The history of modern dance goes a long way back to the early 20th century. Its basics differ from the traditional tenets of structured dancing routines such as ballet, which has been the basic form of dancing for some time before modern dancing was introduced. The present form of modern dancing involves free interpretations of the music and is usually enacted with non-traditional costumes.

It all started out with what is referred to as free dance. Loie Fuller made experiments with gas lighting and its effect on silk costumes in 1891. She was a burlesque skirt dancer who even went as far as having her lighting equipment patented as well as her stage lighting methods. Twelve years later, Isadora Duncan introduced her own dancing techniques based on Nietzsche's philosophy and the Greek's natural and free dancing. Another significant dancer during this period is Ruth St. Denis, who translated Indian culture and mythology into dance.

Early modern dance period entails the founding of the Denishawn school and dance company in 1915. This was a product of the collaboration of Ruth St. Denis and her hubby Ted Shawn. The school produced great dancers such as Martha Graham, Charles Weidman and Doris Humphrey.

These pupils eventually learned to let go of the techniques imparted by their mentors. They started to develop their own methods and ideologies. Weidman and Humphrey collaborated on works exploring gravity while Graham explored and introduced a new language in movement.

In line with these developments in modern dance that is hugely focused in the United States, various forms have also been introduced in other parts of the world. Europe prides in its expressionist dance that has been related to the German expressionist movement at that same time period.

Because of the growing popularity of American modern dance, the number of dance critics also grew larger. Furthermore, modern dance became a major part of college and university curricula. It started out as a component of physical education before it became a performing art.

Different groups started to appreciate the value of modern dancing and how it can be used to express their own ideologies. Inspiration extended from the usual ancient myths to modern issues in the economic, political and social arena.

The dance has gone through extensive growth. It has served as an effective expression of one's feelings as well as of different perspectives on various issues that affect the society as a whole.