THE EARLY DANCE CONSORT ~ Renaissance & Baroque Dance

Home | About | News | Past | Classes | Links | Blog | Contact

2023 Summer Course in Early Dance

EDC Home | Summer 2023 | Details | Brochure | Enrolment

EDC Summer Course 4-6 January, 2023

2023 Summer Course in Early Dance - Back to baroque 
January 4-6 (Wed to Fri)
in North Sydney

Welcome to “Back to Baroque” for 2023, our 13th Summer Course. Last year’s course focus on baroque dance proved popular with students with dance & musical backgrounds, being both  technically challenging & musically rewarding. Building steps & dance sequences over three days helps to smooth the learning curve for newcomers while giving experienced students an opportunity to refine technique and work on arm movements.
Baroque dance
,
or La belle danse, is both graceful and disciplined, being the precursor to classical ballet. This period from late 17th to early 18th Century is unique in European dance history in leaving us detailed notation of the music, steps and figures of many dances for the stage & court ballroom.
The course presents an opportunity to explore and develop a practical understanding of this dance repertoire, & to feel its precise rhythms & accents through physical practice.
As we don’t know just what COVID-19 has in  store for us, Baroque dance lends itself to such health requirements as distancing. Most choreographies are for couples, with little or no physical contact, or solos (dances of earlier eras often need sets or ensembles).

Venue 181 Blues Point Road, North Sydney.
From North Sydney Train/Bus Station: turn left on Blue Street, 1st left into Blues Point Road. Short walk south down hill to Hall on left-hand-side just before Lavender Street.

Course details  (+ Brochure & Enrolment form)

Mask-ready, 18th century styleMorning A sessions will introduce the basics of Baroque dance style: the deportment and characteristic movements  which distinguish it from other styles, exploring a range of steps and their precise relationship to the musically pervasive baroque rhythms from Bourrée and Gavotte to Minuet, Sarabande and Gigue.

Morning B sessions will focus on dance  sequences, developing steps & figures, building towards one or more dances.

Afternoon C sessions will extend B to more complex steps, subtleties of hand & arm movements, to further an appreciation of the precision and delicacy of the Belle Danse. Plus exploration of the dance notation known as chorégraphie, which is key to discovering the treasures of this unique dance repertoire.

* For greatest benefit, we recommend beginning on Wednesday, & choosing between:-
* full course (9 sessions over the 3 days) or
* Wednesday only (3 sessions) or
* Consecutive A, or A + B from Wednesday

Requirements: No previous dance experience required, nor do you need to bring a partner.

COVID-19 The course will run subject to NSW Health guidelines. For the safety of all, we urge you to

* be fully vaccinated and boosted
* stay home and get a test if unwell
* maintain distancing and hand hygiene
* wear a mask when possible.

Daily Schedule - 2023 Summer Course in early dance We're COVID-Safe

top

Venue 181 Blues Point Road, North Sydney. From North Sydney Train/Bus Station: turn left on Blue Street, 1st left into Blues Point Road. A Short walk south down hill to Hall on left-hand-side just before Lavender Street.    Google Map


What to wear
Light comfortable clothes, and secure shoes without rubber soles.
Flat, light shoes for warm-ups (e.g. ballet flats, jiffies).
Low-heeled shoes (1-4cm) for Baroque dance (e.g. Grecian sandals, or Jazz shoes for both)
See What to wear for classes for more information.

To eat & drink
Light refreshments will be provided for morning tea.
Bring water to drink, and pack/buy lunch if staying for the day.

top

Enrolment
Please complete enrolment form and return by email/post. Prior booking is essential.
Preferred payment is by direct deposit (bank details on enrolment form).
Otherwise cheque or exact cash in envelope.
Early-bird rates available until December 19.
Do get in touch by phone or email if you have any questions, and you can't find the answers here.

Fees for 2023 Summer Course in Early Dance

top

EDC Home | Summer 2023 | Details | Brochure | Enrolment