All classes > Contemporary
At LDA we offer the NZAMD Contemporary syllabus, created by world famous New Zealand Contemporary dancer, choreographer and teacher Ann Dewey. Introductory level is aimed at students 9 to 10 years of age, then students progress through 8 levels.
This syllabus is about enjoying music and freedom of movement and helping the dancer feel space and breadth of movement. While teaching students to understand the concepts of Contemporary movement such as weight, flow, momentum, and the use of gravity, the students continue to enjoy a sense of dance as they progress up through the levels.
For more information about the NZAMD, please see here.
Our Contemporary classes are very popular, and we are very lucky enough to have ex-RNZB dancer Rachael Pugh leading the course.
Introductory
Introduction
9 years +
Preparatory
10 years +
The Introductory and Preparatory years introduce dancers into the world of Contemporary in an informative and creative way. Students learn basic exercises that introduce concepts such as swinging, falling and rolling. Although Contemporary is often more highly achieved alongside other dance styles, it is not a requirement to learn this style.
Students sit an exam in May, and are invited to participate in a class item in the end of year show.
See here for uniform details.
Junior School
Level 1
11 Years+
Level 2
Level 3
The Junior school builds on the foundations of the introductory years, and establishes a well understood trust in the student's bodies. More complicated patterns of steps are introduced. Students also learn about the history of Contemporary dance, and the anatomy of the body which is recited in their examination.
Students sit an exam in May, and are invited to participate in a class item in the end of year show.
See here for uniform details.
Senior School
Level 4
Level 5
level 6 & Solo Seal
The Senior school takes students through the major levels of the NZAMD syllabus. Students in the senior school work on complicated exercises and dances with irregular musical patterns, and are expected to bring more power to their dancing. Students also learn about the history of Contemporary dance, and the anatomy of the body which is recited in their examination, and are expected from Level 5 onwards to choreograph an "own dance" that is performed in the examination.
From Level 4 upwards, students are eligible to be nominated to compete in a national competition against other top dancers in New Zealand. If an honours mark is achieved in Level 6, students are able to sit a Solo Seal exam, a qualification that indicates the student is capable to audition for the professional stage.
Students sit an exam in May, and are invited to participate in a class item in the end of year show.
See here for uniform details.
