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.
- Take a dance class that focuses on body awareness and alignment, such as the Alexander Technique or the Bartenieff Fundamentals.
- Pay attention to your posture and alignment during your daily activities, not just in dance class.
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 your strength and confidence.
- Take a partnering class or workshop to learn the principles of lifting, supporting, and balancing with a partner.
- Communicate clearly and honestly with your partner about your boundaries and comfort levels.
3. Improvisation and Personal Expression
Contemporary dance encourages dancers to explore their own unique movement vocabulary and personal expression. To improve your improvisation and personal expression skills, try the following:
- Take an improvisation class or workshop to learn different techniques and approaches to creating movement on the spot.
- Experiment with different music, costumes, and props to inspire new movement ideas and personal expression.
- Keep a dance journal to record your thoughts, feelings, and ideas about your movement and personal expression.
4. Musicality and Rhythm
Contemporary dance often features complex musical scores and rhythms, which require dancers to have a strong sense of musicality and timing. To improve your musicality and rhythm, try the following:
- Listen to a wide variety of music and pay attention to the different rhythms, melodies, and harmonies.
- Practice dancing to different musical styles and tempos to increase your versatility and adaptability.
- Take a music theory or ear training class to improve your understanding of musical concepts and notation.
5. Performance and Presentation
Contemporary dance performances often require dancers to convey a wide range of emotions and tell a story through their movement. To improve your performance and presentation skills, try the following:
- Study the work of professional contemporary dancers and choreographers to learn about different performance styles and techniques.
- Practice performing in front of a mirror or recording yourself to analyze your movement and expression.
- Take an acting or improvisation class to improve your ability to convey emotions and tell a story through movement.
By focusing on these key techniques and principles, intermediate dancers can continue to grow and develop their skills in contemporary dance. Remember to be patient with yourself, stay curious, and most importantly, have fun exploring the art of movement in contemporary dance.
