KEY PHRASE

Contemporary Dance Practices inspires and challenges its students technically, contextually and artistically to enable them to develop their dance practice. Our aim is to educate creative dance artists and provide them with various professional skills in the field of dance and performing arts.

ABOUT THE STUDY PROGRAMME

Contemporary Dance Practices is an international programme in Performing Arts. It is a three-year full time undergraduate study, 180 ECTS, taught in English.

Throughout the studies students are introduced to different approaches to contemporary dance in creative, technical and theoretical work. The programme prepares students for the international contemporary dance scene and provides a good foundation for further studies on a master’s level.

Situated in Reykjavík, Iceland, the access to nature and the proximity of the professional performing arts scene makes the programme a vibrant platform for a dynamic learning experience.

COURSE STRUCTURE

Within the programme there are three main strands of practices that intertwine; technique, theory and creative process and running concurrently is a strand focusing on the sustainability of the artist. An emphasis is placed on fostering and developing the critical thinking of students. The programme provides training in different styles of contemporary techniques and improvisation, supported by ballet for contemporary dancers and somatic practices. In creative process the emphasis is on developing and inspiring a personal approach and critical awareness in creative work. Through theory, students strengthen their social and political awareness in relation to dance and choreography.

In the first year the focus is on deepening the students´ knowledge of the body, delving into various practices and perspectives towards improvisation in the first semester and composition in the second semester. In the second year dance and choreography are put in dialogue with other art forms, creating a platform for exploration into different disciplines and approaches through collaborative and creative processes during the third and fourth semester.

During the fifth semester, students are required to go on either exchange to partner schools of the Iceland University of the Arts or do an internship with artists or companies in Iceland or abroad.

Students conclude their study with an Individual Project, Ensemble Work and a Final Paper.

AFTER GRADUATION

At the end of their studies students possess the knowledge, skills and competences within the field of contemporary dance to be able to work as creative dance artists, be it independently or in a company structure in the performing arts. The programme also prepares students for further studies at a graduate level.