation of the Terms Postcolonial and Dance The combination of notions of dance and postcolonialism refers to the combination of old and new traditions, global and ethnic cultures, classical and traditional styles of dances.
• Terms Dance and Sex Work in Indian Culture The courtesan culture and the personalities of the women involved in what was supposedly courting have become confused. A great example of this is Devadasis.
• A Reflection on the Terms Choice and Dance Dance is filled with the impact of racism and white supremacy influence. The terms choice and dance are overridden by White people’s understanding.
• The Love and Dance Terms in Modern Life Love becomes a political tool that celebrates heterogeneity and the human capacity for movement and desire without erasing or denying the past.
• Modern Ballet and J-Setting Southern Dance Styles This essay will analyze three dances that vary in style: Sergei Polunin in “Take Me to Church”, Mikhail Baryshnikov’s solo “Don Quixote”, and Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies.”
• Music, Art, and Dance of Latino Culture Group This paper will present the music, art, and dance features of the Latino Culture Group and discuss the peculiarities of these diverse yet united directions.
• Technology Influence on the Art of Dance It is fair to claim that dancing has applied technologies throughout history, but people no longer call costumes and decorations innovative.
• Ballet Dance: ‘Early Works’ Created by Rosa The title of the dance was ‘Early Works,’ created by Rosa, a ballet dance company belonging to Ann Teresa De Keersmaeker.
• Art and Dance Movement Therapy: Personal Experience This paper covers such concepts as art and dance therapy as well as personal experience in applying dance as a therapeutic practice.
• Dancer Job’s Benefits and Jeopardies Dancing is one of the most captivating professions in the world. Find more information about this job to decide whether you are ready to become a dancer.
• Belly Dance and Western Culture The paper regards belly dance as a way of artistic expression and its increase in popularity shows the growing thoughts of the society regarding self-expression.
• Creating and Enriching Cultural Awareness Through Music and Dance
• 1930s Depression Era: Dance Marathons
• The Origin and History of Backbreaking as an African American Dance Style
• Changing Dance Audience Desires Through Media and Dance Literacy: A Strategy to Reducing Health Problems in Dancers
• Bharatanatyam: Classical Indian Dance Form
• Embeddedness and Locational Choices: A Study of Creative Workers in a Dance Organization
• Different Dance Forms During 18th Century in France
• Abstracting Dance: Detaching Ourselves From the Habitual Perception of the Moving Body
• Canadian Modern Dance: Anna Wyman Dance Theatre
• The Positive and Negative Effects of Dance on the Body
• Being Culturally Responsive While Teaching Dance
• Ceremonial Dance Masks of the Oceanic and the African Culture
• Audience Entrainment During Live Contemporary Dance Performance: Physiological and Cognitive Measures
• Static Balance and Dynamic Balance Related to Rotational Movement in Ballet Dance Students
• Chorographic Fusion Between Contemporary Dance and Indigenous Movement in Bangarra Dance Theatre
• Alvin Ailey’s Socio-Cultural Influence on Dance
• Collective Identity and Dance in Modern Urban Society
• Bollywood Dance Movies and Indian American Identity Formation
• Engaging With Contemporary Dance: What Can Body Movements Tell Us About Audience Responses?
• Dance Therapy Application and Benefits as a Psychotherapy Method
• Michael Jackson’s Influence on Modern Dance
• Electrical Brain Activity and Its Functional Connectivity in the Physical Execution of Modern Jazz Dance
• Expressive Ballet: Revolutionary Dance Style
• The History and Use of Pantomime in Theatrical Dance From Ancient Greece to Ballet D’Action
• Karate and Dance Training to Improve Balance and Stabilize Mood in Patients With Parkinson’s Disease
• Ice Dance for Those Who Love a Challenge
• Street Dance: Frolic Progress Towards Unity Amidst Diversity
• The Dancing Brain: Structural and Functional Signatures of Expert Dance Training
• Evolution and Commercialization of Irish Dance
• Speaking Through the Movement of Dance
• How the Recent Financial Recession Has Affected the Arts and Dance Industry
• The Role and Benefits of Dance as a Therapy for the Treatment of Mental Illness
• Incorporating Dance Into One’s Life as a Means of Finding Depth and Beauty
• Flamenco Dance, Culture, and Techniques as Ties Between Marius Petipa’s “Don Quixote”, Georges Bizet’s “Carmen”, and Carlos Saura’s “Carmen”
• Recontextualizing Dance Skills: Overcoming Impediments to Motor Learning and Expressivity in Ballet Dancers
• Isadora Duncan and Modern Dance Drama
• The Controversy Surrounding Music and Dance in the Religious Community
• 1970s American Culture and the Impact on Dance
• Form and Factors Affecting the Development of Gayong Otar-Otar Dance in the Malay Community of Terengganu, Malaysia
• Successful Strategies for Teaching Dance
• German Born, Hanya Holm, and the Pioneers of Modern Dance
• The Connection Between Traditional Indian Dance and Contemporary Women’s Expression
• How the Environment Affects the Viewing of the Dance
• Postmodern Dance and Its Influences on Partner Dance in the 1960s and 1970s
• Can Dance Inspire Change in Society?
• How Does Dance Reflect Culture?
• Do Universities Belittle Dance Teams?
• How Important Is It to Know the Nature and Background of the Dance?
• What Is the Most Famous Form of Dance?
• Should Schools Have Dance?
• How Has Dance Changed Over the Years?
• What Impact Does the Mass Media Have on the Perception of Dance in Society?
• Can Dance Teach Us About Our Relationship With Nature?
• Why Are Dance Lessons Good for Your Heart?
• How Did Louis XIV Affect Dance Culture?
• Why Is Dance an Expression of Life?
• How Did Mark Morris Change Dance?
• Is Dance a Form of Cultural Knowledge and Expression?
• How Did Prevost Sallé and Camargo Extend the Art of Dance in London in the 18th?
• Does Dance Inspire Change in Society?
• How Did Swing Dance and Jazz Music Impact America?
• Why Is Dance Important in Education?
• How Can Dance Benefit Us Culturally?
• Who Is the Father of Dance?
• How Does Folk Dance Reflect Filipino Culture?
• What Was the First Dance Style?
• How Does Dance Relate to Beliefs?
• Who Created Modern Dance?
• How Many Types of Dance Are There?

Cite this post

• Chicago (N-B)
• Chicago (A-D)

StudyCorgi. (2022, June 5). 108 Dance Essay Topics. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/dance-essay-topics/

"108 Dance Essay Topics." StudyCorgi , 5 June 2022, studycorgi.com/ideas/dance-essay-topics/.

StudyCorgi . (2022) '108 Dance Essay Topics'. 5 June.

1. StudyCorgi . "108 Dance Essay Topics." June 5, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/dance-essay-topics/.

Bibliography

StudyCorgi . "108 Dance Essay Topics." June 5, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/dance-essay-topics/.

StudyCorgi . 2022. "108 Dance Essay Topics." June 5, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/dance-essay-topics/.

These essay examples and topics on Dance were carefully selected by the StudyCorgi editorial team. They meet our highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, and fact accuracy. Please ensure you properly reference the materials if you’re using them to write your assignment.

This essay topic collection was updated on January 5, 2024 .

An official website of the United States government

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

• Publications
• Account settings

Preview improvements coming to the PMC website in October 2024. Learn More or Try it out now .

• Advanced Search
• Journal List
• Front Psychol
• PMC10035338

Mental health in dance: A scoping review

Michelle schachtler dwarika.

1 Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, Oslo National Academy of the Arts, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom

Heidi Marian Haraldsen

2 Dance Department, Oslo National Academy of the Arts, Oslo, Norway

Associated Data

Research in dance psychology and mental health is rapidly growing. Yet, evidence in the field can seem dispersed due to few existing meta overviews that outline research in dance related to mental health. Therefore, the aim of this scoping review is to strengthen future dance research by gathering and contextualizing existing findings on mental health in dance. Following the PRISMA guidelines and protocols, 115 studies were included in the review. Overall, the data analysis shows a predominant adoption of quantitative research but a lack of applied interventions of preventive and reactive procedures in mental health. Similarly, there is a tendency to study pre-professional dancers, whereas research into professional dancers, especially aged 30–60 is underrepresented. Dance genres have been unevenly investigated, with classical ballet being the most researched, whereas different dance styles and freelance employment are in dire need of in-depth investigation. Conceptualizing mental health as a dynamic state, the thematic analysis identified three main categories: stressors, mental processes, and outcomes. These factors appear to be in a complex interaction. Overall, the existing literature gives indications of components essential to understanding dancers’ mental health but has several blind spots and shortcomings. Therefore, a lot of in-depth understanding and research is still needed to fully grasp the dynamic complexity of mental health in dance.

1. Introduction

Research in dance psychology and mental health is rapidly growing. Yet, evidence in the field can seem dispersed due to few existing meta-overviews collecting and outlining research in dance and mental health. As dance science is a relatively new, vibrant, and evolving field, a scoping review of dance and mental health could strengthen future research by gathering and contextualizing existing findings ( Moher et al., 2015 ). Therefore, we aimed to (a) examine how research is conducted in dance and mental health, (b) identify the scope of available evidence in the field of dance and mental health, and (c) identify factors that appear to represent and influence mental health in dance. In what follows, we begin by conceptualizing the scope and some crucial terms essential to the depicted data.

1.1. Mental health

In 2004, the World Health Organization redefined mental health as «a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community» ( World Health Organization, 2022 ). This marked a much-welcomed shift from seeing mental health not just as the absence of mental illness but encompassing mental well-being and thriving. However, it has been argued that this conceptualization is far from flawless ( Galderisi et al., 2015 ). Scholars have argued that regarding well-being as a state of purely positive affect might be difficult to reconcile with certain complex circumstances we encounter in life ( Keyes, 2002 ). People with good mental health might, for example, experience fluctuations of emotions such as fear, anger and sadness, or they can thrive in one environment or area of life and struggle in another ( Galderisi et al., 2015 ; Henriksen et al., 2020 ). Also, different life events and transitions, such as change of schools or workplace, marriage and adolescent crises require that aspects of our mental health need to be reorganized, re-oriented or re-balanced ( Galderisi et al., 2015 ). Therefore, it has been suggested to view mental health as a complete, dynamic state that encapsulates a broad spectrum of both the presence (flourishing) and absence (languishing) of mental health and the presence and absence of mental illness ( Keyes, 2002 ; Küttel and Larsen, 2020 ). It further acknowledges that the strategies designed to reduce distressing symptoms might not be the same as those designed to enhance thriving or flourishing ( Keyes, 2002 ; Küttel and Larsen, 2020 ). These mental strategies entail certain resources, such as the ability to relate to others, demonstrate psychological flexibility and cope with diverse stressors ( Lazarus and Folkman, 1984 ; Galderisi et al., 2015 ). Additionally, this conceptualization of mental health also acknowledges that there exists a mutual relationship between the individual and its environment. An individual is influenced by the environment (e.g., amount and type of stressors) he or she is embedded in, and the environment is, in turn, affected by the persons in it ( Keyes, 2002 ; Galderisi et al., 2015 ). Thus, it is not only the absence of psychological flexibility, relatedness or the ability to cope with diverse stressors, but also diverse and complex interactions between an individual and its environment that can result in mental health issues ( Galderisi et al., 2015 ).

