The Essential Guide to Contemporary Dance Techniques

The Essential Guide to Contemporary Dance Techniques explores the multifaceted learning processes and underlying principles behind the technical skills and abilities of a contemporary dancer. The depth and complexity of this challenging sensorial, intellectual, reflective and creative process is presented with clarity, to support every training dancer in achieving the most from their learning experiences. Insights into three major technical forms: Graham technique, Cunningham technique and Release-based technique, reveal the distinct approaches, processes and experiences possible in contemporary dance training. Essential technical and performance considerations are covered, including: breath; alignment; core activation; connectivity; dynamic qualities of motion; use of the body; use of space; action and finally, relationships to the audience.
With personal contributions from respected teachers at top dance institutions, this practical guide offers a unique insight into the expectations and processes of professional training classes as well as the success you can achieve with them. With images from real-life technique classes and dynamic performances, this is an essential companion for all contemporary dance students. AUTHOR: Melanie Clarke is a Programme Leader at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London. She has been a lecturer in contemporary dance technique for over twenty years. Known for her knowledge about movement and the moving body, she is also a specialist in the symbol system for recording movement - Labanotation - and is an independent choreographer and performer. 116 colour photographs, 6 b/w and 2 colour diagrams