Guest Artist Reflection: Lora Allen & A Newfound Looseness
On Friday, February 7, Miss Lora Allen graced us with her
Modern dance presence, swinging limbs and teaching improvisation through a two hour
class. Wow, did the junior company learn a lot! The girls were given an opportunity
to play with the momentum of their bodies through group exercises and
partnering. In duos, they alternated roles of initiator and mover. The
initiator would creatively tap, push, or shove a part of her partner’s, allowing
the mover to follow the momentum of the contact. Not only did they learn to
communicate through touch, but the creative juices began flowing and new ways
of moving were explored. They busted out of their regular studio routine of
technique. Here’s a little taste of what our young dancers learned and enjoyed
on such a cold winter’s night.
“I really liked in the beginning when we did the partner
thing because it really let someone else control me and my movements. The
combination helped me let go of myself.” – Hailey G.
“Very different. We
did a lot of stuff that we wouldn’t do at our original studios, like the
combinations.” –Erin M.
“I thought it was very fun and outgoing. There were things I
don’t usually do.” – Sarah C.
“I liked in the combination how you could let yourself out
and not keep your whole body in.” – Abigail M.
“When we did the
partner stuff, it gave us an opportunity to trust more people.” – Jess W.
“I thought it was
looser than what we have to do in the studio that I go to.” – Julia H.
“I like when we went
across the floor when we were in partners and pushed each other.” – Alexa F.
“I thought we did
different body movements. It was awkward, like pushing the other person. I
thought it was a trust thing.” – Emeral N.
“I liked the routine
at the end. I liked that it was different.” - Cashmere
“I thought it was fun because it was loose and not as
stiff.” – Katie M.
“I thought it was
very helpful because I learned a lot and really got to learn to push through
the ball of my foot.” – Ariana G.
“I thought it was
really fun. The combinations and the special slapping thingy.” – Maddie A.
