Vocabulary Words Every Contemporary Dance Teacher Should Know

Dance

Definition: To move rhythmically to music.

• We will dance at the party tonight.
• She loves to dance to her favorite songs.
• The kids dance during music class.

Dance in a sentence

Move

Definition: To change position or place.

• Please move your chair closer.
• The train will move soon.
• She moved to a new city.

Move in a sentence

Step

Definition: One movement of the foot in walking; a stage in a process.

• Take a step forward to join the line.
• She is learning to take small steps.
• The first step is to make a plan.

Step in a sentence

Jump

Definition: To push oneself off the ground and into the air.

• The kids love to jump on the trampoline.
• He can jump really high during basketball.
• She will jump over the puddle to stay dry.

Jump in a sentence

Turn

Definition: to change direction; a change in position

• He had to turn left at the intersection.
• They will turn the page to continue reading.
• It's your turn to speak in the discussion.

Turn in a sentence

Music

Definition: Sounds arranged in a way that is pleasant or meaningful.

• I love listening to music.
• She plays music during her study time.
• They went to a music festival last weekend.

Music in a sentence

Floor

Definition: The surface of a room that you walk on; also refers to a level in a building.

• The floor was made of shiny wood.
• She dropped her backpack on the floor.
• They live on the second floor of the apartment building.

Floor in a sentence

Body

Definition: The physical structure of a person or animal.

• My body needs rest after a long day.
• We must take care of our body through exercise.
• The human body is made up of many systems.

Body in a sentence

Hand

Definition: The end part of a person's arm, used for holding and touching.

• She raised her hand to answer the question.
• He shook my hand when we met.
• I hurt my hand while playing sports.

Hand in a sentence

Leg

Definition: a limb used for walking or supporting the body

• The dog has a hurt leg and needs to rest.
• He stretched his leg after running.
• Understanding legs is important for learning about anatomy.

Leg in a sentence

Friend

Definition: A person whom one knows and has a bond of mutual affection.

• My best friend is someone I can trust.
• I love spending time with my friends after school.
• Friends support each other in tough times.

Friend in a sentence

Group

Definition: A number of people or things that are located, gathered, or classed together.

• We worked in a group for the science project.
• A group of students went on a field trip.
• The group will meet every Wednesday to discuss their plans.

Group in a sentence

Fun

Definition: Enjoyment or amusement; something that is entertaining.

• We had a lot of fun at the party.
• Playing games with friends is so much fun.
• She finds it fun to explore new places.

Fun in a sentence

Play

Definition: to engage in activities for enjoyment; also refers to a dramatic performance

• The children love to play outside after school.
• She will play the lead role in the school play.
• He likes to play video games with his friends.

Play in a sentence

Watch

Definition: To look at something attentively; a device for telling time.

• I like to watch movies on weekends.
• Please watch the presentation carefully.
• I wear a watch to see the time.

Watch in a sentence

Learn

Definition: To gain knowledge or skills through study or experience.

• I want to learn how to play the guitar.
• We learn new words every week in class.
• She loves to learn about different cultures.

Learn in a sentence

Teach

Definition: To help someone learn a subject.

• I love to teach children.
• He will teach math to high school students.
• They teach English to non-native speakers.

Teach in a sentence

Class

Definition: A group of students learning together or a subject taught in school.

• I have math class every Monday.
• The class went on a field trip to the museum.
• She is my favorite teacher in class.

Class in a sentence

Like

Definition: To have a preference for something; to enjoy.

• I like ice cream very much.
• She likes to read books.
• He would like to play soccer with his friends.

Like in a sentence

Happy

Definition: Feeling or showing pleasure or contentment.

• I feel happy when I play outside.
• She was happy to see her friends.
• They were happy about the surprise party.

Happy in a sentence

Rhythm

Definition: A repeated pattern of sounds or movements; the beat in music.

• She danced to the rhythm of the song.
• His heartbeat had a steady rhythm during exercise.
• They learned about rhythm in music class.

Rhythm in a sentence

Partner

Definition: A person who takes part in an activity with another.

• She is my partner for the science project.
• They work as business partners.
• He asked her to be his partner in the dance.

Partner in a sentence

Space

Definition: The physical universe beyond the earth's atmosphere or an empty area.

