modern dance

[ˈmɑːdərn dæns]
nounpl: modern dances
dança moderna
1. A style of contemporary dance that emerged in the early 20th century, emphasizing freedom of movement, self-expression, and rejection of classical ballet techniques
Modern dance allows dancers to explore their own creativity and emotional expression.
A dança moderna permite que os dançarinos explorem sua própria criatividade e expressão emocional.
2. Dance performances or choreography that reflect current artistic trends and contemporary social themes
She studied modern dance at a prestigious arts school in New York.
Ela estudou dança moderna em uma prestigiosa escola de artes em Nova York.
3. A broad category of dance forms developed from the early 20th century onwards, including contemporary, jazz, and experimental dance styles
The theater company specializes in modern dance productions.
A companhia de teatro se especializa em produções de dança moderna.
Modern dance emerged as a revolutionary art form in early 20th century America and Europe, with pioneers like Martha Graham and Merce Cunningham. In Brazil, dança moderna became influential through the 1950s-60s, blending with Brazilian cultural elements and eventually influencing contemporary Brazilian dance. It represents artistic freedom and is a staple in Brazilian arts education. In the USA, particularly in NYC, modern dance remains central to the avant-garde dance scene and is distinguished from ballet and jazz as a separate discipline with its own techniques and philosophy.
NYC Slang
street jazz, freestyle movement, urban movement
Synonyms / Sinônimos
contemporary dancemodern movementexperimental danceinterpretive dance
Antonyms / Antônimos
classical ballettraditional dancefolk dance

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
dança moderna
Standard term used throughout Brazil in educational and professional contexts
Rio de Janeiro
dança moderna; dança contemporânea
Both terms used interchangeably, with strong modern dance presence in the city's cultural scene
São Paulo
dança moderna
Primary cultural hub for modern dance in Brazil; widely used in dance studios and universities
Portugal
dança moderna
Same terminology as Brazil; sometimes also referred to as 'dança contemporânea' in contemporary contexts

Related Words

choreographycontemporarydance techniqueimprovisationmovementexpressionballetjazz dance

Related Idioms & Phrases

pushing boundaries in modern dance
breaking free from classical constraints
expressing oneself through movement
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