yay!!! 1st modern post

nic_dance · Joined: 31 May 2005 Posts: 11 Location: stockport, uk

hi
1st of all id like to say yay!!!!!!!! ive done the 1st modern post!!!!!!!!!
so who takes modern??
how long have you been doing modern??
what type of modern do you do- everyone has a diff definition of modern!!!!
nic
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:D :D

dancersdreamland · Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 2:16 am Post subject:

Congrats on the first post on the "modern" dance board!

I never taken modern and only within the past month did I see my performance modern performance. It was amazing...the interpretation of the music, fluid body movements, free-flowing dance. I loved it and look forward to trying it in the future.

I'm actually involved with Nia dance right now and there seem to be quite a few modern dance techniques...falls, spins, etc. used in it.

dancemom · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 113 Location: So CA

Gabe and Angel both take Modern for technique whenever it is offered from different master teachers as it is not a form taught on a regular basis at their studio. They both LOVE it and say that it is so much fun.

pr · Joined: 11 Apr 2005 Posts: 1011 Location: Göteborg, Sweden

Congrats on the first post and welcome to DF Nic_dance!!! :D

Kuriin · Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 56 Location: In my imagination

Love modern.

<3 Parlon, Horton, Varone, Duncan, Humphrey, Graham, and Cunningham.

nanae · Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 9:02 pm Post subject:

modern is an awesome form of dance! There is a quote that says modern is ballet rebelled. I took my first year of modern this year and I fell in love with it. I love the body movement and how much work it takes. Modern uses very controlled body movements. It can also be loose and free which is cool that modenr contains all sides of dance. I also love modern because of how much ballet is used in it. The technique is really awesome. This year it became my favorite class out of all of the many classes I've taken. At our studio's year end show we did a dance to an african song called Adiemos. It was really cool. Modern is something else.

dancersdreamland · Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 3:51 pm Post subject:

Do you need to have ballet experience to begin modern classes? I know it really depends on the requirements at the study...but what are your thoughts/suggestions?

nanae · Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2005 7:45 pm Post subject:

Ballet is not necessary for modern. It can be helpful though. Ballet is the core dance style. All dance styles have similarities. Previous ballet training helped me with modern because I knew how to control and move my body. I also began modern at the intermediate level at my studio because I had previous dance experience.
Any dance experience will help you with a new form of dance. I think that a certain amount of knowledge of dance previous to taking modern can be very beneficial but you can also have never taken another style of dance and begin modern. It is up to the studio but in most places modern is a separate style of dance with beginning intermediate and advanced levels.

DancerBee · Joined: 25 Jun 2005 Posts: 35 Location: Missouri

I just had my first modern lesson today (in a private lesson). I really liked it, even though it was only my first time dancing it. My mom used to choreograph years ago and it was her favorite. Ballet is a beautiful form of dance, but the movement is limited- very specific movements and positions. Modern is so much more free and expressive, and can be jazzy, balletic, whatever. Some modern is really just weird, and i don't like that stuff. But I like the contrast of having both ballet and modern- one teaches the technique and the control and the limitations, the other allows you to be free and expressive and break the rules. :D

Medira · Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 2:41 pm Post subject:

Welcome to DF DancerBee! :) I'm glad to hear that your first modern class went well.

dancersdreamland · Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 5:19 pm Post subject:

Medira wrote: Welcome to DF DancerBee! :) I'm glad to hear that your first modern class went well.

Ditto! We look forward to seeing you on the message boards!

Kuriin · Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 56 Location: In my imagination

I believe it was Isadora Duncan (could've been Humphrey) once said, "Modern Dance is a rebellious form of Ballet,"

--Ballet is where one tries to defy gravity; whereas Modern uses gravity to its advantage.

--Ballet consists of strict and elegant steps and shapes whereas Modern can be ugly.

:P :P 8) 8)

DancerBee · Joined: 25 Jun 2005 Posts: 35 Location: Missouri

Thanks for the welcome!
Here're more quotes on modern...
"What is modern about modern dance is its resistance to the past, its response to the present, its constant redefining if the idea of dance. " *Marcia B. Siegel*
"Originally a reaction against the rigidity of ballet. More body movement - more depth - no shoes. It has become a form of its own, with its own classical vocabulary." *Nancy Stevens*
"Modern dance might well be termed primitive. The word 'primitive' is not used here to denote anything archaic, underdeveloped, exotic or quaint but to imply 'firstness'. Modern dance is primitive only in the sense that it has gone back to dance essentials." *Chujoy*

and one about dance changing...
Dance today is clearly in an unsettled state. Old forms and traditions are being given up. New ones are arising to take their place. A time of change presents a confused picture. That there is change is proof that dance is organically vital--and much more so than it has ever before been in this country. *Margaret H’Doubler*

Was Isadora Duncan the first to introduce modern? Does anyone know how it began and the progression to today?

Kuriin · Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 56 Location: In my imagination

Modern was introduced by Isadora Duncan (who as 'exiled' in US and went to Europe). Then came Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn. Then came Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, Merce Cunningham, and Jose Limon.

DancerBee · Joined: 25 Jun 2005 Posts: 35 Location: Missouri

Thanks. I thought it was Isadora. But how did she get started on it? Just was sick of being constrained by ballet rules and wanted to dance what she felt? I think I just need to buy a book on a detailed history and progression of modern...

Had another modern class today...I loved it! I do ballet and modern right next to each other, so it's very fun and interesting... :D