Modern dance for fun?

[neotoma]

I'm thinking of dropping into the modern dance class a local dance studio -- Liz Lerman Dance Exchange -- but I'm not sure if this is going to be right for me.

Anyone have any experience with modern dance for a beginner? Is there anything I should look for in a class? Anything that would be a warning sign to avoid the class? What the heck should I *wear* to class -- bearing in mind I have no exercise clothes, because I hate gym and buying exercise clothes in my size is not really easy?

Anyone want to come along the first time? Bolstering each other's courage might work...

Comments

[imochan.livejournal.com]

If this is in DC, I recommend both Liz and Dance Place (http://www.danceplace.org). Carla, of Dance Place, is an absolute star with dancers of all walks of life and experience. I've seen her work wonders with beginners, too. She treats and recognizes everyone as an individual, as well as really loving movement, which is the best you can hope for in a teacher. You'll get tougher love and more technique with Deborah, also of Dance Place, and Liz, I feel (though I don't know her as well as the other two), is somewhere in between. Hope that helps!

In terms of what to wear, I would say anything except jeans. You want to be able to move, and feel comfortable, first and foremost, so leggings/tights/shorts/lounge pants, as long as they stretch, and whatever the hell you want on top, haha. I almost always bring layers, too, a hoodie or a long-sleeve tee, so you can keep your muscles warm, and then a short-sleeved tee or tank for underneath. (and, of course, a good bra ;D) Was that too much info? <3 Good luck, and have fun!

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

The Dance Exchange is walking distance from where I am, which is the only way I'd be going to the class to start with.

I don't have any of those things -- leggings, tights, etc. I have jeans, and I have dress pants.

[sistermagpie.livejournal.com]

I don't have too much experience in modern specifically (I've taken a little, but I mostly do other styles). I think you should wear whatever makes you comfortable. In modern dance you can usually be barefoot; otherwise just wear clothes you can move in. A tee shirt, sweats or leggings. Even shorts would probably be fine. Once you get there you can see what other people are wearing.

In terms of what to avoid, I think you probably just have to try out the class and see if you feel comfortable. One thing I would say is don't feel badly if you feel overwhelmed the first time--I mean, don't feel like everybody's looking at you or you'll never get it, because any new class is hard at first and in my experience nobody's really judging anybody else, especially in a beginner class. If you're taking a beginner class it's meant for beginners and eventually you'll have fun with it. You might not get a lot of attention the first time, but you'll see how the teacher works (not all of them single people out often, but some wait until you've taken a few classes before they do).

Can you tell I'm really hoping you do this and just find out you really enjoy it? Yay for dance!

[pocketmouse]

I'd say not only loose clothing, but fabric that breathes easily. Modern dance can mean a lot of things, but what I've seen is usually rather energetic, with some ballet influences as well as jazzy things, so there will be stretching and bending and possibly fast moving. You want stuff that allows for full range of motion.

In terms of what to look for to see if the class isn't for you, all I can offer is to watch the instructor, and make sure you feel comfortable pacing them. Because it'll only get faster throughout the course (possibly not much faster, but there's no way it'll slow down, unless everyone is having trouble). As long as you can keep up to add new stuff in and keep the old stuff in your head, how much you fudge it is up to you, and since it's just for fun, it's not overly important to get every little detail right.

[insptr-penguin.livejournal.com]

I've taken a few beginning modern classes and each one has had its own distinct 'flavor'. Modern is really more of an umbrella term for a bunch of different styles. A warning sign for me would be an instructor who pushes you to do thing which are damaging to your body and fortunately you don't usually encounter that in reputable dance places and less in modern dance. Since it's an adult beginner class, usually something you can move in and is comfortable is acceptable.

I wish I could come...I'm dying for some physical exercise.

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

Well, it turns out that they are having an open house on the evening of the 2nd, so I'll probably go to that and see if they freak me out or not.

Are you not able to come because of the evening hours at your job?

[insptr-penguin.livejournal.com]

Actually I can leave at 6 on Thursdays. The problem now is that my foot is broken.

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

Oh, right. Hmm. That'll take a while to heal.

I'll keep you up on how the class works out. At the very least, you might be able to drop in at the end of the season.

[insptr-penguin.livejournal.com]

Alas yes. But please do keep me updated and maybe I can drop in sometime.

[neotoma.livejournal.com]

Well, I went to the open house tonight, and did the sample class for the Tuesday movement class. It's probably about my speed, and won't over-stress my wonky knee, so I'll try to drop in at least once.

I really want to try the movement class on Thursday, but the teacher did say that its second half might be too much for me.

There's a Saturday class on jazz dancing, but I am wary of it.

It didn't help that most of the people at the open house were skinny teenaged girls -- I know they probably get a lion's-share of their income from the teen students, but its offputting to see no one my age/shape there.

[(Anonymous)]

Seems worth a go. I would be wary of jazz also, unless it says it's really basic. I've never been drawn to jazz, but from what I've seen, it draws pretty heavily from ballet and modern technique, so might not be a good class for starting out.

Maybe you could drop in and see how it goes if the teacher is amenable?

Unfortunately, there's not really a huge place in our society for adult dancers, which is why we should make one, IMHO.