Countries & Dances

The multicultural folk dance residency incorporates art with music, history, geography, social studies, and math to engage students while they’re learning. Over the course of the residency, students learn and perform adapted traditional dances of cultures and societies that may be new to them. The students will benefit from exposure to these new experiences. Through dance, students will be actively learning via participation and performance.

The countries and dances for your school’s residency may include:

Argentina - Arunguita

This dance originated in the State of Santiago del Estero and is a rural counterpart to the cosmopolitan tango. Use of a handkerchief adds an element of flair while providing the dancers with challenges.

Brazil - Festa Junina Quadrilha

This dance is a type of square dancing that is often seen at Festivals in South America’s largest country. In this dance the students represent farmers and country life.

Canada - Les Saluts

This dance represents the French Canadians from Quebec. This dance is performed in a circle - which is the world’s oldest form of folk dance.

China - Dunhuang (Chinese Ribbon Dance)

This dance is an ancient folk dance that has been performed since the Han dynasty, the ribbon dance is performed in gratitude and honor. Dancers not only learn traditional foot and head movements, but also learn how to manipulate the ribbon to create imagery of rainbows, waterfalls, and dragons.

Colombia - La Pollera Colora

This is a lively, traditional dance with origins in the late 19th century. La pollera colora blends indigenous, African, and European influences into a partner dance reflecting Colombia’s diverse cultural tapestry.

Cuba - Cha Cha

This dance is playful and lively. It is known for its quick steps, hip action, and underarm turns. This partner dance is highly accessible as its music features a steady rhythm.

Dominican Republic - Merengue

This dance is a partner dance performed in different patterns while featuring hip movements. The students will learn the origins of this dance that is strongly influenced by Afro-Caribbean musical practices.

France - French Minuet

This traditional court dance that was introduced during the reign of King Louis XIV. The elegant movements are performed to music that is conducted in triple meter.

Germany - D'hammerschmiedsgselln (The Blacksmith's Dance)

This dance originated in Bavaria. The students perform intricate hand-clapping patterns that resemble the sounds of a blacksmith at work.

Ghana - Highlife

This dance is performed with stylized arm and hip movements. Drum beats provide the music, and the students vocalize traditional Twi phrases in this high-energy dance.

Greece - Syrtaki

This dance was originally created for movies, but has since become synonymous with the culture of Greece. Today, this style is performed for tourists as a traditional heritage dance.

Hungary - Dunántúli Ugrós

This dance is a lively, jumping dance from Western Hungary that features hand clapping, circles, and lines. Ugrós are athletic couple-dances performed in 4-meter with an off beat.

Iceland - Vikivaki

This dance is a stylized Norse circle dance that has been performed since the middle ages. Traditionally, the music is sung by dancers performing the dance. We will use the prerecorded song “Á Sprengisandi,” but the students will have the opportunity to learn the Icelandic should they choose.

India - Kathak

This dance is one of the 8 major forms of classical dance in India. It originated in Hindu temples of Northern India as a storytelling device. The movements depict carrying water and playing a flute.

Ireland - Celtic Ring Dance

This dance is a blend of ancient circle dances with contemporary Irish Step Dance (céilí). Dancers will learn traditional steps and patterns while incorporating more modern performance elements.

Italy - Cicerenella/Tarantella

This dance is a type of tarantella performed to an upbeat tempo. It is one of the most famous folk dances in Italy. The students sometimes perform this dance with tambourines.

Japan - Shibu (Fan Dance) & Taiko Drumming

The fan dance presents graceful, delicate steps accompanied by beautiful fan and head movements. Over time, this dance evolved into a majestic tool for storytelling. Traditionally drumming was only performed by men. In this workshop, students learn to count to 10 in Japanese as they practice arm strengthening & drumming techniques.

Mexico - Baile De Chiapas (Mexican Hand Clap Dance)

This dance has the students learning to dance as partners. They will learn basic polka and waltz steps. Instruments may be utilized for the performance. Students will also have the opportunity to wear traditional costumes, including folklorico skirts.

Mongolia - Mongol Biyelgee

This dance is a traditional folk dance that embodies the nomadic way of life. The dance is a significant part of community events such as “Tsagaan Sar” (Mongolian/White Moon New Year). Students dance to the sounds of the morin khuur while embodying steps that represent ceremony, eagles, horses, and nature which all have significance in Mongolian culture.

