DANCE LECTU

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VOCAB. #2: INTRO. DANCE

A’terre – on the ground

Battement frappe – struck beating

Bras - arms

Bras bas – low arms

Corps de ballet – a body of dancers who dance in groups forming the “chorus” of a ballet

Elance - darting

Elevation – raising, lifting, loftiness – the ability of a dancer to attain height in dancing

En - in

En dedans – inward

En haut – on high

VOCAB. #2: INTER. DANCE

 A la quartirieme derriere – to the 4th behind

A’terre – on the ground

Ballonne – bounded, ball-like, balloon

Ballotte – toss about

Barre – bar

Battu - beaten

Battement Frappe – struck beating

Bourree – series of quick little steps in 5th position releve, changing weight from one foot to the other

Bras - arms

Bras bas – low arms

VOCAB. #2: ADV. DANCE

 A’droite – to the right

A’la quartirieme derriere – to the 4th behind

A’terre – on the ground

Ballonne – bounded, ball-like, balloon

Ballotte – toss about

Battu – beaten

Battement frappe – struck beating

Bras bas – low arms

Brise - broken

Cabriole – caper, leap

DORIS HUMPHREY

Born 1895

Studied at the Denishawn School

Met Charles Weidman Moved to NY together

Started their own company, Humphrey-Weidman

Known for, “The Shakers,” about religious groups notated in Labanotation

Artistic Director of Jose Limon Dance Company after retirement in 1945

Original faculty of The Julliard School (1951)

KATHERINE DUNHAM

Born 1909

Studied anthropology and was rewarded scholarships to study dances of the Caribbean

Style was a blend of African and Caribbean movement integrated with ballet and modern techniques

Renowned through out Europe and Latin America

Started the company, Ballet Negres formed in The Katherine Dunham Dance Company

Signature work called, “Shango”

Known was the “Queen Mother of Black Dance”/”Dancer Katherine the Great”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iljLZeTFl_4

MERCE CUNNINGHAM/JOHN CAGE

Born: 1919 – 2009

Began dancing: Moved to NY and studied at the American School of Ballet

Soloist with Martha Graham Dance Company

Founded his own dance co. in 1953 at Black Mountain College

Worked with John Cage throughout his career

Created dances by using the Chance Dance method

Was part of the founding committee of the choreography computer program called DanceForms

Cunningham choreographed, “Points in Space,” in 1986 with composer John Cage, which incorporated film and live dance. Innovative for the time. Took into account the multiple points of view of the camera.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qf_kLcdijz8

JOSE LIMON

Mexican-American, born 1908

Studied under Humphrey and Weidman in 1928 in NY

First dance work called, “Danzas Mexicanas” in 1938

Appeared on Broadway in several shows choreographed by Weidman

Began Jose Limon Dance Company in 1946 Humphrey = Artistic Director

Created movement technique known to be proud, generating a high carriage of the torso, arms and head

Limon Dance Company’s first work, “The Moon’s Pavane,” conveyed the jealousey, remorse and rage of Shakespeare's, “Othello”

Joined faculty at Julliard in 1951

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BIM4JQE4_k

PAUL TAYLOR

Born 1930- present

Began as a painter and soloist with the Martha Graham Dance Company

Dubbed the “naughty boy” of dance

His work focused on taboos and untraditional themes, shocking audiences.

Broke many boundaries that 1st generation modern choreographers had not dared to consider.

Choreographed the Emmy award winning piece, “Speaking in Tongues”

Used gestures and stances from the street. Composed dances of everyday gestures, such as checking a watch or waiting for a bus.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8g0zTyyDc8