This program is a unique offering of foundational modern dance technique. Beginning at five years of age with Creative Dance and advancing to Modern Dance I, II & III with Horton-based technique, students are working with respected faculty who themselves are experienced teachers and performers. Students acquire strength, physicality, rhythm and proper body alignment as well as celebrating the expressivity of dance. Our Intermediate and Advanced Modern Ensemble students have the additional advantages of learning Cunningham and Graham technique in addition to a variety of repertory.
They also have performing opportunities with our Winter and Spring dance concerts, as well as participating in masterclasses throughout the year. Colburn Dance’s partnership with the Cunningham Trust enables our students to go beyond the technique and learn Merce Cunningham’s works directly from stagers who themselves worked with Merce. An incredible opportunity that expands the dancers understanding of the technique and furthers their artistic development. Colburn Dance is the only dance program on the West Coast offering these opportunities to middle school and high school aged students.
Our Creative Dance curriculum is designed for nurturing physical and cognitive growth, combining these goals with fundamental dance skills and joyful, creative expression. These classes can be a child’sfirst introduction to dance or a transition from Colburn’s Early Childhood Creative Arts Program.
Our creative dancers work with partners and small groups exploring key concepts – relationships, energy, space, time, and body awareness – learning to invent movement from within their own skills and movement history in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Auditions are not required. Classes recommended by age.
Our Creative Dance curriculum is designed for nurturing physical and cognitive growth, combining these goals with fundamental dance skills and joyful, creative expression. These classes can be a child’s first introduction to dance or a transition from Colburn’s Early Childhood Creative Arts Program.
Modern I introduces the dancer to the fundamentals of modern dance with an emphasis on developing body alignment and musicality. Focusing on creating physical and cognitive growth together with coordination, balance, and spatial awareness, the dancers experience the joy of physical, creative expression. All classes have a percussionist from our music faculty. Dancers will perform in the years culminating Spring Dance Concert.
Modern II continues building on the fundamentals of a Horton based technique, adding spinal articulation and continuing the development of their movement vocabulary. Phrases of movement across the space, with use of different levels are added to continue building physicality, musicality, andspatial awareness. All classes have a percussionist from our music faculty. Dancers will perform in the years culminating Spring Dance Concert.
Modern III continues developing the dancers’ modern fundamentals with additional focus on technique, alignment, strength and artistry. Ballet technique is added once a week, furthering their development and adding the necessary vocabulary. All classes have a percussionist from our music faculty. Dancers will perform in the years culminating Spring Dance Concert.
Modern IV’s dancers continue in this rigorous program, with the addition of Cunningham technique – created by choreographer and dancer Merce Cunningham. Unique in its use of torso, rhythm and space, this combining of techniques – Horton, Cunningham and ballet – together with additional repertory classes, enhances the dancers physical, technical and artistic development. Dancers will perform in the years culminating Spring Dance Concert.
Modern V is a rigorous, technical and artistic program that requires a five day a week attendance. Developed for dancers pursuing a major in dance at the college level, this program offers modern in three techniques: Cunningham, Horton and Graham and additionally weekly ballet. Modern V’s repertory class features guest artists and stagers, from such institutions as The Cunningham Trust, as well as work from our own faculty, with performance opportunities throughout the calendar year.