Contemporary dance combines the strong but controlled legwork of Ballet, with elements of Jazz dance, focusing on the contract and release of the body, and the unpredictable changes in rhythm, speed and direction. It also employs floor work, fall and recovery, and improvisation characteristics of Modern dance.
Key components of contemporary dance class:
Strength and Flexibility: The contemporary dance style focuses on core strength for flexible movement, and it emphasizes muscular strength in the torso. Having a strong base in Ballet and Jazz can be helpful when learning this style.
Freedom of Expression: One of the key elements that separates contemporary dance from other styles is the focus on expression. Contemporary dancers strive to convey emotion and story through their movements, making each performance unique. You might be asked a lot of questions to help you think through your intentions.
Warm-Ups: A contemporary dance class is very physically demanding,Warm-ups in contemporary dancing are intended to enhance balance, coordination, alignment, and body awareness.
Stretching: Flexibility is important for contemporary dances, which need the ability to create innovative shapes. The goal of these dance stretching exercises is to reduce the risk of injury while performing.
Floor Work: In contemporary dance classes, floor work is an essential component. Floor work involves performing exercises while standing in the middle of the room or traveling from one end to the other across the floor. In contemporary dance you interact with the floor a lot, so be prepared to spend time down on the ground. These activities help to improve dancers’ balance, coordination, and strength. They also allow dancers to explore different ways of moving their bodies.
Because of all the key components of Contemporary Dance and it being paired with the adult body, we have decided to put prerequisites in place for our school. These prerequisites are in place to ensure the safety of all our dancers.
In order to take Contemporary Class at Tournesol, you must be in a level 4 Jazz and at least a level 4a ballet class.
A desire to progress to the next level in your classes is a common feeling in dance, maybe you desire to learn a new or advanced skill, or perhaps you want the challenge of a higher level, or maybe you feel like you are not learning anything new in your current level. Read on to find out how you can progress to the next level and become the dancer of your dreams!
Talk To Your Instructor About Your Progress
Your best starting point is your instructor. Your instructor is the one who makes the recommendation to move you on to the next level. Speak with your instructor about your progress and explain to them what you are hoping to achieve. They will be able to guide you with a realistic plan and time frame. Remember there is no ‘quick-fix’ or ‘fast-tracking’ in dance, so your progress will be a steady journey that will require commitment on your part. Each instructor is armed with a checklist of required skills you must have before moving up to the next level. You can get a copy of this personalized checklist by asking your instructor. This checklist is like your roadmap on how to get to the next level. Our instructors want to help their students’ progress, and they do so with care and at a rate that matches your ability, no matter how frustrating it may seem!
Consistency In Your Class Work To Help You Progress
If you are looking to progress to a higher level, it’s important to remember that all of your class work plays a part. If you are looking to develop your grand allégro, you still need your centre adage for strength and control. If you are looking to learn pirouettes, you need strength and control in your allégro as well as in your relevé. It’s easy to forget that your ballet class should be viewed holistically. So many barre combinations are the preparatory movements for more complicated steps in higher levels. Without proficient work across all elements of a level, it’s not yet time for you to progress. You know the element in your class work that you can’t wait to ‘get over and done with’ – it’s likely to be the part of your technique that needs the most attention and care.
Attending Extra Classes To Progress To The Next Level
When looking to progress, consider how much time you are putting into your practice. Have you missed alot of classes recently? Are you consistently making it to your class/es every week? Adding in another class, or taking advantage of your makeup credits will help give you the strength and practice in your technique that you need. If adding an additional class is possible, think about adding in an equivalent or lower level. Working hard to progress your foundational technique can never be overstated – it forms the basis of every step in ballet! For example, if you can’t hold your balance effectively on one leg then every other aspect of your class work will suffer. Think… landing from a grand jeté, or rising while holding an arabesque line. These two very different movements require strength on one leg. If you boost your foundational technique you will find that every aspect of your ballet will improve and give you the freedom to dance well and increase your chances of progressing.
