Creative Ballet Teaching: Technique and Artistry for the 21st Century Ballet Dancer / Edition 1

by Cadence Whittier

Overview

How do teachers create a classroom environment that promotes collaborative and inquiry-based approaches to learning ballet? How do teachers impart the stylistic qualities of ballet while also supporting each dancer’s artistic instincts and development of a personal style? How does ballet technique education develop the versatility and creativity needed in the contemporary dance environment?

Creative Ballet Teaching draws on the fields of Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analysis (L/BMA), dance pedagogy, and somatic education to explore these questions. Sample lesson plans, class exercises, movement explorations, and journal writing activities specifically designed for teachers bring these ideas into the studio and classroom. A complementary online manual, Creative Ballet Learning, provides students with tools for technical and artistic development, self-assessment, and reflection.

Offering a practical, exciting approach, Creative Ballet Teaching is a must-read for those teaching and learning ballet.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138669710
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	07/27/2017
Pages:	292
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Cadence Joy Whittier (MFA, CLMA, RSMT) is Professor of Dance at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, New York, and Faculty and Co-Director of Laban Movement Analysis/Bartenieff Fundamentals Certification Programs at Integrated Movement Studies.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

PART I RETHINKING CREATIVITY, COMMUNITY, AND TECHNIQUE

IN THE BALLET CLASSROOM

Chapter One Drawing inspiration from creative movement: teaching and planning

from movement concepts

Chapter Two Drawing inspiration from creative movement: developing body

knowledge and improvisation skills

Chapter Three Drawing inspiration from dance teachers: teaching students how to use

your "tools"

Chapter Four Drawing inspiration from dance students: learning from peers

Chapter Five Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analysis: a tool for facilitating creativity,

community, and technique

PART II IMPROVING BALANCE AND MOTION

Chapter Six Discovering the three-dimensional body: Shape Flow Support and Shape

Qualities

Chapter Seven Balancing three-dimensionally: Spatial Intent and Countertensions

Chapter Eight Moving three-dimensionally: Traceforms and Kinesphere

PART III DEEPENING DYNAMISM

Chapter Nine The dynamic palette: introduction to Effort

Chapter Ten Fluidity: Free and Bound Flow

Chapter Eleven Varying intensity: Strong and Light Weight

Chapter Twelve Rhythmical nuance: Sudden and Sustained Time

Chapter Thirteen Attentive movement: Direct and Indirect Space

Chapter Fourteen Playing with the Effort palette