Beth Formica Bender, aka Bethany Formica, uses her multi-company performance experience and eclectic skill base in a class designed to build up ideas and break down technique. One need not be afraid to sweat, laugh, or fall over. This class is accessible. Humor and high energy are all that is required.
Description & Course Format:
This intermediate class bridges between Contemporary Modern I & III. Contemporary Modern II develops more dance vocabulary including stretching, strengthening exercises, alignment, movement phrases, performance quality, creativity, etc. This course also cultivates students’ spatial awareness, the relationship of time, space and effort (energy), and the connection between body, mind and spirit through physical practice.
Students are encouraged to explore their capacity for movement through fundamentals, improvisation, and phrase work. Students will engage with movement material in class and observe and have discussion about professional and student dance performances, and dance on screen projects during the semester.
This course draws from a variety of contemporary and modern dance artists. Students have the opportunity to analyze various techniques for personal development and the expansion of an articulate movement vocabulary. Students are immersed in anatomically sound technical training that consistently weaves and references both historical and emerging techniques, forms and styles.
Contemporary Modern II is an experiential course requiring the student’s full participation. Our learning is cumulative; therefore, it is vital students attend all classes. We will collaborate, make mistakes, perform, and give constructive feedback to one another on various projects.
Description & Course Format:
This intermediate class bridges between Contemporary Modern I & III. Contemporary Modern II develops more dance vocabulary including stretching, strengthening exercises, alignment, movement phrases, performance quality, creativity, etc. This course also cultivates students’ spatial awareness, the relationship of time, space and effort (energy), and the connection between body, mind and spirit through physical practice.
Students are encouraged to explore their capacity for movement through fundamentals, improvisation, and phrase work. Students will engage with movement material in class and observe and have discussion about professional and student dance performances, and dance on screen projects during the semester.
This course draws from a variety of contemporary and modern dance artists. Students have the opportunity to analyze various techniques for personal development and the expansion of an articulate movement vocabulary. Students are immersed in anatomically sound technical training that consistently weaves and references both historical and emerging techniques, forms and styles.
Contemporary Modern II is an experiential course requiring the student’s full participation. Our learning is cumulative; therefore, it is vital students attend all classes. We will collaborate, make mistakes, perform, and give constructive feedback to one another on various projects.
- Teacher: Beth Bender
Bethany Formica uses her multi-company performance experience and eclectic skill base in a class designed to build up ideas and break down contemporary/modern dance technique. One need not be afraid
to sweat, laugh, or fall over. This introductory dance class is accessible and aerobic, so humor and high energy are all that are required. Contemporary Modern I is designed to put participants in touch with their
bodies, help them focus, connect, and collaborate, while allowing every individual's voice to be heard. This course encourages a sense of playful humanism, evoking new ways of thinking and moving, problem-solving and multitasking. The dance playing field is leveled, and the value of play and laughter enlivens the body in completely unexpected ways. If taken for academic credit, concert attendance and two short papers are required.
to sweat, laugh, or fall over. This introductory dance class is accessible and aerobic, so humor and high energy are all that are required. Contemporary Modern I is designed to put participants in touch with their
bodies, help them focus, connect, and collaborate, while allowing every individual's voice to be heard. This course encourages a sense of playful humanism, evoking new ways of thinking and moving, problem-solving and multitasking. The dance playing field is leveled, and the value of play and laughter enlivens the body in completely unexpected ways. If taken for academic credit, concert attendance and two short papers are required.
- Teacher: Beth Bender