Understand What This Progress Means To You And Why You Desire It
Finally, ask yourself why you want to progress beyond your current class. Understanding your motives for progression will inspire the commitment needed. Wanting to move to a higher level when you are unaware of your readiness (or because your ballet buddies have moved up!) is sure to end in frustration. Be realistic about your ballet progression – set challenging, yet achievable goals, and always remember to celebrate the small wins that help you in your progress. This is not a race, but a journey. And every journey is unique!
Tournesol Dance is bringing back this eccentric, family friendly ballet! Come join us for this holiday tradition as we retell this imaginative tale in a fun-for-all-ages premiere ballet. Watch as this all-adult dance school brings The Pumpkin Queen and the characters of Halloween Town to life while performing favorites such as “This is Halloween,” “What’s This?” and “Oogie Boogie.” It’s the perfect way to start the holiday season!
Where: The JCC of Rochester
When: Saturday October 29th, at 7:00 pm and Sunday October 30th at 12:00pm
Ticket Cost: $10 (tickets can be purchased online at the link below or at the door!)
We are excited to announce that in February 2022 we will be adding another location to Tournesol Dance! Our second location will be right down the street from the original studio in the Piano Works mall. This space will offer us a larger studio, sprung floors and dressing rooms. Construction has already started and we can’t wait to see you all dancing in the new space!
As of Monday November 23, 2020 our studio location has been included in the Orange Zone – warning zone. As of right now this does NOT affect our ability to stay open and hold classes. We are classified under Sports and Recreation and as per the NYForward website which states: “If open, appropriate social distancing of at least six feet among individuals must be abided, acceptable face coverings must be worn by individuals who are over the age of two and able to medically tolerate such coverings, and frequent cleaning/disinfection measures must be in place for hard surfaces and objects frequently touched by multiple people (e.g., handrails, benches).”
We will continue to update everyone on our status as we navigate through this.
We are excited to welcome you to our new studio and get back to dancing! Things will be different and it will take some time to adjust, but it’s nothing we can’t handle! We have developed a safe plan to protect our Tournesol Dance family and staff.
Please take the time to read the following COVID-19 Guidelines and Procedures.
Guidelines and Procedures
A COVID-19 Liability Release Waiver must be signed by any dancer before taking any class at Tournesol Dance. Each day a small questionnaire must be signed.
Upon arrival we will be using a “no touch” thermometer for all people entering the building.
We ask that you show up 15 minutes before class time to make this transition smooth and that way we do not take away from class time.
Each dancer will come into the building one at a time.
When entering the building a face mask is required. If you forget your mask we have disposable masks available for purchase.
Only dancers, teachers and staff will be allowed in the building.
Shoes will be left at the door. Hand sanitizer will be available.
Dancers should arrive dressed for class. There will be no use of dressing room. Dance bags and hand bags will be stored in cubbies or on marked places on the floor.
Dancers may remove masks upon entering the dance room, if they would like. Teachers will have masks on at all times.
Once class is over dancers will be directed, one at a time, to put their mask on, collect their belongings and find their way back to the door.
Upon exiting dancers will receive more hand sanitizer and be on their way.
Cleaning
All equipment used will be cleaned after each class. (Ballet Barres, door knobs, etc.)
Dance floors will be cleaned regularly every day.
Restrooms will be cleaned regularly through the day.
Teachers, staff and dancers will wash hands regularly and practice social distancing 6 feet apart.
What it will be like in the studio
There will be no hands-on adjustments by teachers to students.
No shared equipment between dancers besides Ballet Barres, keeping 6 feet in mind.
The floor will be marked in 6 foot squares that dancers must adhere to.
Class sizes will be reduced down to 8 dancers per class (per room).
There is space for teachers to walk the perimeter of the room so no dancer will feel unnoticed.
The drinking fountain will NOT be available for use, so please come prepared with water.
At all times social distancing will be practiced, if you are unable to maintain 6 feet apart at any time a mask must be worn.
**Please note that these guidelines, procedures and cleaning are subject to change per CDC Guidance.
