New month, new projects! We returned from our Thanksgiving break just in time to hear some exciting news. South Chicago Dance Theatre will partner with Quad City Arts. This past week we’ve spent capturing video footage of dance material in a variety of genres. As a dancer, it’s been exciting to revisit all of the styles we train in and put together an informational video providing an inside look on these techniques.

Dance is such an interesting art because there are so many facets. Generally, when the word “technique” is used, people resort to the idea of ballet technique – long lines, pointed feet, flexibility, and graceful arm movements and gestures. Ballet is but one kind of technique we as dancers need to be well-rounded. Jazz, modern, African, tap, hip-hop, breaking, ballroom – these styles all have their own unique technique, and not one looks just like the other. Even within each style there are multiple techniques. For instance, modern is its own genre but dancers can train in Horton technique, Graham technique, release technique, countertechnique, etc. It’s one of my favorite things about dance – you are NEVER done learning. There’s always a challenge and always more to learn and grow from.

This week, we as a company demonstrated various ballet barre exercises, a jazz warm-up and across the floor, a modern exercise and center combination, a West African dance, and a tap combination. In between each style, our own company member Imani Williams spoke of the genre and broke down it’s roots. It was so fun to watch him shine in a public speaking manner.

SCDT is so excited to share this video with Quad City Arts and educate students about dance and all of its techniques!