The History of Contemporary Dance Contemporary dance is an expressive form of movement combining elements of several different dance genres. It connects the mind and
body through fluid movements and is still a popular dance style today.
Here at The
Oundle School of Ballet , this month's blog looks at the history of contemporary dance. Furthermore, we offer contemporary dance classes . For more details, please don't hesitate to call us on 01832 272981 .
What is Contemporary Dance? Born in the 20th Century, contemporary dance is versatile and heavily features improvisation. Unlike the structured nature of
ballet, this form of dance conveys the freedom of movement.
It allows dancers to move their bodies in their own way and focus on emotional and physical expression. At the end of the 19th
Century, several dancers started to develop their techniques, focusing less on the formal and traditional structure of ballet.
How Did it Develop? Between 1900 and 1950, 'modern dance' emerged. Innovated by
dancer Martha
Graham , modern dance focuses on breathing, movement, contraction and muscle release. Unlike modern dance, contemporary combines genres including modern,
jazz and ballet.
A student of Martha
Graham, dancer Alvin Ailey incorporated African American ideas into contemporary dance. By the 1940s, another of Graham's students Merce Cunningham removed dance from its traditional setting and introduced the idea that movement could be random. Cunningham is often known as the 'father of contemporary dance'.
Contemporary Dance Today Today, this form of dance is a mix of different styles.
Choreographers take inspiration from ballet, modern and post-modern dance. Some
create stories, others improvise their own style.
Choreographer Akram Khan has incorporated an artistic vision that challenges the genre. He combines Indian kathak with contemporary.
Cathy Marston combines her passion for literature and dance vocabulary to blend her classical technique with more modern expression. Much
of her work is inspired by classic literature or biographies.
Contemporary is always evolving and continues to grow in popularity. It challenges the boundaries of dance and enables creative freedom.
Our Classes At The Oundle School of Ballet, our contemporary dance classes explore movement in many ways. Our class is open to pupils aged 11 and
over on Thursdays from 5.45pm
– 7.00pm.
This genre is a large part of the Dance GCSE and A Level syllabus; therefore, we suggest you take advantage of our classes.
Contact Us Today To book a dance class or for more information, please contact The Oundle School of Ballet in Peterborough. Call us today on 01832 272981 .
Alternatively, fill out our online contact form and we will be in touch.