Nigeria - Funga Alafia

This performance piece is a West-African dance as well as a welcoming song. The students learn the main phrase in Yoruba that roughly translates as, “I welcome you with my thoughts, my words, and my open heart.” Students will also have the opportunity to work with traditional instruments such as a shekere and talking drums.

Norway - Bygdedans/Springdans

This style of dance is a traditional folk dance performed in rural Norway. There are 5 different types of Bygdedans, and for the performance, your students will learn a "Springdans" that features turns and circular patterns.

Peru - Huayño

This dance comes from the Andean region of Peru. The huayno is believed to have originated in the 16th century, and is a fusion of popular dance forms of the era and Indigenous folk music from the height of the Incan empire. The Huayño features turns, hops, and foot stomps. Additionally, the dancers will use a candunga - a woolen rainbow cord.

Philippines - Paru-Parong Bukid

The dance symbolizes the agrarian lifestyle and the importance of nature in Filipino culture. It serves as a reminder of community, festive celebrations, and the rich heritage that characterizes the Philippines. This folk song tells the story of a beautiful butterfly flying down the road.

Romania - Alunelul

This dance is traditionally performed by school aged children and originates from other chain-style dances. The folk dance features fancy rhythms and foot stomping patterns. A unique feature of this dance is how it builds in speed challenging the students in stamina and memory.

Scotland - Highland Fling

This dance is likely the oldest of all traditional dances of Scotland. The dance is said to be inspired by the movements of a stag. Students will test their strength, stamina, and agility by performing this dance.

Serbia - Makazice

This dance's name translates to represent scissors and the dance is characterized by a unique step where the dancers use their feet to mimic the cross-cutting of scissors.

South Korea - Chongjae: Kkokdugaksi

This partner dance can be found performed at many festivals. Chongjae literally means "display of talent," and this dance shows the students wearing traditional dress called hanbok. Kkokdugaksi translates to "Doll Dance" - a traditional festival game where participants create a doll and manipulate it in puppet fashion. Here our dancers become the dolls and give their interpretation of the doll dance of the Lunar New Year.

Spain - Flamenco/Paso Doble

This dance features a blend of traditional elements from dances that date back to the 15th century. Flamenco and Paso Doble movements are performed with muleta (capes), and instruments such as bells and castanets that blend with intricate foot stomping patterns that evoke a Spanish bullfight.

Ukraine - Hopak

This dance is performed by couples, and features the dancers performing spectacular jumps. The music is typically set in a 2/4 time signature and is a continuous presentation of energy and celebration. The Hopak also features tambourines adding a rhythmically challenging element for the students.

United States of America

America is home to many different dance styles. Below you will find a few featured states that have brought strong dance traditions to our collective heritage.

State of Hawaii - Hawaiian Hula

The Hawaiian Hula is a dance form that embodies the history and stories of Hawaii. With this dance students will learn movements that reflect a time before written language. This dance will also introduce the students to the hula noho (seated hula) and hula 'auana (contemporary hula). They will also have an opportunity to work with traditional instruments such as the uli'uli and pu'ili.

State of Tennessee - Appalachian Flatfoot

Flatfoot dancing, also known as buck dancing, grew as a style from the Appalachian region and blends Scots-Irish, African, and Native American styles of dance. Earliest documentation shows this dance developed in the time between the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. The dance emphasizes rhythms of the music by striking the heel and toes against the floor, and is traditionally performed to Appalachian bluegrass music.

State of Texas - The Two-Step/Line Dancing

This partner dance evolved from conventional dances such as the foxtrot and waltz, but added a country twang when it was brought to Texas by immigrants in the 19th century. The Texas Two-Step is a progressive dance, meaning the goal is to continuously move counterclockwise while keeping time with the music.

State of Virginia - The Virginia Reel

This dance is a line dance originally from England that was brought to the Americas by the colonists. The dance gained popularity in America around 1830. Virginia adopted the square dance as its official state dance in 2011. Students will dance with partners in this lively, bouncing number.

Territory of Puerto Rico - La Plena

This dance (as well as genre of music) embodies the vibrant culture of Puerto Rico. The dancers perform traditional steps to the sounds of panderos drums and guiro combining together to create the explosive rhythmic music.