Jazz Dance

Introduction & Assessment

Jazz dance is electric — it's the style behind Broadway musicals, old-school movie dance numbers, and a huge chunk of what you see in pop music videos. Before you jump in, spend time just watching. Search YouTube for "Bob Fosse choreography," "Gus Giordano jazz dance," and "Janet Jackson Rhythm Nation behind the scenes." Notice the sharp isolations, the cool-and-hot contrast of stillness followed by explosive movement. Check out r/dance for community discussion, and look up what classes exist near you — Odyssey Dance Theatre in Salt Lake often offers jazz workshops. You're ready for the next step when you can name three distinct characteristics of jazz dance style and one choreographer whose work excites you.

Foundation Building

Jazz dance is built on a foundation of rhythm, isolations, and jazz walks — and all three take practice. Start with body isolations: head, chest, hips, and shoulders moving independently while the rest of your body stays still. This feels weird at first. It's supposed to. Search YouTube for "jazz dance isolations for beginners" or follow "CLI Studios" (they have free trial content and a strong jazz catalog). Stretch daily — splits and hip flexibility are huge in jazz. Try "StretchIt" app or search "jazz stretch routine YouTube." Even 10 minutes a day makes a fast difference when you're consistent. You're ready for the next step when you can hit clean isolations in four body parts and hold a basic jazz stance without wobbling.

Skill Development

Time to learn actual choreography. Pick a beginner jazz combo — a short sequence of 8–16 counts — and drill it until it lives in your body. YouTube channels "Dance with Rasa" and "Steezy Studio" (free trial available) both have great beginner jazz content. Focus on the jazz walk, chassé, and ball-change this week — these are the bread-and-butter moves that connect everything else. Record yourself dancing and compare to the tutorial. It'll be uncomfortable, but watching yourself is the fastest way to improve. If you're in SLC, look for open jazz classes at the University of Utah Dance Department or local studios in Sugar House. You're ready for the next step when you can perform a full 16-count jazz combo from memory with rhythm and some style.

Practice & Refinement

You've got the basics — now work on performance quality. Jazz isn't just moves; it's about how you deliver them. Practice in front of a mirror, or film yourself again. Work on facial expression, eye focus, and the sharp "punch" of your accents. Learn to hit the downbeats hard and float through the upbeats — this contrast is what makes jazz look cool. Try learning a second combo and link it to your first. Check out "Steezy Studio" or search "jazz dance combination intermediate YouTube." If you can, take one in-person class at a SLC studio — in-person feedback from an instructor is worth hours of solo practice. You're ready for the next step when you can perform two linked combos with clear rhythm, accents, and intentional style.

Challenge Mode

Go beyond technique and into the history and musicality of jazz. Learn about the African American roots of jazz dance — it didn't appear from nowhere. Watch the documentary "Broadway: The American Musical" on PBS (free with a library card through Kanopy) and read about Katherine Dunham, who codified African diaspora movement into a technical system still used today. Start training to music you choose yourself — pick a jazz or funk track and build your own 32-count phrase. This is choreography. Join r/dance and share what you're creating for feedback. You're ready for the next step when you've created original choreography to a chosen piece of music and can explain at least two historical influences on jazz dance style.

Mastery Demonstration

Perform your original choreography for an audience — even if it's one friend on a phone camera. Post the video to r/dance, TikTok, or share it in a local dance community. If Odyssey Dance Theatre or another SLC company holds an open audition or community showcase, show up and participate. Teach someone else one of your combos and explain the style cues. You're ready for the next step when you've performed for an audience (even one person), received feedback, and can teach at least one combo with explanations of the technique and style behind each movement.