7 Best-Selling Dance Books Millions Love

Gail Grant's decades of experience as a ballet teacher and dancer shaped this guide into an unparalleled resource for understanding classical ballet. You gain precise descriptions and definitions for over 1,100 ballet steps and movements, complete with phonetic transcriptions, literal translations, and detailed explanations of execution and purpose. The inclusion of a 15-page pictorial section, drawn by Grant herself, clarifies key positions and techniques across multiple ballet schools, making it especially useful for teachers, choreographers, and serious students. This manual demystifies the language and form of ballet, helping you deepen both your knowledge and practice, though casual readers may find it more technical than narrative.

Cynthia J. Novack, an anthropologist deeply engaged with dance culture, explores how contact improvisation emerged and evolved amid shifting American social landscapes. You gain insight into the intersections of dance with sexuality, gender roles, and societal identity, framed by historical movements like disco, rock dancing, and modern experimental dance pioneers such as Merce Cunningham. The book offers an anthropological lens on embodied practices, showing how contact improvisation reflects and shapes cultural values over two transformative decades. If you want a thoughtful examination of dance beyond technique—into its cultural and social dimensions—this book provides a grounded, nuanced perspective.

This tailored book explores proven dance methods that have resonated with millions of dancers worldwide and personalizes them to your unique background and goals. It covers foundational dance skills and advances through expert-approved techniques, ensuring a learning experience that truly matches your interests. By focusing on your specific dance style preferences and skill level, it reveals how to build lasting mastery efficiently and enjoyably. With its emphasis on personalized insights, this book examines key movements, rhythm understanding, and performance nuances that help deepen your connection to dance. It’s designed to make the journey to dance mastery both focused and inspiring, blending widely validated knowledge with your individual path.

Richard M. Stephenson brings a methodical eye to ballroom dancing, presenting a rich visual and instructional resource that guides you through foundational dances like the fox-trot, waltz, and tango. His extensive use of over five hundred sequential photographs paired with detailed foot-pattern diagrams allows you to grasp the mechanics of each step with clarity. You’ll find practical guidance on timing, posture, and movement nuances, making this book especially useful whether you’re a newcomer aiming to learn the basics or an experienced dancer refining technique. While it doesn’t engage in dance theory or history, it provides a solid, step-focused approach that caters well to anyone serious about mastering popular ballroom styles.

Susan Leigh Foster's decades of scholarly work in dance studies led to "Reading Dancing," where she proposes a new theory of dance representation. You explore four distinct models that reveal how meaning is constructed through movement, with detailed discussions of iconic choreographers like Balanchine, Graham, and Tharp. This book deepens your understanding of how bodies convey subjects in contemporary American dance, going beyond technique to interpretive frameworks. If you're invested in dance as a cultural and philosophical practice, Foster's insights will sharpen your analytical skills and appreciation for choreographic complexity.

When Alex Moore, a former President of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing, compiled this handbook, he drew from decades of leadership in the ballroom dancing world to present a clear, detailed guide to classic dance styles. You’ll find precise descriptions and illustrations of the Quickstep, Waltz, Foxtrot, and Tango, updated to reflect evolving competition rules and dance floor trends. Chapters delve into posture, footwork, and rhythm, making it ideal if you want to master technical skills or deepen your understanding of ballroom technique. Whether you're a dance teacher or an enthusiast, this edition offers a solid foundation without overcomplicating the essentials.

This tailored dance book explores a personalized path to rapid skill enhancement through daily, focused exercises. It examines how individual interests and backgrounds shape the most effective dance practice routines, weaving together widely valued knowledge with your specific goals. The book covers techniques, conditioning, and rhythm training designed to accelerate progress over 30 days, making learning engaging and achievable. By concentrating on your unique dance style preferences and current abilities, this tailored guide reveals how consistent, targeted practice can transform your movement and confidence. It invites you to experience dance improvement that matches your pace and aspirations, turning dedication into visible results.

Julie Malnig’s deep dive into exhibition ballroom dance traces its evolution from the 1910s to modern times, spotlighting the genre's theatrical flair and cultural impact. You’ll explore how male-female dance teams became icons not just in performance but as agents of social change, influencing attitudes about gender roles and interaction. The book draws on rare primary sources and original photographs to reveal how this dance form bridged entertainment and social commentary, enriching your understanding of ballroom dance as a dynamic cultural phenomenon. If you’re passionate about dance history, theater, or cultural studies, this book offers a nuanced perspective that goes beyond choreography to capture the spirit of an era.

What happens when a seasoned jazz dance educator takes the time to codify his art? Gus Giordano, with decades as a dancer, choreographer, and teacher, offers a thorough guide spanning beginner to advanced levels, packed with exercises and anatomical insights. You’ll find detailed jazz dance terminology paired with practical illustrations that clarify movement and technique. This book works well if you’re serious about understanding jazz dance’s vocabulary and mechanics, whether you’re refining your form or teaching others. It’s especially valuable for those who want a structured progression through jazz dance fundamentals and beyond.