Hey Dancers,
I realize this first week probably felt a little wonky with that first day audition and ending with a game of red light/green light, but I'm really looking forward to our class together this quarter. As I mentioned in class on Friday, we will be doing a variety of things in this class from phrase work to improvisation and compostion studies. It will be anything but predictable.
For this first blog correspondence, I'd like to know a little bit about why you took this class. If it is a requirement for your major that is fine, but I'd also like to know what you know about modern dance. Why you like it enough to sign up for ten weeks of it and perhaps what you hope to get out of this class. This information will help me create the kind of class that meets both your and my desires.
Great work this week! Looking forward to seeing you again on Monday.
Louis
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23 comments:
I took this dance class because not only is it in my requirements for my major but also because I just love modern anyway just because it is so different from anything else I've done. I did Strictly Seattle over the summer and last year I took a year of Modern at Uw and also went to see the Paul Taylor Dance Company and Pilobolus. So all I really know about modern dance stems from those experiences. What I want to get out of this class coordinates perfectly with your teaching style in that we will be doing a variety of things. I really enjoy going to a dance class where I don't know what to expect, I feel that it lets the dancer be more creative and therefore more in touch with what is going on.
Kate Jensen
I wasn't going to start my academic year without dance (which, in a way, keeps me sane). Modern was among my selections because I've been studying under Kimberly Valmore back in California for the past two years, who incorporates numerous modern techniques into her Jazz, Contemporary, and Choreography classes and I've always loved her approach. I took a modern class about a year ago and I really loved it: how much freedom is tied into the choreography (which is ironic) and how it's so different for all the other technique-driven forms of dance I'm familiar with. By taking this class, I hope to become a smarter dancer (being able to put my mind in the right place), get a better understanding of modern dance as a whole, and mainly have fun.
I really wanted to take a dance class first quarter because I've been dancing my entire life and I was interested in checking out the dance program at the U. Modern dance is something I've never tried before so I thought it would be a fun and interesting class to take. Although I've never tried modern, I do have a lot of background information on it because I wrote a paper on Martha Graham my junior year. I learned a lot from that assignment and it made me realize how much I wanted to try modern dance. I've done ballet my whole life but I've never been that passionate about it because I feel it's too restrictive and it doesn't allow you to express your emotions. That's why I like the sound of modern dance so much because it places less emphasis on technique and more on free movement. I'm really excited to learn more about it, I think this class is going to be a lot of fun!
Anna Williams
I decided to take modern dance because I have been dancing my whole life and to stop now would be ridiculous. I have been dancing since I was five and the gracefulness of ballet and modern has always caught my attention. I am normally a shy person and modern gives me a chance to express myself in a way that is enjoyable. I want to minor in dance because it has always been one of my passions and everyone should do what they love. It also helps keep that freshman 15 off my gut (just a extra bonus).
Hey Louis,
I'm taking modern dance cuz it's fun. I like dancing in general and after completing the 104-106 series all last year, I felt like the school year wouldn't be complete without dancing. It's fun, good excerise, and makes me feel a little more creative and artistic. I decided to continue with modern because I like how free it is and not as structured as other forms of dance, such as ballet. Plus i like being able to tell people that im a dance minor. I also pop up my collar when i tell them.
I took this dance class for a couple of reasons. First of all, I have been involved in rhythmic gymnastics and dance teams since I was young, so continuing on in college seemed like the next step. Secondly, I enjoy dancing as a form of exercise and everyone has heard of the dreaded freshman fifteen, which I am trying desperately to avoid, so by taking this class I am trying to stay in shape as well as improve in dance. I was actually surprised in my own choice to take modern, I have never even been exposed to this form of dance, I mostly did jazz, hip hop, and ballet, but I thought that it would be a very good way to expand my dance background as well as it could be a big challenge for me coming in with no experience in interpretive dance at all. So far I have loved it and I am really excited for the rest of the quarter!
Allyssa Patzer
What a great easy first question!!
