You've mastered the foundational techniques of contemporary dance. You can execute falls and recoveries with control, maintain fluidity through your movements, and perhaps even choreograph your own short pieces. But now you find yourself at that frustrating plateau—the space between intermediate skill and advanced artistry.

Breaking through this barrier requires more than just practicing harder; it demands practicing smarter, with intention, and developing a deeper understanding of the nuanced elements that transform technical movement into captivating art.

The Mindset Shift: From Executor to Storyteller

The most significant difference between an intermediate and advanced contemporary dancer isn't technical—it's psychological. Intermediate dancers execute movement; advanced dancers communicate through movement.

PRO TIP: INTENTION SETTING

Before each run of a combination or piece of choreography, set a specific intention. This isn't an emotional state like "sad" or "happy," but rather a concrete action objective like "trying to reach something just beyond your grasp" or "pushing against an invisible force." This practice builds performative specificity and transforms abstract movement into meaningful action.

Nuanced Technique: Beyond the Basics

Advanced contemporary dance lives in the subtle details—the micro-movements that give performance texture and authenticity.

Initiation and Sequencing

Where does movement begin? Intermediate dancers often initiate movement from obvious places—the shoulder for an arm gesture, the hip for a leg lift. Advanced dancers understand that movement can begin from anywhere, including more subtle initiations from the sternum, the breath, or even the fingertips.

DRILL: THE WAVE SEQUENCE

Practice initiating movement from unexpected body parts:

  1. Stand with feet hip-width apart, arms relaxed
  2. Initiate a movement from your pinky finger, allowing it to create a wave that travels through your hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder, and eventually through your entire body
  3. Repeat, initiating from different body parts: collar bone, knee cap, nose, shoulder blade
  4. Explore how different initiations change the quality and emotional resonance of the same overall movement pattern

Perform this drill daily for 5-10 minutes to develop greater body awareness and movement sophistication.

Dynamic Range and Texture

Contemporary dance thrives on contrast—not just in speed but in energy quality. The interplay between sharp and smooth, strong and delicate, bound and free creates compelling performance texture.

PRO TIP: THE 10% RULE

When practicing movement phrases, deliberately exaggerate your dynamic range. Make the sharp movements 10% sharper, the smooth movements 10% more fluid, the pauses 10% more still. Then, pull back to find the perfect balance. This practice expands your dynamic capacity and makes your normal performance range more expressive.

Musicality Beyond the Count

Intermediate dancers hit the major beats; advanced dancers dance between them, playing with syncopation, suspension, and unexpected accents.

DRILL: MUSICAL MANIPULATION

Take a short movement phrase (8-16 counts) you know well and practice it to different musical contexts:

  1. Perform it exactly on the beat
  2. Perform it consistently half a count behind the beat
  3. Perform it half a count ahead of the beat
  4. Mix these approaches within the same phrase
  5. Try dancing to music with unusual time signatures (7/8, 5/4)

This develops your ability to adapt to different musical styles and makes your performance more musically interesting.

The Advanced Dancer's Toolbox

Beyond physical training, advanced dancers cultivate additional skills that elevate their artistry:

Collaborative Choreography

Advanced dancers don't just execute choreography; they contribute to it. Develop your voice by:

  • Creating short studies that explore specific concepts or emotions
  • Working with other dancers to develop material together
  • Studying choreographic techniques from various contemporary pioneers

Injury Prevention and Body Maintenance

Advanced training demands advanced recovery. Incorporate these practices:

  • Cross-training with Pilates or yoga to develop balanced strength
  • Regular foam rolling and mobility work
  • Adequate rest and nutrition specifically geared toward athletic performance

The Journey Never Ends

Transitioning from intermediate to advanced contemporary dancer isn't a destination but a continuous process of refinement and discovery. The most advanced dancers remain perpetual students, always curious, always questioning, always seeking to deepen their understanding of this endlessly evolving art form.

"Technique is what you fall back on when you run out of inspiration." - Merce Cunningham

Remember that advanced technique serves artistry, not the other way around. Keep exploring, stay curious, and let your unique voice emerge through your movement.