Modern Dance
Since its inception more than 100 years ago, "Modern Dance" has been in constant flux, exploring movement as an artistic process that does not have a predictable outcome.
Dances that have evolved out of the pioneering inquiries of Isadora Duncan, Francois Delsarte, and Rudolph Laban — and all of us who came after them — range from "free dances" in nature, silent witnessing of motionless stasis, to the current and rapid fusing of ever-changing technologies with social networking.
The best dance teachers today are body smart. The legacy of teachings by Bartenieff, Feldenkrais, Alexander, Dowd, and Sweigard have infused the practice of dance with an intelligence that integrates the physical, mental, and often spiritual aspects of movement into the creative process.
At Burlington Dances we offer students of all ages the foundations upon which Modern Dance was conceived, along with the practical skills and abilities to develop the body, mind, and spirit. The training and experience of each member of our teaching staff is evidence of the influence of the original innovators of Modern Dance. They speak the language of Duncan and Laban, they call up the images and teaching practices of Lewitsky, Nikolais, Graham, Humphrey... a rich legacy of words and movement. Through diligent personal investigation, our teachers have developed the skill to teach — not just copy given steps or style — how to recognize, honor, develop, and express our often complex, beautiful, inquisitive, and creative inner self.
. . . a note from our founder and director, Lucille L. Dyer
I sometimes have the privilege and honor to speak with some of the most progressive and far-seeing individuals, and during these conversations I feel my inspiration for opening this studio like a fresh breeze filling me with the gently persistent energy needed to guide this vision toward its full expression: Of creating a space for developing a richly expressive and harmonious way of life, from the inside out.
The aim of our Burlington Dances Studio is to advance dance education centered in the arts by providing a safe, nurturing, and good humored environment where students of all ages and levels of interest and abilities can engage in self-enrichment through the practice of dance, creative expression, and healthy movement.
The vision for our studio is to be a place where artists, both teachers and students may come to develop dance literacy: understanding the meaning of dance as an art form, and the chance to experience positive transformation.
There is something remarkable that can happen during dance making that helps to connect us to our true selves. It is a very simple, subtle, and beautiful experience, and, I think, takes both dancer and audience to a higher (and I think better) place. This 'remarkable something' is a rightness that goes beyond dance technique. It is something that cannot always be taught, but can most certainly be taught out of those who are innately connected to their true inner selves. This unfortunately results in random acts of movement or highly technical feats of bravado that are mistakenly identified as art.
The lucky among us have been witness to those 'moments' when, on stage, a dancer is positively transformed, and we are transformed with them. As a choreographer and performing artist, I have experienced these moments, and, from the audience responses for years after the performances, have positively impressed many others. Those who have worked intensively with me know about my gentle guidance, through questions, toward dancing from the inside out, finding ways to shape the expression into a meaningful context, and noticing, within oneself, the transformation.
Since my first inspiration for this mission in 1987, what I am now seeing is that an education based in foundations for creative expression through the practices we now offer, that people of all ages and abilities are experiencing these moments, and transforming their lives.
More and more, people are asking questions about dance - not so much 'how can I be a better dancer?' but 'How is it that some dance is fun and entertaining, and other dance takes me to a new (and sometimes better) place? Why is it that when I go to see a dance concert that I guess I am enjoying it but don't understand what they are doing on stage? What is the meaning of my movement, and how can I dance so that I am transformed? ' These are marvelous questions, and the answer begins with non-verbal literacy.
Related and integral to the mission of the studio is to - economically speaking - find another way to think about being an artist beyond the 'Not-for-Profit' mind set. For so many years, the artist has been required to explain and defend the intrinsic value of what we do as part of the culture, to write grants and raise funds from generous donors. It seems artists spend quite a bit of time thinking about fund raising, limited sources of funding, competing for that funding, feeling valued or devalued based on the amount of an award, and concerns about losing funding.
I have said, for many years now, (and to the annoyance of some), that as artists we need to be making art that is something the audience needs and wants in their lives - art that takes us 'up a notch' (or more!) from our often mundane struggles with life; that art is as essential to a good life as food and water. We readily pay the plumber, the dentist, and the grocer whatever they ask to help make our lives better. I think that we need to be making art that is essential, and that we are comfortable paying the artist for their contributions. So much has been written - and so well - on the subject of the value of the arts.. it seems only logical that the artist become part of the economic exchange outside of the current "not-for-profit" structure.
Think about it. 'Commercial' artists make good livings without grants and fund raising events. There has to be a way to improve the mind-set, elevate the 'status' of the For Profit artist (and remove all of the arts funding administrative fees and added expenses!).. and do what we do, make art and receive compensation. Some have argued that performing arts companies cannot survive without funding and donations...that the cost of mounting a production far exceeds anything that can come in through the box office, and funding fills the gap. There has to be something that we can do to improve the situation...
I strongly support public funding for arts literacy, and will advocate, volunteer, donate space for projects, performances, and tutoring. Funding for arts education is essential in elevating 'literacy' so that we recognize the value of what is being 'said' through movement, music, and visual composition.
The down-side of public arts funding for education is that we as citizens of the community lose sight of the actual costs of hiring teachers, operating the facilities (building, maintenance, insurance, etc!). Even though citizens have been paying for their arts education through the tax structure, there is an idea that arts classes should be free. Ironically, part of the taxes we pay as a private business go pay our 'competition' — publicly funded arts education. As a privately owned studio and participant in the commerce of the community, we provide essential skills for a healthy community beyond the publicly funded programs.
I invite you and your family to support the quality of your life and health as well as the local economy by attending dance, wellness, and fitness classes in our studio, and encourage you to talk to artists about their work so they better understand what it is they are communicating through their work.
To those who love to talk about these issues, thank you. When we talk, I see (in my imagination) a long-closed door (sometimes creaky and crusty and rusty!) open, slowly, and this light, fresh breeze comes in, filling you up with enthusiasm for exploring the possibilities. So. Where to start? At the beginning.
I welcome conversation, exploration, debate, and discussion about meaning and transformation in dance, arts literacy, and the economy, so please feel free to come in and talk, and, better, move, dance, breathe, and exercise your whole self through practices we now offer at Burlington Dances Studio.
Very truly yours,
Lucillle L. Dyer
Come in for classes, workshops, and private sessions designed for beginning students as well as those seeking to refine or re-define the mastery of their art.
Develop and practice this perpetually contemporary art form with a focus on awareness, easeful movement, true creative self-expression, relaxation, and joy ... in a warm and inviting studio.
Shapes of Modern Dance: Techniques and Practices: Mondays, 6:45-8:15PM. Taught by a series of guest movement artists, this class includes Modern, Improvisation & Choreographic forms, Ballet (barre and center adagio), Emerging & Synthesis forms, Multi-Media, Site Specifics, and the Questions of Meaning and Transformation, as well as Pilates, Somatic Awareness, Dance Notation, and traditional Eastern Martial Arts. Each session will be a new experience designed to help dancers connect in the moment and be available to change. Get experience...Come to Monday class at Burlington Dances..(90-minutes)
Returning to the schedule Summer 2011
Space Harmony with Lucille Dyer.
Explore motion of your body in connection with the environment, and with spatial patterns, pathways, and lines of spatial tension: a complex system of geometry based on crystalline forms, Platonic solids, and the structure of the human body. Reveal your individual movement preferences and expand the your awareness, perception, and creativity.
Professional dancers will be familiar with some of the improvisational styles and 'problem solving' methods in these sessions, and beginning and advanced students alike will be challenged and inspired by the aspects of self-development, ethical awareness, and humanitarianism inherent in this kind of practice.