CONTEMPORARY DANCE PROPER TECHNIQUES OF CONTEMPORARY DANCE
Graham technique
• Style of expressive dance that combines elements
of several dance genres including modern, jazz,
lyrical, and classical ballet.
• Performing art that involves rhythmic body
movement within a given space, choreograph
• Strive to connect the mind and the body through
fluid dance movements.
• TERM CONTEMPORARY is somewhat misleading it
describes a genre that developed during the mid-
20th century and is still very popular today.
• Began at the start of the 20th century when US
dancer, Isadora Duncan (1877-1927), broke away
from the ballet
Today’s contemporary dance is an eclectic mix of
styles, which choreographers drawing from ballet,
modern, and post-modern (structures)
Isadora Duncan, Martha Graham, and Merce
Cunnigham (Father of Contemporary Dance
Alice Reyes (Mother of Contemporary dance)
• National artist for dance (1970)
PURPOSE
• To let the dancer express his or her inner emotions
to the audience.
• The dance tells a story to the audience that is
generally sad or
HOW IS IT PERFORMED
• Stresses versality and improvisation, unlike the
strict structured nature of ballet.
• Focus on floor work, using gravity to pull them
down to the floor
• This dance genre is often done barefoot
• Can be performed to many different styles of
music.
CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTEMPORARY DANCE
The main feature of contemporary dance is the use of:
• Parallel in legs
• Curving
• Twisting/tilting the spine
• Abstract gestures
• Focuses on the use of contraction, release, fall
and recovery.
• Graham technique is characterized by floor work
and the use of abdominal and pelvic
contractions.
Cunnigham technique
• Cunningham uses the idea of the body’s own
“line of energy” to promote easy, natural
movement.
Limon technique
• Uses the feeling of weight and “heavy energy” in
the body, and movement is instigated using
breath to lift, and swings through the body to
create and halt movement, it also feels very nice
to perform.
Release technique
• Placing emphasis on minimizing tension in the
search for clarity and fluidity and efficient use of
energy and breath.
Improvisation technique
• Improvisation focuses on the investigation of
movement and its relation to performance
• Contact improvisation describes a duet dance
form characterized by weight exchange, fluid
movement, and touch. Partners improvise using
the natural movement of the body.
BENEFITS
1. Stronger bones and reduced risk
2. Better coordination, agility, and flexibility
3. Improved balance and spatial awareness
4. Increased physical confidence
5. Improved mental functioning
6. Improved general and psychological well-being
7. Greater self-confidence and self-esteem
8. Better social skills