Modern Dance

Modern dance was a movement that began at the turn of the twentieth century when American dancers Loie Fuller, Isadora Duncon, and Ruth St. Denis broke from formal dance traditions with their own personal vision of movements. Soon, their visions evolved through Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, and Charles Weidman, who would all go on to teach their methods and present modern dance as a serious art form. Avant-garde choreographers, including Merce Cunningham and Paul Taylor, stripped dance down to the essence of movements itself, while Alwin Nikolais, Alvin Ailey, and Twyla Tharp incorporated unconventional influences and elements to create a diverse and unique tapestry of dance. In Modern Dance, Second Edition, read about the innovators who shaped this dance form.

The updated World of Dance set explores various genres of dance, including forms indigenous to particular regions and cultures as well as more popular, contemporary styles. Each book gives readers an in-depth historical overview and cultural context for the development of various dances as well as technical insight into each dance's movements and background about the people who developed and popularized the moves. Full-color images, chronologies, and further resources provide readers with a wealth of information.