Dance Techniques 2010 – Tanzplan Germany
Ingo Diehl (Project Director), Dr. Friederike Lampert (Research Assistant)
Rotterdamse Danceacademie Codart
The research team at the Rotterdamse Danceacademie Codart comprised Anouk van Dijk, workshop leader // Prof. Dr. Gerald Siegmund, dance studies expert // Nina Wollny, assistant // Jerry Remkes, consultant, and students from all years of the BA course in dance.
Anouk van Dijk: Countertechnique
“Countertechnique” is the name give to the dance technique developed by Anouk van Dijk over the last ten years. This technique is being increasingly integrated into contemporary dance training programmes and is being used by professional dance companies in particular. Van Dijk is currently looking at how Countertechnique can be integrated into the training curriculum at the Rotterdam Dance Academy. Van Dijk trained at the Rotterdam Dance Academy and then performed as a soloist for companies such as the Rotterdam Dance Group and Amanda Miller’s Pretty Ugly Dance Company. She has been creating her own choreographies since 1996 and running her own dance company, which performs her work worldwide, since 1998.
The workshops took place from 4-29 January 2010. The DVD was filmed from 18-20 January 2010.
Quote from Matt Bade from the student discussion that took place on 18 January 2010:
“I have to admit, that this is the first class in which I can actually connect the mental work to the physicality. It’s so clear what you have to do. And when you’re doing it, you feel it; you feel the stability you gain. I’ve never before been able to stand in first position and move my neck. It’s just a really clear connection between the thoughts and the movements. And the best part of it is, that the atmosphere is nice in the class. It’s not about judging. But it’s really about helping. And giving the information in order to make you more free in your learning process.”