The Connection Between Ballet and Irish Step Dancing

MU4012 Critical Encounters with Western Art Music and Dance, University of Limerick, Irish World Academy of Music and Dance

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Both ballet and Irish step dance have evolved and developed significantly over the years; I always like to make the argument that all styles of dance somehow play off of one another and that they are all connected someway: For reference, we can look at the similarities of tap dance to Irish heavy shoe dancing, and we can look into the origins of tap dance (or any percussive dance type, for that matter) as being from African tribal dances and traditions - according to Rusty Frank [Frank R. “Tap Dance | Origin History, Styles, & Facts,” Britannica]. In this reflection, I will compare the connection between the two genres that are ballet and Irish step dancing, as well as bringing that connection to the relevance of my practice as a competitive Irish dancer and former ballerina.

I began my dancing journey in ballet from the age of four - I have been Irish dancing since I was eight. In those years I have seen a multitude of trends in the dancing community, a lot that have been predominantly similar to other genres. An example of this, particularly more in Irish light shoe dancing, is the similarities in the dance steps and movements. Strictly focusing on the movements below the dancers’ waist and disregarding upper body movements, a lot of ballet movements and stances such as the 1st and 5th position have made their way into the dancing style of Irish step dance, like having very particular turnout and crossing positions. Piqué tours in ballet have also found their way into Irish dancing, where female dancers will often perform a turn on the toe (block) of their shoe - just like being ‘en pointe’ in ballet.

I have been fortunate to have had an adequate amount of experience with both dancing styles that going from one genre to the other has been a seamless transition due to the similarities of the two. Being a former ballerina has most definitely helped to play a part in my successful Irish dancing career so far, in both the actual steps and movements and in the overall performance aspect of it as well. And even so with Irish dancing, I still find relevance in my experience with ballet often at times during practice and/or rehearsals.

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Source Cited

Rusty Frank [Frank R. “Tap Dance | Origin History, Styles, & Facts,” Britannica]