Guide to Dance Performance

The purpose of this page is to provide access some of the more useful sources for dance performance, both the actual performance and techniques.

	Books
	Articles
	Internet Sources

Books

CSUSM has purchased a variety of materials on technique of dance performance. All are listed in the CSUSM catalog and can be found through keyword or subject searches. Note some books in the catalog are available through electronic format (click on the WWW link in the catalog record for 2-hour access.) As dance is such a visual and kinetic art form, many materials are found in video or DVD format.

To find additional materials, you can look through these joint catalogs:

• Circuit is the joint catalog for CSUSM, SDSU, UCSD, and USD with delivery in 1-3 days.

• Melvyl searches the entire University of California catalog system and delivers in 5-10 days through Interlibrary Loan.

• WorldCat searches a 'universe' of library catalogs and delivers in 5-10 days through Interlibrary Loan.

Useful Subject Terms
Can't think of terms to accurately describe your topic?  Library catalogs use specific subject headings to group related books together. 'Dance performance' is such a large topic, you will want to think of ways to narrow it down, by genre, artist, culture, etc. Ask a librarian to help, or here are some examples to think about:

• Dance
• Dance Criticism
• Dance Music--Cuba (music is an important part of many dance performances)
• Dance--United States--History (note the geographic and time limiters)
• Improvisation in dance  
• Graham, Martha (note the last name, first name format when looking for a person as subject. This also is the format to use when looking for a work by a specific author, director or artist.)
• Modern Dance A subject heading for a particular style of dance, materials under this subject heading may be instructional or demonstrative.
• Performance Art (a related term in that it can include dance as one form of expression.)

Genre Searches
CSUSM uses an additional search access called a "Genre/Form" search. This will allow you to look for materials by type (electronic journals or videos) on a topic. Select the GENRE/FORM search option on the library catalog's search page. Here are some examples although some items will fall into more than one genre:

• Dance Video Recordings (videos about dance, dance instruction, technique)
• Dance Videos  (dance performances)
• Music Videos  (many incorporate dance)
• Musical Films  (many have dance sequences)

Articles
These are some places to start. Check the Dance Subject Collection in the Research Databases page for any new additions. Also, databases like Science Direct may be helpful if you are looking at performance physiology.

Art Abstracts
Includes abstracts from periodicals, yearbooks, museum bulletins, competition and award notices, exhibition listings, interviews, film reviews, and more.

JSTOR
Contains complete full-text back files (EXCEPT for the latest five years) of core scholarly journals in such areas as sociology, history, economics, political science, mathematics, African-American studies, Asian studies and others.

Project Muse
Full-text coverage for hundreds of scholarly journals in the humanities, social sciences, and mathematics.

RILM Music Abstracts
Abstracts from scholarly journals on international music and related disciplines, including dance.

Internet Sources
This is a representative sample of Dance Performance sources on the web.

CyberDance
Links to a variety of resources for ballet and modern dance.

A Dancer’s Journal: Learning to Perform the Dances of Martha Graham
Presented in a 'journal' style, this site discusses a dancer's experience in learning four of Martha Graham's challenging dances. Macromedia Flash is needed to view the site and dances.

DMOZ Open Directory Project: Performing Arts: Dance
A directory of websites subdivided by style, resources and more.

Free to Dance
PBS three-part documentary about African-American contributions to dance. While designed to supplement the televised series, this site is helpful and infomative on its own.

KET Arts Toolkit: Dance
While primarily focused on teaching dance through Kentucky's Educational Television, the site offers a glossary, videos demonstrating teaching and styles, and a discussion on "responding to dance" that are helpful to anyone.

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP): The Arts
The NAEP is called the "nation's report card" for assessment of learning. This site provides the assessment tools and current results for all arts. Do a search on Dance to locate all specific information on the site.

National Peformance Network
Created to support the independent performer by linking them to local organizations and performance opportunities.

Voice of Dance
Sponsored by Danskin, the site offers a wide variety of resources, event listings, and a limited number of short video performances.

Dance Performance (California K-12 Standards)
If you are going to teach dance performance in the PreK-12 system, this site provides the information you need on the five standards of perception, expression, history, aesthetics, and connections.