THE EARLY DANCE CONSORT ~ Renaissance & Baroque Dance

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2019 Summer Course in Early Dance

EDC Home | Summer 2019 | Details | Brochure | Enrolment

EDC Summer Course 2019 

2019 Summer Course in Early Dance
January 9-11 (Wednesday to Friday) in North Sydney

In 2019 we celebrate our 10th Summer Course, first held in 2010. New and returning students are invited to explore and enjoy a selection of dances from the Renaissance, Baroque, and 18th Century eras, in all their elegance and vigour. They can tell us much about society, fashion, and music of the past, and provide a context for more recent dance forms, all part of the universal human desire to express joy through music and movement.

Dancing serves many purposes: courtship, social inclusion, aristocratic ostentation and communal celebration. Noble dance provided physical and mental exercise for those with the leisure to pursue it, and dance lessons were essential in cultivating the manners & deportment expected at court & in society.

Research in health sciences is now helping us to rediscover the benefits of dance, while scholarship over the past half-century has brought a renaissance in early music and dance performance. New generations are free to enjoy the pleasures of the aristocratic ballroom— once the preserve of the fortunate few.

Course details

Renaissance sessions sample court dances in use in the 16th & early 17th centuries. Ranging from graciously elegant to exuberantly lively, there will be French Pavanes, Branles, Galliards & an Italian Balletto.

Baroque sessions will focus on the noble French baroque style & technique of the late 17th and early 18th century, featuring the Minuet, Gavotte and taste of Chaconne..

18th Century sessions will explore courtly & popular styles in country & contredanse forms favoured at assemblies around Europe in the classical & early Romantic eras.

Participants may choose to do all sessions, or focus on one or two eras. Those new to early dance are urged to attend the Wednesday sessions to learn steps used to build up our chosen dances over the three days.

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

Daily Schedule

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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.    Google Map


What to wear
Light comfortable clothes, and secure shoes without rubber soles.
Flat shoes for Renaissance (e.g. ballet flats, jazz shoes or lightweight street shoes).
Heeled shoes for Baroque (small heels 1-4cm high) with straps or laces recommended.
See What to wear for classes for more information.

To eat
Light refreshments will be provided for morning tea. Please bring water to drink. If staying for the day be prepared to bring/buy lunch (shops and cafes nearby).

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Enrolment
Please print and complete an enrolment form & return by email/post, include the required information in an email.  Payment is by cheque, direct deposit (bank details on enrolment form), or cash. Early-bird rates available to December 21. Do get in touch by phone or email if you have any questions.

Summer Course Fees 2019 

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EDC Home | Summer 2019 | Details | Brochure | Enrolment