Despite going against the traditional, classical dance styles held up as the ideal for so many years, street dance styles have fast become the most popular across the world. From locking and popping to hip hop choreography and everything in between, street dance allows everyone who participates to explore innovative styles of dance.
We’ve previously looked at the benefits of street dance, but what about its ever-increasing popularity?
Street dance became a global sensation after its beginnings in the New York Bronx, but the styles that have emerged ever since have continued to develop, and to draw in a wide audience. Waacking, breaking, and house – to name just a few styles – have mass appeal for teachers and dancers alike; dancers of all ages and body types can pick it up, and have fun while doing so. Unlike classical dance styles, there is no limits to who can join in with a street dance class. Anyone and everyone is welcome in a street dance studio.
What’s more, street dance styles have well and truly entered the mainstream. As many of our UDO Academy dance studios know, it’s not enough to offer ballet and tap anymore; children and young people want to learn how to dance like their icons. Shows like Britain’s Got Talent catapulted street dancers to fame, as the U.K saw a huge increase in street dance’s popularity after the likes of George Sampson, Diversity, and Flawless graced the stage.
Internationally, hip hop music videos and dance crazes have also been taking off; more and more dance fans across the world are adding street dance styles to their repertoire, running from the barre to a 1v1 battle. Street dance-inspired choreography is booming across YouTube and Instagram, and has inspired incredible street dance movies over the last decade.
At UDO Academy, we want to make sure that nobody misses out on the opportunity to learn the foundations of street dance. In September 2018, we’ll be launching our new digital street dance programme – Street Dance Superstars – suitable for primary school-aged children aged 3-11. This programme will fit into dance school syllabus training, and it will be a perfect fit for primary school teachers hoping to inspire their classes to stay active through street dance!
For more information, keep your eyes on our social media pages.