Contemporary/Modern Dance
This course blends techniques from ballet, jazz, modern and lyrical genres and will provide development through theory and practical application. The first period encompasses different styles of movement and technique. The second period will include choreography which students will participate with the instructor to create a contemporary piece. The class will emphasize the practice of composition skills, clarity of movement, initiation, body articulation, and dynamics of performance and will focus on the development of small group work and solos. Dance history will be included in this course in addition to discovering new contemporary choreographers and dancers. Written reports must be submitted.
THE INSTRUCTOR
Samantha Patterson
MODERN DANCE
Samantha Patterson began dancing in Greenville, South Carolina, at the Fine Arts Center. There, she was introduced to Modern Dance and was cast in choreographies by Lar Lubovitch Dance Company members, Shen Wei Dance Arts, Paul Taylor Dance Company, and the Big Red Dance Project. She graduated with a B.A. in Dance from Hollins University, where she continued exploring contemporary movement, dance activism, and choreography. Samantha began working for a global dance franchise choreographing, producing, composing, and creating curricula for children ages 2 to 12 to be integrated into academic learning environments. She made a total of 7 movement programs that are currently being taught in 32 states and 17 countries to date. Samantha continued this work while accepting a position as the dance co-director for Garrison School for the Arts in Savannah, GA. There, she taught ballet, modern, and improvisation courses during the school year and spent the summers choreographing for Southwest Virginia Ballet Company in Roanoke, Virginia. Samantha has recently relocated to New Jersey where she is pursuing her M.A. in Arts Administration, and is excited to work with the fantastic dancers at TeenArts.