Contemporary dance emerged as a form of rebellion against the strict rules of ballet. It focuses on the personal interpretation of the dancer and not on specifically structured steps like in ballet.
The contemporary dancers reject the limitations imposed by classical ballet and, on the contrary, favor movements arising from their internal emotions. Contemporary dance opposes to the strictly structured ballet technique, costumes and shoes and for this reason, dancers of this style execute movements more freely, wear clothes that express themselves and often dance barefoot.
The basic features of dance are freedom and intense expressiveness characterizing the movements of dancers. Another important feature of contemporary dance which distinguishes it from the ballet is the intentional use of gravity. Unlike ballet dancers who are trying to continuously seem to be comfortable and gentle standing on their toes, contemporary dancers use their body weight to enhance movements while the choreographies often include “falls” and figures on the floor.
The ISTD contemporary dance allows dancers to move freely without laying down rules and restrictions and for this reason, it constitutes the absolutely free expression of every dancer and is one of the most dominant genres of dance worldwide.
The system of the Contemporary Dance Association (CDA) provides the first contemporary dance program which is available to dance schools in the country. This program of studies enables teachers to focus on the benefits, value and enjoyment of contemporary dance while it allows students to study a dance genre compared to any other genre. The CDA has a program of studies which is specially designed in accordance with techniques of Graham and Cunningham.
The diplomas awarded following examinations are globally recognized.
