This class in contemporary dance technique emphasizes strong fundamentals of proper alignment to achieve increased movement efficiency, strength and flexibility. Working with aspects of modern, jazz and ballet, students will explore dancing to different rhythms, tempos and styles of music. Phrase work teaches strong movement in space and musicality. In choreography class students will develop their understanding of the ways in which structural elements and movement vocabularies contribute to a dance’s overarching impact and content. Readings and viewings broaden students understanding of dance’s position in the world of art and ideas.
Sample reading list:
Copeland and Cohen, Ed., What is Dance?
Doris Humphrey, The Art of Making Dance
Joyce Morgenroth, Speaking of Dance
See instructor for complete list
Reading/Writing assignments:
Ongoing choreographic assignments (approx. 2 hours outside class/week); reading and viewing live and videotaped performances (approx. 2 hours outside classes/week); mandatory trip to NYC to view live performance; several short papers analyzing choreography and discussing dance based on readings and class work; and participation in an end of semester showing.
Prerequisites and Restrictions:
DAN 209 or permission of instructor. Interview with faculty for placement in composition section from April 6-17, 2015. To arrange an interview, email Professor Fehlandt (fehlandt@) and send a list of any previous composition experience at Princeton..
Other information:
DAN 219 is designed for students with one semester’s experience or some formal training. Two two-hour classes in technique, one two-hour class in choreography. This course culminates in a studio performance and a mandatory end of semester showing, both held during the last week of class in December, including the last day of class, December 18, 2015.
