Ask competition judges which style they adjudicate the most, and they’ll likely say “contemporary.” It is an absolutely packed category at most events. But what exactly is it? Contemporary dance doesn’t have a codified technique. True to its name, it looks remarkably different now than it did 10 or even five years ago. And at […]
Those who took Akira Uchida’s contemporary class in New York City last summer learned a high-energy combination to share with their students back home. Uchida’s style infuses contemporary with an influence of jazz and hip hop, and he danced full-out in front of the class to demonstrate. A popular faculty member with JUMP convention, Uchida […]
Robert Roldan may have stolen our hearts on Season 7 of “So You Think You Can Dance”—but it seems his heart was stolen long before that by none other than Emmy Award–winning choreographer Mandy Moore. As his first jazz teacher at Bobbie’s School of Performing Arts in Thousand Oaks, California, Moore taught him everything he […]
Help your dancers improve their performance—and scores—with this advice from veteran competition faculty: Martha Nichols, Judy Rice and Suzi Taylor. Connect with your ensemble. Everyone can be dancing at the same time, but not necessarily together, because they don’t acknowledge each other. “Relax and have a good time,” says Martha Nichols of New York City […]
In an event inspired by the words of President John F. Kennedy, The Washington Ballet will perform the world premier of WHO WHEN WHY this Saturday, June 24, at the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Kogod Courtyard. Kennedy famously asked, “If not us, who? If not now, when?” In this new work, instructor and choreographer Mimmo […]
Stop everything: Watch this fusion of classical bharata natyam and contemporary dance performed by popular Indian dancers Mukti and Shakti Mohan. Their graceful and clever moves are performed to a cover of Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You,” with a Carnatic Mix by Indian Raga (feat. Aditya Rao). Warning: You’re probably going to want to dance […]
Contemporary teacher Kristin Sudeikis likes to give each step context within a phrase, so that there’s always a beginning, middle and end. For instance, in this lesson, she bookends the rond de jambe sauté with a place of initiation—the parallel attitude and chaîné turn—and a finish: detailed, delicate placement of the hands. For a beginner […]
Wes Veldink teaches contemporary classes focused on specificity at Broadway Dance Center in New York City. Here, he explains a hinge and roll combination on the floor, using core strength rather than hands. Your browser does not support the video tag.
Matthew Rich knew he didn’t want to head straight to college after high school, but he wasn’t sure what path his dance career should take. It was his teacher, The Dance Zone co-owner Jami Artiga, who told him about Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet and took him to see the company perform in its infancy. Rich […]
Zendaya and Val, photo by Adam Taylor/ABC, courtesy justjaredjr.com “Dancing with the Stars” Season 16 premiered last night in all its sequined, glittery glory, with new stars, new pros, and new dance styles. For the first time ever, we saw contestants perform contemporary routines in addition to traditional ballroom. Jazz has also been added to […]