Ashley Mott: Beginning Dance and Movement

This class is an introduction to basic elements of movement and dance.  It explores body alignment, core support, weight, momentum, movement quality, connectivity and more in relation to time, space, and energy. The class is structured as a series of dance sequences and designed to carry over into every day practice.

Students are challenged to learn and improve dance and movement skills by progressing  through a series of warm-up exercises, locomotor movement phrases, choreographic combinations, creative improvisations, and short composition assignments.  These exercises and activities are designed to help students understand and integrate a variety of movement concepts. 

 This class aims to increase appreciation for dance as an artistic medium.  Elements of dance to be studied include, but are not limited to:   energy qualities, balance, alignment, stability vs. mobility, range of motion, coordination, spinal articulation, core connectivity, locomotor and axial movements, performance quality, group awareness, spatial awareness, expressivity, musicality, improvisation and dance composition.  The students will be asked to explore their identities not only as dancers, but also as choreographers, audience members, students, and performers.  Students will also be introduced to concepts of nutrition, body composition, body types, anatomy, and kinesiology as they relate to maintaining healthy bodies-- to support their dancing and promote life-long wellness.