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Library Resources

Subject encyclopedias and dictionaries are good resources to consult when you are beginning your research. They will provide information about famous ballets, the history of dance in a particular country or time period, types of dance, important artists, as well as definitions of terms. Some of the works will also provide bibliographies of additional research resources.

Ballet Guide: Background, Listings, Credits, and Descriptions of More Than Five Hundred of the World's Major Ballets

REF. GV1790.A1 T47 1982

A brief history of the ballet is followed by an alphabetically arranged listing of more than 500 major ballets giving the plot, staging, choreographer, composer, date and place of the first performance, and the dancers that originally appeared in the work

Dance Words

REF. GV1585 .P74 1995

A mixture of agreed technical terms, subcultural vernacular expressions and idiosyncratic utterances representing every facet of dance. Definitions/expressions are attributed to identified sources. Contains a bibliography of resources.

International Dictionary of Ballet

REF. GV1585 .I57 1993 V.1-2

750 entries covering individual artists (dancers, choreographers, composers, teachers, etc), individual ballets, and ballet companies.

International Dictionary of Modern Dance

REF. GV1585 .I58 1998

400 signed entries on all aspects of modern dance. The majority treat individuals who have influenced the art since the 19th century and include biographical details, dates, education, awards, roles (if they were performers), and specific works.

International Encyclopedia of Dance: A Project of Dance Perspectives Foundation, Inc

REF. GV1585 .I586 1998 V.1-6

A project of Dance Perspectives Foundation, Inc. covering individual artists, companies, choreographers and choreographed works, as well as types of dance, music for dance, scenic and costume design, theories of aesthetics and methodologies, and dance films. Bibliographies are included.

Modern Dance Terminology

REF. GV1585 .L65 1997

Provides good coverage of terms and serves as a companion to the International Dictionary of Modern Dance.