Concert + Studio
Contemporary dance
A 20th-21st century concert dance style that draws on modern, ballet, jazz, and improvisation. Studio competitive contemporary often blends with lyrical, but its true tradition is distinct.
Brief history
Evolved from modern dance pioneers (Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham, José Limón, Doris Humphrey) and Eurocontemporary developments (Pina Bausch, William Forsythe). Studio competitive contemporary is a related but distinct phenomenon.
Key technique
- Release technique (Graham, Limón, Cunningham-influenced)
- Floor work (rolling, falling, recovering)
- Contact improvisation principles
- Spiraling movement
- Use of breath
- Initiation from different body parts (head, sternum, pelvis)
- Often barefoot
Performance characteristics
Often abstract, exploring concepts rather than telling stories. Can be highly athletic or extremely subtle. Concert dance contemporary differs significantly from studio competitive contemporary.
How it's judged
Contemporary is one of the most-entered solo categories on the studio circuit, and arguably where titles and overalls are most often won. Judges weigh technique (control, line, the strength under all that fluidity), musicality, choreographic originality, and emotional or conceptual commitment. Like every entry, a contemporary routine earns both an absolute adjudication tier and a relative Overall placement within its age and skill bracket — and it is a frequent "High Score of the Day" winner.
Famous practitioners
Pina Bausch. William Forsythe. Crystal Pite. Ohad Naharin (Gaga technique). Concert: Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Compagnie Marie Chouinard. Studio competitive: dancers from World of Dance, So You Think You Can Dance.
Who it's for
Technically grounded dancers who want freedom and expression on top of that foundation — soloists chasing titles and overalls, future concert-company and BFA dancers, and choreographers. A ballet base makes contemporary read cleaner; the style rewards both athleticism and restraint.
Career paths
- Concert dance companies
- University dance programs (BFA tracks)
- Choreography (concert and commercial)
- Movement direction (theatre)
Common misconceptions
- "Contemporary is just modern dance" — related but distinct
- "Contemporary is the same as lyrical" — false; different roots and aesthetics
Go deeper
Contemporary is a marquee solo category — see how dance scoring works (tiers, overalls, and High Score) and which events feature it on our competitions directory.
Find Contemporary Studios
Browse studios near you with strong contemporary programs, pre-filtered to the Contemporary genre.
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