Recent headlines in the media remind us that the topic of mental health in dance seems of high relevance. Several European ballet institutions have currently been accused of sexual, physical and mental abuse of their dancers ( Henley, 2019 ; Münch, 2019 ; Gregoris et al., 2022 ). In these accounts, young ballet students describe how they have been body shamed, humiliated or sexually harassed over several years. As a consequence, many of them are suffering from Post-traumatic stress disorder, depression or anxiety ( Gregoris et al., 2022 ). Mental health in dance is, in other words, a pressuring matter. Therefore, this review examines existing literature on mental health in dance and discusses and promotes future research and attention in this area. Factors that might underpin this endeavor are stressors , mental processes and mental health outcomes.

1.1.1. Stressors

An individual’s mental health resources are likely to be tested by stressors at different moments in their life ( Fletcher and Sarkar, 2016 ). Such stressors can be defined as «environmental demands encountered by an individual» ( Sarkar and Fletcher, 2014 , p. 8; Mellalieu et al., 2006 , p. 359) and are usually more modest disruptions to our everyday lives than major catastrophes ( Sarkar and Fletcher, 2014 ). They are multifactorial and experienced on personal, cultural, and environmental levels. In this respect, sports research has investigated stressors in relation to their different states and recovery processes, or categorized them as competitive, organizational or personal ( Kellmann, 2010 ; Sarkar and Fletcher, 2014 ). One dance-specific study has further identified physical stresses related to dance training, such as a high physical workload, and requirements concerning technical skill and choreographic demands; as well as psychosocial stressors related to the environment, such as managing finances and obligations, interrelations, and major life events ( Blevins et al., 2020 ). Yet, a clear picture of the range and relevance of dance specific stressors do not exist to date.

1.1.2. Mental processes

Mental health entails that individuals are affected by various factors such as context, situation and stressors but also encapsulates how they respond to and deal with these impacts and experiences ( Lazarus and Folkman, 1984 ). Mental processes are therefore vital mechanisms that are often comprised of many steps towards a mental health outcome.

Sports research confirms that these processes are not linear but complex mechanisms that are comprised of many factors interacting with each other ( Williams and Andersen, 1998 ; Fletcher and Sarkar, 2016 ). Personal qualities and the environment are essential overarching groups of resources in these mental processes. They can act in either protective or debilitative directions and increase or decrease mental health outcomes, respectively. They also represent and comprise several of the components identified to restore or strengthen mental health, such as the ability to relate to others, demonstrate psychological flexibility, and cope with challenging life events ( Galderisi et al., 2015 ). Given the importance of these factors, it is vital to identify and map out an overview over these components to better grasp and address these complex mental processes in dance.

Personal qualities can be described as psychological factors that either protect or negatively influence individuals and must be distinguished from psychological skills ( Fletcher and Sarkar, 2012 , 2016 ). Personality, or personality characteristics, is a more stable, yet flexible, multilayered personal quality consisting of dispositional traits, characteristic adaptations, and self-narrative identities that “contribute to an individual’s distinctive patterns of feeling, thinking, and behaving” ( Fletcher and Sarkar, 2016 , p. 5). Psychological skills, on the other hand, are more adaptable cognitive and affective techniques and processes that are used to enhance and optimize an individual’s functioning or mental readiness in encountering stressors ( Fletcher and Sarkar, 2016 ). A study in an academic setting, for example, has shown that students who become aware of the possibility of enhancing their personal qualities by training in psychological skills seem to enhance their flexibility and ability to cope with adversity ( Yeager and Dweck, 2012 ). Therefore, an individual can train to acquire certain psychological skills that will enhance or improve their personality traits that thus act as protective factors against challenging life events.

Individuals are in a complex interaction with their environment. Consequently, their mental health is greatly influenced by different factors embedded in this climate. These can range from social and cultural circumstances or occurrences, such as auditions, transitions, injuries, deselection, and defeat ( Fletcher and Sarkar, 2016 ), to stakeholders wielding power that influence the mental state of others. Therefore, environments can either be protective by nourishing a person’s mental health, or debilitative, by jeopardizing the balance of an individual’s mental health components and thus causing mental health challenges and disorders ( Henriksen et al., 2020 ).

1.1.3. Mental health outcomes

Mental processes can lead to either positive or negative mental health outcomes . Positive outcomes indicate the presence of mental health (flourishing; Keyes, 2002 ). In this case, the individual has enough personal resources to be protected from, adapt to, withstand, or swiftly rebound from an encounter with a stressor to avoid a permanent decrease in one’s mental health ( Fletcher and Sarkar, 2016 ; Keyes, 2002 ). Consequently, this can lead to, increased task engagement and optimal performance. Negative outcomes can imply that stressors have exceeded available resources, leading to that the individual moves on a spectrum between the absence of mental health (languishing) and the presence of mental illness ( Keyes, 2002 ). This can result in either mental health challenges, like distress, loneliness and exhaustion or mental illness as for example, depression, self-harm, and/or substance abuse ( Howells and Fletcher, 2015 ). Yet, it is important to acknowledge the dynamic state of mental health and that individuals can thrive in one area of life and struggle in another ( Henriksen et al., 2020 ). That means that individuals might sometimes succumb to a stressor but still experience states of mental well-being or that they benefit from the psychological and behavioral changes induced by this experience ( Collins and MacNamara, 2012 ; Fletcher and Sarkar, 2016 ). Therefore, a negative outcome is not a permanent sentence of doom. Rather, it can lead to growth required for re-evaluation and reflection, and stimulate learning ( Galderisi et al., 2015 ). To date, several studies in dance research have highlighted prevailing negative outcomes such as eating disorders, fatigue and trauma following injury occurrence ( Schluger, 2010 ; Dantas et al., 2018 ; Kenny et al., 2019 ; van Winden et al., 2020 ). Yet, there exists, to our knowledge, no overview over positive and negative outcomes in dance research and little insight into which of these are prominent or obscure.

1.2. Research questions

Based on the relevant indications presented so far, this scoping review formulated the following research questions:

• RQ1: What types of research designs, methodologies, publication sources, and populations are conducted in the research on dance and mental health?
• RQ2: What are the identified stressors and mental health outcomes faced by Western theatre dance students, teachers, and professional dancers?
• RQ3: Which factors appear to influence the dance students’, teachers’, and dancers’ mental health outcomes?

2.1. Context and population

To address the research questions, we created a protocol ( Moher et al., 2015 ) in line with the purpose of a scoping review, that was to determine the scope or coverage of a body of literature on a given topic, how research has been conducted, and present an overview over its focus and existing literature ( Munn et al., 2018 ). In contrast, a systematic review aims to identify and retrieve concrete evidence relevant to a particular question, establish the quality of the relevant evidence, and address uncertainty or variation in practice that may be occurring ( Munn et al., 2018 ). Hence, we developed eligibility criteria framing the population, context, and concepts for the initial search phase. As the number of studies focusing on dance is still limited, this scoping review also included grey literature. Consequently, included studies were (a) peer-reviewed original research, or literature reviews, or systematic reviews, or master and PhD theses from 1980 to present. These studies were written in (b) Nordic or English language and (c) included samples of dance teachers, dance students and professional dancers age 13 and older (d) in the context of Western theatre dance (e.g., ballet, jazz, contemporary) and (e) the studies had to address mental health processes and outcomes according to the studies’ stated conceptualization.

2.2. Search strategy and procedure

The PRISMA guidelines were used during the screening and analysis process (see Table 1 ; Arya et al., 2021 ). The systematic search process consisted of several phases: initial search screening, main search screening, and supplemental manual search screening ( Page et al., 2021 ). Librarians in a higher arts education institution assisted with conducting the initial and main screening procedures.

Database research.

Based on the protocol and its eligibility criteria, key terms, both in English and Norwegian, were formulated for the search string. The latter was then fed into each database according to the respective parameters. Search terms were tested individually and in different combinations to ensure viability within the search string. During this phase, a decision of removing conceptual words in the search string defining mental health concepts was taken, due to test searches indicating that concepts were limiting the scope, thus risking to narrow search outcomes. Instead, the authors decided to evaluate concepts manually during the first screening of the abstracts. Consequently, the search screened for population and context only. This resulted in the final search string in English that consisted of these terms and combinations: (“dance student*” OR dancer* OR “dance teacher*” OR “dance leader*” OR “ballet student*” OR “ballet teacher*” OR “ballet lead-er*”) AND (“western theatre dance” OR “dance education” OR “dance pedagog*” OR “classical ballet” OR “jazz dance” OR “contemporary dance” OR conservato* OR “talent identification” OR “development in dance” OR “aesthetic learning” OR apprentice). These terms and combinations were searched in relevant databases (see Table 1 ). The pre-determined limitations for each search within the databases were “apply equivalent subject” and “peer reviewed only.”

Final searches were conducted on 16 February, 2021, which resulted in 3,893 retrieved articles prior to the removal of duplicates in Endnote ( N  = 1,865; Figure 1 ). Additional manual searches in the Norwegian thesis database, journals, and Google Scholar were undertaken to identify articles and theses that either were published recently (2020 to 2021) or were not identified by the initial search. Eventually, 2028 articles were uploaded to Rayyan, a free web-based app ( Ouzzani et al., 2016 ), which the authors used as a screening tool to expedite the initial screening of abstracts and titles. A blind function in Rayyan enabled to execute a first screening on the abstract level, and labeling identified articles separately. After the first screening, a third party removed the blind function, and the authors then reviewed and discussed discrepancies in the excluded and included articles, rereading the abstracts and, if necessary, the articles in full text for further evaluation. Thereafter, the first author reviewed all articles in full text, taking the first steps toward data analysis and categorization. This resulted in the exclusion of further articles due to either (a) population out of scope, (b) foreign language, (c) publication format out of scope, (d) lack of stated research question and method section in the article and (e) other reasons, such as limited availability, which made up a new total of 115 included studies, as displayed in the flowchart (see Figure 1 for the flowchart and Table 1 for the overview over the included studies).

The flow chart of the screening process of identified and included studies.

2.3. Data analyses and categorization

To extract data from the included studies, we created table sheets for (a) methodological categorization, (b) population and context information, (c) publishing sources, and (d) major foci of the studies. The first author filled in the different tables.

2.4. Thematic analysis and synthesis

We chose a qualitative and thematic approach ( Booth et al., 2016 ) for presenting and synthesizing the results of this scoping review due to the wide range of research designs and thematic scope ( Booth et al., 2016 ; Gough et al., 2017 ). In the thematic analysis, we (1) took a within-case approach, which entailed summarizing the main findings of all studies identified, (2) identified and developed descriptive themes and categories across the included studies, (3) summarized and developed overarching main findings within topics from a between-case approach (i.e., categories), and (4) meta-analyzed the findings to answer the research questions. The findings were categorized in accordance with an understanding of mental health as a complete and dynamic state ( Keyes, 2002 ; Lazarus and Folkman, 1984 ). That means that individuals move on a broad spectrum between the presence (flourishing) or absence of mental health (languishing), and the presence or absence of mental illness ( Keyes, 2002 ). The authors met regularly during the analysis process to discuss, and peer debrief the emerging meanings and results ( Barber and Walczak, 2009 ).

