Ballet is a form of performance dance that focuses on athletic, graceful movements. It is usually performed to classical music. Ballet originated in Renaissance Italy and was developed in France, Russia and England. French ballet in particular was highly influential; this is reflected in the proliferation of French terms in ballet. It is a highly technical, complicated art form requiring long years of training and discipline. Ballet performances sometimes focus on solo performances, often by female dancers.
Ballroom dance is a more recent development than ballet, drawing on 19th- and 20th-century dances such as the waltz, foxtrot, tango and quickstep. It is enjoyed both as a form of social partner dancing and competitively. Ballroom dancing is performed to modern music such as jazz, swing and Latin music as well as to the waltz. Competitive ballroom dancing is sometimes referred to as "DanceSport." Dancers compete in pairs and are judged on technical skill and artistic expression.
Ballroom dance and ballet are very different forms of dance. Ballet is primarily a performance dance, while ballroom is primarily either social or competitive. Ballet is typically performed in theaters and concert halls, while ballroom dance is more at home in nightclubs, parties and dance halls, often called "ballrooms." Competitive ballroom dance usually takes place in athletic facilities. The two types of dance are also musically very different, with ballet being performed to classical music while most ballroom dance is performed to more modern music. This means that ballroom dance tends to be more rhythmic and repetitive than ballet.
In addition to their musical differences, ballroom dance is performed by couples, while ballet is performed by companies and features significant contributions from soloists. One similarity between the two forms of dance is their popularity. Both attract enthusiastic participants and are practiced worldwide. Furthermore, the skills of ballet and ballroom dancers are similar in some ways. In order to be successful, both require highly developed senses of timing and rhythm, as well as the kinesthetic awareness that allows them to keep track of the movements of other dancers.