European folk dances brought vibrant traditions to America, shaping our dance culture. From Irish step to Spanish flamenco, these styles influenced tap, clogging, contra, and more, preserving cultural heritage while evolving into uniquely American forms.

These dances served as social gatherings, helping maintain community bonds in new settings. European dance masters who immigrated to America shared their expertise, establishing dance education and contributing to the professionalization of dance in the United States.

European Folk Dances and Their Influence on American Dance

Characteristics of European folk dances

• Irish step dance features hard shoe and soft shoe styles with a rigid upper body and intricate footwork influenced tap dance and clogging in America
• English country dance emphasizes grace, elegance, and spatial patterns in social dances performed in lines or squares contributed to the development of American contra and square dances
• Scottish Highland dance includes solo and group dances (Highland Fling, Sword Dance) characterized by strength, agility, and precision influenced American folk dances and military drill routines
• Spanish flamenco combines passionate and expressive dancing, singing, and guitar playing influenced Latin American and Caribbean dance styles that later impacted American dance
• French ballet provides a codified system of dance techniques and positions with an emphasis on grace, precision, and storytelling laid the foundation for classical ballet in America
• Italian tarantella features lively, upbeat folk dance from southern Italy with quick, light steps and tambourine playing influenced American folk dances and popular social dances

Social contexts of folk dances

• European folk dances served as social gatherings and celebrations that helped maintain cultural identity and community bonds adapted to American settings (barn dances, community events)
• European immigrants brought their folk dance traditions to America which helped preserve cultural heritage in new communities and evolved and blended with other cultural influences
• European folk dances were taught in schools and dance academies which helped popularize and spread these dance forms and led to the development of uniquely American styles and variations
• European dance masters and teachers immigrated to America and shared their expertise, helped establish dance education, and contributed to the professionalization of dance

Steps of European folk dances

• Irish step dance basic steps include point, hop, skip, leap in reel, jig, and hornpipe rhythms
• English country dance figures include do-si-do, hand turns, stars, heys in dances (Virginia Reel, Sir Roger de Coverley)
• Scottish Highland dance basic steps include skip change, pas de basque, high cuts in dances (Highland Fling, Sword Dance)
• Spanish flamenco basic steps include golpe, planta, tacón in palos (rhythms) like Seguiriyas, Soleá, Bulería
• French ballet positions of the feet and arms with basic steps like plié, tendu, relevé
• Italian tarantella basic steps include tarantella step, tambourine step in dances (Pizzica, Tammurriata)

Legacy in American dance forms

• Irish step dance influenced the development of American tap dance and clogging and contributed to the popularity of Irish-American cultural events and competitions
• English country dance evolved into American contra and square dances and helped establish social dance traditions in American communities
• Scottish Highland dance influenced American military drill routines and marching band performances and contributed to the popularity of Highland Games and Scottish cultural festivals
• Spanish flamenco influenced the development of Latin American and Caribbean dance styles and contributed to the popularity of Spanish-themed dance performances and events
• French ballet provided the foundation for classical ballet training and performances and influenced the development of American ballet companies and choreographers
• Italian tarantella influenced American folk dances and popular social dances and contributed to the popularity of Italian-American cultural events and festivals