3.1. Scope of research design and methodology

Research question 1 of this scoping review examined, how research is conducted in dance and mental health. Data analysis from the categorization of the included studies showed that there were 52 quantitative studies, 39 qualitative investigations, and 25 mixed study designs ( Supplementary Table S2 ). Of these, 32 were longitudinal, and 83 were cross-sectional studies.

The distribution of the methodology and type of data ( Figure 2 ) shows that the majority of the studies in this review were non-experimental and descriptive (155), followed by experimental (5) and reviews (2). Regarding types of data, questionnaires, interviews, and scales dominated. Scales were describing all kinds of tests or pre-determined screening tools that were used to test variables such as eating disorders.

Distribution of research design and methodology.

The population distribution (see Figure 3 ) indicated that pre-professional dance students in high school or higher education programs (46 studies), professional dancers (20), and mixed population (20 studies, i.e., different combinations of pre-professional and professional dancers or recreational dancers) were the most researched population. This may be due to the easy access to participants and relevance to the examined topics. Dancers in specified talent development programs were investigated in 13 studies. Dance teachers (5) and retired professionals (2) seemed generally underrepresented in research. This is also reflected in the age distribution, with dancers aged 10–17 dominating the analyzed studies (45), followed by participants aged 18–24 (36) and 25–30 (9). Dancers aged 30–44 were researched in two studies, whereas those aged 45–60 were represented in only one study.

Overview of researched population and age-range.

Further, dance genres were unequally represented, with classical ballet being the most researched (76), followed by contemporary/modern dance (32), jazz (5), and hip hop (3). However, these numbers also combine studies examining several dance genres. In these cases, the examined dance genres were counted separately.

Examining the representation of different nationalities and diversity in the research, the Western countries positioned in West Europe and North America dominated the analyzed studies. The review also revealed that a few dance journals dominated and contained the majority of publications on general mental health investigations (see Supplementary Table S1 ).

3.2. Thematic scope and synthesis

The thematic analysis identified numerous stressors and diverse resources needed to meet and cope with the stressors, as well as aspects of both positive and negative mental health outcomes. This resulted in the following three main themes: (1) stressors, (2) mental processes and (3) mental health outcomes. Each will now be presented in turn.

3.2.1. Stressors

Several studies in this review describe how individuals encountered various environmental demands, also called stressors. They are organized as situational , interpersonal, or cultural. Each group of stressors is presented in turn in the following paragraphs (see Table 2 ).

Journals with more than one publication.

Situational stressors (20 studies) in general include career uncertainty, time management issues, limited economic means and injuries. Only a few articles in this category describe how limited financial means and career uncertainty represent issues negatively affecting dancers’ development and potential future ( Sanchez et al., 2013 ; Lopez, 2019 ). On the other hand, injuries are a much more discussed topic ( Liederbach and Compagno, 2001 ; Kenny et al., 2019 ; van Winden et al., 2020 ; Pentith et al., 2021 ). Injuries negatively affect dancers in many ways, hindering training and performance, and thus, hampering the learning and development process ( Macchi and Crossman, 1996 ). Also, dealing with an injury is mentally tough, and dancers’ mental states appear to influence how effectively these are coped with ( Macchi and Crossman, 1996 ; Mainwaring et al., 2001 ; Kenny et al., 2019 ). Therefore, several studies stress the importance of therapists, sport psychologists, medical professionals, and teachers to provide a holistic approach to injury management ( Macchi and Crossman, 1996 ; Mainwaring et al., 2001 ; Pollitt and Hutt, 2021 ).

Interpersonal stressors (26 studies) are related to asymmetric power exerted by authority figures, perceived pressure and expectations from others, and body image pressure from peers and teachers. Several studies describe that these factors place tacit and rigid demands on the dancers ( Benn and Walters, 2001 ; van Staden et al., 2009 ; Dantas et al., 2018 ; Haraldsen et al., 2021a ). Power exerted by authority figures, such as teachers and choreographers, seem to influence dancers’ outward agreements with a set cultural system ( Benn and Walters, 2001 ; Parker, 2011 ; Pickard, 2013 ; Dantas et al., 2018 ). Peers are often part of this system and influence, alongside the teachers, dancers’ body image, eating attitudes and overall ideals ( Table 3 ).

Overview over themes and their meanings.

Cultural stressors (42 studies) describe factors inherent in dance culture, such as cultural hegemony, set physical ideals, narrow minded identity ideals, cult-like behavior expectations, traditional gender roles, and hierarchical and top-down organizations. Ballet is described as an authoritarian, hierarchical, cult-like power achievement culture where dancers accept abuse and unreasonable behavior in a state of «silent conformity» ( Benn and Walters, 2001 ; Parker, 2011 ). Part of this culture are set, physical ideals which affect dancers to strive for thinness to attain a ballet physique or ideal dancers’ body ( Benn and Walters, 2001 ; Dryburgh and Fortin, 2010 ; Pickard, 2013 ; Mitchell et al., 2020 ). Other studies describe narrow minded identity ideals inherent in the dance culture. That means that dancers are expected to possess and display certain personality characteristics, such as being docile, humble, hard working, dedicated, mentally tough and persistent ( van Staden et al., 2009 ; Parker, 2011 ; Aujla et al., 2014 , 2015 ; Haraldsen et al., 2019 , 2020 ). Finally, male adolescent dancers appear seven times more likely than the general public to be bullied, teased or harassed – regardless of their sexual orientation ( Risner, 2014 ). Negativity, stereotypes, bias, and harassment are accepted as commonplace and thus expected, negotiated, and endured ( Risner, 2014 ). In particular, male ballet dancers report engaging in a system that is characterized by gendered rules in both technique and performance, highly stigmatized as effeminate and gender codified ( Haltom and Worthen, 2014 ).

3.2.2. Mental processes

The processes of handling stressors described in the studies are broadly categorized either as facilitative or debilitative . Facilitative processes comprise proactive and more robust personal qualities on the one side and protective aspects of the dance environment on the other. Together, these factors appear to either restore or strengthen mental processes and thus act as protective factors in coping mechanisms. Debilitative processes comprise dysfunctional personal qualities and unrelenting features in the dance environments that seemingly jeopardize or imbalance mental health processes. The results of how each of these were identified in the data will now be presented in turn.

3.2.2.1. Facilitative process

3.2.2.1.1. protective personal qualities.

According to the data analysis, five personal qualities were associated with individuals who withstand stressors: positive personality, confidence, relatedness, harmonious passion, and optimism .

Positive personality (37 studies) describes dancers that are striving for self-actualization, self-assessment, self-efficacy, self-management, autonomy, self-development, flexibility, and versatility. Several studies suggested that these factors aid dancers to form a holistic identity or buffer stressors they encounter ( van Staden et al., 2009 ; Klockare et al., 2011 ; Mitchell et al., 2017 ; Blevins et al., 2020 ; de Las Heras Fernández et al., 2020 ). However, according to the included studies, these qualities are deemed in need of development, nurturing, and strengthening, not only in dance but in future dance research in general.

The data analysis identified several studies examining the role of confidence (13 studies) in the dance literature. The majority of these articles describe dancers’ lack of confidence in relation to body image, career transitions, and gender identity. Yet, they also present suggestions on how to increase confidence. This entails enhancing autonomous, creative explorations, developing skills beyond the dance world and nurturing relationships ( Green, 1999 ; Dearborne et al., 2006 ; Watson et al., 2012 ; Aujla et al., 2014 ; Haltom and Worthen, 2014 ). Similar to previous factors, it is recommended that confidence and its related themes should be further examined in future research.

Relatedness (21 studies) describes the ability to establish and maintain social relationships with friends, family, peers, teachers, and organizations. Apart from acknowledging these relationships as essential, dance research also repeatedly points to the stress-buffering effect of the perception and experience of social support ( Li, 2011 ; Walker et al., 2012 ; Aujla et al., 2014 ; Risner, 2014 ; Reis et al., 2019 ).

Harmonious passion (7 studies) is considered a flexible and autonomous approach to involvement in dance, in which the individual participates of his/her own volition, and the activity does not dominate his/her identity ( Aujla et al., 2015 ). This entails striking a dance-life balance that offers room for the building and maintenance of friendships and nurturing other interests/hobbies outside of the dance realm. Our results showed that harmonious passion strengthened support systems, contributed to the shaping of more flexible identities and increased motivation and adherence, which potentially eases career transitions ( Aujla et al., 2015 ).

Optimism (4) is explicitly mentioned in the data of a few studies, either describing the lack of optimism dancers have or suggesting measures to increase optimism in this population ( Macchi and Crossman, 1996 ; Kveton-Bohnert, 2017 ; Wenn et al., 2018 ; Senning, 2020 ). Generally, these articles identified optimism as important for mental health, but also in need of further investigation.

3.2.2.1.2. Facilitative environment

Generally, facilitative environments (23) are mastery-oriented motivational climates that are task-oriented, nurture dancers’ autonomy and self-development and are perceived as psychologically safe ( Benn and Walters, 2001 ; Mainwaring et al., 2001 ; Critien and Ollis, 2006 ; Quested and Duda, 2009 ; Haraldsen et al., 2020 ). Several studies highlighted that dancers regulated by self-determined motivation appeared more robust and engaged in a healthier, harmonious way in their development ( Quested and Duda, 2009 ; Hancox et al., 2017 ; Haraldsen et al., 2020 , 2021a ). Teachers play an essential role in both the creation and in the perception of these climates ( Carr and Wyon, 2003 ; Hancox et al., 2017 ; Wenn et al., 2018 ). In this respect, studies show that an autonomy supportive and student-centered teaching style nurture high motivational quality, dancers’ self-determined motivation, and create more harmonious development paths in dance ( Quested and Duda, 2009 ; Haraldsen et al., 2019 , 2020 , 2021a ).

3.2.2.2. Debilitative process

3.2.2.2.1. debilitative personal qualities.

Data analysis identified three main personal qualities that appeared to nurture stressors that jeopardize or imbalance mental processes: perfectionism, obsessiveness and ego-orientation .

Perfectionism (16 studies) is related to fear of failure, self-critique, overly evaluative processes, and linking self-worth to achievements ( Stornæs et al., 2019 ). Maladaptive perfectionism can entail a large perceived discrepancy between performance and personal standards, that individuals doubt themselves and avoid negative consequences ( Van Staden et al., 2009 ). This might result in conditional self-worth, risk of over-training or the use of avoidance strategies ( Haraldsen et al., 2021a ). Therefore, perfectionistic tendencies might contribute to color the perception of and the way dancers cope with the dance environment ( Liederbach and Compagno, 2001 ; Nordin-Bates et al., 2014 ; Kenny et al., 2019 ; van Winden et al., 2020 ; Pentith et al., 2021 ).

