Dance is an art form that involves rhythmic movements of the body, often accompanied by music. It can be categorized and described by its choreography, repertoire of movements, or historical period or place of origin. Dance can be performed without any ancillary arts, but it can also partner successfully with other arts such as costume, scenery, poetry, drama, and music. Dance is typically performed with musical accompaniment, and sometimes with the dancer simultaneously using a musical instrument themselves.
Dance can be theatrical or participatory, and both may have special functions, whether social, ceremonial, competitive, erotic, martial, sacred, or liturgical. Other forms of human movement are sometimes said to have a dance-like quality, including martial arts, gymnastics, cheerleading, figure skating, synchronized swimming, marching bands, and many other forms of athletics.
Dance is a powerful impulse, but the art of dance is that impulse channeled by skillful performers into something that becomes intensely expressive and that may delight spectators who feel no wish to dance themselves. From a young age, dancing is instinctive for many people, and it is a form of expression for people who dance in styles ranging from ballet to hip-hop. Some performers dance professionally, and there are appreciative audiences for performances ranging from a ballet production of Sleeping Beauty to a hip-hop freestyle competition. People of all ages dance for various reasons, including exercise, fun, and self-expression.
