Jazz Dance Training via Private Studios, Competitions, and Conventions

It appears that the majority of young dancers today are most familiar with a style of jazz dance that relies heavily on pop music, ballet technique, and tricks. Only by revealing many perspectives on training jazz dancers can we understand how jazz dance has come to be a genre which often differs drastically in comparison to its original form. The research presented in this chapter involves a survey of dance studio owners across the country on topics such as age appropriateness in costuming, music choices, technical standards, the importance of tricks and flash moves in routines, styles of jazz taught, and the place of improvisation within jazz dance training. An in-depth look at the role of competitions and the role of popular culture in the studio world is also included.