contemporary: world class, pre-professional training

Through participation in MSA’s Contemporary and Modern programs, students will:

  • Study dance as a leisure and / or vocational activity.
  • Explore movement originating from the spine/torso, with unpredictable changes in rhythm, tempo, and intensity.
  • Experience a technical and artistic framework, age-appropriately devised, taking into consideration their physical, cognitive and emotional development, which challenges students and measures the technical, musical and performance skills.
  • Experience expressive and powerful dance movements to a variety of music.

Contemporary 1
Must be concurrently enrolled in Ballet 3+
Course Completion: Generally 1-2 years
Description: An introductory class. It focuses primarily on differing movement dynamics and smooth transitions from standing to floor work and back.  Students will be given the opportunity to perform in the Spring Production.
Class Length: 1 hour

Contemporary 2
By Placement
Course Completion: Generally 1-2 years
Description: This class incorporates more movement initiated by the spine than in a Classical Ballet class. It builds on fundamental movement dynamics and smooth transitions from standing to floor work and back. The concept of the “head and tail connection” is also introduced at this level. Students will be given the opportunity to perform in the Spring Production.
Class Length: 1 hour

Contemporary 3  
By Placement
Course Completion: Generally 2-3 years
Description: This class incorporates more movement initiated by the spine than in a Classical Ballet class. Students continue to develop awareness of differing movement dynamics and smooth transitions from standing to floor work and back. Floor work will be more complex, and incorporate upper body and core strength. The concept of the “head and tail connection” is further explored at this level. Students will be given the opportunity to perform in the Spring Production.
Class Length: 1 hour

Contemporary 4    
By Placement
Course Completion: Generally 2-3 years
Description: This class builds upon the students’ strong center and understanding of spinal movement. Floor work begins to incorporate more complex inversions that require strong upper body and core. Combinations, both across the floor and in center, will involve challenging jumps and turns that initiate from the spine and throw the body off center. Students will be given the opportunity to perform in the Spring Production.
Class Length: 1 hour

Contemporary 5     
By Placement
Course Completion: Generally 2-3 years
Description: This class builds upon the students’ strong center, understanding of spinal movement, and ability to transition to and from the floor. Combinations incorporate challenging jumps and turns with intricate choreography and footwork. Dancers are challenged to use their core and demonstrate control and transitions as the speed of movement increases. Students will be given the opportunity to perform in the Spring Production.
Class Length: 1 hour 15 mins

Contemporary 6        
By Placement
Course Completion: Generally 2-3 years
Description: This class builds upon the students’ strong center, understanding of spinal movement, and ability to transition to and from the floor. Combinations incorporate challenging jumps and turns with intricate choreography, footwork, and weight shifts. Dancers are challenged to use their core and demonstrate control and transitions as the speed of movement increases. This course is taught to dancers who are preparing to transition to the college and professional arenas, and who will be expected to dance at the highest level, both physically and mentally. Their work should be very expressive and demonstrate a mature understanding of how to communicate with an audience. Students will be given the opportunity to perform in the Winter Concert and the Spring Production.
Class Length: 1 hour 30 mins