Teaching

Contemporary Technique Class

The floor work- based contemporary dance class I teach is strongly influenced by release technique, flying low and contact improvisation. The class begins with variations of bodywork and movement improvisation then gradually build in intensity and complexity as we progress from moving close to the floor to more upright and upside down movement patterns. Through explorations of our anatomical structure and sequential movements we will work with gravity as an initiating force for dancing as we play with pushing, pulling, falling and spirals in different patterns and combinations.

My approach to dance-technique is as a method for investigation/exploration. I’m curious about movement in internal and external structures, playfully activating the senses to engage with gravity, force, our internal structure, space, time and rhythm. As a body-mind incorporated practice working with principles rather then steps and sensations before shapes the practice encourages a deeper understanding of the body and the being in relation to the surrounding environment and its endless possibilities of movement.

As a dance artist teaching and learning is a big part of my practice, the exchange that takes place in a class or workshop is something I highly treasure as a place for experimentation, discovery and challenge of the body- mind -being.

“Your whole body, from wingtip to wingtip," Jonathan would say, other times, "is nothing more than your thought itself, in a form you can see. Break the chains of your thought, and you break the chains of your body, too.”
― Richard Bach, Jonathan Livingston Seagull

More details about the different classes and workshops I teach below.

Yoga

I teach mostly in the Ashtanga-Vinyasa style but with influences from other forms. I've practiced yoga for 10 years and it has been a huge influence on my movement and performance practice.

For me yoga is a practice that can fulfill a wide range of needs and purposes, as a complimentary practice to dance training, part of injury rehabilitation or as a more spiritual practice.

I've taught yoga in various different contexts to a wide range of people from university students, to warehouse workers, dance companies and backpackers.

Improvisation / Composition

Improvisation is at the very core of my art practice and it is a form that continues to excite and challenge me as a mover and thinker.

When teaching improvisation I either focus on one particular improvisation practice or do a more general open form of

improvisation mixing different approaches. For me improvisation can be divided into the following practices:

* Improvisation as a performative practice.

* Improvisation as a tool for creating movement phrases.

* Improvisation as a compositional practice for groups.

* Improvisation as body conditioning/discovery.

Cross Art Improvisation / Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Facilitating Cross Art Improvisation or teaching Interdisciplinary Collaboration is a very exciting and highly changeable operation depending on the participants and the context.

My previous and current experiences include:

From Oct 2012- June 2013 I facilitated a monthly Cross Art Improvisation Lab in Falmouth, UK. This project grew out of a desire to expand my own improvisational skills beyond dance and movement and to create a space where art practitioners from different disciplines could meet and experiment and improvise together. The lab included drawing, writing, dancing, singing, video projection, music, story telling and more.

During the spring of 2014 I worked as a Teaching Assistant for Henry Daniels Interdisciplinary collaboration composition course at Simon Fraser University, CA. This included facilitating a range of exercises that would warm up and prepare a large group of students from different disciplines to work together on interdisciplinary creative projects.

In the fall of 2014 I was a Research Assistant for Rob Kitsos and his Mapping Collaboration project at Simon Fraser University. This involved gathering documentation and supporting material for staff and students who work with Interdisciplinary collaboration courses.

Some of the places and companies I've taught at:

Modus Operandi, 4-year training program (CA)

Vancouver Training Society, Professional Class (CA)

Simon Fraser University, BA Dance (CA)

Falmouth University, BA Dance/Choreography (UK)

Cornwall Youth Dance Company (UK)

TR14ers Hip Hop Youth Company (UK)

Daghdha Dance Company, Professional Class (IE)

Fröjdans, Professional Class (SE)

Kävesta College, BA Dance (SE)

SEAD, Youth Program (AT)

It is exactly the kind of training that I crave and the thoroughness of Emmalena's pedagogy is wonderful.

- Jane Osborne, Dance Artist