Contemporary dance is a dynamic and expressive dance form that combines elements of various dance techniques, including ballet, modern, and jazz. For intermediate dancers, exploring the art of movement in contemporary dance can be a rewarding and challenging experience. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at some of the key techniques and principles that define contemporary dance and offer tips for intermediate dancers looking to improve their skills.
1. Body Awareness and Alignment
One of the key principles of contemporary dance is body awareness and alignment. Dancers must be aware of their body's position in space and maintain proper alignment to execute movements with precision and control. To improve your body awareness and alignment, try the following:
- Practice yoga or Pilates to increase your flexibility and core strength.
- Study video recordings of yourself dancing to identify areas where your alignment may be off.
- Work with a dance teacher or coach who can provide feedback and guidance on your alignment and technique.
2. Floor Work and Partnering
Contemporary dance often incorporates floor work and partnering, which require strength, balance, and trust. To improve your floor work and partnering skills, try the following:
- Practice basic floor work exercises, such as rolls, falls, and turns, to build strength and confidence.
- Work with a partner to develop trust and communication, and to explore different partnering techniques.
- Study the work of contemporary choreographers who are known for their innovative use of floor work and partnering, such as Crystal Pite or Hofesh Shechter.
3. Improvisation and Creativity
Contemporary dance encourages dancers to express themselves and explore their own unique movement vocabulary. Improvisation and creativity are key components of this dance form. To improve your improvisation and creativity, try the following:
- Take improvisation classes or workshops to develop your ability to think on your feet and respond to music and movement cues.
- Experiment with different movement qualities, such as fluidity, staccato, or suspension, to expand your movement vocabulary.
- Collaborate with other dancers and choreographers to create new movement phrases and explore different ways of moving and expressing yourself.
4. Musicality and Rhythm
Contemporary dance often features complex musical scores and requires dancers to have a strong sense of musicality and rhythm. To improve your musicality and rhythm, try the following:
- Study different musical genres and styles, such as electronica, jazz, or world music, to expand your understanding of rhythm and musicality.
- Practice dancing to different types of music, including music with complex rhythms or unusual time signatures.
- Work with a dance teacher or coach who can help you develop your musicality and rhythm, and provide feedback on your timing and phrasing.
5. Performance and Presentation
Contemporary dance is a highly expressive and emotional dance form that requires dancers to connect with the audience and convey the emotion and meaning of the choreography. To improve your performance and presentation skills, try the following:
- Study the work of contemporary dancers and choreographers who are known for their strong performance quality, such as Pina Bausch or Akram Khan.
- Practice performing in front of an audience, whether it's a small group of friends or a larger audience at a dance concert or competition.
- Work with a dance teacher or coach who can provide feedback and guidance on your performance quality and help you develop your unique performance style.
Exploring the art of movement in contemporary dance can be a challenging but highly rewarding experience for intermediate dancers. By focusing on body awareness and alignment, floor work and partnering, improvisation and creativity, musicality and rhythm, and performance and presentation, intermediate dancers can continue to grow and develop their skills in this dynamic and expressive dance form.