Obsessiveness (14 studies) describes the way dancers exhibit compulsive striving, which can be described as a perceived need for progress and internalized pressures for achievement at the expense of their social and emotional needs and development ( van Staden et al., 2009 ). These strivings appear to be nurtured by the dance cultural ideals, pre-determined identities and expected behaviors, such as dedication and mental toughness, and for male dancers, they may also include debunking stereotypes and enduring homophobia, heterosexism bias, and harassment ( van Staden et al., 2009 ; Polasek and Roper, 2011 ; Radell et al., 2014 ; Haraldsen et al., 2021a ). Thus, compulsive striving often entails forms of self-objectification that can lead to lack of self-awareness, self-alienation, and to dancers isolating themselves from their social life ( van Staden et al., 2009 ). Similarly, evidence showed that these ideals and ingrained values can lead to obsessive passion, which is described as a rigid persistence to participate in dance, often resulting in dancing taking up disproportionate importance in an individual’s identity and leaving little space for other interests, decreasing their overall life quality ( Aujla et al., 2015 ; Cahalan et al., 2019 ).

Ego orientation (10 studies) is a form of external motivation that depicts a tendency to focus on outperforming others and demonstrating superior ability ( Carr and Wyon, 2003 ). To ego-oriented individuals, high effort implies low ability whereas low effort indicates high ability. This view is negatively affecting their efforts and learning opportunities. It is also linked to avoidance strategies concealing lack of competence and fear of failure ( Carr and Wyon, 2003 ). A strong sense of competitiveness and comparison seems to enhance ego-orientation. Studies point to environmental factors, such as teaching style, motivational climate and cultural ideals as strong contributing factors to ego-orientation ( van Staden et al., 2009 ; Pickard, 2013 ; Haraldsen et al., 2020 ).

3.2.2.2.2. Unrelenting environment

Overall the majority of studies describe the dance environment as unrelenting (49 studies). This is a climate that has tacit or explicit expectations to conform to ideals, exerts pressure to perform and to fit the mould dictated by the dance world. Gatekeepers, such as teachers, choreographers, and artistic directors, have often been successful performers themselves and, thus, wield a lot of power and authority in this climate and dance culture in general ( van Staden et al., 2009 ; Dryburgh and Fortin, 2010 ; Haraldsen et al., 2020 ).

Teachers in an unrelenting environment often adopt an authoritarian teaching style and tend to compare their students and thus enhance peer-competition ( Benn and Walters, 2001 ; Quested and Duda, 2009 ; van Staden et al., 2009 ; Haraldsen et al., 2019 , 2020 ). Consequently, revealing incompetence or disloyalty, or disappointing these stakeholders represents a risk to hamper dancers’ social position, career opportunities, or their chances for further development ( Haraldsen et al., 2020 ). Overall, characteristics of an unrelenting environment within dance showed little care for dancers’ mental health, unhealthy competition, and the tacit or explicit expectation to conform to ideals and expectations were the most important features.

3.2.3. Mental health outcomes

Depending on the number of perceived stressors, as well as the features and interaction of the personal qualities and environment at hand, diverse mental health outcomes seemingly increased or decreased (see Figure 4 ).

Overview over a mental health process.

3.2.3.1. Positive outcomes (53)

The results identified a range of positive mental health outcomes in dance. Life quality, confidence and self efficacy and positive emotional states, proactive self and career management, and the nurturing of holistic identities are among the most reported outcomes of flourishing mental health characteristics. However, these results were mostly identified in studies that also reported the absence of mental health. Positive outcomes were often presented as possible, future effects rather than being identified as prevalent. Moreover, dancers seem generally to have low confidence and possess little knowledge related to how to manage their careers and increase their quality of life ( Hoffer, 1981 ; van Staden et al., 2009 ; Haraldsen et al., 2021a ). Yet, studies indicated that the dancers’ life quality could increase if measures, such as psychological skills training and psycho-education, were systematically applied in their education and professional life ( Redding and Quested, 2006 ; Solomon et al., 2002 ; Diaz et al., 2008 ; van Staden et al., 2009 ; Klockare et al., 2011 ; Carattini, 2020 ; Kim et al., 2022 ). So far, positive outcome evidence appeared dispersed and lacked coherence, which made it difficult to detect an overall prevalence.

3.2.3.2. Negative outcomes (61)

Generally, the absence of mental health (languishing) led to mental health challenges, such as distress, loneliness, stress and tiredness. Mental illnesses like, anxiety, and eating disorders are among the most described negative outcomes ( Slater and Tiggemann, 2002 ; van Staden et al., 2009 ; Risner, 2014 ; van Winden et al., 2020 ). Moreover, there are indications that ballet dancers are at a higher risk of developing eating disorders than contemporary dancers ( Benn and Walters, 2001 ; Schluger, 2010 ; Nordin-Bates et al., 2011 ; Dantas et al., 2018 ). Also, perfectionism seems a common predictor variable for eating disorders, performance anxiety, and burnout in both male and female dancers ( Nordin-Bates et al., 2011 , 2014 ; Haraldsen et al., 2021a , b ). However, while some studies compared dancers to other population ( Adame et al., 1991 ; Archinard and Scherer, 1995 ; Slater and Tiggemann, 2002 ; Pollatou et al., 2010 ; Spadafora, 2010 ; Kosmidou et al., 2017 ; Walter and Yanko, 2018 ), not enough coherent evidence was identified to secure an overall prevalence in this review.

4. Discussion

In this section, we present an overall meta-reflection and discussion of the findings presented in the results section. We start by discussing the research designs, methodology, and quality, and continue with the thematic analysis of the main findings within the scope and its subcategories. We conclude with a discussion of limitations, and future research.

4.1. Research design and methodology

The first research question focused on what type of research design, methodology, and population could be detected in the included studies. Our analysis showed that quantitative methods were dominating in the current literature, specifically, descriptive observational survey studies based on self-reported questionnaire data. The qualitative studies, which also were primarily descriptive in nature, were mostly based on interview studies. Hence, the diversity and sophistication of research designs and methodology was low. This affected the type of research questions to be asked, likely conclusions that could be drawn and the impact on the overall quality of the research ( Teddlie and Tashakkori, 2011 ). This is shown in, for example, by a lack of building on previous studies identifying stressors in the literature. Even though the studies have pointed to many and varied problems that affect dancers’ mental health, central aspects in mental processes (e.g., moderator and mediator variables), such as appraisals, responses, or resilience, are not properly explored, identified, or investigated. Moreover, only a few of the studies were intervention studies that tested out the effect of strategies to reduce or encounter previously identified stressors. Yet, methodological research literature highlights the importance of intervention studies ( Welsh et al., 2023 , p. 18). Intervention studies especially might be beneficial to test theories and put them into practice. Further, there are shortcomings concerning the conceptualization of mental health. There are tendencies to explore mental health in a general manner, with no given definition of the conceptualization in the context of the given study. For example, the concept of well-being is often used as an expression of mental health, underpinned by a variety of measurement (i.e., vitality, positive affect, self-determination) but also by an array of labels and constructs (i.e., psychological well-being, mental well-being, thriving or flourishing; van Staden et al., 2009 ; Aujla and Farrer, 2015 ; van Winden et al., 2020 ). Except for eating disorders, specific in-depth investigations of mental issues such as depression, anxiety or emotional distress are not yet conducted. Hence, this review points to many potential future research topics within Western dance to be examined. One important starting point is that mental health and its dynamic nature needs to be defined and conceptualized in dance.

The analysis of the range of population showed a preoccupation with pre-professional dancers and higher education students from Western countries, with ballet being by far the most researched dance genre. This may be due to ballet and its characteristics presenting easily measurable variables, which further highlights that in-depth research into other dance genres and freelance dancers is long overdue. From a critical viewpoint one might claim that the evidence concerning dance and mental health represent a story of young Western ballet dance students, and not a representation of the broad field of artistic dance itself.

4.2. Thematic scope and trends

To address the last two research questions that identified stressors, influential factors and mental health outcomes in dance literature, we undertook a thematic analysis that identified three main themes: stressors, mental processes and mental health outcomes. Each of these is discussed in turn in the following sections.

4.2.1. Stressors

The results identified a range of stressors comprised of situational , interpersonal , and cultural . In the context of Western dance theatre, cultural stressors appear to be the most influential, followed by interpersonal stressors. The extent to which of these stressors manifested themselves varied among the dance genres dissected in the data. This became especially apparent when analyzing the reviews’ cultural stressors. This revealed that genres such as jazz are more concerned about body image, gender identities, and commercialization of the body than contemporary and modern dance, which seem more progressive in the cultivation and reflection of positive body image ( Heiland et al., 2008 ; Pollatou et al., 2010 ; Alexias and Dimitropoulou, 2011 ; Swami and Harris, 2012 ) . Interpersonal stressors identified many aspects of pressures. It appeared, for example, that not only teachers but also peers exerted pressure on dancers’ body image and perceived expectations ( Dantas et al., 2018 ). Classical ballet especially seemed irrevocably connected to deep-running traditions and a fostering of cultural and interpersonal stressors , which various participants in several studies reported to be “part of the deal” and as an aspect that is tacitly expected, accepted, and cultivated ( Benn and Walters, 2001 ; Risner, 2014 ; Cahalan et al., 2019 ; Haraldsen et al., 2019 ). Other challenges and factors, such as situational stressors , are underrepresented across the scoping review and could therefore not provide a much-needed understanding of factors such as dancers’ financial means, support systems, and environments ( Sanchez et al., 2013 ). Several studies describe injuries as a central stressor that jeopardizes dancers’ mental health ( Macchi and Crossman, 1996 ; Backlund and Wallén, 2016 ; Cahalan et al., 2019 ; Haraldsen et al., 2021a ). Although injuries are characterized by physical challenges, the findings highlight the importance of interconnecting dancers’ physical and mental needs when dealing with an injury. Furthermore, dancers in all dance genres generally appear to possess or receive little knowledge about how to attend to injuries, rest, deal with mental health issues, and build a life outside of the dance environment ( Macchi and Crossman, 1996 ; Aujla et al., 2014 ; van Winden et al., 2020 ). Overall, there is a need to further the understanding of the interaction between physical and mental health in dance and test out the effect of mental health education as part of dance education and dance teacher training.

4.2.2. Mental processes

Findings in the literature suggest that dancers’ mental health is influenced by both protective and debilitative factors. However, tendencies in the identified studies seem to indicate, that dancers are either languishing or are showing signs of thriving and flourishing. This appearance of a little nuanced picture of dancers’ mental health seem to be underpinned by several factors. First, that there is little rigorous conceptualization of mental health in dance; second, that there is a prevalence of quantitative studies in the field that might not capture the more complex, in-depth aspects and dynamic states of mental health; and third, that research on mental health is generally not practically applied in interventions or other experimental designs.

