Contemporary dance: beginners
Choose a start date
- Course Code: DDB080
- Dates: 17/09/24 - 03/12/24
- Time: 17:00 - 18:30
- Taught: Tue, Daytime
- Duration: 12 sessions (over 12 weeks)
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Orley Quick
Course Code: DDB080
Choose a start date
Duration: 12 sessions (over 12 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
You will learn the basics of Contemporary dance through Release-based technique. You will develop an understanding of the principles of the body in movement and apply them to memorise and perform dance sequences and explore your own movement range.
What will we cover?
The class will consist of spatial exercises and games, floor work, centre, coordination practice and travelling across the floor. Through repetition we will aim to build body awareness and confidence. Sometimes we will work more creatively or collaboratively, devising and moving with task-based exercises.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Identify basic Contemporary dance terms and technique.
• Recognise an increased range of movement and efficiency.
• Use greater flexibility, co-ordination and balance.
• Demonstrate instant personal movement choices with confidence.
• Perform a set dance sequence with more ease and confidence.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This class is suitable for both beginners and those with some experience.
A beginner’s dance class isn’t just for newcomers. In any beginner’s dance class there will be student’s from all types of backgrounds. We all have different learning techniques and paces. If your first class seems overwhelming and you can’t get it the first time, don’t worry: dance is heavily reliant on repetition so it will happen. We want you to learn and to have fun so just give it your best and keep coming back!
In order to get the most from the course you will be able to:
• Follow spoken instructions
• Use numbers to recognise rhythms within dance.
• Work within groups and pairs safely.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Group work in a well equipped, modern sprung floor studio with music. It is essential to be ready to start on time.
As part of the course content, your tutor may record your image for initial and ongoing assessment purposes. You are entitled to decline to participate in the recording of your image.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Bare feet is the ideal and most safe way to work in this class. Foot thongs can be useful if you find bare feet uncomfortable. It is recommended to tie hair back if it is long for safety and comfort. Wear a short or long sleeved top and trousers covering the knees for the floor work.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Contemporary dance: beginners or if you are ready Contemporary dance: general level.
Orley Quick is a contemporary dancer who enjoys working within the field broadly: teaching, performing and choreographing among other roles. Recently she has been making dance performance work collaboratively with other dance artists for theatres and unconventional performance spaces, and she is always excited to find new and challenging ways of working. As a late starter to formal training, this has definitely shaped her approach and urgency to teach dance. Orley loves to work with as many different types of people as possible, with a firm belief that everyone should be able to access dance classes, and that there are benefits for everyone to be dancing, even if you don’t want to be on stage! Orley thoroughly enjoys teaching at City Lit, and all the people she gets to move with here. She wants her students to have a great time, let go and connect to their bodies and those around them, whilst working safely, efficiently and consciously. Alongside her teaching work for City Lit, she trains dancers vocationally in FE colleges, runs workshops and co-founded and teaches for BOTH Dance Classes.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
