One of the great things about dancing is the rich history it has. All types of dance have folk heroes and amazing talents who once graced the dance floor and can be role models and inspirations to both beginners and veterans. If you are beginning your dance journey, you probably became interested after seeing an amazing dance on YouTube or in a movie. Maybe somewhere you saw a dancer in person that made you fall in love with the art of dancing. Whatever the case may be, there are lots of great examples that you can look to for motivation as you practice and become a legend yourself. Here are five of the best.
Anna Pavlova
Anna Pavlova was a popular Russian ballerina in the 1800s and early 1900s. During her time, she was the most famous ballerina in the world and is credited with making ballet popular in the United States. She was incredibly tiny and only five feet tall, but her grace and skill challenged the traditional ideals of what a ballet dancer’s body should be. In her career, she performed in over 4,000 shows all across the world.
Mikhail Baryshnikov
Considered by many to be the greatest male ballet dancer of all time, during his heyday Baryshnikov was the most beloved dancer on earth. He had amazing balance, strength, and technical ability and performed flawless ballets across Europe and the United States.
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers
It would be unfair to mention one without the other. Astaire and Rogers were two of the popular dancers in America and the world in the mid-twentieth century. They appeared in numerous movies and musicals and were A-list celebrities. Their trademark style was acrobatic, smooth, and fun to watch, and that’s why they became icons for American dancers and others the world over.
Michael Jackson
The youngest dancer on this list, Michael Jackson was a worldwide pop superstar who was as well known for his songs as his dance moves. In the late 1980s, he was at the peak of his fame, and this is when he unleashed the amazing Thriller music video and debuted the “Moonwalk.”
Martha Graham
Martha Graham is regarded as the founder of modern dance. She was an amazingly creative and original dancer who choreographed hundreds of works and danced thousands of times during her 70-year career.
Sources: http://www.wonderslist.com/10-most-popular-dancers/