Dragonfly Dance

Have you ever wondered what contemporary dance actually is?
___________________________________
Most people have a vague idea of ballet, jazz or tap... but contemporary dance often feels a bit of a mystery.

Is it expressive? Yes.
Is it technical? Absolutely.
Is it about learning choreography? It can be.

But it's also about discovering a completely different way of moving.

In this article, I share eight things you might discover when you learn contemporary dance. From moving with greater flow and efficiency, to feeling more connected to your body, these are the reasons I fell in love with this incredible dance style.

If you've ever been curious about contemporary dance, I'd love you to have a read.

📖 Read the article here: https://www.dragonflydance.com.au/post/what-does-contemporary-dance-feel-like

And if it leaves you thinking, "I'd love to experience that," we'd love to welcome you to our Introduction to Contemporary Dance course, starting 5 August.

It's designed especially for adults with little or no previous experience and will guide you step by step through the foundations of contemporary dance.

🔗 Find out more about the course here:
https://www.dragonflydance.com.au/courses

New Repertoire Variation starts tonight ....

Giselle Act I Variation

This variation has a naive, innocent and playful quality. Giselle is in love with life and dance. She is full of trust, hope, and faith. Playful, yet shy and demure. The classic ingenue.

We'll be not just learning the dance from start to finish. Instead, we'll be working on the movement vocabulary required, the technique, the quality of movement, the acting and artistry.

If you dance at level 3 or above, then joining the repertoire class gives you chance to take the technique and steps you learn in class, and apply them to a variation where you can adapt the steps to suit your abilities, and infuse it meaning, expression, and character. That is what is means to truly dance ballet.

Below are links to several versions of the variation. The choreography is the same, but the are differences in arm lines, musicality, and expression. Different eras, different ballerinas, different companies.

The aim in studying a variation is not to replicate, but to interpret and reimagine, to make it your own, to show off your dancing (and acting).

Hence the several links - so you can see how different dancers have interpreted the dance and the character.

Which one is your favourite, and why?

Svetlana Zakharova, Bolshoi Ballet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwEXd55nCsM

Ysmine Yaghadi, Royal Ballet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoG5izkLe-Y

Sae Eun Park, Paris Opera Ballet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbZtaMQU22g

Carla Fracci
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRPzTc_CXPs

Marianela Nunez
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAh6fSrIQvI

Christine Walsh, Australian Ballet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_FnrOG389k

Have you always wanted to dance, but never known where to start?

We're launching three brand new short courses designed specifically for adults who want to learn from the beginning in a supportive environment where everyone starts together.

🩰 Silver Dragonflies Ballet (for mature adults), 6 weeks
🎷 Introduction to Jazz, 8 weeks
🌿 Introduction to Contemporary Dance, 8 weeks

✔ Starts Wednesday 5 August
✔ Early Bird discount until 29 July
✔ Dragonfly members receive 10% off

Taught be Dragonfly Dance founder, Jo McDonald.

Places are limited and each course requires minimum enrolments to proceed, so we'd encourage you to book early.

Learn more and reserve your place today
Visit www.dragonflydance.com.au/courses

We've just hit send on our July Newsletter.

If you are a Member or Subscriber, check your inbox to find out what's on at Dragonfly Dance this month.

Calling experienced adult tap dancers — a new home for experimentation and growth awaits at Dragonfly Dance.

Are your tap shoes gathering dust and judging you from the closet? Give them what they want. Our Level 4 class for experienced adult tappers is welcoming new dancers until 18 July.

Check out the blog post to read how teacher Krystal describes the class. Then visit our Getting Started page to find out what to do next.

Blog post: www.dragonflydance.com.au/post/a-place-for-experienced-adult-tap-dancers-to-experiment-and-grow

Getting started: https://www.dragonflydance.com.au/adult-dance-getting-started

A place for experienced adult tap dancers to experiment and grow A home for experience adult tap dancers at Dragonfly Dance

Our new term begins today (Monday 29 June), and we're welcoming new dancers for the next **three weeks only**.

If you've been thinking about trying dance, now is the perfect time to start.

At Dragonfly Dance, we believe dance is for every body. Whether you've never danced before, are returning after many years, or simply want to move, connect and try something new, you'll find a welcoming community here.

💙 Adult tap, ballet (including pointe), contemporary, and jazz
💙 Different classes to suit beginners through to advanced
💙 A supportive, non-judgemental environment
💙 Adults of all ages

Our new dancer intake closes on **Saturday 18 July**, so don't wait too long. After that, we'll be preparing for our next intake later in the year.

If starting or returning to dance has been on your "one day" list, maybe this is your sign.

We'd love to welcome you.

📍 Find out how to get started here
https://www.dragonflydance.com.au/adult-dance-getting-started