The Impact of Historical Choreographic Origins on Forming Emotional Content in Latin American Ballroom Dance
Authors: Berdnik M. 
Published: July 2023

Modern ballroom dance is actively developed as a sport whereas the art of dancing, which is characterized by emotions, is disappearing now. The causes are dealt with the low level of performing Latin American ballroom dance as an art and the necessity to develop the origins of this dance. It is also important to perform a particular Ballroom dance emotionally considering its historical roots.

It is fact that now the great number of competitive dance couples give a lot of attention to the physical training of choreographic compositions with a large number of acrobatic tricks and little respect to the aesthetic aspects of dance. Otherwise, they simply do not know how to express the depth of the emotional content of the dance. Dance couples are lack of understanding how to perform a particular ballroom dance. The issue of this study is relevant in Latin American ballroom dance studies as well as should be solved by experienced instructors and their desire to show dancers the importance of aesthetically emotional aspects of dance.

The purpose of this study is to explore the historical origins and stylistic features of Latin American ballroom dance which became the basis of modern Latin American ballroom dance.

The methodology. The author provides an analysis of specific features of the Latin American ballroom dance.

The results. It is shown that according to the history of the origin and standardization of ballroom dance each dance has its own unique style and characteristics as well as its individual emotional features. Cha-cha-cha is characterized by easy flirtation and pleasure. Samba is a dance of celebration, ardour and expression. Rumba is full of passion, impressing and love. Pasodoble is emotional and dramatic-theatrical dance. Jive is light, cheerful and carefree. And these are general features of the emotional and aesthetic component of dance that are very desirable to see in dance and experience them together with the performers.

The scientific novelty. An attempt is made in this paper to show the presence of historical stylistic and emotional features of the Latin American ballroom dances, which are danced as a competition all over the world, are not sufficiently developed in the performance skills of the dancer. Ballroom dances have diverse origins, rhythms, tempos and aesthetics, but have one thing in common: they are all danced emotionally.

A recommendation for further research is the perspective of improving the methodology of teaching the emotional component of Latin American ballroom dance by suggesting the development of aspects such as: active ways of spreading information about the importance of the creative, emotional component of dance (e.g. seminars, master classes), teaching acting skills, developing training exercises for performing the emotional part of the dance, and conducting research in sports psychology.

The practical significance. The material of this article can be used in the practical activities of choreographers, ballroom dance performers and Latin American ballroom dance competition dancers.