Classes, Workshops, and Certification

The Isadora Duncan Dance Foundation specializes in the dance technique and repertory of Isadora Duncan with ongoing technique classes, Intensive Workshops, certification in Basic and Advanced Studies, and apprenticeship programs with The Isadora Duncan Dance Company.

Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Company Class levels offered.

About Our Classes
Classes begin with a series of Duncan movements that expand upward and outward from the chest to flow through the entire body. Imagine the beauty of children moving with freedom and grace. Now, imagine adults as well, their innate movement inclinations sculpted and unified by a master teacher. Therein lies the beauty of the Isadora Duncan technique. The Isadora Duncan dance technique, as taught by world-renowned Duncan authorities Lori Belilove and her Company, is a beautiful, free-flowing art form perfect for all ages. The classes include dance phrases from the original repertory of Isadora Duncan, studies in dramatic themes and gestures, improvisation, and basic vocabulary. At the barre students learn Duncan leg swings, plies, and fluid body circles. The strongest focus of the class is on the dancing, learning to run, slide, skip, double-skip, polka, waltz, the high lift and flying jumps and leaps within the Duncan aesthetic. Most importantly, in contrast to the awkward, straining and injury prone rigidity found in other forms of training, anyone can experience Isadora’s timeless art.

The class is also an introduction to the living legacy of Duncan’s repertoire. Dances covered range from “The Early Years” (Schubert Waltzes and Chopin Mazurkas) to the “Heroic and Monumental Works” inspired by Greek Mythology. The repertory portion of the class includes an historical overview of the life and times of Isadora’s creative years, her schools and the contemporary and ancient art world of painting, sculpture, mythology, poetry and music that inspired her.

Apprenticeships, Scholarships, Company Memberships and Work Study
Invitation to these programs is by audition only. Open level classes are offered to familiarize dancers with the technique. Dancers interested in training or dancing with the Company should audition by taking class. To audition, call for an appointment and please bring a bio/photo resume.

Apprentice Dancer
Apprentices train with the Company and attend rehearsals by invitation of the directors. There are two categories of apprentices.

Partial Scholarship Apprentice
With a partial scholarship, dancers pay a reduced rate for all classes.

Full Scholarship Apprentice
Apprentices train and rehearse with the Company and have the opportunity to participate in performances.

Company Dancer
Company Members attend all rehearsals and Company level classes. Membership is by invitation of Artistic Director Lori Belilove and includes ongoing performing with the Company for tours and home seasons.

Work Study
Students work in the Foundation office in exchange for classes.

Certification Program
Lori Belilove, founder and Artistic Director of the Isadora Duncan Dance Foundation, has developed a program for the study of the dance of Isadora Duncan, which encompasses a large body of interdisciplinary studies. Duncan was an innovator in the field of dance, revolutionizing the concept worldwide of what it means to be a dancer. She was the first to articulate the need for dancers to educate themselves, to be broad thinkers, to study history and question the norm.

The Isadora Duncan Dance Foundation is now offering certification in the Dance of Isadora Duncan. There are two levels to the program:

Basic Certification
Prepares dancers to teach children and non-professional adults.

Advanced Studies Certification
Prepares dancers with ample knowledge to teach and perform selected repertory.

The incentive for offering the Certification Program is to establish studies in Duncan’s work for the purposes of teaching and, in some cases, performing. Designed as a 2- and 4-year program, the aim is to give students an opportunity to study and be recognized for such work. The program is designed so that those who have completed the Basic or Advanced Level Certification Program will maintain an on-going relationship with artistic director, Lori Belilove, the Isadora Duncan Dance Foundation and members of The Isadora Duncan Dance Company. Candidates and Certified dancers may be invited to teach at the Duncan Foundation and affiliate programs in participating schools. Students who have completed the Advanced Studies program may have opportunities to teach or perform, on a referral basis, at other dance schools and institutions requesting Duncan Dance.

Upon completion of approximately half the required classes, candidates can move into the Mentoring Program. Students will be assigned a mentor to outline their final project to be completed within six months. In establishing the project, students will work with their mentor to focus on their interests and create a working relationship, which may include practice teaching sessions and/or coaching for performance, depending on the project. Mentors will be drawn from the teaching faculty of the Foundation and senior members of Lori Belilove's Isadora Duncan Dance Company.

Information
For more information and to receive a list of requirements for completion, contact the Foundation at
212-691-5040 or info@isadoraduncan.org