| Aspects
of Classical Greek Dance
The
first installment in a series that takes a look at the
versatility of Classical Greek Dance
The
Classical Greek Dance Faculty is currently running a
series of courses titled Aspects of Classical Greek
Dance, our aim being to show how versatile and valuable
our technique is. To coincide with these courses, over
the next few editions we will be talking a bit about
the seven styles that make up Classical Greek Dance.
Students
of Classical Greek Dance are, over time, working alongside
a structured programme of technical exercises designed
to build flexibility and strength introduced to different
styles of movement that demand an understanding of the
use of dynamics and rhythm. This ultimately results
in dancers capable of a range of movement qualities.
Lyrical
The
first of these qualities we call lyrical dance. Lyrical
dance uses simple steps based on walking, running and
skipping. The definition of the word lyric is something
“having a song-like quality”. Therefore
this style aims to train fluidity of movement and an
understanding of musicality, encouraging the dancer
to float on top of the music in the same way as the
words of song or a hymn. Exercises for the body ensure
that the dancer develops mobility in the spine and the
core strength to control movement. Co-ordination is
developed through combinations of skips and runs, and
an understanding and appreciation of line is developed
through the eight frieze lines. Lyrical dance can be
enhanced by the use of scarves, ribbons and ballwork,
to develop creativity and dramatic expression.
One
of the most identifiable features of Classical Greek
Dance is the arm designs and the skip lines. As students
progress through the syllabus they are introduced to
arm designs that become more complex, and therefore
build an understanding and capacity for line and design.
Arm designs and skip lines can be adapted to suit any
particular dance quality and provide endless possibilities
for variation.
Athletic
Skip
lines also feature heavily in the athletic style, where
power of execution and elevation is necessary to convey
the spirit of athleticism. A stronger posture and a
more defined line are also essential. Athletic dance
is so named because many of the positions that make
up the style are derived from the competitions that
comprised the Ancient Olympic Games, such as the javelin,
the discus and archery, where athleticism and agility
are important attributes. The syllabus contains exercises
to develop strength in the feet and legs to produce
dancers with a powerful elevation and a purposeful movement
quality. Athletic dance teaches dancers how to jump
and how to travel and encourages a direct use of eye
line. The 13 Angles further develop line and design. |
