Domenica da Piacenza

Domenico da Piacenza was an Italian dancing master of the 15th century. He is recognized for publishing the first European dance manual, De arte saltandi et choreas ducendi ("On the Art of Dancing and Directing Choruses"), in 1416. This work was significant as it documented dance techniques and choreography during a period when Italy was becoming a center for dance innovation during the Renaissance. His writings provided insights into the balli, which were dance performances created by dancing masters that adapted steps from social dances into a form of dance pantomime.12