Dance studios often offer courses in both ballet and lyrical dance, but the similarities between them may lead many to confuse them with one another. However, these styles are distinctive and have widely differing traditions, techniques, and backgrounds. If you're a parent, check out the following overview to help you distinguish between the two options so you can decide which may be of more interest to your aspiring dancer.

What Is the Difference Between Ballet & Lyrical Dance Styles?

Ballet

Ballet is a highly stylized form of dance that originated in the courts of 15th century Renaissance Italy. From there, the craft moved to France, where it became deeply entrenched in the French artistic tradition and underwent centuries of change and evolution.

In classical ballet, elaborate costumes, carefully crafted staging, and subtle music tailored for the performance is used to tell stories imbued with profound emotion. The speed, configuration, and shape of dancers’ movements can evoke a wide range of feelings amongst audience members as the company on stage acts out dramatic, romantic, or tragic tales accompanied by an orchestra.

In recent years, innovative dancers and choreographers like George Balanchine and Martha Graham reshaped classical ballet into contemporary and postmodern styles. These augment the traditional movements of ballet with a greater range of movement, expression, and flexibility.

Lyrical

Lyrical dance is a competitive style that combines elements of ballet, jazz, acrobatics, and modern dance. It may also incorporate influences and music from rock, pop, and hip-hop. This form of dance is accompanied by music with lyrics, emphasizing the emotional content of the song instead of the extreme precision or grace typically found in traditional ballet. The term “lyrical” refers to its more openly expressive nature, as the choreography and audience respond to the more direct narratives contained in performances.

Movements used in lyrical combinations tend to be fluid, graceful, and acrobatic, requiring large amounts of space on the dance studio floor for elegant turns, walks, and high leaps. The dancer usually flows from one move to another without pause or interruption and holds finishing steps for as long as possible. The lyrical style is often a favorite among children who appreciate the freedom of movement, as well as the energy it requires and encourages.

If your child is interested in learning ballet or lyrical dance, turn to South Coast Performing Arts in Tustin, CA. For more than 15 years, this family-run dance studio has offered expert instruction to individuals of all skill levels in Orange County. Their dedicated instructors offer constructive feedback and years of experience for students ages 2 to 18. Visit them online to view their schedule and sign up for courses, or call (714) 832-8785 to discuss enrollment with a friendly instructor.