Buffalo Contemporary Dance is opening a school for young people in modern dance. Eventually broadening their scope to include children, aged 5 to 19, they will begin their programming this fall with classes for young dancers aged 11 to 19. An intermediate class will also be offered for adults this fall, but scholarships are available for young dancers. The school will be led by the nurturing and artistically excellent Director, Leslie Wexler.
I couldn’t tell you there was one better thing my parents could have done for me than signing me up for dance classes at the age of four. My dance school became my second home in high school, where I choreographed, led classes, and learned to be a creative, thinking person. Dance also gave this shy person the ability to have presence on stage and in front of groups. Dance is an incredible tool for young people to establish a healthy self-esteem. If I had a daughter, I’d sign her up tomorrow! (Classes are, of course, open to men and boys as well.)
The BCD School of Modern Dance will provide quality instruction in modern dance unmatched in Western New York. The truth is, there is no other dance school for young people that focuses on modern dance.
Why Modern Dance?
Modern dance can open doors for these students that other forms of dance cannot. Having originated approximately a century ago, modern dance was born out of a rebellion against the constraints of ballet. For many modern dancers who studied ballet as children, coming upon the form was a revelation. In modern dance the possibilities for movement and combinations of movements are endless and unlimited.
Different from other dance forms, modern dance stimulates creativity by incorporating improvisation, or the spontaneous creation of movement, sometimes guided by the use of images, words, music, and props. Students at the BCD School of Modern Dance will have the opportunity to create their own choreography. This is something missing from the typical recital/competition oriented dance studio. Among other personal gains, dance making is an excellent tool for developing problem solving, leadership, and team skills.
Dance instruction will be offered in modern, improvisation, dance composition, ballet, Pilates and yoga. Students will have the opportunity to create their own choreography, working as a team with their fellow dancers. The program will include youth from all regions of the City of Buffalo and Western New York, offering a melting pot experience for participants. Scholarships will be offered to the majority of students. Classes will be held five days a week after school within the first year of programming.
Classes will begin the week of September 10 in Buffalo Contemporary Dance’s studio/theatre in the Great Arrow Building. For further information, contact School Director, Leslie Wexler at 884-2154 or 479-1205.
Photos by Shasti O'Leary Soudant