Modern Istructors: Kaylee Cahoon, Audry Goldtrap, Amanda McPeek

Modern technique, improvisation, and composition are taught in the style of modern dance pioneer Mary Wigman. Modern students must be at least 10 years old and take a weekly ballet class in addition to their modern class. It is referable that modern level 1 students be at a technical ballet level of 2-3 prior to beginning modern classes. 

The early modern levels focus on technique, skeletal awareness, use of both mechanical laws and laws of motion, movement qualities, improvisation and short composition studies, as well as the history of the modern dance pioneers.

The higher levels explore release technique, contact improvisation, post modern movement, and composition. Modern level 3 students must complete a solo composition over the course of the school year. Modern level 4 students choreograph and produce their own group dances, which are performed by FSPA students in our winter concert at the Blair School of Music’s Ingram Hall each January. Through the creative process, the level 4 students also learn about lighting and costume design. Level 4 modern often has live accompaniment for their technique classes.