To enhance their training in modern dance, our senior students are offered the opportunity to join our Senior contemporary dance classes. We also offer Junior contemporary dance classes to children in Primary ballet (II) and above.
The classes are taught by professional dancers and choreographers. Release technique is a key focus of the classes, in order to increase breadth and freedom of movement through the feelings of force, suspension and weight within different dance movements. This includes developing the important skill of moving in and out of the floor in a seemingly effortless way and consideration of use of breath. Students also explore differences in tension and relaxation, in particular in our more commercial contemporary style classes.
Students are also given the opportunity to find their own way of moving as a response to music, theme or character and then integrate their creativity into the choreographic piece. This is very valuable for development of improvisation skills which are needed for the higher ISTD modern grades.
Contemporary classes are highly recommended for students in Grade 4 ballet and modern plus, to improve core control and range of movement, also to explore a range of contemporary styles, many of which have influenced the ISTD modern syllabus.