Technique
Cuban Modern Dance Technique
Instructors
Pricing
- In-Studio Single Class $25
- New Student 2-Class Package $38
Cuban modern dance technique, also known as la técnica cubana (técnica), is a codified contemporary dance language that was pioneered by Ramiro Guerra and further developed by Arnaldo Patterson in Havana, Cuba in the 1960s. Técnica is a highly expressive dance language that fuses Afro-Cuban dance traditions and Cuban social dances with European ballet and modern dance techniques.
While drawing from the Graham-based principles of contraction and release, técnica utilizes deep, sensual, and oceanic undulations of the spine and arms, a broad circular use of the pelvis, torso and head, and spiraling movement guided fully by the breath. This class will incorporate a strong full-body warm-up, phrases in the center, floorwork, combinations across the floor, and stretches.
Our classes are defined by the following so you can determine which level is best for you.
- Absolute Beginner (ABS BEG): for students with little to no prior experience or knowledge of the technique.
- Beginner (BEG): for students with a basic understanding of the fundamentals and foundations of the technique.
- Advanced Beginner (ADV BEG): for students with prior experience and a more comprehensive understanding of the technique and vocabulary.
- Intermediate/Advanced (INT/ADV): for students with extensive training and an expansive knowledge of the technique and its proper alignment.
- Open: for students of any level.
Upcoming Classes
FAQs
It's easy to start dancing at Ailey Extension. First, create an Ailey Extension Mindbody account online here or through the Ailey Extension app.
We encourage students to register for class in advance—classes and workshops can and do sell out. Simply sign into Mindbody in our app or on your browser, find your class or workshop, click “Book,” and pay for your class. Please note that class packages are subject to expiration dates upon activation.
Students are also welcome to sign up for class at the Extension Desk at The Joan Weill Center for Dance by paying with card, cash, or contactless payments.
You must be 16 or older to take Ailey Extension classes and workshops.
If your child is not old enough to take our drop-in classes or workshops, we offer Kids & Teens classes for ages 2–3 and 5–17 every Sunday.
Our classes are defined by the following:
- Absolute Beginner (ABS BEG): for students with little to no prior experience or knowledge of the technique.
- Beginner (BEG): for students with a basic understanding of the fundamentals and foundations of the technique.
- Advanced Beginner (ADV BEG): for students with prior experience and a more comprehensive understanding of the technique and vocabulary.
- Intermediate/Advanced (INT/ADV): for students with extensive training and an expansive knowledge of the technique and its proper alignment.
- Open: for students of any level.
If you still aren't sure which class level is right for you, contact us at [email protected].
In general, we suggest you wear comfortable loose-fitting clothes that you can move in, such as sweats, yoga pants, leotard, t-shirts, tank tops, etc.
For Afro-Cuban folkloric, we suggest you don't wear shoes or socks, just bare feet.
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Hero Credit: Photo by Joe Epstein