The evidence relating to protective personal qualities revealed that buffering attributes, such as confidence, were presented as suggestions for further research rather than practically applied and explored ( Kveton-Bohnert, 2017 ; Blevins et al., 2020 ; Carattini, 2020 ; Kim et al., 2022 ). Therefore, protective personal qualities should be seen as useful suggestions and indications for further research, rather than established evidence in the dance context. Facilitative environment, on the other hand, are underpinned by more in-depth endeavors that uncover which elements are likely to contribute to dancers thriving in their environment. The majority of these investigations focus on motivational climates and imply that awareness of the three basic psychological needs from self-determination theory and motivational quality in general can make a positive difference in dancers’ lives ( Quested and Duda, 2009 ; Hancox et al., 2017 ; Haraldsen et al., 2020 ). However, while motivational quality and climates appear to be researched to some degree in dance, there is still limited knowledge about dancers’ motivational states in different dance genres. Also, to date, other important aspects, such as psychological safety, have been little explored and require further investigation.

In general, there was a prevalence in studies describing debilitative aspects inherent in an unrelenting environment (such as performance pressure and ego-involving climate), that, in turn, were linked to certain debilitative personal factors such as perfectionism or obsessiveness. Even though research on perfectionism conceptualizes the term and examines it contextually ( Nordin-Bates et al., 2011 , 2014 ; Stornæs et al., 2019 ), both ego-orientation and obsessiveness lack conceptualizations and contextual approaches. We know, for example, little about the dimensions of obsessiveness and how aspects, such as compulsive striving, look like in different dance genres. So far, these debilitative personal qualities seem inextricably linked to an unrelenting environment that appears to enable peers and teachers to influence dancers’ body image, eating attitudes, and overall ideals, which in turn hamper dancers’ development and well-being ( Critien and Ollis, 2006 ; Lacaille et al., 2007 ; Harper, 2012 ; Stanway et al., 2020 ; Haraldsen et al., 2021a ). Several of the studies offer valuable advice how to address and change debilitative aspects of the particular cultural features of the dance environment ( Bonbright, 1995 ; Mainwaring et al., 2001 ; Batur et al., 2003 ; van Staden et al., 2009 ; Schluger, 2010 ). However, to date almost none of these plans have been put into action and tested for viability and effect.

Overall, the findings in this scoping review indicate that we possess little knowledge about the mental processes in dance. For instance, no study, to date, has investigated concepts of resilience in dance. However, sport psychology studies have conducted investigations into coping strategies, stress and recovery as well as resilience processes. They highlight that gaining knowledge about whether an individual appraises a stressor as a threat or challenge is decisive in the process of how the stressor is perceived and dealt with ( Fletcher and Sarkar, 2016 ). Future research needs to address and reflect whether different components such as appraisals and responses might further the understanding of mental health processes in dance. Furthermore, research should capture the dynamic nature of dancers’ mental health processes. These should investigate whether, and in which way dancers’ protective and debilitative personal qualities coexist and how they interact and adapt during different time periods.

4.2.3. Mental health outcomes

This review captured both positive and negative mental health outcomes. Findings identified the presence of mental health by means of increased life quality, positive emotional states, establishing a work/life balance, and using psychological skills to increase confidence, self and career management. ( van Staden et al., 2009 ; Nordin-Bates et al., 2011 ; Kveton-Bohnert, 2017 ; Hopper et al., 2020 ; Kim et al., 2022 ). The most frequent indications for the absence of mental health were stress, distress and tiredness related to burnout. The presence of mental illness was indicated by negative outcomes such as anxiety and eating disorders. Of these, eating disorders and psychological trauma following injury occurrence especially, seem to be deeply influenced by dance environments’ ingrained power culture and ballet aesthetics, as well as by factors of significance such as mirrors ( Liederbach and Compagno, 2001 ; Kenny et al., 2019 ; van Winden et al., 2020 ; Pentith et al., 2021 ). Thus, the strong indications for both the absence of mental health and the presence of mental illness, point to a most warranted change in the dance world to address these issues.

Prevalence has been difficult to identify, but would be needed in order to gain a more precise overview of prevalence in mental health outcomes. Studies examining, for example, how dancers compare to the general public or other athletes, would aid the understanding of mental health and the debilitative impact of mental health issues in dance. Overall, positive and negative outcomes appear to exist side by side, despite endeavors to study them as separate entities. That means that dance research needs to look at the holistic picture, modeling and testing the sum of stressors, resources available in the process and the composition of the individual’s health situation, in order to understand these outcomes (see Figure 4 ). However, to date dance research still lacks replication studies and more experimental designs that test and verify mental health components. It is important to consider how these could compose a more holistic picture of dancers’ mental health.

4.3. Limitations

This scoping review has several limitations. First, the nature of a scoping review is to present trends and an overview of the scope of existing literature, and thus cannot present a detailed and in-depth analysis of the findings. This leaves research question 3 challenging to answer in concrete terms. Second, the inclusion of grey studies, such as master thesis, might be a limitation given the quality of such included studies. However, as dance research is a rather young research field, master theses have, so far, played an important part in contributing to the overall research evidence, and thus, excluding these could have resulted in an incomplete picture of the existing literature. Third, the disperse evidence and the general lack of replication studies challenges the demonstration of prevalence in a variety of mental issues and disorders. Fourth, no structured and detailed quality assessment has been undertaken. This might be a general weakness of scoping reviews that could have strengthened the reader’s assessment of the included studies. However, an assessment of the quality of the journals with the most included studies, gives a general overall quality assessment. Fifth, how these findings are presented, which definition of mental health has been chosen to underpin this endeavor, and what research gaps that are detected, are interlinked with the perceptions, opinions, and background of the researchers, despite their striving to avoid bias and practice reflexivity. This means that the authors also are reflected in the synthesis and meaning making of this review. Since few reviews of this kind exist in dance literature, it has been our endeavor to present a review that offers connection points from which readers can make sense of existing literature on mental health in dance. Therefore, the authors hope that this scoping review can, despite its limitations, be seen as a valuable puzzle piece to a much bigger jigsaw.

4.4. Concluding remarks

In this scoping review, we have tried to summarize and synthesize what appears to be dispersed studies on the matter of mental health and its determinants in dance. In general, dance students and dancers are exposed to a unique range of stressors that might potentially increase their vulnerability to the absence of mental health or mental illness. On the other hand, in the process towards their flourishing mental health state, both personal and environmental qualities seem to be important contributors in the total equation. As several studies in this review have shown, a deeper and applied understanding of the interaction between stressors, mental health processes and its outcomes are essential to gain insight into and grasp the dynamic nature of mental health. Hence, this scoping review suggests that mental health in dance should be conceptualized as a complete and dynamic state. However, the synthesized picture of mental health in dance is far from complete and seems still quite anecdotical in nature-revealing topics uncovered, populations left out, and too little diversity and rigor in the methodological approaches. Insofar, the current review has contributed to advance the scope of knowledge about mental health in dance and intends to initiate a more informed discussion about how we can better understand, conceptualize, measure, and support dancers’ mental health.

Author’s note

Research in dance psychology and mental health is rapidly growing. Yet, evidence in the field can seem dispersed due to few existing meta overviews that outline research in dance related to mental health and, especially, facilitative, or debilitative processes associated with mental health outcomes. Therefore, the aim of this scoping review is to present an overview of the state of the art and to strengthen future dance research by gathering and contextualizing existing findings on mental health in dance. This effort has revealed that factors such as personal qualities, stressors, appraisals, responses, and the impacts of the environment are useful indicators for understanding facilitative or debilitative mental health processes. In turn, these are associated with positive or negative mental health outcomes but also point to gaps that need to be filled. Thus, this scoping review both synthezises disperse evidence in the field but is also aims to present a foundation for future research in mental health in dance.

Author contributions

All authors listed have made a substantial, direct, and intellectual contribution to the work and approved it for publication.

This scoping review was funded by the Oslo National Academy of the Arts’ Dance Department.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher’s note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the help and contribution of Einar Thor Jonsson and the library staff at the Oslo National Academy of the Arts.

Supplementary material

The Supplementary material for this article can be found online at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1090645/full#supplementary-material

