Contemporary Dance

The ability to express through the body by fusing modern dance, ballet, and postmodern traditions. Covers breath and release basics through improvisation, choreography creation, and the founding of a unique movement language.

Contemporary dance fuses the legacies of modern dance pioneers like Martha Graham and Merce Cunningham with ballet and postmodern dance. Release technique, floorwork, contact improvisation, and structured improvisation are its core methods, emphasizing emotional expression and physical exploration. This guide structures the artistic growth journey from personal practice to performance, choreography creation, company work, education, and ultimately the creation of an original movement language.

Culture & Liberal Arts

7 Levels

Published: Mar 7, 2026 · Updated: Mar 7, 2026 · v2

Levels

You are entering the world of contemporary dance for the first time. You begin practicing movement guided by conscious breathing and experience basic floorwork such as lying down, rolling, and sitting. You try body mapping to sense the weight and connectivity of each body part, and experience your first improvisation by moving freely in response to music or imagery. You become aware that contemporary dance encompasses diverse lineages including Graham, Cunningham, Limon, and Release-based approaches.

Can expand and contract the upper body in coordination with inhaling and exhaling while maintaining breath focus
Can perform at least 3 basic floorwork actions such as lying down, rolling, and sitting transitions
Can sustain isolated movement of individual body parts (arms, legs, spine) for 30 seconds or more
Can attempt free improvised movement in response to music or sound for at least 1 minute
Can distinguish and describe the 4 major contemporary dance lineages (Graham, Cunningham, Limon, Release) by name and characteristics
Can repeat and memorize a simple movement combination learned in class at least 3 times

References

Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD)Competency Framework

Defines a 3-level vocational progression (Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced 1) covering floorwork, improvisation, and choreography. Ofqual-accredited qualifications provide objective benchmarks for level boundary design.

ISTD Contemporary Dance Syllabus

Contemporary Dance

Levels

Level 1#BreathAwareness#FloorBasics#BodyMapping#FirstImprovisationTaking first steps into contemporary dance through breath awareness and body sensing. Getting comfortable on the floor and beginning to explore free movement.

Level 2#ReleaseTechnique#WeightShift#SpatialAwareness#PartneringLearning the principles of release technique and weight transfer, and beginning to move with awareness of space and a partner.

Level 3#FloorworkFlow#ContactImprov#MusicInterpretation#RepertoryCreating flow in floorwork, learning contact improvisation basics, and interpreting music through movement. Independently managing standard class material.

Level 4#LabanEffort#DynamicRange#SiteSpecific#CompanyAuditionApplying Laban effort qualities to diversify movement texture, and handling complex choreography and unconventional spaces with contextual judgment.

Level 5#Choreography#Mentoring#FestivalPerformance#PedagogyCreating original choreography, mentoring dancers, and presenting work at festivals or performances. Extending influence beyond personal practice to teams and audiences.

Level 6#ArtisticDirection#Residency#CrossDiscipline#CriticalVoiceSetting artistic direction for a company, engaging in international residencies, and influencing the contemporary dance ecosystem through cross-disciplinary work and critical discourse.

Level 7#MovementLanguage#ArtisticLegacy#GenerationalInfluenceCreating an original movement language, contributing to the history of contemporary dance, and leaving a generational impact on future dancers and choreographers.

References