Credit: Meyer Originals
Credit: Meyer Originals
John Kendall is a freelance dance artist originally from and currently based in Newcastle Upon Tyne. netzwerkTanz, a network of dance professionals, dedicated amateurs, and dance enthusiasts from Vorarlberg, has invited the artist to conduct a training session at tanzRaum Dornbirn.
John has been working professionally for twelve years since graduating from London Contemporary Dance School’s post graduate dance company EDge in 2011. He has continued to deliver his practice either as a performer, teacher or creative collaborator with a range of independent choreographers and professional companies across the UK and abroad including Lost Dog Dance, BalletLORENT, Joan Cleville Dance, Cafe Fuerte, Logiudice Dance Company, Roa Dans, Red Ladder Theatre Company and Southpaw.
Choreographic Platform Austria
What is your history and experience with teaching dance classes?
John Kendall
I have a wealth of experience teaching a wide range of abilities and ages within dance. I have taught in Dance conservatoires in the UK including: Rambert Dance School, Northern Dance School, London Contemporary Dance School. Ive also taught at Universities and lead workshops for the companies I have collaborated with. My classes are inclusive, explorative and fun and aim to leave participants feeling like they inquired into new range, ideas and possibilities of movement.
CPA
Can you elaborate on your approach(es) to teaching?
John Kendall
The class finds its roots in improvisation and release. I look to teach a class that aims to get people moving freely with confidence and purpose through the entirety of their body. The class starts gently with a series of mobilisation and breathing exercises that looks to prepare the body gradually for movement ahead. Various improvisations including voice and sound work then follow as we look to physicalise the voice and find movement through our whole system. Class then takes a more structured somatic approach through a series of exercises that encourage shifting of weight, moving with clarity and focus whilst also taking Genuine risk. It’s light hearted throughout and aims to help the individual find confidence in their own movement style.
Exploring breath and voice for me is no different to moving just with the body. The two are intrinsically linked.
John Kendall
CPA
As part of your training at netzwerkTanz, you incorporate exercises involving voice and sound work. How do you perceive the role of voice and sound in the context of dance?
John Kendall
I feel that within dance there is sometimes a want to separate the voice from the body and not look at is as part of the whole structure and form. Exploring breath and voice for me is no different to moving just with the body. The two are intrinsically linked. I’ve collaborated with a lot of dance theatre and theatre practitioners who look to physicalise the voice and allows for dancers to become more comfortable using their voice. I feel that it offers more scope for creating and making having the voice as a tool that is accessible and available to use.
CPA
Your training emphasizes the importance of taking “genuine risks”. What specific risks are encouraged, and why are they significant?
John Kendall
I think when I refer to risk it is linked to creating a space that feels safe and trusting and allows for the dancers taking part to really dance freely and be themselves fully. A space where perhaps they might find themselves out of their comfort zone. If the room is trusting and supportive though this will help encourage participants to take risks and try new things.
CPA
Is there anything else that you would like to share with those about to visit your course in Dornbirn, or with those interested in joining?
John Kendall
I’m really looking forward to the week. I hope to provide a week that covers a wide variety of movement exploration and improvisation and also look to see how we can physicalise the voice and see how we can use the voice to generate movement.
I think when I refer to risk it is linked to creating a space that feels safe and trusting and allows for the dancers taking part to really dance freely and be themselves fully.
John Kendall
Dates
March 25-28
10:00-12:30
13:30-16:00
Location
tanzRaum Annagasse, Dornbirn
Pricing
regular: 220 €
members of nwT and ig-Ost: 180 €
student discount: 140 €
1 day: 60 € / disc. 50 €
Registration
Registration for the training is possible via netzwerkTanz.