Modern IV

Nicole Wolcott
photo by Matthew Murphy

This vigorous class combines the virtuosity of classical technique and the release of post-modern dance with Wolcott’s own dramatic idiosyncrasies. The result is a quirky but highly athletic aesthetic, that one student describes as, “Punk rock/release-based modern dance.” Each class will focus on teaching the mind and body to work smarter, not harder by placing emphasis on sensation rather than position. This approach encourages relaxation in proper alignment, core support, technical soundness, and harnessing the imagination to open up to our own passion for movement. By rigorously exploring the physics of body weight in drops, catches, and turns, students may develop a technique that is both dynamic and nuanced. Most importantly, dancers are asked to connect to the J.O.D. (Joy of Dance); let go of judgment, invite in curiosity and keep a sense of humor. Material for this class is drawn from various techniques, styles and ideas including Limon, gaga, hip hop, ballet and pop culture.

Nicole Wolcott is a choreographer, teacher and performance artist based in New York City. She has been performing with dance companies, bands and video artists around the country for sixteen years in venues as varied as the Metropolitan Opera House, The Kennedy Center and CBGBs. She has also appeared as a featured dancer in the major motion picture Across the Universe and videos for the band, Fischerspooner. In 2003 Nicole co-founded KEIGWIN + COMPANY with Larry Keigwin and was the Associate Artistic Director until 2010. Wolcott’s choreography has been performed at Symphony Space, the Frying Pan, Galapagos, Dance Theater Workshop, Joyce SoHo, Joe’s Pub, CBGB’s, Monkeytown, PS122, DTW, DNA, the Duo Theater and around the country at Summerdance Santa Barbara, Bates Dance Festival, Florida Dance Festival and the American Dance Festival. In 2010 she was the Artist in Residence at Dance New Amsterdam in New York City and more recently Dancenow/NYC commissioned an evening of work, which premiered in April 2011 at Joe’s Pub. Presently she is an adjunct professor at Hunter College and continues to teach in private studios in New York City as well as travel the country as a guest artist.