http://nycdanceweek.org/national-dance-week/brooklyn-ballet Resource for free and discounted dance/fitness classes. Thu, 17 Nov 2011 00:51:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= http://nycdanceweek.org/national-dance-week/brooklyn-ballet/comment-page-1#comment-29 Carolyn Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:46:48 +0000 http://ndw-nyc.org/?p=1775#comment-29 <!--StartFragment--> Brooklyn Ballet offered two modern classes (beginning and advanced) in their participation with National Dance Week-New York City. Having no prior experience with modern I opted for the beginner level. The instructor and founder of the studio welcomed me graciously and introduced me to the regular students (i.e., ten girls all under fourteen and a young man in fifth grade). I accepted the age difference with humor and a teachable spirit that sometimes you have to humble yourself in order to learn. The class began with center combinations that taught the differences between ballet and modern. The instructor, a recently retired member of David Parson’s Dance Company, choreographed combinations that required the students to alternate between precise ballet positions to relaxed modern moves (i.e., passé transitioned into full contracted collapse). She made the students pair up and hold onto each other’s wrists while doing a combination of tendus and lunges in order to show the authentic interaction that is allowed in modern dance. The Parson method encouraged the reality of the individual dancer instead of playing a character like in ballet performances. The class concluded with across the floor steps that taught the students how to shift their weight (front, side, back, side jumps) and the opportunity to learn a Parson original jump (both legs in flexed attitude; leaning back; hips, arms and palms faced up). The charming studio and friendly staff made this a wonderful and comfortable first experience with modern. The intermediate level dancer would be best suited in the advanced level class. However, if you’re new to modern this is a must take to learn how and why people began rebelling against ballet. <!--EndFragment-->
Brooklyn Ballet offered two modern classes (beginning and advanced) in their participation with National Dance Week-New York City. Having no prior experience with modern I opted for the beginner level. The instructor and founder of the studio welcomed me graciously and introduced me to the regular students (i.e., ten girls all under fourteen and a young man in fifth grade). I accepted the age difference with humor and a teachable spirit that sometimes you have to humble yourself in order to learn. The class began with center combinations that taught the differences between ballet and modern. The instructor, a recently retired member of David Parson’s Dance Company, choreographed combinations that required the students to alternate between precise ballet positions to relaxed modern moves (i.e., passé transitioned into full contracted collapse). She made the students pair up and hold onto each other’s wrists while doing a combination of tendus and lunges in order to show the authentic interaction that is allowed in modern dance. The Parson method encouraged the reality of the individual dancer instead of playing a character like in ballet performances. The class concluded with across the floor steps that taught the students how to shift their weight (front, side, back, side jumps) and the opportunity to learn a Parson original jump (both legs in flexed attitude; leaning back; hips, arms and palms faced up). The charming studio and friendly staff made this a wonderful and comfortable first experience with modern. The intermediate level dancer would be best suited in the advanced level class. However, if you’re new to modern this is a must take to learn how and why people began rebelling against ballet.

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