Modern Series - Beginning/Intermediate
with Andrea Pastorella

Modern Dance Class Series with Andrea Pastorella

This 5 class series is steeped in the styles of Humphrey/Weidman, Hanya Holm, Jose Limon and Martha Graham as taught to me through my mentor Mary Anthony. The class level is Beginner/Intermediate  for Adults 18 and up.

The classes consists of a symbiotic relationship between technique and self-expression; it is my intention that the dancers value who they are and what they bring to the dance. 

(Example: intention, emotion, passion)

Class begins with a floor warm-up using Pilates and Yoga exercises. We then stand for the opening stretches, which progress into plies, tendus, degage and jumps using the upper body in different off-center spirals, curves, and balance. There is no barre work in this class. 

Moving off center and back again I incorporate swings, balances, turns, weight-shift, upper-body curves, and contraction/release, to create a strong center to move from. This class encourages the dancer to feel the weight of movement which is very important in modern dance.

As we move across the floor,  the dancers are  focused on creating a purpose and urgency through the execution of the movement. There is often an improvisational aspect to the end of class, which is much fun and gives dancers an opportunity for creative self-expression.