• Adame D. D., Radell S. A., Johnson T. C., Cole S. P. (1991). Physical fitness, body image, and locus of control in college women dancers and nondancers . Perceptual and Motor Skills 72 , 91–95. [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Alexias G., Dimitropoulou E. (2011). The body as a tool: professional classical ballet dancers’ embodiment . Res. Dance Educ. 12 , 87–104. doi: 10.1080/14647893.2011.575221 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Archinard M., Scherer U. (1995). Training in classical dance in childhood and adolescence: what influence on bulimia nervosa in adult patients? Eur. Eat. Disord. Rev. 3 , 111–116. doi: 10.1002/erv.2400030207 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Arya S., Kaji A. H., Boermeester M. A. (2021). PRISMA reporting guidelines for meta-analyses and systematic reviews . JAMA Surg. 156 , 789–790. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2021.0546 [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Aujla I. J., Nordin-Bates S., Redding E. (2014). A qualitative investigation of commitment to dance: findings from the UK Centres for advanced training . Res. Dance Educ. 15 , 138–160. doi: 10.1080/14647893.2013.825764 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Aujla I., Farrer R. (2015). The role of psychological factors in the career of the independent dancer Front. Psychol. 1688. [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Aujla I. J., Nordin-Bates S. M., Redding E. (2015). Multidisciplinary predictors of adherence to contemporary dance training: findings from the UK Centres for advanced training . J. Sports Sci. 33 , 1564–1573. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2014.996183, PMID: [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Backlund H., Wallén F. (2016). Pre-professionella balettdansares upplevelser och erfarenheter av dansrelaterade skador . Uppsala University, Institute for neuroscience.
• Barber J. P., Walczak K. K. (2009). Conscience and critic: peer debriefing strategies in grounded theory research. in Annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Diego, CA . pp. 13–17.
• Batur S., Kabakci E., Gulol C. (2003). Maladaptive eating attitudes of élite and amateur Turkish dancers: are they at risk? Eat. Weight Disord. 8 , 263–267. doi: 10.1007/BF03325024, PMID: [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Benn T., Walters D. (2001). Between Scylla and Charybdis. Nutritional education versus body culture and the ballet aesthetic: the effects on the lives of female dancers . Res. Dance Educ. 2 , 139–154. doi: 10.1080/14647890120100773 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Blevins P., Erskine S., Hopper L., Moyle G. (2020). Finding your balance: an investigation of recovery–stress balance in vocational dance training . J. Dance Educ. 20 , 12–22. doi: 10.1080/15290824.2018.1532571 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Bonbright J. M. (1995). Discriminating physiological, behavioral and psychological characteristics in eating disorders: Clinical and psychometric comparisons between clinically diagnosed patients, ballet dancers and controls. Temple University ProQuest Dissertations.. [ Google Scholar ]
• Booth A., Sutton A., Papaioannou D. (2016). “ Taking a systematic approach to your literature review ” in Systematic Approaches to Successful Literature Review. 2nd Edn. London: Sage, 9–35.
• Cahalan R., Comber L., Gaire D., Quin E., Redding E., Ni Bhriain O., et al.. (2019). Biopsychosocial characteristics of contemporary and Irish university-level student dancers: a pilot study . J. Dance Med. Sci. 23 , 63–71. doi: 10.12678/1089-313X.23.2.63, PMID: [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Carattini C. M. (2020). Psychological skills in ballet training: An approach to pedagogy for the fulfilment of student potential Doctoral dissertation. Queensland University of Technology.
• Carr S., Wyon M. (2003). The impact of motivational climate on dance students' achievement goals, trait anxiety, and perfectionism . J. Dance Med. Sci. 7 , 105–114. [ Google Scholar ]
• Collins D., MacNamara Á. (2012). The rocky road to the top . Sports Med. 42 , 907–914. doi: 10.1007/BF03262302, PMID: [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Critien N., Ollis S. (2006). Multiple engagement of self in the development of talent in professional dancers . Res. Dance Educ. 7 , 179–200. doi: 10.1080/14647890601029584 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Dantas A. G., Alonso D. A., Sánchez-Miguel P. A., del Río Sánchez C. (2018). Factors dancers associate with their body dissatisfaction . Body Image 25 , 40–47. doi: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2018.02.003, PMID: [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• de Las Heras Fernández R., Espada Mateos M., Carrascal Dominguez S., Garcia Coll V. (2020). Evaluation and analysis of emotional intelligence, mood and coping strategies in two Spanish dance companies . Res. Dance Educ. 21 , 231–244. doi: 10.1080/14647893.2020.1746253 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Dearborne K., Harring K., Young C., O'Rourke E. (2006). Mirror and phrase difficulty influence dancer attention and body satisfaction . J. Dance Educ. 6 , 116–123. doi: 10.1080/15290824.2006.10387324 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Diaz H., Chatfield S. J., Cox J. (2008). Cultivating presence in movement: student Refections on the practice of Feldenkrais awareness through movement® in dance training . J. Dance Educ. 8 , 79–93. doi: 10.1080/15290824.2008.10387362 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Dryburgh A., Fortin S. (2010). Weighing in on surveillance: perception of the impact of surveillance on female ballet dancers’ health . Res. Dance Educ. 11 , 95–108. doi: 10.1080/14647893.2010.482979 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Fletcher D., Sarkar M. (2012). A grounded theory of psychological resilience in Olympic champions . Psychol. Sport Exerc. 13 , 669–678. doi: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2012.04.007 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Fletcher D., Sarkar M. (2016). Mental fortitude training: an evidence-based approach to developing psychological resilience for sustained success . J. Sport Psychol. Action 7 , 135–157. doi: 10.1080/21520704.2016.1255496 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Galderisi S., Heinz A., Kastrup M., Beezhold J., Sartorius N. (2015). Toward a new definition of mental health . World Psychiatry 14 , 231–233. doi: 10.1002/wps.20231, PMID: [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Gough D., Oliver S., Thomas J. (2017). An introduction to systematic reviews Sage. [ Google Scholar ]
• Green J. (1999). Somatic authority and the myth of the ideal body in dance education . Dance Res. J. 31 , 80–100. doi: 10.2307/1478333 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Gregoris N., Batthyany S., Kardos A. (2022). Man brach uns und alle schauten zu – Manche ballettschülerinnen nehmen bis heute Antidepressiva. Neue Zürcher Zeitung. Available at: https://magazin.nzz.ch/nzz-am-sonntag/kultur/man-brach-uns-und-alle-schauten-zu-ld.1708605 (Accessed January 7, 2023).
• Haltom T. M., Worthen M. G. (2014). Male ballet dancers and their performances of heteromasculinity . J. Coll. Stud. Dev. 55 , 757–778. doi: 10.1353/csd.2014.0084 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Hancox J. E., Quested E., Ntoumanis N., Duda J. L. (2017). Teacher-created social environment, basic psychological needs, and dancers' affective states during class: a diary study . Personal. Individ. Differ. 115 , 137–143. doi: 10.1016/j.paid.2016.03.033 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Haraldsen H. M., Abrahamsen F. E., Solstad B. E., Halvari H. (2021a). Narrative tensions in constrained junior elite performers’ experiences of becoming elite performers . Front. Psychol. 12 :1767. [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Haraldsen H. M., Halvari H., Solstad B. E., Abrahamsen F. E., Nordin-Bates S. M. (2019). The role of perfectionism and controlling conditions in Norwegian elite junior performers’ motivational processes . Front. Psychol. 10 :1366. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01366, PMID: [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Haraldsen H. M., Ivarsson A., Solstad B. E., Abrahamsen F. E., Halvari H. (2021b). Composites of perfectionism and inauthenticity in relation to controlled motivation, performance anxiety and exhaustion among elite junior performers . Eur. J. Sport Sci. 21 , 428–438. [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Haraldsen H. M., Nordin-Bates S. M., Abrahamsen F. E., Halvari H. (2020). Thriving, striving, or just surviving? TD learning conditions, motivational processes and well-being among Norwegian elite performers in music, ballet, and sport . Roeper Rev. 42 , 109–125. doi: 10.1080/02783193.2020.1728796 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Harper S. (2012). A critical comparative study of career transition policy, practice and experiences for ballet company dancers and musical theatre independent dancers. Doctoral dissertation. University of Birmingham.
• Heiland T. L., Murray D. S., Edley P. P. (2008). Body image of dancers in Los Angeles: the cult of slenderness and media influence among dance students . Res. Dance Educ. 9 , 257–275. doi: 10.1080/14647890802386932 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Henley J. (2019). Vienna state Opera's ballet academy hit by abuse scandal. The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/10/vienna-state-opera-investigation-abuse-students-ballet-academy (Accessed January 7, 2023).
• Henriksen K., Schinke R., Moesch K., McCann S., Parham W. D., Larsen C. H., et al.. (2020). Consensus statement on improving the mental health of high performance athletes . Int. J. Sport Exercise Psychol. 18 , 553–560. doi: 10.1080/1612197X.2019.1570473 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Hoffer D. L. (1981). The classical ballet dancer: A psycho-social analysis of the dance personality profile. Nova University ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. [ Google Scholar ]
• Hopper L. S., Blevins P., Erskine S., Hendry D., Hill R., Longbottom R. (2020). Sustaining dancer wellbeing through independent professional dance careers . Theatre Dance Perform. Train. 11 , 470–486. doi: 10.1080/19443927.2020.1740312 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Howells K., Fletcher D. (2015). Sink or swim: adversity-and growth-related experiences in Olympic swimming champions . Psychol. Sport Exerc. 16 , 37–48. doi: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2014.08.004 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Kellmann M. (2010). Preventing overtraining in athletes in high-intensity sports and stress/recovery monitoring . Scand. J. Med. Sci. Sports 20 , 95–102. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2010.01192.x, PMID: [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Kenny S. J., Palacios-Derflingher L., Shi Q., Whittaker J. L., Emery C. A. (2019). Association between previous injury and risk factors for future injury in preprofessional ballet and contemporary dancers . Clin. J. Sport Med. 29 , 209–217. doi: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000000513, PMID: [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Keyes C. L. (2002). The mental health continuum: From languishing to flourishing in life . J. Health. Soc. Behav. 207–222., PMID: [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Kim H., Tasker S. L., Shen Y. (2022). How to persevere in a ballet performance career: exploring personal wisdom of retired professional ballet dancers . Res. Dance Educ. 23 , 425–450. [ Google Scholar ]
• Klockare E., Gustafsson H., Nordin-Bates S. M. (2011). An interpretative phenomenological analysis of how professional dance teachers implement psychological skills training in practice . Res. Dance Educ. 12 , 277–293. doi: 10.1080/14647893.2011.614332 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Kosmidou E., Giannitsopoulou E., Moysidou D. (2017). Social physique anxiety and pressure to be thin in adolescent ballet dancers, rhythmic gymnastics and swimming athletes . Res. Dance Educ. 18 , 23–33. doi: 10.1080/14647893.2016.1223027 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Küttel A., Larsen C. H. (2020). Risk and protective factors for mental health in elite athletes: A scoping review . Int. Rev. Sport. Exerc. Psychol. 13 , 231–265. [ Google Scholar ]
• Kveton-Bohnert L. A. (2017). The voices of classical ballet dancers: Alleviating maladaptive perfectionism through resilience, mindful learning, and self-compassion. Doctoral dissertation. Oakland, USA: Saybrook University.
• Lacaille N., Koestner R., Gaudreau P. (2007). On the value of intrinsic rather than traditional achievement goals for performing artists: a short-term prospective study . Int. J. Music. Educ. 25 , 245–257. doi: 10.1177/0255761407083578 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Lazarus R. S., Folkman S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping . New York: Springer publishing company. [ Google Scholar ]
• Li Z. (2011). Adolescent males in dance: a closer look at their journey . J. Phys. Educ. Recreat. Dance 82 , 17–23. doi: 10.1080/07303084.2011.10598653 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Liederbach M., Compagno J. M. (2001). Psychological aspects of fatigue-related injuries in dancers . J. Dance Med. Sci. 5 , 116–120. [ Google Scholar ]
• Lopez B. (2019). Dance students at a two year college: making sense of their academic, cultural, and social world . Res. Dance Educ. 20 , 174–183. doi: 10.1080/14647893.2019.1591358 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Macchi R., Crossman J. (1996). After the fall: reflections of injured classical ballet dancers . J. Sport Behav. 19 :221. [ Google Scholar ]
• Mainwaring L. M., Krasnow D., Kerr G. (2001). And the dance goes on psychological impact of injury . J. Dance Med. Sci. 5 , 105–115. [ Google Scholar ]
• Mellalieu S. D., Hanton S., Fletcher D. (2006). A competitive anxiety review: recent directions in sport psychology research . Lit. Rev. Sport Psychol. 9 , 1–145. [ Google Scholar ]
• Mitchell S. B., Haase A. M., Cumming S. P. (2020). Experiences of delayed maturation in female vocational ballet students: an interpretative phenomenological analysis . J. Adolesc. 80 , 233–241. doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2020.03.005, PMID: [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Mitchell S. B., Haase A. M., Cumming S. P., Malina R. M. (2017). Understanding growth and maturation in the context of ballet: a biocultural approach . Res. Dance Educ. 18 , 291–300. doi: 10.1080/14647893.2017.1387525 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Moher D., Shamseer L., Clarke M., Ghersi D., Liberati A., Petticrew M., et al.. (2015). Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 statement . Syst. Rev. 4 , 1–9. doi: 10.1186/2046-4053-4-1, PMID: [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Münch P. (2019). Tanzen als Qual. Sueddeutsche Zeitung. Available at: https://www.sueddeutsche.de/kultur/wiener-ballettakademie-abschlussbericht-1.4726812 (Accessed January 7, 2023).
• Munn Z., Peters M. D., Stern C., Tufanaru C., McArthur A., Aromataris E. (2018). Systematic review or scoping review? Guidance for authors when choosing between a systematic or scoping review approach . BMC Med. Res. Methodol. 18 , 1–7. doi: 10.1186/s12874-018-0611-x [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Nordin-Bates S. M., Cumming J., Aways D., Sharp L. (2011). Imagining yourself dancing to perfection? Correlates of perfectionism among ballet and contemporary dancers . J. Clin. Sport Psychol. 5 , 58–76. doi: 10.1123/jcsp.5.1.58 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Nordin-Bates S. M., Hill A. P., Cumming J., Aujla I. J., Redding E. (2014). A longitudinal examination of the relationship between perfectionism and motivational climate in dance . J. Sport Exerc. Psychol. 36 , 382–391. doi: 10.1123/jsep.2013-0245, PMID: [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Ouzzani M., Hammady H., Fedorowicz Z., Elmagarmid A. (2016). Rayyan—a web and mobile app for systematic reviews . Syst. Rev. 5 , 1–10. doi: 10.1186/s13643-016-0384-4 [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Page M. J., McKenzie J. E., Bossuyt P. M., Boutron I., Hoffmann T. C., Mulrow C. D., et al.. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews . Syst. Rev. 10 , 1–11. doi: 10.1186/s13643-021-01626-4 [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Parker R. (2011). An exploration of the identity issues faced by retiring male ballet dancers. Doctoral dissertation. University of Birmingham.
• Pentith R., Moss S. L., Lamb K., Edwards C. (2021). Perfectionism among Young female competitive Irish dancers-prevalence and relationship with injury responses . J. Dance Med. Sci. 25 , 152–158. doi: 10.12678/1089-313X.061521k, PMID: [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Pickard A. (2013). Ballet body belief: perceptions of an ideal ballet body from young ballet dancers . Res. Dance Educ. 14 , 3–19. doi: 10.1080/14647893.2012.712106 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Polasek K. M., Roper E. A. (2011). Negotiating the gay male stereotype in ballet and modern dance . Res. Dance Educ. 12 , 173–193. doi: 10.1080/14647893.2011.603047 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Pollatou E., Bakali N., Theodorakis Y., Goudas M. (2010). Body image in female professional and amateur dancers . Res. Dance Educ. 11 , 131–137. doi: 10.1080/14647893.2010.482980 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Pollitt E. E., Hutt K. (2021). Viewing injury in dancers from a psychological perspective-a literature review . J. Dance Med. Sci. 25 , 75–79. doi: 10.12678/1089-313X.061521a, PMID: [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Quested E., Duda J. L. (2009). Perceptions of the motivational climate, need satisfaction, and indices of well-and ill-being among hip hop dancers . J. Dance Med. Sci. 13 , 10–19. [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Redding E., Quested E. (2006). When Art Meets Science . Int. J. Learning 13 . [ Google Scholar ]
• Radell S. A., Keneman M. L., Adame D. D., Cole S. P. (2014). My body and its reflection: a case study of eight dance students and the mirror in the ballet classroom . Res. Dance Educ. 15 , 161–178. doi: 10.1080/14647893.2013.879256 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Reis N. M., Cardoso A. A., de Araújo C. R., Moratelli J., Boing L., Borgatto A. F., et al.. (2019). Quality of life is associated with fatigue among Brazilian professional dancers . Motricidade 15 , 33–38. [ Google Scholar ]
• Risner D. (2014). Bullying victimisation and social support of adolescent male dance students: an analysis of findings . Res. Dance Educ. 15 , 179–201. doi: 10.1080/14647893.2014.891847 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Sanchez E. N., Aujla I. J., Nordin-Bates S. (2013). Cultural background variables in dance talent development: findings from the UK centres for advanced training . Res. Dance Educ. 14 , 260–278. doi: 10.1080/14647893.2012.712510 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Sarkar M., Fletcher D. (2014). Psychological resilience in sport performers: a review of stressors and protective factors . J. Sports Sci. 32 , 1419–1434. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2014.901551, PMID: [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Schluger A. E. (2010). Disordered eating attitudes and behaviors in female college dance students: comparison of modern dance and ballet dance majors . N. Am. J. Psychol. 12 , 117–128. [ Google Scholar ]
• Senning C. B. (2020). A study on the confluence of resilience skill building and contact improvisation on collegiate dancers. Doctoral dissertation. California, USA : University of California Irvine.
• Slater A., Tiggemann M. (2002). A test of objectification theory in adolescent girls . Sex Roles 46 , 343–349. doi: 10.1023/A:1020232714705 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Solomon R., Solomon J., Micheli L. J., Saunders J. J., Zurakowski D. (2002). Using the test of attentional and interpersonal style (TAIS) for profiling and counseling dancers . J. Dance Med. Sci. 6 , 119–127. [ Google Scholar ]
• Spadafora A. (2010). Predictors of eating pathology in adolescents: A comparison of ballet dancers and non-dancers . University of Winsor, Electronic Theses and Dissertation.
• Stanway A. R., Fein E. C., Bordia S. (2020). The moderating role of conscientiousness between psychological contract breach and loyal boosterism . Res. Dance Educ. 21 , 82–97. doi: 10.1080/14647893.2020.1727872 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Stornæs A. V., Rosenvinge J. H., Sundgot-Borgen J., Pettersen G., Friborg O. (2019). Profiles of perfectionism among adolescents attending specialized elite-and ordinary lower secondary schools: a Norwegian cross-sectional comparative study . Front. Psychol. 10 :2039. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02039, PMID: [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Swami V., Harris A. S. (2012). Dancing toward positive body image? Examining body-related constructs with ballet and contemporary dancers at different levels . Am. J. Dance Ther. 34 , 39–52. doi: 10.1007/s10465-012-9129-7 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Teddlie C., Tashakkori A. (2011). Mixed methods research . Sage Handb. Qual. Res. 4 , 285–300. [ Google Scholar ]
• van Staden A., Myburgh C. P., Poggenpoel M. (2009). A psycho-educational model to enhance the self-development and mental health of classical dancers . J. Dance Med. Sci. 13 , 20–28. [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
• van Winden D., van Rijn R. M., Savelsbergh G. J., Oudejans R. R., Stubbe J. H. (2020). Limited coping skills, young age, and high BMI are risk factors for injuries in contemporary dance: a 1-year prospective study . Front. Psychol. 11 :1452. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01452, PMID: [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Walker I. J., Nordin-Bates S. M., Redding E. (2012). A mixed methods investigation of dropout among talented young dancers: findings from the UK Centres for advanced training . J. Dance Med. Sci. 16 , 65–73. [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Walter O., Yanko S. (2018). New observations on the influence of dance on body image and development of eating disorders . Res. Dance Educ. 19 , 240–251. doi: 10.1080/14647893.2017.1420767 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Watson D. E., Nordin-Bates S. M., Chappell K. A. (2012). Facilitating and nurturing creativity in pre-vocational dancers: findings from the UK Centres for advanced training . Res. Dance Educ. 13 , 153–173. doi: 10.1080/14647893.2012.694415 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Welsh T., Mainwaring L., Ambegaonkar J. P. (2023). “ Ways of knowing ” in Research methods in the dance sciences . eds. Welsh T., Ambegaonkar J. P., Mainwaring L. 1st ed (Florida, USA: University Press of Florida; ), 16–27. [ Google Scholar ]
• Wenn B., Mulholland R., Timmons W., Zanker Y. (2018). Towards a developing construct in dance education–exploring the relation of emotional intelligence to teacher’s sense of efficacy and teaching experience among dance education student teachers in the United Kingdom . Res. Dance Educ. 19 , 14–38. doi: 10.1080/14647893.2017.1354843 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Williams J. M., Andersen M. B. (1998). Psychosocial antecedents of sport injury: review and critique of the stress and injury model . J. Appl. Sport Psychol. 10 , 5–25. doi: 10.1080/10413209808406375 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• World Health Organization (2022). Mental health: Strengthening our response. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response [Accsessed October 1, 2022]
• Yeager D. S., Dweck C. S. (2012). Mindsets that promote resilience: when students believe that personal characteristics can be developed . Educ. Psychol. 47 , 302–314. doi: 10.1080/00461520.2012.722805 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]

