Beyond the Surface: An Inclusive American Dance History

The primary objective of this textbook is to generate an open discussion on what is inclusive of American dance and its history. The text focuses on the history of dance in the U.S., including ballet, modern, jazz, hip- hop, African diaspora dance, swing, and tap, all of which are fused with the aforementioned to create contemporary dance forms. Other dance forms from Europe, India, Asia, Africa, and the Americas are discussed. Such forms of dance are essential to the foundational and fundamental influences of dance in America. These cultural dance idioms have made a significant impact upon the development, implications, historical perspective, and cultural relevance of dance in America. Cultural dance idioms and their power have been underestimated in the context of developing, implementing, and codifying technical dance forms.

The aim of this book is to first engage dance academia in the core principles of what is American dance. Secondly, its objective is to empower emerging artists, students, and the general public to embrace American dance, utilizing historical evidence to pay homage to its ancient forms— forms that have shaped the foundations of American culture. Its final intent is to inspire new dance forms.