Best schools of dance

by Elizaveta Chebotareva
(Moscow, Russia)

Hi,
I need a list of 5-10 best schools of contemporary dance in the world for an article. We are making an education project and need a professional advice.

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Best schools of dance

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Jun 04, 2011
 Answer from Maria
by: Maria

Dear Elizaveta,

You know contemporary dance is nowadays a heterogeneous art. You might find companies that have completely different artistic proposals which might be sometimes even contradictory. And the same thing can happen with the schools, as contemporary dance is approached in such different ways.

Therefore, comparing schools as being better or worse might not be so useful, because before that you need to know what type of contemporary dance you are interested in. For example, you might feel more attracted towards an experimental work related to visual arts, a new trend rooted in a modern dance style or a specific method which uses young techniques like flying low or contact improvisation.

There are different approaches and normally each school makes its own emphasis, depending on its conditions: teachers, local trends and so forth.

So, I will propose you a list of renowned places where someone could study contemporary dance, but it is up to each person to decide if the place fits her/his interests or needs.

In our directory, you will find a lot of contemporary dance schools and companies world wide, with links to visit their websites and understand what kind of insight of contemporary dance they have. I suggest considering the companies as much as the schools, because they also teach and studying with professionals is a great way to learn particular aspects of specific artistic works.

Here are the links to those pages in our contemporary dance directory:

Contemporary Dance Schools

Contemporary Dance Companies

So, here's a list of renowned places to learn contemporary dance:

- P.A.R.T.S. (Belgium)

- David Zambrano (Holland)

- The Place (U.K.)

- Folkwang Universität der Künste (Germany)

- The Juilliard School (U.S.A.)

- Conservatori Superior de Dansa (CSD). Institut del Teatre. (Spain)

- Trisha Brown Dance Company (U.S.A.)

- In France, there are the so called 'choreographic centers' (one for each region), where there are always educational programs by all of the most renowned French choreographers.

I hope this is useful as a first guideline. If you wish me to help you with identifying the specific approaches of some important companies, just let me know.

Wishing you the best,

Maria
Jun 05, 2012
 where in the world rank is Martha Graham school
by: Maija Rutkovska

Hi,

I would like to know about where in the world rank is Martha Graham school of contemporary dance?

Thank you.
Sincerely,
Maya
Jun 05, 2012
 Reply for Maya
by: Maria

Dear Maya,

As far as I know, there's no such thing as a world rank of contemporary dance schools. Please read my answer above to understand better.

The Martha Graham School is famous and has a great reputation. However, Graham's technique is considered to be a modern style and not a contemporary or postmodern type of dance. But I guess there are contemporary dance classes there anyway.

All the best,

Maria

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