Dance 260: Introduction to Dance: Research Help

• About Dance 260
• Research Help
• Print Encyclopedias
• Article Databases
• Call Numbers
• Dance Topics
• Dance History
• Streaming / Websites
• Evaluating Information
• Citation Help

Doing Dance Research

1. Locate background information.

            - use encyclopedia articles to find keywords (terminology, words for narrowing topic, important scholars) and citations to other materials.

2. Develop and narrow your topic; form an issue or research question.

3. Find research materials you may use in your paper.

            - books, journal articles

4. Evaluate and select materials that you will use in your paper.

5. Write draft, cite sources, and write final paper.

            - use an approved citation format, and consult style manuals as needed.

            - begin writing early.

Choosing a Topic

You may choose a topic with a specific style of dance in mind, such as ballet or ballroom; a specific technique, such as en pointe in ballet, or gancho in tango; a specific person, such as Christopher d'Amboise or Twyla Tharp; a specific place (city, state, country); or a specific time period. 

Combining techniques and styles with a particular place or period of time is an effective way to develop a more complex research question. (Example: What are some differences between the way the tango is danced in Argentina, where it developed, and here in the United States?)

You might also want to look at an aspect of health, culture or education and make connections to dance. (Example: How does motherhood impact the career of ballet dancers?)

Examples of styles and techniques: (See more extensive list here.)

• aplomb (ballet)
• enpointe (ballet)
• bourree (ballet)
• Guapacha timing (ballroom)
• Promenade position (ballroom)
• Headspin (hip-hop)
• The worm (hip-hop)
• jazz piroutte (turn)
• grand jete (leap)

Examples of forms and genres: (See another list here.)

  Examples of periods and styles:

• Renaissance
• English Regency
• Polka craze (mid 19th century)
• Roaring twenties
• Swing (30's and 40's)
• Contemporary

Primary Research

If you are interested in researching historical dances from primary sources, Professor Richard Powers of Stanford University offers helpful suggestions here.

Music & Dance Help Desk 4432 HBLL - Level 4 Music & Dance Web Page Hours: M-Th: 8am-9pm; F: 8am-6pm; Sat:10am-6pm

• << Previous: About Dance 260
• Next: Print Encyclopedias >>
• Last Updated: Feb 5, 2024 10:16 AM
• URL: https://guides.lib.byu.edu/dance260

Navigation Menu

• Research Resources
• Member Surveys
• Directory of Not-for-Profit Dance Ensembles
• Services and Information Requests
• Fieldwide Surveys
• Search for:

Dance/USA conducts research having a national scope and provides information services to Dance/USA members, the press, and the general public. Research activities focus on the U.S. professional dance field and involve the collation and analysis of data on the state of the field, the administration of surveys on the operations, finances, and programming of organizational members, and discrete examinations into topics of concern to dancemakers. This research serves as a platform for fact-based dialogue and action on sustaining and advancing professional dance.

A core service since the organization’s founding in 1982, Dance/USA’s research activities have covered many topics over the years. In addition to maintaining its longstanding research projects, Dance/USA focuses on new areas of research in response to the needs and interests of the professional dance field. 

