Modern Dance

After many years in which classical ballet dominated the Western dance scene, dancers and creators began seeking new approaches and different forms of movement. Modern dance developed in Europe and the USA at the beginning of the twentieth century; it is rooted in classical dance foundations while at the same time opposing them. Modern dance also draws inspiration from tribal motifs, primarily from Africa. But unlike traditional dances of the East and Africa, whose purpose is mainly social and which change or renew themselves very little over the years, dance in the West develops constantly and seeks innovation and change on a regular basis.

Already at the end of the 19th century, Isadora Duncan began exploring tribal dance in Africa and creating from it a new dance technique centered on the feeling of connection with the earth. This is a dance style created more from the root and less from the height that was found in classical dance. The feeling is of a weight firmly planted in the earth, contrasting with the many years' attempt of ballerinas and dancers to appear "weightless" and "floating" above gravity.

In the 1920s, Martha Graham appeared for the first time — undoubtedly the mother of modern dance. Graham developed a technique unique to modern dance performers, and laid the foundations upon which modern dance was built and became what it is today — the leading style in the world of dance in the twentieth century and in our own time. Jazz also holds an important place in the influences on modern dance.

Modern Dance Class

The class consists of warm-up and learning a combination. The combination is usually built over several classes.

Floor work (swings, rolls, extensive use of spirals in the torso and body parts) enabling new movement possibilities. Work with the weight of body parts providing momentum and a motor for movement, with a focus on the weight of the hands and torso. Weight transfers while working on moving the body from the pelvis.

Using all these elements while moving through space, combining movement and placing emphasis on different movement rhythms.
The class emphasizes developing coordination and works on musicality while strengthening and stretching the body.

Modern Jazz Classes

Jazz is the application of dance technique while paying attention to rhythm and hand-foot work. At the studio we have lyrical jazz, Broadway (musicals), modern jazz (a blend of techniques), and Commercial Jazz Dance classes.