MELT: Moving and Dancing: Some Strategies
Class will begin by working with information from different somatic approaches, considering body systems in addition to, and in conjunction with, the skeletal/muscular model. Warming up will be a goal here—call this the “technique� focus. We’ll follow this with directed improvisation and full out dancing, working with ideas from my recent dances as springboards: notions of the “queer� and avoidance of censorship, using embarrassment as a fulcrum; (like a vase) and This scores that examine the notion of speech metaphors in relation to dance and/or propose an alternative exploration of the “isness� of the performance moment.

MELT: Choreography For Warming-up to Dance
Participants will learn a selection of choreographic materials created by Irene during her ongoing interactions with professional dancers and dance teachers. These choreographies can be used as a very efficient warm-up for dance, as well as a musculo-skeletal conditioning program, neuro- muscular fine-tuning, and mental preparation for the greater awareness and expansiveness required of us all as creative performing artists. Areas of focus might include: dynamic trunk/pelvis stabilization, foot sensitization and articulation, hip joint mobilization, freeing of hands/arms, and enhancement of breathing.

MELT: fantasia.5 sessions
We will consider together what it could be that January 2016 requires of us – and spend 5 afternoons. working. thinking.

MELT: Movement Alchemy
What is each person’s unique way of listening to the body and how can that be applied to a movement practice that allows space for personality, flow, and pleasure? We’ll use guided improvisations and simple somatic-based exercises to prepare our bodies for movement, knowing that supported movement comes from freedom, awareness and choice. The information gleaned will then be applied towards choreographed phrase work. Michelle’s class is built from her 16+ years of studying numerous modalities including BodyTalk, Feldenkrais Method®, Body-Mind Centering®, Alexander Technique, yoga, voice work, and performance.

MELT: Freedom + Rigor + Courage
Cross-fertilizations of releasing technique & creative process catalyze creative work. Approaches derived from 30 evolving years of rehearsal process celebrating diversity, collaboration, & individual creative empowerment: free of inhibition, wildly intuitive, inviting mind to collaborate. Access conceptual freedom, specificity, courage & honesty in movement, vocal practice, & improvisation. Adopt these methods & discover your own. Experiment with surprising pathways between conscious & subconscious, movement/voice/writing/drawing, witnessing & participating. With radical approaches to scores as fertile path toward content-relevant method & structure, integrating intuitive with analytical. Trusting our inner world, accessing technique as resource & having the courage to transcend it in our unfettered presence.

MELT: Improvising Choreography / Choreographing Improvisation
It is my belief that all dance that is made to be performed in front of a live audience is choreographed. There is a common mistaken notion that there is a dichotomy between “choreographed� dances and “improvised� ones. I believe that there is only a difference in temporality – all dance performances have the same compositional concerns – some choreography is set and is meant to be repeated nearly exactly and others are choreographed in the moment.

MELT: Technique
Class begins with systematically readying our bodies and minds for full-out and detailed dancing. Our goal is to increase our awareness, articulation, physical facility and focus. The warm-up is simple and straightforward with an emphasis on alignment, physical mechanics, and space for sensation and feedback from our bodies as we work collaboratively to arrive at dancing. In doing phrase work, we hone our skills, apply our training and deepen the understanding and intelligence in our bodies.

MELT: Alexander Technique: A Critical Practice
The Alexander Technique is a means of identifying mental and physical habits that interfere with one’s ability to attend to the moment and make choices. Often when we carry out our intentions, we use a process that is habitual, unconscious, and counterproductive. The technique offers a practice of staying open and alert in the moment, observing our familiar tensions and choosing to move without them. Helpful in alignment, injury prevention, and understanding how we use (or misuse) ourselves, this work generates self-reflection and profound self-knowledge that is deeply helpful for the artist.

MELT: Studio Practices: Touch Move Talk Write
Moving, talking, touching, writing are the means of putting questions into practice. The practices are organized in different sequences and durations, producing new perspectives daily. Each participant should bring their experience and knowledge to feed these practices. This is a place for conversation about what is happening in dance, in choreography, and in our studio practice, right now. Please also bring a notebook.