Dance/USA tracks requests for future areas of data collection and accommodates such requests as capacity permits.

Questions about Dance/USA’s research should be directed to the  director of research and information services . 

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

This site uses cookies for WordPress, YouTube, and Google Analytics to collect anonymous information such as the number of visitors to the site and the most popular pages. Keeping this cookie enabled helps us to improve our website.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

• Dance Spirit
• Dance Teacher
• Pointe Magazine
• The Dance Edit
• Events Calendar
• College Guide
• Newsletters

These 9 Dance Science Studies Could One Day Change Our Approach in the Studio

As a dancer working with your toes to the marley day in and day out, it is easy to feel like no one but your immediate colleagues understands your challenges.

Yet there are countless medical professionals working to improve the lives of dancers. Last week the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science gathered more than 500 professionals, all of whom have dedicated their careers to supporting dancers, at its 29 th annual conference in Montreal.

In the opening remarks, former Mark Morris Dance Group dancer and current Dance for Parkinson’s program director David Leventhal shared a new initiative to create “broad and borderless data” to promote dance as a health solution. This focus is a new pillar for IADMS under their recent “Health for Dance, Dance for Health” mantra. IADMS also announced a partnership with Safe in Dance International to help ensure dancers can practice their art in supportive environments.

What else are these professionals doing to support dancers? Here are some of the most interesting highlights from the conference.

Could strength training reduce injuries?

In 2016, research was launched at Elmhurst Ballet School in the UK to evaluate the effectiveness of a strength and conditioning program for dancers modeled after FIFA’s 11+ injury prevention regimen. Before the program, students reported 104 injuries over the course of the school year. After Elmhurst implemented Dance 11+, which included strength training before ballet class twice per week, the instance of injury decreased by 40 percent. There was a higher reduction of injuries among female dancers than male. You can check out the program in the 11+ Dance app . (Nico Kolokythas, MSc)

Do padded socks work?

Research at Ohio University used sensors to measure the force on the dancers’ feet with and without padded socks. Interestingly, a female modern dancer absorbs about three times her body weight when she lands from a jump. The research showed a reduction in force while wearing the socks after doing three sauté jumps and after a 40 second dance sequence, though the reduction was significantly less in the jumps than during the dance sequence. Further research is needed to establish if the socks reduce the rates of injury. (Jeffrey Russell, PhD, AT)

Does stress impact recovery?

One study conducted at the Royal Ballet School looked at physical and mental stress, and dancers’ capacity for recovery. Findings showed that the female dancers experienced a significantly higher level of stress and were less likely to recover, especially at the end of the academic year. (Manuela Angioi, PhD)

How often do dancers get injured and ill?

A study in Australia looked at injury and illness per training hours in contemporary dancers. They started with 16 healthy dancers. After three months, 50 percent had required medical attention. At five months, all but one had required medical attention. Dancers reported 4.6 injuries for every 1,000 hours of dancing and illness at a rate of 9.1 for every 1,000 hours. Strikingly, the high illness rates did not result in time away from dance. (Annie Jeffries, MClinExP)

What effect does training load have on injury?

Multiple studies looked at training load—the intensity and frequency of training and performance. Dancers have high injury and illness rates, making dance a “high risk activity.” Canadian researchers described the volume of training and injury estimates of 104 ballet students at Alberta Ballet School. They showed that increases in injury estimates mirrored increases in dance exposure hours. (Valeriya Volkova, BSc)

What can we do for hypermobility?

Hypermobility disorders are more common among dancers than the general public. One presentation focused on diagnoses and treatment approaches for Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome , a condition that affects connective tissues and can have serious implications on a dancer’s health. Symptoms include overly flexible joints and stretchy skin. Specialists explained that the condition usually co-exists with anxiety and that counseling is an integral part of treatment. They suggest hypermobile dancers bring a checklist of symptoms to the doctor with them if they cannot see a specialist. (Linda Bluestein, MD)

How does perfectionism play out in dance?

Multiple presentations focused on research around perfectionism in dance. One reported that perfectionism is “social capital” in the dance environment and that it is “a core part of ballet culture,” based on their interviews with dance teachers at an elite UK ballet school. They stated, “Perfectionism is ingrained and embodied as part of the ballet teachers’ identity and values in ballet culture.” (Angela Pickard, PhD)

Can psychological skills training improve dancers’ well-being?

Others are trying to quantify the impact of psychological skills training (goal setting, self-talk, imagery, etc.) on the well-being of dance students. 127 students from a conservatory dance setting in the UK were evaluated after taking a required class in the first semester. The study showed that while effective coping strategies were used by the dancers in the first semester, by the second half of the year their use of those skills diminished along with their sense of well-being. Use of “adaptive” coping strategies (positive reframing, use of emotional support, etc.) predicted well-being, while use of “maladaptive” strategies (self-blame, substance use, etc.) predicted stress. (Liliana Araújo, PhD)

How prevalent is trauma in dance?

A study in California looked at the effect and prevalence of trauma in 206 dancers versus 110 traditional athletes. The dancers tested for clinical anxiety at a rate of 19.5 percent compared to the athletes’ 7 percent. More than 16 percent of dancers experienced childhood abuse compared to 9.5 percent of athletes. Thirty percent of dancers reported being a victim of adult trauma. The dancers sustained more injuries than the athletes and were less likely to take a week off. (Paula Thomson, PsyD)

Health & Body

American Ballet Theatre’s Virginia Lensi Shares Her Allergy-Friendly Oat Pancakes

Mark Morris Shares His “Stone Soup” Kerala Vegetable Stew Recipe

How to Identify and Treat Plantar Fasciitis

Keon K. Nickie, Artistic Assistant of Dallas Black Dance Theatre: Encore! , Shares His Family’s Trinidadian Macaroni Pie

Subscribe to our newsletter.

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.

Sign up for any or all of these newsletters Dance Magazine: Move and be moved Dance Spirit: Always on the beat Pointe: Ballet at its best Dance Business Weekly: Best moves for your business The Dance Edit: A petit daily newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Dance: Topics in Dance and Dance History

• Books & Articles
• Image and Video Resources
• Citing Sources
• Last Updated: Mar 29, 2024 2:29 PM
• URL: https://utahtech.libguides.com/dance

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

• Report Fraud
• Get Consumer Alerts
• Search the Legal Library
• Submit Public Comments

Take action

• Report an antitrust violation
• File adjudicative documents
• Find banned debt collectors
• View competition guidance
• Competition Matters Blog

New HSR thresholds and filing fees for 2024

View all Competition Matters Blog posts

We work to advance government policies that protect consumers and promote competition.

View Policy

Search or browse the Legal Library

Find legal resources and guidance to understand your business responsibilities and comply with the law.

Browse legal resources

• Find policy statements
• Submit a public comment

Vision and Priorities

Memo from Chair Lina M. Khan to commission staff and commissioners regarding the vision and priorities for the FTC.

Technology Blog

Consumer facing applications: a quote book from the tech summit on ai.

View all Technology Blog posts

Advice and Guidance

Learn more about your rights as a consumer and how to spot and avoid scams. Find the resources you need to understand how consumer protection law impacts your business.

• Report fraud
• Report identity theft
• Register for Do Not Call
• Sign up for consumer alerts
• Get Business Blog updates
• Get your free credit report
• Find refund cases
• Order bulk publications
• Consumer Advice
• Shopping and Donating
• Credit, Loans, and Debt
• Jobs and Making Money
• Unwanted Calls, Emails, and Texts
• Identity Theft and Online Security
• Business Guidance
• Advertising and Marketing
• Credit and Finance
• Privacy and Security
• By Industry
• For Small Businesses
• Browse Business Guidance Resources
• Business Blog

Servicemembers: Your tool for financial readiness

Visit militaryconsumer.gov

Get consumer protection basics, plain and simple

Visit consumer.gov

Learn how the FTC protects free enterprise and consumers

Visit Competition Counts

Looking for competition guidance?

• Competition Guidance

News and Events

Latest news, ftc finalizes changes to the health breach notification rule.

View News and Events

Upcoming Event

Older adults and fraud: what you need to know.

View more Events

Sign up for the latest news

Follow us on social media

-->   -->   -->   -->   -->  

Playing it Safe: Explore the FTC's Top Video Game Cases

Learn about the FTC's notable video game cases and what our agency is doing to keep the public safe.

Latest Data Visualization

FTC Refunds to Consumers

Explore refund statistics including where refunds were sent and the dollar amounts refunded with this visualization.

About the FTC

Our mission is protecting the public from deceptive or unfair business practices and from unfair methods of competition through law enforcement, advocacy, research, and education.

Learn more about the FTC

Meet the Chair

Lina M. Khan was sworn in as Chair of the Federal Trade Commission on June 15, 2021.

Chair Lina M. Khan

Looking for legal documents or records? Search the Legal Library instead.

• Cases and Proceedings
• Premerger Notification Program
• Merger Review
• Anticompetitive Practices
• Competition and Consumer Protection Guidance Documents
• Warning Letters
• Consumer Sentinel Network
• Criminal Liaison Unit
• FTC Refund Programs
• Notices of Penalty Offenses
• Advocacy and Research
• Advisory Opinions
• Cooperation Agreements
• Federal Register Notices
• Public Comments
• Policy Statements
• International
• Office of Technology Blog
• Military Consumer
• Consumer.gov
• Bulk Publications
• Data and Visualizations
• Stay Connected
• Commissioners and Staff
• Bureaus and Offices
• Budget and Strategy
• Office of Inspector General
• Careers at the FTC

Fact Sheet on FTC’s Proposed Final Noncompete Rule

• Competition
• Office of Policy Planning
• Bureau of Competition

The following outline provides a high-level overview of the FTC’s proposed final rule :

• Specifically, the final rule provides that it is an unfair method of competition—and therefore a violation of Section 5 of the FTC Act—for employers to enter into noncompetes with workers after the effective date.
• Fewer than 1% of workers are estimated to be senior executives under the final rule.
• Specifically, the final rule defines the term “senior executive” to refer to workers earning more than $151,164 annually who are in a “policy-making position.”
• Reduced health care costs: $74-$194 billion in reduced spending on physician services over the next decade.
• New business formation: 2.7% increase in the rate of new firm formation, resulting in over 8,500 additional new businesses created each year.
• This reflects an estimated increase of about 3,000 to 5,000 new patents in the first year noncompetes are banned, rising to about 30,000-53,000 in the tenth year.
• This represents an estimated increase of 11-19% annually over a ten-year period.
• The average worker’s earnings will rise an estimated extra $524 per year. 

The Federal Trade Commission develops policy initiatives on issues that affect competition, consumers, and the U.S. economy. The FTC will never demand money, make threats, tell you to transfer money, or promise you a prize. Follow the  FTC on social media , read  consumer alerts  and the  business blog , and  sign up to get the latest FTC news and alerts .

Press Release Reference

Contact information, media contact.

Victoria Graham Office of Public Affairs 415-848-5121