Learn the basics of contemporary dance in a safe, fun, and nurturing environment.

Classes are taught by award-winning choreographer Bonnie Curtis

This class is an interactive live-stream of our face-to-face classes.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

  • People who have never taken a contemporary class.
  • Dancers who would like to refine their technique.
  • People who want to dance from the convenience of their homes.

HOW TO GET STARTED

  • Try 1 class first
  • Speak to an instructor first, click here to book a free call
  • Obtain feedback on your first class
Book Now

WHAT IS CONTEMPORARY DANCE?

Its origins began with the rise of Modern Dance in the late 19th Century.
Modern Dance started as a rebellion against the constraints of ballet. Pioneered by Isadora Duncan, who danced with bare feet, loose hair, and free-flowing costumes, in complete contrast to Classical Ballet. Contemporary Dance began in the Mid-20th Century and incorporates elements from many styles of dance.

The technique of Contemporary Dance focuses on movements stemming from the torso, the use of breath to initiate movement, movements on the floor, and somatic practices to create a mind-body approach to movement.

In contrast to the symmetry and turnout used in Ballet, Contemporary Dance uses turned in and asymmetrical shapes and movements. Made famous by Pina Bausch, Anna Teresa De Keersmaeker, Rafael Bonachella, Crystal Pite, Ohad Naharin, William Forsythe, Alexander Ekman, and Merce Cunningham, among many others.

I am really enjoying Bonnie’s Contemporary Dance for Adults on Mondays. I had never done contemporary dance before and I have been surprised by how much I have enjoyed it. I am enrolling again for the next six-week session.

Robyn, 48, BCP Dance Student

I originally booked Bonnie’s dance classes so I could get out of the house and meet people as I work exclusively from home for myself. I continue to book Bonnie’s classes because I have friends in the class now, and I am not as terrible at it as I thought I would be, and I can see that I am improving.

BCP Dance Student

The classes are pitched at just the right level for me, manageable but challenging.

BCP Dance Student

I like that there are adults only and I get lots of corrections.

BCP Dance Student

I wanted to do something creative outside my normal creativity (furniture making) to become more creative. I continue dancing because I love it. It keeps me fit and I love chatting with others.

Ian, 51, BCP Dance Student

I enjoyed the freedom to flow.

BCP Dance Student

I enjoyed learning new ways to move my body.

Suzie, BCP Dance Student

I love not learning dances solely for the purpose of an end of year concert

Kelsey, 25, BCP Dance Student

Robyn’s Story

I originally booked Bonnie’s dance classes so I could get out of the house and meet people as I work exclusively from home for myself. I also wanted to get some exercise and I knew that I would enjoy dancing. I don’t have enough Lorna Jane gear to go to a gym in Bowral. The classes originally interested me because they were day time when the kids are at school and for adults only.

I continue to get books because I have friends in the class now, and I am not as terrible at it as I thought I would be, and I can see that I am improving.
I keep going because I want to improve, especially in contemporary and ballet.
The classes are pitched at just the right level for me, manageable but challenging.

I also like having the videos so I can practice the dances or go back over something I didn’t get during class.nI don’t have a lot of adult dance class experience. I learned Highland Dancing as a child and danced competitively so I am used to small classes and getting lots of corrections. I did Highland dancing classes as an adult but I was the only adult in a class of children and didn’t get many corrections.

In other classes I have tried, I enjoyed the warm-ups and exercises but often struggled with picking up the choreographed piece at the end of each class. It was a bit fast and there were no corrections given to the students. The classes were also large and it was difficult to see and hear the teacher.

Bonnie’s classes are different. I like that there are only adults and I get lots of corrections. I like that we learn a dance and work on improving it over the 6-week session.

Learning a dance over 6 weeks gives me great incentive to not miss a session.

Robyn, 48, BCP Online and Face-to-Face Student