• There is a lot of space in this room to play.
• In space, there is no air to breathe.
• We need to keep our workspace clean and organized with enough space.

Space in a sentence

Stretch

Definition: To extend or lengthen something; to make flexible.

• I like to stretch before exercising.
• Please stretch your arms and legs.
• He will stretch the rubber band to see how far it goes.

Stretch in a sentence

Pose

Definition: To assume a particular position or stance, often for a photo or to create a specific impression.

• They decided to pose for a picture at the park.
• He likes to pose like a superhero when taking photos.
• She asked her friends to pose together for the group photo.

Pose in a sentence

Express

Definition: To convey thoughts or feelings; to show something clearly.

• She likes to express her ideas through writing.
• He expressed his gratitude with a thank-you note.
• Art allows people to express their emotions.

Express in a sentence

Energy

Definition: The ability to do work or cause change; vitality.

• I need more energy to finish my homework.
• He has a lot of energy after a good sleep.
• They use solar energy to power their home.

Energy in a sentence

Practice

Definition: To repeat an activity to improve skills.

• He needs to practice playing the piano.
• She practices soccer every day.
• Practice makes perfect in any sport.

Practice in a sentence

Show

Definition: to present or display something

• She will show her artwork at the gallery.
• He wanted to show his friends the new game.
• The teacher will show a video during class.

Show in a sentence

Movement

Definition: A change in position or a group working towards a common goal.

• The movement for climate change is growing.
• He felt a sudden movement in the water.
• They joined the movement to support equality.

Movement in a sentence

Technique

Definition: A way of doing something, especially in a skillful manner.

• He learned a new technique for playing the guitar.
• The artist used a unique technique for her painting.
• We practiced the technique repeatedly to improve.

Technique in a sentence

Performance

Definition: The act of doing something, especially in front of an audience; how well someone does a task.

• The performance of the students was impressive.
• He practiced daily for his music performance.
• Her performance in the play earned her applause.

Performance in a sentence

Choreography

Definition: The art of designing sequences of movements in dance or performance.

• The choreography for the dance was beautiful.
• She studied choreography in college.
• He created the choreography for the school play.

Choreography in a sentence

Expression

Definition: A way to convey thoughts or feelings; a look on one's face.

• Her expression showed she was happy.
• He used a facial expression to communicate.
• The artist captured emotion in her expression.

Expression in a sentence

Flexibility

Definition: The ability to change or adapt easily; willingness to adjust.

• Flexibility is important in a fast-paced environment.
• He demonstrated flexibility in handling unexpected challenges.
• She values flexibility in her work schedule.

Flexibility in a sentence

Posture

Definition: The position in which someone holds their body.

• Good posture is important for health.
• She sat up straight to improve her posture.
• Practice good posture when sitting at a desk.

Posture in a sentence

Coordination

Definition: The organization of different elements to work together effectively.

• Good coordination is necessary for a successful event.
• They practiced for weeks to ensure coordination during the performance.
• Coordination among team members improves results.

Coordination in a sentence

Creativity

Definition: The ability to produce original ideas or things; inventiveness.

• Creativity is important in art and problem-solving.
• She used her creativity to design a poster.
• Encouraging creativity helps students express themselves.

Creativity in a sentence

Warm-up

Definition: An activity to prepare for exercise.

• We did a warm-up before the game.
• It's important to warm up your muscles first.
• He always has a warm-up routine before running.

Routine

Definition: A regular way of doing things; a set sequence of actions.

• I have a morning routine that helps me start my day.
• She follows a workout routine every day.
• It's important to have a study routine for success.

Routine in a sentence

Stage

Definition: a raised platform where performances take place

• The actors performed on the stage with enthusiasm.
• She designed the stage for the school play.
• The stage was decorated beautifully for the event.

Stage in a sentence

Audience

Definition: A group of people who listen to or watch something.

• The audience clapped after the performance.
• There were many people in the audience at the concert.
• The speaker engaged the audience with interesting stories.

Audience in a sentence

Style

Definition: A way of doing something, especially in art or fashion.

• She has a unique style of dressing.
• His writing style is very simple.
• The house was built in a modern style.

