Jazz has become one of the most popular dance styles in recent years, mainly due to its popularity on television shows, movies, music videos and commercials. People enjoy watching jazz dancers, as the dancing is fun and energetic.

Jazz Dancing:
Jazz dancing is a form of dance that showcases a dancer's individual style and originality. Every jazz dancer interprets and executes moves and steps in their own way. Jazz dancing is energetic and fun, consisting of unique moves, fancy footwork, big leaps and quick turns. To excel in jazz, dancers need a strong background in ballet, as it encourages grace and balance.

Today, jazz dance is present in many different venues and different forms. Jazz dance thrives in dance schools and remains an essential part of Musical Theatre choroegraphy; it is sometimes interwoven with other dance styles as appropriate for the particular show. Jazz dancing can be seen in many music videos, and even a number of Las Vegas showgirls are jazz dancers. Jazz Dance can also be seen on the hit show, "So You Think You Can Dance", and is performed by dance companies around the world.

There are many different forms of jazz the most popular are Street Jazz or Lyrical Jazz.

Street Jazz involves an infusion of styles incorporating street dance, hip hop, breaking and locking. It has been made popular from movies such as Step Up and Step up 2.  It is very popular with Boys in the form of Break Dancing, Popping and Locking. 

Lyrical Jazz is a style including more technique including many ballet terms. Pirouettes, kicks, leaps, lay outs and tours are popular lyrical jazz movements.

The atmosphere of a typical jazz class is casual and relaxed, so dancers are more free to select their own clothing. A dancer's body lines need to be visible, however, so baggy clothes are generally discouraged. Tights and leotards are fine, but most jazz dancers prefer to wear jazz or dance pants. Jazz pants are usually boot-cut or flared styles, as tight bottoms would restrict ankle movement. Tops usually worn for jazz include form-fitting tank tops, t-shirts or leotards. Jazz shoes or jazz sneakers are essential for the protection of the foot - these are available at very competitive prices in many different styles to your choice.

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