Principles of modern dance

by Janet McCallum

The Principles of modern dance were explained and illusstrated at a "lecture demonstration" given recently at training college.

Miss Annette Golding gave the lecture while a corps of students fell into the appropriate poses and patterns. Miss Golding. who trained in Dunedin and who has recently returned from a study tour in the United States, also gives classes in modern dance at the university gymnasium.

Dance seeks to communicate feeling and ideas. Miss Golding says. Given the structure of the human body, different kinds of movement—flexion, rotation, extension—are possible. These can be combined in patterns, and as well shades of feeling can be shown by using symmetrical or asymmetrical movements.

For example, a group arranged symmetrically looked complete, symbolising patience. Asymmetry in another group gave excitement, impatience.

Space, she says, is a dancer's field of action. To use it imaginatively a dancer has to (develop a kinaesthetic or muscle sense. Besides various forms of movement, the use of focus is an important aid in the expression of ideas. Rhythm, of course, is the basis of dance.

Here again, combinations of fast and slow rhythms and different beats were demonstrated in movement by the students.