From street to classical: an overview of dance genres all in one place.
There are many dance genres, just like there are many genres of music.
In addition to categorizing dance by the type of music it’s performed to, there are also genres defined by how the body moves.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of dance genres you might see in artists’ music videos and in performances by dancers—from street styles to classical dance.
We’ll share videos that show the characteristics of each genre, so enjoy exploring the deep and fascinating world of dance.
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From street to classical: An overview of dance genres (1–10)
Lock dance (Locking)
Among the many dance genres, hip-hop dance has one of the largest followings.
Compared to other genres, its styles are extremely diverse, making it hard to describe in a single phrase; if anything, it could be called a genre that dances to hip-hop.
Being a relatively new genre, it includes many challenging new-school steps.
Incidentally, Japan is known for being among the world’s top in hip-hop dance, having produced several world champions such as LEO and KAZANE.
Vogue
Jazz hip-hop dance is a sultry dance genre that brings out feminine allure.
It’s a derivative of hip-hop dance, characterized by more sensual choreography.
Despite the name “jazz,” it’s now often performed to R&B or slow jam tracks, and many works by K-pop girl groups prominently feature jazz hip-hop dance.
It’s a fantastic genre that combines sexiness born from body flexibility with the striking contrast of dynamic choreography.
hip-hop dance
Among all dance genres, popping demands especially strong core control.
This genre naturally emerged from styles like the well-known robot dance in Japan and enjoys particularly high popularity worldwide.
“Pop” here doesn’t refer to pop music; it means “to pop,” and as the name suggests, the style centers on movements that make the muscles “pop.” As with breakdancing, becoming proficient requires considerable talent and training.
That said, because the genre features many distinctive moves, it’s also highly enjoyable just to watch.
From street to classical: A roundup of dance genres (11–20)
contemporary dance
There are many different types of dance, each with its own characteristics, but among them, the one that stands out for its exceptional artistry is contemporary dance.
Contemporary dance is considered a free form with no set rules for how to express oneself.
Because of this, compared to styles like jazz dance or hip-hop, it can be harder to understand and more unpredictable.
However, that very freedom of expression allows the dancer to become the director of their own performance.
Even something as subtle as a breath can appear to be part of the work.
It’s a form of dance that draws you, almost before you realize it, into a world that only that performer can express.
In particular, Noriko Seki’s performance of “The Dying Swan” offers that captivating sensation—be sure to check it out at least once!
Soul dance
You sometimes see it in scenes from old movies—people dancing in a disco.
That style, where everyone moves their bodies to the music and a distinct form emerges, is what we call soul dance.
It’s considered the origin of modern street dance.
It’s a style danced to soul music, which was hugely popular in the 1950s and 60s, emphasizing the groove of the music.
It doesn’t have the flashiness of hip-hop dance, but it really resonates with those who love soul music.
Recently, you can see steps reminiscent of soul dance in Bruno Mars’s performances.
In Japan, well-known soul dancers include Teddy Dan and SETO.
tap dance
Tap dance is a style where you dance while creating a cheerful, ear-pleasing rhythm with your feet.
It often appears in musicals and TV shows, and it’s a familiar dance in Japan as well.
Despite its lively steps and pop image, its history is far from bright.
It originated in America in the 1800s, among Black people who had been brought from the African continent as immigrants and forced to work as slaves, deprived of all freedoms.
They once enjoyed playing on drum barrels as one of their few pleasures in a life with little freedom, but even that was banned.
It’s said that tap dance began when they started expressing themselves by marking rhythms with their own feet.
At first, they danced barefoot, then began attaching coins or scrap materials to the soles of their feet.
Today, the mainstream is to dance in leather shoes fitted with metal plates on the soles, called taps.
If you want to learn more about tap dance, be sure to watch a performance by Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, known as the “God of Tap.”
Ballet
When you think of ballet, you probably picture dancers gracefully performing in pure white costumes called tutus.
Ballet originated in Renaissance Italy.
It’s remarkable that, despite having begun so long ago, it still has a large following worldwide today.
Although ballet expresses itself through dance, it is fundamentally classified as a stage art, a form of theater.
It’s even described as a stage performance without lyrics or dialogue, emphasizing the storytelling of its subject matter.
Among famous ballerinas are Sylvie Guillem, who is now retired, and, from Japan, Akane Takada.
If you’re interested, start by checking out these two!