Modern Dance

[Unknown User]

Posted: 6/17/06 at 5:16pm

Its that time of year again - I have to choose my dance classes for next year.
I've never really considered it before, but for some reason I'm really interested in taking Modern this year. It'll be my senior year and I don't want to leave my studio wishing I had taken it.
However, I don't know that much about it.
Can anyone tell me if its extremely difficult or if you need stong technique in ballet/jazz beforehand? Or if you need to be ridiculously flexible?
Not that any of that would be a problem, I'm just curous to learn more about it.

[ILoveMyDictionary]

Posted: 6/17/06 at 9:42pm

I've done a little bit of it at my summer theatre camp. I'm definatly not cut out for it. Ballet and jazz are an enourmous help. I think you need amazing control and grace over your body for modern.

That's about all I can say, sorry that wasn't much help.

[Dancinqueen123]

Posted: 6/17/06 at 11:59pm

I'll try to help if I can. Modern requires an incredibly strong set of core muscles. You have to be graceful too. I took it at my old studio, but I was also doing ballet there for 7 hours each week. I loved it and it was a blast. You should definately give it a try. If you're a dancer, it shouldn't be a problem for you.

[aspiringactress]

Posted: 6/18/06 at 12:08am

For some reason, Modern creeps me out a little.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 6/18/06 at 12:57am

Dancinqueen - thanks, that actually does help.
As far as strength goes, is it your leg muscles that really need the conditioning?
I'm not too worried because I have taken ballet and jazz but I probably need to up the muscle strength (or at least thats what it appeared like when I watched the modern recital piece). I'm just not sure what I should be enhancing as far as strength goes

[Unknown User]

Posted: 6/18/06 at 12:59am

aspiringactress - hahaha, I can see where you would think that. Its very earthy - I think thats why I'm so interested in taking it.

[lilprima2b]

Posted: 6/18/06 at 1:24am

I LOVE modern. My school puts a lot of emphasis on modern, so these past few years I've really gotten into it. Having a strong background in ballet or jazz really does help, and so does strength and flexibility. You don't need a crazy amount of other, though... seriously, modern is just a lot of fun and can be really beautiful.

Also, it can depend what kind of modern they're teaching. A lot of classes are just freeform, which can be great or can be awful. We do mostly Graham at my school, which is REALLY technique-based - I'm pretty good at Graham because it seems so similar to ballet, which is my area of expertise, lol. We also do a little Horton, which is the main style done at Alvin Ailey. I personally HATE Horton because it feels awful on my body and does funny things to my knees and Achilles tendons, but some people love it.

Okay... done rambling... haha, sorry for the book.

[jaesdare]

Posted: 6/18/06 at 4:23pm

yeah I love Horton, it's very linear and angular...versus Graham which is more free flowing and graceful. If you feel like you're at a point in your dance training where you can explore different areas then you should definetely try modern, it might feel a little weird at first because it doesn't really have as many technicalities as ballet. It is very contemporary and abstract.
But if you're interested take it, then you could always stop if you didn't like it.

[Dancinqueen123]

Posted: 6/18/06 at 6:31pm

lilprima2b-you made me remember something that I was going to put in my post, but I forgot to. You're right it does depend on the type of modern they teach. I totally forgot about that.

[jeff_thedancer]

Posted: 7/3/06 at 5:50pm

i go to a arts highschool and we put the most emphasis on modern over ballet and jazz. but i think it has helped me alot as a lyrical dancer being more free flowing and know that iv done it i dont feel like an idot trying out new things. dance doesnt have to be pritty...thats what iv taken from it.

i would do it. imo the more dance the better