First I am fulfilling a majors requirement and second I am trying something that I haven't done in a long time. Studying dance for 15 years has taken me into most traditional styles: jazz, ballet hip hop, lyrical, contemporary; I was so excited to jump into a modern class. (I took one about 10 years ago...it was "you are the flower, be the flower"...so much fun!!) I am looking forward to learning new teaching techniques as well. I am the coach of a local High School dance team and I am always looking for fun ways to inspire and connect my dancer with their movements. Plus the class already seems like such a blast!!!
~Rachel Frederick
I am taking this class because dancing might just be my favorite thing to do, and because I want to minor in dance. I have taken one other modern class and really loved it. Having been a gymnast for my whole life, I have been exposed to many types of dance, but modern is what I enjoy the most and can relate to the best. It offers so much freedom of expression and interpretation, and I love how this freedom in dance makes me feel. I am excited about the variety that the class will offer, and I am excited to learn more about this style and about myself as a dancer.
I'm taking this class because I am planning on being a dance major and also because I've never taken an ongoing modern dance class. I really want to explore how my body moves in a freer environment as opposed the structured one set by ballet. Also modern dance leaves a lot more room for individual artistic interpretation and that's something I'm super excited for. Additionally I really want to be challenged physically. I look forward to waking up feeling really sore, but that kind of satisfied-because-I-worked-really-hard sore.
-Fausto Rivera
P.S. So I feel like this is an appropriate place/time to tell you about my dance background:
Mexican Folk Dance: About 9 yrs
Ballet Partnering: 2 yrs
Ballet: 1 yr
I've been waiting to take this modern class for months! I've only had one quarter of modern and it was taken last school year with Jamie. Not having more than one full year of any dance training, I know this will be a great learning experience for myself both mentally and physically. Having taken ballet with you last year, I hope to practice more with self and body creativity as we did. With my minimal experience and knowledge of modern dance, I wish to comfortably recognize and use my body as a form of communication and representation.
Looking forward to these 10 weeks! WHOO HOO!
Thao Nguyen
The main reason why I took this class is simply because I love to dance. I've been dancing my entire life and I really want to continue with it through college. I've grown up dancing ballet, jazz, lyrical, and hip hop, so modern is something completely new to me. I took one modern class over the summer, but I still don't know much about it. I do know however that I am completely interested in it and I can't wait to explore this type of dancing more. I love dancing because it enables me to express emotions in an artistic way, and I feel like this modern class is perfect for that. The creativity and expressive movements that this type of dancing allows me to do is something that I greatly enjoy. I really look forward to taking this class this quarter. By taking the class, it is my hope to improve in technique, gain a better understanding of modern dancing in general, stay in shape, and have fun. I can't wait!
I chose to take this class because I absolutely love dance. I started dancing almost right after I learned to walk. From scarves to jazz to ballet to tap to salsa, I loved all of the different types of dance I got the opportunity to take. As I grew up, I focused more on ballet and tap, and later mostly tap, but through all of the classes I've taken, I never got a chance to take modern. I am taking this class to experience something new, a dance that I have never tried before, and dive in depth into all of the different exercises and techniques. I knew I wanted to continue dance in college, and modern seemed like a great new way to start. I love the fact that modern is so creative and is more about what the dancer does with his/her body and mind as opposed to simply copying a strict form. I want to expand my knowledge of modern dance in this class, and, of course, have fun.
I am taking modern dancing for various reasons. First of all, it fits perfectly with my schedule and keeps me sane. Between all my science classes its nice to have something that i love to do and relaxes me. I also chose modern dancing because it seems to me that it has a little bit of everything in it (dance wise).Finally, its good exercise.
After taking a intro modern class last year, I fell in love with the concept of free dancing. I love being able to learn different ways in which my body can move and exploring those potentials. My dance experience is limited as I've only been dancing for about two years and most of that time has been spent outside of a classroom. I tend to learn best when I am simply watching and then practicing. My passion is in salsa but I am excited to be exploring ballroom in its many styles and forms. This is, of course, very different than what we are learning but my hope is to bring my style into every dance I try to undertake. Hopefully we'll get the chance to touch on a little Latin spice, but if not you'll see me sassing my way across the floor. :)
and I guess I'm love muffin...
weird.