Style in a sentence

Balance

Definition: A state of stability; an equal distribution of weight or amount.

• It's important to maintain a balance between work and play.
• She tries to balance her studies and hobbies.
• The scale showed a perfect balance.

Balance in a sentence

Improvisation

Definition: The act of creating or performing spontaneously without preparation.

• He enjoys improvisation in his theater performances.
• Improvisation can lead to creative solutions in discussions.
• She practiced improvisation to enhance her acting skills.

Improvisation in a sentence

Dynamics

Definition: The study of forces and motion in physical systems.

• Dynamics examines how objects move and interact.
• He learned about dynamics in his physics class.
• Understanding dynamics is important for engineering.

Dynamics in a sentence

Alignment

Definition: The arrangement of something in a straight line; agreement.

• The alignment of the wheels was off, causing issues.
• They checked the alignment of the project goals.
• Proper alignment is crucial for the machine's operation.

Alignment in a sentence

Interpretation

Definition: the act of explaining or understanding something

• His interpretation of the poem was interesting.
• She gave a clear interpretation of the rules.
• The interpretation of the data helped us understand better.

Interpretation in a sentence

Stamina

Definition: The ability to sustain prolonged physical or mental effort.

• Running requires a lot of stamina.
• He built up his stamina by training every day.
• Good stamina helps athletes perform better.

Stamina in a sentence

Formation

Definition: The process of creating or developing something.

• The formation of the team took several weeks.
• They studied the formation of clouds in science class.
• The formation of new ideas is crucial for creativity.

Formation in a sentence

Rehearsal

Definition: A practice session for a performance or event.

• The cast had a rehearsal for the play.
• They scheduled a rehearsal for the concert.
• She felt nervous before the rehearsal started.

Rehearsal in a sentence

Aesthetic

Definition: Related to beauty or the appreciation of beauty.

• The painting has a unique aesthetic that captivates viewers.
• She studies aesthetic values in art and design.
• Understanding aesthetic principles enhances creativity.

Aesthetic in a sentence

Gesture

Definition: A movement made with a part of the body to express an idea or feeling.

• He made a gesture to say hello.
• A smile is a kind gesture.
• She used a hand gesture to indicate directions.

Gesture in a sentence

Articulation

Definition: The clear and precise pronunciation of words; also refers to the way ideas are expressed.

• Her articulation made her speech easy to understand.
• He practiced articulation to improve his public speaking.
• Understanding articulation enhances communication skills.

Articulation in a sentence

Phrasing

Definition: The way words are arranged in a sentence or expression.

• Her phrasing made the poem sound beautiful.
• They worked on the phrasing of their presentation.
• Understanding phrasing can enhance writing style.

Phrasing in a sentence

Spatial Awareness

Definition: The ability to understand and interact with the space around you.

• Spatial awareness is important for activities like driving.
• She developed spatial awareness through dancing.
• Playing video games can improve spatial awareness skills.

Repertoire

Definition: a list of skills or performances someone can do

• The musician has a wide repertoire of songs.
• She added new pieces to her repertoire for the concert.
• His repertoire includes many different styles of dance.

Repertoire in a sentence

Aesthetics

Definition: The principles of beauty and artistic taste.

• The aesthetics of the room were very modern.
• She has a keen sense of aesthetics in her work.
• Good aesthetics can enhance any design project.

Aesthetics in a sentence

Synergy

Definition: The combined effect that is greater than the sum of individual effects.

• The team worked together in synergy to complete the project.
• Synergy can enhance creativity and productivity.
• Finding synergy among team members is crucial for success.

Synergy in a sentence

Nuance

Definition: A subtle difference or variation in meaning, expression, or tone.

• The actor captured every nuance of the character.
• Understanding the nuances of language can improve communication.
• She noticed the nuance in his voice during the conversation.

Nuance in a sentence

Counterbalance

Definition: To offset or balance something by having an equal but opposite effect.

• The benefits can counterbalance the risks.
• He tried to counterbalance his workload with breaks.
• A strong counterbalance is important in design.

Counterbalance in a sentence

Transitions

Definition: plural of transition; changes from one state to another

• The transitions between scenes in the play were seamless.
• She learned about transitions in her writing class.
• He practiced transitions in his dance routine.

