Dance Techniques 2010 – Tanzplan Germany
Ingo Diehl (Project Director), Dr. Friederike Lampert (Research Assistant)
Palucca Schule Dresden - Hochschule für Tanz
The research team at the Palucca School Dresden - University of Dance comprised Alan Danielson, workshop leader // Dr. Maren Witte, dance studies expert // Prof. Jason Beechey, rector of the Palucca School // Prof. José Biondi, Professor of Modern Dance, and students in years three and four of the Dance (BA) course.
Alan Danielson in the Humphrey-Limón tradition
The Humphrey-Limón tradition is one of the most important trends in modern dance for conveying technique. Alan Danielson, the director of the Limón Institute in New York, bases his teaching methods on this tradition. Danielson holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance and a Bachelor of Music degree in Choral Conducting. In addition to his choreographic work for his own company, as well as various musical activities, Daniel has been a teacher for several decades, including at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center and the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University.
The workshops were held from 23 November to 4 December 2009 and from 11-15 January 2010. The DVD was filmed on 14 and 15 January 2010.
Quote from Maria Nitsche from the student discussion that took place on 14 January 2010:
“Because of his musical background, Alan works a great deal with dynamics and rhythm. This supports the various ways the body works.”
Anna Fingerhuth said: “I think it’s great how Alan works with the voice. He is able to express the dynamics of the exercise 100% using his voice. That helped me a lot. He asks, for example: ‘Did you just hear how the pianist hit the keys? That is how it should feel in the leg.’ This approach establishes a concrete relationship with the idea of how the movement feels in the body.”