I didn't choose that.
Shanna Dulin
Hey Louis,
I am taking modern dance because I studied it in collage almost 9 years ago but then kinda let it go. I am going to major in something else but I want to minor in dance because it is something that makes me feel alive, helps me to process the more accademic things I am studying, and is something I would like to continue growing in. I love the creative part of dance.Love choreography. Technique has always been a challange for me and was one of the reasons that I stopped dancing.Part of the reason I am taking this class is because I wanted to see that now that I am older and wiser(?)if I would be able to dance smarter and with my heart(not fear of doing the wrong step). So far, I really really like the class. It is the perfect combination of technique and improvisation!! I hope to be challanged and stretched in this class without taking myself to seriously.
Juanita Unger
I am taking this class to fulfill a requirement for my major, but also because I love the expressive nature of modern dance. It allows you to use form, movement and rhythm to create unique expressions of dance. I have taken modern and ballet before as well as other forms of dance and have performed in the Seattle area for a number of years, but have not had the opportunity to study dance extensively until now. I look forward to giving an outward expression to the creativeness inside me.
I am taking Modern this quarter because it is a requirement for my major. Also, I have danced my whole life and whenever I go any period of time without being active in dance, no matter what capacity, life occurs strange for me :). I love contemporary and modern dance. I find that no matter how long I've danced, I continually find more weaknesses as well as strengths and am looking forward to continuing to develop myself this quarter. The style of Moder taught at UW is different from what I was used to at my studio in the small town I am from, and every quarter proves to be a different challenge for me which is what is exciting to me and I am looking forward to that. I am also looking forward to how you described the class, as far as the many different emphasises.
Yes, this class is a requirement for my major, but I was very much looking forward to it as what it is: a dance class. I love all kinds of dance (passionately of course!). Modern, in particular, I like for its freedom, and creativity individual to each dancer. I happen to have taken more ballet classes in my lifetime than modern. But I did a modern dance intensive this summer and last summer (Strictly Seattle) and have taken a few modern classes at Velocity dance center. It was a really great being able to experience the different teachers and their styles. This is my first modern class at UW. I'm really excited to start understanding more and more of what it's all about. It's great that this class is going to be unpredictable. I'm planning on throwing my whole self into each day and learning about myself as a dancer. Yay!
Alisa Popova
I've been trying to find room in my schedule for dance classes the other three years I spent at UW, and now that I'm about to graduate I finally have some time to take electives... I have only a little bit of background with dance, but I've been training in aerial arts for the last 7 years and performing for the last 4, and I feel some more dance experience will improve my aerial career. I also just enjoy moving, and I chose modern because it will challenge me to think of movements as creative expressions in themselves, rather than a set of structured techniques or skills. I am really excited about the creative and holistic approach we're taking in this course; it fits well with my hopes for growth as a performer and appeals to my sense of adventure.
Brynn
I am a beginner in modern dance since I took my first class Spring Quarter with Betsey Cooper. Even though it is a requirement for the major, I loved the form so much that I decided I also wanted to continue learning the form outside of the U. I am especially interested in learning more about contact improvisation especially since getting a glimpse of it at Velocity's Movement Jam. I am also excited to see the unique styles of my classmates, I love the creativity and individuality displayed in modern. I especially enjoy how modern dance is so doesn't have the strict technicalities of ballet, its more open and that's what truly led me to want to learn more.
My reason for taking modern is mostly that it is a source of great enjoyment fore me. I find that every time I go to the class it's like an escape from my busy day into something that makes sense, which is dance. I love expressing myself, and in classes I enjoy learning more about how my body can move and developing my dancing ability.
This quarter I kind of want to learn more about dancing a dance, so it is not about the movements but about the feelings and ideas and emotions that go with it. I feel like this is the root of why I enjoy dance, so being able to focus on that would make dance even more enjoyable for me!
Kris Brackebusch
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