Facilitation

Definition: The act of making a process easier.

• Facilitation helps groups reach decisions.
• She took a course in meeting facilitation.
• Good facilitation leads to productive discussions.

Facilitation in a sentence

Embodiment

Definition: The tangible or visible form of an idea or quality.

• She is the embodiment of kindness and generosity.
• The statue was an embodiment of the city’s spirit.
• He viewed her as the embodiment of his dreams.

Embodiment in a sentence

Feedback

Definition: Information or comments about someone's performance or work.

• The teacher gave feedback on my essay.
• He appreciated the feedback from his peers.
• Constructive feedback helps improve skills.

Feedback in a sentence

Collaboration

Definition: working together to achieve a goal

• The collaboration between students was great.
• They focused on collaboration for the project.
• Her collaboration with the artist produced amazing results.

Collaboration in a sentence

Versatility

Definition: the ability to adapt or be used in many different ways

• Her versatility as an actress allows her to play various roles.
• Versatility is an important quality in a good employee.
• The versatility of the tool makes it useful for different tasks.

Versatility in a sentence

Movement Quality

Definition: the characteristics of movement that convey emotion or intention

• She focused on the movement quality of her dance.
• The coach emphasized movement quality in training.
• Different styles have unique movement qualities.

Pedagogy

Definition: The method and practice of teaching, especially in education.

• Effective pedagogy can enhance student learning outcomes.
• She focused on innovative pedagogy in her teaching.
• Understanding pedagogy is essential for educators.

Pedagogy in a sentence

Engagement

Definition: An agreement to get married; involvement in an activity.

• Their engagement was announced last week.
• She has a strong engagement in her studies.
• The engagement party was a lot of fun.

Engagement in a sentence

Presence

Definition: The state of being present in a place; the impression someone makes.

• Her presence in the classroom made everyone feel welcome.
• He had a strong presence that commanded attention.
• The artist's presence was felt throughout the exhibition.

Presence in a sentence

Intention

Definition: A plan or aim; what someone wants to do.

• Her intention is to help others in need.
• He had good intentions when he offered assistance.
• His intention was to improve his grades this semester.

Intention in a sentence

Counterpoint

Definition: The technique of contrasting different melodies in music.

• Counterpoint adds depth and interest to musical compositions.
• He studied counterpoint in his music theory class.
• Understanding counterpoint is essential for advanced music writing.

Counterpoint in a sentence

Kinetic

Definition: related to movement; active

• The kinetic energy of the moving car was high.
• We learned about kinetic energy in science class.
• The kinetic sculpture moved gracefully in the wind.

Kinetic in a sentence

Transference

Definition: The process of redirecting feelings from one person to another.

• Transference can occur in therapeutic relationships.
• He learned about transference in his psychology course.
• Understanding transference helps in counseling practices.

Transference in a sentence

Fluidity

Definition: The ability to flow easily; smoothness.

• The fluidity of the dance impressed everyone.
• His ideas showed fluidity and creativity.
• The fluidity of the conversation made it enjoyable.

Fluidity in a sentence

Composition

Definition: The act of creating or arranging something, especially music or writing.

• Her composition for piano was beautiful.
• He received praise for his writing composition.
• The class focuses on composition techniques for essays.

Composition in a sentence

Observation

Definition: The act of watching something carefully to gain information.

• Her observation of the stars was amazing.
• He made an observation about the weather.
• The scientist's observation helped with the research.

Observation in a sentence

Authenticity

Definition: The quality of being genuine or real.

• The authenticity of the artifact was confirmed by experts.
• She values the authenticity of local traditions.
• Ensuring authenticity is crucial for cultural heritage.

Authenticity in a sentence

Somatic

Definition: Relating to the body, especially in contrast to the mind.

• Somatic symptoms can affect a person's well-being.
• He studied somatic practices to improve health.
• Her somatic awareness helped her understand her physical state.

Somatic in a sentence

Resonance

Definition: The quality of being deep, full, and reverberating; also refers to a phenomenon in physics.

• The resonance of the music filled the room.
• Students learned about resonance in sound waves.
• Her voice had a beautiful resonance that captivated the audience.

Resonance in a sentence