Historical Dance Class

Historical Dance classes explore Renaissance Dance, Baroque Dance and Regency Dance and Beyond.The Renaissance classes will focus on John Playford's country dances and the Italian Court Dances of the 15th and 16th Century, recreated from the original manuscripts of the time.The Baroque classes will explore contredances, ballroom dances and theatrical dances created in the late 17th and early 18th centuries in England and Europe, recreated from the Beauchamp-Feuillet notations.Regency and Beyond classes will explore the popular ballroom dances such as Cotillons and Quadrilles from the late 18th and early 19th centuries, progressing on to dances of the Victorian era and through to 20th century dances such as The Charleston and Lindy Hop.Each class will begin with warm up exercises and technical sequences that will develop throughout the weeks to build strength and technical ability.

The second part of the class will then explore the choreographed and notated dances of the period focusing on poise and musicality as well as social interaction and enjoyment of the dances.