Do You Need to Know Ballet to Do Contemporary?

Ballet

Ballet and contemporary dance are both highly esteemed forms of dance, but they are quite different. Ballet is a classical form of dance, while contemporary is more free-flowing and improvisational.

While some dancers prefer one style over the other, many choose to do both. So the question remains: do you need to know ballet to do contemporary?

The answer is that it depends on your goals as a dancer. If you’re looking to become a professional dancer, it’s important to have a solid foundation in both ballet and contemporary.

Ballet teaches you essential technique that you can use in any style of dance, including contemporary. You will learn proper posture, alignment, and strength training—all of which are necessary for any kind of movement.

If you’re looking to increase your repertoire as an amateur dancer or even just for fun, then taking classes in both ballet and contemporary would be beneficial. Ballet will help give you the technique needed for any style of dance while also teaching discipline, strength, and grace. Contemporary will expand your range of expression by allowing you to add your own unique qualities into each movement.

However, if your goal is simply to enjoy dance as a hobby or exercise routine then neither ballet nor contemporary are necessary; all that matters is finding what type of movement speaks to you and makes you feel good. There isn’t a right or wrong way when it comes to dancing—it’s all about exploring different styles until you find something that resonates with you.

At the end of the day, whether or not you need to know ballet in order to do contemporary depends on what your goals are as a dancer. For those looking for professional careers in dance or just wanting an extensive repertoire, it would be beneficial to take classes in both styles; however if all you want is something fun and expressive then neither style is required; just find what speaks most deeply to your soul and enjoy it!

Conclusion: Do You Need To Know Ballet To Do Contemporary? The answer depends on your goals as a dancer; if becoming a professional dancer or having an extensive repertoire is important then yes, ballet would be beneficial; however if all one wants is something fun and expressive then neither style is required – just find what speaks most deeply to your soul and enjoy it!