The Elements of Dance
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Welcome to this online resource for dance educators, students, and teaching artists!

PicturePerpich Arts High School dance program - photo by Dan Markworth
The Elements of Dance are the foundational concepts and vocabulary that help students develop movement skills and understand dance as an artistic practice. 

The acronym BASTE helps students remember the elements: 

      Body    
      Action    
      Space     
      Time    
      Energy

This framework is a way to discuss any kind of movement. While different dance styles call for specialized skills and stylization choices, the underlying elements of dance  are visible in all dance experiences. 

How to use this web site: 

Teachers and Teaching Artists are welcome to use this online resource in their classes. You'll find downloadable tools, assignments and discussion prompts throughout the pages. Short video excerpts of work by Minnesota choreographers and dancers are featured in this site, but feel free to use different videos with the tools and framework of this site.  This web site is also a resource for flipped instruction. 

... and if you have suggestions or want to tell us how you're using it, please contact us! 
 
Students may also use this web site as an independent study as they watch the video clips and download assignments and analysis tools for each element. 


Whether you're a teacher or a student, click Begin Here to start or use the tabs at the top of this page. 

Click on the icons below to go to each element.
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Project Coordinator and Online Architect: Diane Aldis   |   Research Assistance: Genevieve Muench   |   BASTE graphics: Amy Fasteneau
Last update: Sept 2018
A project of the Perpich Center for Arts Education in partnership with University of MN Dance Program including  support from University Research Opportunity Program (UROP).