
Dance at Home
Modern
History
Modern was born as a rebellion against the elegant and classical ballet genre. Modern evolved in the late 1800's and has continually evolved with many pioneers, influences, choreographers and companies. Modern is a contrast against ballet with using parallel positions, harsh angles, and grounded movement. But modern technique does have a ballet foundation as some of the pioneers of modern dance were once professional ballet dancers. At the beginning of modern dance, dancers were ditching their pointe shoes and corsets, and putting on free flowing costumes and dancing in bare feet. At times, modern dance has an abstract and authentic feel to its movement. This genre can be divided up into several different eras, earl modern, central modern, and late modern. Each era having its own influences and methods presented. Modern dance is found in the concert dance scene.
Modern Techniques/Styles/Methods include:
Shawn Fundamentals
Humphrey-Weidman (Fall and recover technique)
Katherine Dunham Technique
Cunningham Techique
Graham Technique
Horton Technique
Expressionist Dance
Post-Modern
Contemporary
Modern dance has many contributors to this genre. These lists and facts only scratch the surface.
Jacob's Pillow Interactive Archives
Articles to Read
History of Modern Dance
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_dance
"Modern vs Contemporary"
https://www.dancemagazine.com/modern_vs_contemporary-2306900829.html
Notable Choreographers, Performers, Companies
-Isadora Duncan
https://isadoraduncan.org/foundation/isadora-duncan/
-Ruth St. Denis/ Ted Shawn
https://www.jacobspillow.org/about/pillow-history/ruth_st_denis/
-Doris Humphrey
https://www.pitt.edu/~gillis/dance/doris.html
-Katherine Dunham
http://kdcah.org/katherine-dunham-biography/
-Merce Cunningham
https://www.mercecunningham.org/
-Martha Graham & Company
-Lester Horton
https://www.alvinailey.org/alvin-ailey-american-dance-theater/lester-horton
-Twyla Tharp
-Paul Taylor & Company
-Jose Limon & Company
-Alvin Ailey Company
-Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
https://www.hubbardstreetdance.com/about-us/company-history/
International Companies
-Batsheva Dance Company - Israel
https://batsheva.co.il/en/about?open=the_company
Colorado Scene
Cleo Parker Robinson, Company, Academy, Theatre
Hannah Kahn Dance Company
https://www.hannahkahndance.org/
Jacob Mora & Moraporvida Contemporary Dance
Davis Contemporary Dance
Nu-World Contemporary Danse Theatre
Youtube Links
Modern Dance Evolution