Modern Dance Classes
Hundreds of modern dance styles are taught across the United States. Some focus on the technique of one major modern-dance figure. Most serious modern dancers have taken classes at one time or another in the techniques of Martha Graham, Limón-Humphrey, Lester Horton, Merce Cunningham, and Mary Wigman.
These particular techniques are studied in part not only because the people were great dancers, but because they made movement systems that could be taught. Some of these are almost as formal and codified as ballet.
Then there are brilliant instructors who have been influenced by Paul Taylor or Twyla Tharp or some other currently working modern choreographer who offer slightly different and still emerging approaches to modern dance. Any of these and countless other techniques can offer fine introductions to modern dance.
In one way, a modern-dance class will be exactly like a ballet, tap, or jazz class. It will have a certain etiquette that is required of all students. The student will wear appropriate clothing for the class, and this includes footwear, if any. In most cases, the costume will be a leotard that enables the student to move freely and the instructor to easily see whether the student’s movements are correct.
The dance teacher instructs by demonstrating and explaining the movement, and then the class will repeat this movement. Look for a class where the instructor is actively engaged in the students’ work and is walking around, doing corrections both by talking and by actually physically moving a student’s foot or shoulder into the correct place. There really is only one way to learn dance, and that is from another dancer, so corrections are essential. In most cases, the class takes place in a studio with a wall of mirrors. This allows the student as well as the instructor to focus on details of the movement.
Good dancers are able to assess their own movements and make adjustments and corrections as they watch themselves. The studio will have a long barre along the wall for balance while students perform exercises on one side of the body. The barre is used primarily for ballet exercises and rarely with modern steps.
To select a modern-dance class, one must visit modern-dance classes offered in his or her local area. Classes are available in private studio classes, and in professional high schools for those in large metropolitan areas.
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