Welcome to Contemporary Dance
Contemporary dance is about authentic expression through movement. It's a versatile art form that draws from ballet, modern, jazz, and other dance styles to create something uniquely personal and emotionally powerful.
The Essence of Contemporary
Contemporary dance celebrates the natural flow of movement and emotion. It encourages dancers to explore their personal relationship with movement while building strong technical foundations.
- Develops emotional expression and artistry
- Builds versatile technique and adaptability
- Enhances creativity and personal style
- Improves flexibility and core strength
- Connects movement to breath and intention
- Prepares dancers for many performance opportunities
Contemporary at Dance House Productions
Our contemporary program emphasizes both technical excellence and personal expression. Students learn to move authentically while developing the skills needed for advanced dance training and performance.
From introduction to movement quality for younger students to sophisticated choreography for advanced dancers, we create a supportive environment where every student can discover their unique movement voice and artistic expression.
History & Evolution
Contemporary dance emerged from the rebellion against classical ballet's constraints, evolving into a diverse art form that continues to adapt and grow.
Modern Dance Pioneers (Early 1900s)
Isadora Duncan, Martha Graham, and Doris Humphrey broke away from ballet's rigid structure, seeking more natural, expressive movement that connected to human emotion and experience.
Post-Modern Movement (1960s-1970s)
Choreographers like Merce Cunningham and Trisha Brown challenged traditional dance concepts, exploring everyday movement, chance, and minimalism in their work.
Contemporary Emergence (1980s)
The term "contemporary dance" began to describe work that blended modern techniques with ballet training, jazz influences, and other movement styles for greater versatility.
Global Expansion (1990s-2000s)
Contemporary dance spread worldwide, with each culture adding its own influences. Television shows like "So You Think You Can Dance" brought contemporary to mainstream audiences.
Digital Age Evolution (2010s-Present)
Social media and online platforms have democratized contemporary dance, allowing for diverse voices and styles to emerge while maintaining the core emphasis on personal expression.
Fundamental Techniques
Contemporary dance technique emphasizes the relationship between breath, gravity, and natural body mechanics to create fluid, organic movement.
Contraction & Release
The breath-initiated movement originating from Martha Graham technique, creating waves of energy through the body.
Fall & Recovery
Working with gravity and momentum to create dynamic movement that flows naturally from off-balance to stability.
Spirals
Three-dimensional movement that travels through the spine and limbs, creating flowing, organic shapes and pathways.
Weight Sharing
Using the floor and gravity as partners in movement, including rolling, sliding, and supporting body weight in various ways.
Improvisation
Spontaneous movement exploration that develops authenticity, creativity, and personal movement vocabulary.
Floor Work
Movement that happens on or near the floor, using different levels and relationships to gravity and space.
Building Natural Movement
Contemporary technique starts with understanding how the body naturally wants to move. Students learn to work with, rather than against, their body's design and the forces of gravity and momentum. This creates movement that appears effortless while requiring significant strength, control, and awareness.
The Art of Floor Work
Contemporary dance's relationship with the floor sets it apart from other styles, creating opportunities for unique expression and dynamic movement.
Rolling & Sliding
Smooth transitions across the floor using momentum and body curves to create continuous, flowing movement sequences.
Level Changes
Moving seamlessly between standing, sitting, lying, and transitional positions to create dynamic visual interest.
Floor as Partner
Using the floor for support, resistance, and momentum rather than seeing it as something to overcome or avoid.
Inversions
Safe exploration of upside-down positions and weight on hands, building strength while creating striking visual moments.
Essential Contemporary Terminology
Contemporary dance borrows terminology from multiple dance styles while developing its own vocabulary for unique concepts and movements.
Emotional Expression Through Movement
Contemporary dance is uniquely focused on authentic emotional expression, teaching dancers to connect their inner experience with their movement quality.
Introspection
Quiet, inward-focused movement that explores personal space and internal landscapes.
Passion
Dynamic, expansive movement that fills space and conveys intense emotion and energy.
Growth
Movement that develops and evolves, showing transformation and journey through space and time.
Urgency
Sharp, sudden movement qualities that convey immediacy, conflict, or dramatic tension.
Serenity
Flowing, sustained movement that creates a sense of peace, balance, and harmony.
