HomeClasses and EventsAbout our Classes and WorkshopsWorkshopsAddressing Common Concerns of the Dancer
A male dancer in a grey leotard balances on one leg with one arm extended back. This is a screenshot from the video Spirals, provided by the Artist.
ID: A male dancer in a grey leotard balances on one leg with one arm extended back. This is a screenshot from the video Spirals, provided by the Artist.

Registration for MR Friends opens March 16! >>>Become an MR Friend!
Registration for the general public opens on March 23.

This workshop is offered on a sliding scale of $185-$250.
Participants must register for the full workshop, there are no drop-ins.

 

This course is designed for teachers, or those with a pedagogical practice, who are interested in working with dancers on addressing some common concerns. We will explore fresh ways of addressing those concerns while enhancing function in dancing.

Some of the concerns dancers share with me most frequently are: not enough height of gesturing leg, not enough turnout, excessive neck and shoulder tension, poor balance on standing foot.
Notice how all of these are expressed as negative concerns, instead of positive goals.

As it turns out, our nervous system can best coordinate a positive action goal (but has no useful instructions when we concentrate on what “not to do”). Therefore, the first step might be discovering what a dancer’s positive dance goals ARE (rather than what they are not).
We will explore ways in which we can reframe goals, strategize, and evolve practices that lead to achievement of dance goal – with these goals framed as positive specific PERFORMANCE/ACTION goals (not just abstractions).

I will share some of the strategies and practices that I have developed or learned, and we can all collaborate in evolving new ones.

What to expect:
Participants will observe, assess, and coach each other while learning selections of Irene’s choreographies, working together to suggest positive goals for individual growth.

For MELT-related questions, please email melt@movementresearch.org.

 

Accessibility Notes

  • This workshop includes auditive guidance.
  • This workshop includes video shared on a large screen tv.

To request ASL interpretation or Audio Description, please email accessibility@movementresearch.org, subject line “ASL/Audio Description Request, MELT Irene Dowd” at least three (3) weeks prior to the first date of the workshop.

For access-related questions and requests, please contact accessibility@movementresearch.org, subject line “MELT Irene Dowd.”

Location

MR Courtyard Studio
150 First Avenue
New York, NY 10009

  • Get the Green - IRT Lexington Avenue Line numbers: 6 to Astor Place
  • Get the Light slate gray - BMT Canarsie Line numbers: L to 1st Avenue
  • Get the Orange - IND Sixth Avenue Line numbers: F to 2nd Avenue

Artists

Irene Dowd

Irene Dowd

Irene Dowd has just retired from the Juilliard School after 28 years teaching there, to become faculty emeritus.

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