4-8-09_Pearlann Porter_Contemporary Jazz_GRW4

4-8-09_Pearlann Porter_Contemporary Jazz_GRW4

There were several different concepts getting flown around this class including staccato movements; the flowing of movement between staccato movements; and choosing where those movements would be punctuated. The punctuation was discussed as whether the movement was accenting the beat itself as in right on it, the light side of the beat, or the shadow of the beat. It's pretty cool stuff.

We also discussed initiation of the movement whether that starts in your foot vs. head etc. and how that can effect the transition between the end points.

So here are some photos I shot:

3-25-09_Pearlann Porter_Modern Jazz_GRW4

3-25-09_Pearlann Porter_Modern Jazz_GRW4

This was a really cool class that was sort of open forum, philosophizing about dance, art etc. PJ Roduta (An awesome drummer/ accompanist) talked about him trying out to be a blueman and getting through 3 rounds of elimination but in (I think) the last round he was just too short. He talked all about how they act with their mannerisms etc. which I thought was rather interesting. Then dancers would get up out of the circle and just express themselves through dance. Pearlann even had PJ and I dance for a minute.

Also I work a bit with Pearlann's Dance company called "The Pillow Project" you can check them out here: http://www.pillowproject.org