Att inkludera historia i jazzdansundervisning : Relationen mellan den praktiska undervisningen och jazzdansens historia

Sammanfattning: This study investigates how jazz educators relate their practical dance teaching to the history of the genre and analyses whether or not the history is incorporated in the didactic part of the education for a jazz dancer. This thesis is based on interviews with four active jazz dance teachers. According to the results, the origin and early history of jazz dance is not being incorporated in the practical part of a dancer’s education to the same extent as the succeeding eras. This thesis shows that history is often tought in non-practical classes and is not incorporated in dance practice. It also shows that the teachers often only relate to history as inspiration. Another finding is that time period from the 1940 ́s until today works as the base of history while the origins and early history is neglected. That means that African and African American fundamentals is overlooked while white influence is being recognized. One reason discussed in this thesis is that the educators themselves lacks knowledge of jazz dance history and understanding of its relevance from their own schooling.