What Is Lester Horton Technique?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Horton’s dance technique, which is now commonly known as Horton Technique, has no style, per se. The technique

emphasizes a whole body, anatomical approach to dance

that includes flexibility, strength, coordination and body and spatial awareness to enable unrestricted, dramatic freedom of expression.

What is Horton technique good for?

The Lester Horton technique constructs some of the

best human skyscrapers

in the dance world. And like good building design, the Horton technique’s emphasis on flat backs, pelvic hinges, and “lateral T’s” produces a long-muscled, powerhouse dancer–something not easily toppled.

What was Lester Hortons technique?

Horton’s dance technique, which is now commonly known as Horton Technique, has no style, per se. The technique

emphasizes a whole body, anatomical approach to dance

that includes flexibility, strength, coordination and body and spatial awareness to enable unrestricted, dramatic freedom of expression.

What does Horton technique focus on?

The fortification studies in Horton Technique focus on

strengthening, fortifying, and stretching through a series of movements that attend to different parts of the body

. Altogether, there are 17 Fortifications within the Horton Technique.

What was unique about Lester Horton?

Lester Horton, (born January 23, 1906, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.—died November 2, 1953, Los Angeles, California), dancer and choreographer credited with

launching the modern dance movement in Los Angeles and for establishing the country’s first racially integrated dance company

.

Who was a famous student of Lester Horton?

Horton’s students carry on his legacy through their individual companies’ repertoire and training schools. Among the best known are

Alvin Ailey, Joyce Trisler

, and Bella Lewitsky. Other notable students include: Carmen de Lavallade, James Truitte, Janet Collins, James Mitchell, Rudi Gernreich, and Eleanor Brooks.

Who did Lester Horton dance with?

In 1958, he launched Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater with other dancers from the Horton company including

Carmen de Lavallade, Joyce Trisler, and James Truitte

. Horton’s legacy continues to be felt in the dance world but it is perhaps most visible today in Mr. Ailey’s work.

What are the typical features of Horton technique?

For instance, Horton uses

flat backs and lateral stretches, tilt lines and lunges

, all movements that could be found in a jazz warm-up. (Horton technique also incorporates lyrical, circular movements focusing on stretching in opposite directions.)

What are the exercises in Horton called?

This class is based on the fundamentals of the Horton technique: flat backs, primitive squat, descent and ascent, lateral stretches, release swings, leg swings, deep lunges, T positions, coccyx balance and stag position.

What are the exercises in Horton classes called?

  • Introduction.
  • Flatbacks.
  • Primitive squat descent.
  • Lateral stretches and release swings.
  • Leg swings.
  • Deep lunges.
  • Fortifications.
  • Elementary balance.

What is the Cunningham technique?

Cunningham Technique® was developed by Merce Cunningham to train dancers for his company. The technique

emphasizes clarity of form, coordination of torso and legwork, rhythmic accuracy, spatial awareness and virtuosity

. … Phrases from Merce Cunningham’s choreography are often included in the class.

What is the Limón technique?

Limón technique emphasizes

the natural rhythms of fall and recovery

, a conscious use of breath, and the interplay between weight and weightlessness. It provides dancers with an organic approach to movement that easily adapts to a range of choreographic styles.

What is the Martha Graham technique?

Graham technique is

a modern dance movement style and pedagogy created by

American dancer and choreographer Martha Graham (1894–1991). … Graham technique is based on the opposition between contraction and release, a concept based on the breathing cycle which has become a “trademark” of modern dance forms.

What does modern dance allow you to do?

Modern Dance offers dancers

a chance to explore their creativity through movement

. It also builds a lot of strength! From floor work, to jumps, to partnering and improvisation, a Modern Dancer uses his/her entire body and must learn to go from one level to another quickly and seamlessly.

What did Katherine Dunham choreography?

Born in 1909 in Chicago, Katherine Dunham is an American dancer-choreographer who is best known for incorporating African American, Caribbean, African, and South American movement styles and themes into

her ballets

.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.