Chaos
Complex, unpredictable movement that explores disorder, tension, and multiple simultaneous actions.
Authentic Movement
Contemporary dance teaches students that there's no "right" way to express an emotion - only authentic ways. Students learn to connect their personal experiences and feelings to their movement, creating performances that are genuine and compelling rather than imitative.
What to Expect in Contemporary Class
Contemporary classes focus on developing both technical skills and artistic expression in a supportive, exploratory environment.
Mindful Warm-Up (10-15 minutes)
Breath-focused movement, gentle stretching, and body awareness exercises that prepare both body and mind for deeper work.
Technique Development (15-20 minutes)
Learning fundamental contemporary movements like contractions, spirals, and floor work through progressive exercises and combinations.
Improvisation & Exploration (10-15 minutes)
Guided creative exercises that help students discover their personal movement style and develop confidence in expression.
Choreography & Performance (15-20 minutes)
Learning choreographed pieces that combine technique with artistic expression, focusing on storytelling and emotional connection.
Safe Exploration Environment
Contemporary classes emphasize that there are no "mistakes" in creative exploration, only discoveries. Students are encouraged to take risks, try new things, and develop their unique artistic voice in a supportive, non-judgmental environment.
Proper Contemporary Dance Attire
Contemporary dance clothing should allow for maximum freedom of movement while providing protection for floor work.
Essential Clothing
- Fitted, stretchy clothing: Allows full range of motion without restriction
- Layers: Students can add or remove pieces as they warm up
- Knee protection: Knee pads or leggings for floor work
- Breathable fabrics: Cotton, bamboo, or moisture-wicking materials
- No jewelry: Removes safety hazards during floor work
Footwear Options
- Bare feet: Most common for authentic connection to floor
- Foot undies: Thin foot protection for sensitive feet
- Contemporary shoes: Minimal foot protection when needed
- Socks: Only with proper grip or for specific exercises
Specific Recommendations
- Form-fitting leggings or shorts
- Tank tops, fitted t-shirts, or leotards
- Light cardigans or wrap tops for layering
- Hair secured away from face and neck
- Water bottle for hydration
Floor Work Preparation
Since contemporary dance involves significant floor work, clothing should protect knees and elbows while allowing skin to breathe. Long sleeves and pants can help prevent floor burn, while fitted clothing prevents fabric from getting caught during rolls and slides.
Contemporary Skill Progression
Students develop contemporary skills through a balanced approach of technical training, creative exploration, and artistic development.
Creative Movement (Ages 4-6)
Introduction to natural movement, basic body awareness, and creative expression through guided imagination and simple movement exploration.
Beginning Contemporary (Ages 7-10)
Basic contemporary movements, simple floor work, introduction to levels and pathways, and beginning improvisation exercises.
Intermediate Contemporary (Ages 11-14)
More complex floor work, contractions and releases, basic spirals, longer movement phrases, and exploration of different emotional qualities.
Advanced Contemporary (Ages 15+)
Sophisticated technique including complex floor work, advanced spirals and curves, partnering work, and development of personal artistic voice.
Pre-Professional (Advanced Students)
Master-level technique, choreographic skills, improvisation mastery, and preparation for auditions, competitions, or further dance education.
Benefits of Contemporary Dance Training
Contemporary dance offers unique benefits that extend far beyond physical skill development, nurturing emotional intelligence and creative thinking.
Emotional Intelligence
Learning to identify, express, and channel emotions through movement develops emotional awareness and regulation skills for life.
Mind-Body Connection
Contemporary dance develops deep body awareness, breath consciousness, and the ability to listen to and trust the body's wisdom.
Creative Problem-Solving
Improvisation and movement exploration develop creative thinking, adaptability, and the confidence to find unique solutions.
Physical Versatility
The diverse movement vocabulary builds strength, flexibility, coordination, and prepares students for many other dance styles.
Authentic Self-Expression
Students learn to value their unique perspective and develop confidence in sharing their authentic voice with the world.
Performance Opportunities
Contemporary skills are valuable for musical theater, modern dance companies, competitions, and college dance programs.
Ready to Discover Your Movement Voice?
Contemporary dance offers a unique opportunity to explore movement, emotion, and artistry in a supportive environment. Whether you're seeking creative expression, physical challenge, or personal growth, contemporary dance has something to offer.
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