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Textbook for modern dance majors in pedagogy or methods courses and for graduate assistants in training to teach modern dance at the university or college level. Resource for professional modern dance teachers.
Jan Erkert is a dance artist, leader, and builder in contemporary dance. As artistic director of Jan Erkert & Dancers from 1979 to 2000, she presented her work throughout the United States as well as in Germany, Mexico, Taiwan, Japan, Uruguay, and Israel. Erkert has been honored with numerous choreographic awards from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Illinois Arts Council. Erkert also received a CalArts Alpert Award nomination, a Fulbright Award, and a Ruth Page Award for choreography and performance.
Erkert is currently a professor at the Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, where she teaches modern dance technique, pedagogy, anatomy, kinesiology, improvisation, and composition. She recently received the prestigious Excellence in Teaching Award from the college. She conducts training workshops at major dance departments to help faculty, teaching assistants, and dance majors learn how to teach modern dance more effectively. Erkert is known throughout the United States and internationally as a master teacher, inspiring people with her intense, honest approach that interweaves scientific principles with the artistic drive for excellence.
In her free time, Erkert likes to spend time outdoors hiking, swimming, gardening, bicycling, and traveling. She also enjoys sewing, cooking, and practicing Ashtanga yoga. Erkert and her husband, Bernt Lewy, live in Chicago.
Part I: Philosophy
Chapter 1. Dancing Roots: Technique
Technique - The Wisdom Of Ancestors - A Point of View - Reflection: Breath
Chapter 2. Flying Souls: Artistry
Doing and Undoing - Teaching the Real Truth - Odd Choices - Role of
Improvisation - Practice Solitude - Reflection: Play
Part II: Class Preparation
Chapter 3. Sculpting Dreams: Goal
Vision - Designing a Syllabus - Progression of Movement Skills - Principles and Strategies - Reconciling Individual Dreams With Class Goals - Evaluation - Reflection: Presence
Chapter 4. Centering Minds: Rituals
Rituals of Ancestors - Floor or Standing? - Repetition - A Labyrinth Toward Center - Special Classes - Reflection: Discipline
Chapter 5. Gathering Power: Conditioning
Resilience - Conditioning in Dance Practice - Strength - Flexibility - Muscular Endurance - Cardiorespiratory Endurance - New Dance Curricula - Reflection: Surrender
Chapter 6. Shaping Phrases: Dancing
Building Phrases - Spatial Intent - Energy - Musicality and Rhythm - Demonstrating - Reflection: Transitions
Chapter 7. Weaving Light: Sequencing
Sequencing Exercises - Designing a Class Template - Continuums - Reflection: Centering
Part III: Class Presentation
Chapter 8. Time Flowing: Pacing
Reading Tea Leaves - Flow - Art of Pacing - The Clock - Length of Class - Reflection: Stillness
Chapter 9. Body Listening: Corrections
Seeing and Sensing - Knowing Oneself - Reflexes - Alignment and Posture - Fixing or Guiding - Touching - Empowering Student Observation - Reflection: Connectivity
Chapter 10. Space Moving: Images
The Power of Images and Metaphors - Developing a Bag of Tricks - The Senses - Reflection: Balance
Chapter 11. Silence Sounding: Accompanists
Relationship Between Music and Dance - Movement and Music - Teachers and Accompanists - Students and Musicians - Reflection: Openness
Part IV: Professional Concerns
Chapter 12. Energy Talking: Communication
Bodymind - Resistance and Fear - Authorities of Bodymind - Love and Challenge - Counseling - Reflection: Patience
Chapter 13. Excellence Training: Health
Stress - Dangerous Obsessions - Injuries - Reflection: Nourishment
Chapter 14. Youth Spinning: Vitality
Bodymind - Mindbody - Spiritenergy - Reflection: Renewal
Appendices
Appendix A. The Dance Center of Columbia College Modern Dance Technique Syllabus
Appendix B. The Dance Center of Columbia College Level Placement Guide
Appendix C. Pre- and Post-Assessment in the Performing Arts
Appendix D. The Dance Center of Columbia College Course Evaluation-Student
Appendix E. The Dance Center of Columbia College Instructor Evaluation