As with any subject that is being studied, it is very important to be able to clearly define this dance genre in an examination, so that the examiner is satisfied that the candidate understands what they have learnt.

This is a compulsory question in all examinations from Pre-Associate onwards and therefore the definition must be well-studied and rehearsed.

Examination Tips:

• Learn the full description on page 17 of Freestyle Dance book in a concise way and then be able to expand on this information in your own words if required.
• As this is likely to be one of the first questions in any Freestyle examination, it is important to answer correctly and therefore very wise to fully rehearse the answer in order to get the exam off to a good start.
• To show that you understand the Freestyle Dance definition, you may be asked by an examiner to give an explanation of what the definition means. You must show that you have an understanding of the definition and have not just learned it ‘parrot fashion’.

Explanation of Freestyle Dance:

Freestyle dance is an artistic dance style.

Artistic can be explained as a dance style that is creative, imaginative, inventive and original.

Freestyle Dance takes its roots from co-ordinating accented body movements together with a number of basic movements and steps incorporating arm, head and hand positions.

The origins of Freestyle Dance is a combination of the steps and movements, head, arm, hand and body movements found in the Anna Jones Freestyle Dance technique books. This is being controlled and developed by teachers. Each Freestyle teachers can build on the Freestyle technique developing their own choreography and style. Because of this, Freestyle Dance is always developing and moving forward, taking into account modern trends and music.

Popular culture influences many aspects of people’s lives and Freestyle Dance is no exception. Movies, music videos, music, clothes and hair fashion all have an effect on the development of Freestyle Dance.

Allow the individual dancer freedom to express themselves from within these criteria to produce Freestyle Dance.

Freestyle dancers are encouraged to add their own individual interpretation and personality to their Freestyle performance, but they must always base their performance on the technique of Freestyle Dance.