Contemporary
BY TESS VOELKER
-------------
Follow simple steps to cultivate your creativity and develop your skills in contemporary dance.
FREE LESSON
Watch the first lesson of
this class for free.
About this class
Successfully build on your pre-existing technique: In this class, you will learn to use the technique you already have from other dance genres as your foundation for contemporary dance.
Create unique contemporary movements: By following several practical exercises, you will stretch your movement possibilites to create something that’s contemporary and tailored to your individual style.
Authentically express yourself: Learn how to tap into every emotion you feel, and ways to successfully translate this into your next performance.
Lessons
included in this class
1. Changing perspectives
Your foundation is your greatest asset.
In this first lesson, I’ll share my personal dance story and provide invaluable insights on how dance training can prepare you for the next step in your contemporary journey.
2. Breaking the rules
Breaking the rules benefits you in contemporary dance.
Learn about the basic rules of ballet dance so you can break them and create beautiful contemporary movements.
3. High and low
Reinvent the way you think about balance and movement.
Elevate your movements by using the tips discussed in this lesson to be more grounded, utilizing the supple spine technique, using more of the floor, and shifting your weight.
4. Transform your movements
Use your pre-existing technique to your advantage.
Explore the many ways you can shift classical ballet sequences to something with a contemporary twist, all while keeping the integrity of the sequence the same.
5. Observe Expressions
Don’t think, just feel. In contemporary dance, there is beauty in imperfection.
Become a better contemporary dancer by learning ways to express your authentic self and emotions on stage.
Teacher
Tess Voelker
NDT Dancer & Choreographer
Tess Voelker is one of the most promising young talents today. Performing now with the world renowned Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT), she was invited in 2020 by Artistic Director Aurélie Dupont to create a new work for the dancers of the prestigious Paris Opéra Ballet. Tess was born in San Francisco and studied modern, jazz and then ballet. In 2016, she won the National YoungArts Foundation Modern Dance Award and the Youth American Grand Prix.
What is included
in a membership?
✔️ Unlimited access (100+ Lessons)
✔️ Workbooks for every class
✔️ Mobile app
✔️ New class added every month
✔️ 7-Day money back guarantee
Step-by-Step Learning
For All Levels
Questions about Dance Masterclass?
Learn more about the content, who the masterclasses are for, and more.
Contemporary
by Tess Voelker
Follow simple steps to cultivate your creativity and
develop your skills in contemporary dance.
FREE LESSON
Watch the first lesson of
this class for free.
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All skill levels
This class is for everyone

5 Lessons
Guided step-by-step instructions

Workbook
Downloadable workbook included
Lessons
included in this class
1. Lesson: Changing perspectives
Your foundation is your greatest asset.
In this first lesson, I’ll share my personal dance story and provide invaluable insights on how dance training can prepare you for the next step in your contemporary journey.
2. Lesson: Breaking the rules
Breaking the rules benefits you in contemporary dance.
Learn about the basic rules of ballet dance so you can break them and create beautiful contemporary movements.
3. Lesson: High and low
Reinvent the way you think about balance and movement.
Elevate your movements by using the tips discussed in this lesson to be more grounded, utilizing the supple spine technique, using more of the floor, and shifting your weight.
4. Lesson: Transform your movements
Use your pre-existing technique to your advantage.
Explore the many ways you can shift classical ballet sequences to something with a contemporary twist, all while keeping the integrity of the sequence the same.
5. Lesson: Observe Expressions
Don’t think, just feel. In contemporary dance, there is beauty in imperfection.
Become a better contemporary dancer by learning ways to express your authentic self and emotions on stage.
About this class
Successfully build on your pre-existing technique: In this class, you will learn to use the technique you already have from other dance genres as your foundation for contemporary dance.
Create unique contemporary movements: By following several practical exercises, you will stretch your movement possibilites to create something that’s contemporary and tailored to your individual style.
Authentically express yourself: Learn how to tap into every emotion you feel, and ways to successfully translate this into your next performance.


Tess Voelker
NDT Dancer & Choreographer
Tess Voelker is one of the most promising young talents today. Performing now with the world renowned Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT), she was invited in 2020 by Artistic Director Aurélie Dupont to create a new work for the dancers of the prestigious Paris Opéra Ballet. Tess was born in San Francisco and studied modern, jazz and then ballet. In 2016, she won the National YoungArts Foundation Modern Dance Award and the Youth American Grand Prix.
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✔️ Unlimited Access (100+ Lessons)
✔️ Instructional workbooks for every class
✔️ Mobile App for iPhone or Android
✔️ New class added every month
✔️ 7-Day money back guarantee
Step-by-Step Learning
For All Levels
Frequently asked questions
General
What is Dance-Masterclass?
Dance Masterclass is an online dance training platform that allows anyone to learn from the best dancers and choreographers in the world.
Each Dance Masterclass teaches a specific, in-demand topic to improve your dance skills.
For example, "PIROUETTES" is taught by Daniil Simkin, one of the best in the world when it comes to turns. The "FLEXIBILITY" class is taught by Anna Ol, who has managed over many years to increase her flexibility and extensions and become a world star ballerina.
These world-renowned masters share their vital knowledge and personal experience in each lesson, along with helpful exercises and practical advice.
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All Dance Masterclass films offer educational and inspirational content for everyone.
However, we consider the content particularly relevant for 3 groups of people:
DANCE STUDENTS - From beginner to advanced, all classes are created in such a way that it has a great learning impact for all skill levels.
PROFESSIONAL DANCERS - The world leading professional dancers give personal advice and tips for young professionals to help them bring out their best and make it to the top.
TEACHERS - The content of the classes is designed to have an educational impact. The lessons are thought out in a didactic way and are already used by many teachers and schools on our platform to pass on this vital knowledge to their students. We have a special offer for people from schools and educational institutions. See here.
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Can I do these classes at home?
Our classes are very diverse and suitable for all kinds of locations. For example, the "FLEXIBILITY" class is very suitable for home (simple exercises that you can do regularly at home).
Other classes are better suited in a dance studio (“JUMPS” for example).
However, we always recommend that you watch the Dance Masterclasses at home first, as the content is very packed and it’s best to understand all the information and tips first so that you can apply them to your next training session.
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The classes are recorded videos (not live) so you can watch at your own convenience and pace. You are welcome to simply watch the classes and be inspired to learn. But if you want to actively follow along with a class to do exercises, you can easily do so. Our app (iOS & Android) for on-the-go and in-the-dance-studio learning is very useful for this.
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