DANCING HISTORY
Thomas Baird has taught Historical Dance for over 35 years. In master classes at The Juilliard School, Mannes School of Music, Manhattan School of Music and Purchase College, as well as his open classes in New York City, he teaches Baroque Dance technique, dance types and rhythms of the Baroque, and offers phrases from reconstructed dances preserved in Feuillet notation. He teaches dances from the Italian Renaissance at Dance Masters Classes in Urbania, Italy, and has taught 19th-century ballroom dances, as well as Ragtime era dances at the Gelsey Kirkland Academy of Classical Dance. Mr. Baird choreographed the Metropolitan Opera production of Alfano's Cyrano De Bergerac in 2005 and 2017. He has worked with the New York Philharmonic since 2006, where he has choreographed and performed historical dances from different eras for the Young People's Concerts. His period-style work has also been seen on Broadway in Sheridan's School for Scandal and O'Neil's A Touch of the Poet.
Baroque Dance Winter Retreat Online
January 8th-12th, 2024
All classes taught by Thomas Baird
Daily Schedule:
New!
I. Baroque Dance Essentials 10-10:55 AM (EST)
This class is for those who have little or no dance experience. In this immersive class, I offer a mixture of basic Beauchamp-Feuillet Dance Notation, Baroque Dance Technique and the essential elements of Baroque Music. We'll begin by learning the fundamental movements as they are notated which will be followed by a set Baroque Dance warm-up. You will learn basic Baroque Dance steps and phrases from notated dances. Dance-types included are bourrée, sarabande, menuet, and gigue.
II. Level A Baroque Dance Technique 11-11:55 AM (EST)
This is a beginning level class for those who have dance experience in other styles, basic Baroque Dance experience or who want to brush up on the basic steps. (If you have no dance experience, please consider Baroque Dance Essentials above). In this class you'll learn phrases from notated dances in several different dance-types such as bourrée, sarabande, menuet, gavotte and gigue. Attention to port des bras will also be highly considered.
III. Level C Baroque Dance Technique 12-12:55 PM (EST)
In this advanced level class, the focus will be on phrases from theatrical-style dances including Entrée Grave, Passacaille, Chaconne, Gigue, Loure, and Sarabande rhythms. The class begins with a set warm-up as well as combinations with pirouettes on one leg, and entre-chats.
IV. Level B Baroque Dance Technique 1-1:55 (EST)
This is an intermediate level technique class. Each day will begin with a set warm-up and includes a theatrical and/or ballroom dance phrase in various dance rhythms including hornpipe, loure and courante.
V. Dance Reconstruction Class 2:15-3:15 PM (EST)
In this Retreat we will reconstruct The Princess of Hesse by Leach Glover (LMC #7120). A gavotto (gavotte) and paspia (passepied), the dance was choreographed for the marriage ceremony of Princess Mary (daughter of George II and Queen Caroline) to Prince Frederick of Hesse-Cassel in 1740. For advanced notation readers only. Must be enrolled in a technique class to participate.
VI. Private Coaching or Learn a Baroque Dance 3:30-6 PM (EST)
Choose a dance or one part of a dance (duet or a solo) to learn from notation or be coached in a dance that’s already in your repertoire. Students are allotted 30 minutes during this time slot each day. Must be enrolled in a technique class to participate.
Classes I-V each $10 per day
Class VII $30/per each 30-minute session*
Fees accepted via
Pay Pal: Louixiv203@att.net or
Venmo: Thomas-Baird-20
Zelle: attombaird@aol.com
If you have any questions, please ask. Looking forward to seeing you at the retreat!!
* This fee is offered only as a part of this particular Retreat. Private lesson fees outside of this Retreat may be higher.
"All the ills of mankind, all the tragic misfortunes that fill the history books, all the political blunders, all the failures of the great leaders have arisen merely from a lack of skill at dancing."
Moliére
Dancing History
"All the ills of mankind, all the tragic misfortunes that fill the history books, all the political blunders, all the failures of the great leaders have arisen merely from a lack of skill at dancing."
Moliére
"All the ills of mankind, all the tragic misfortunes that fill the history books, all the political blunders, all the failures of the great leaders have arisen merely from a lack of skill at dancing."
Molière
Dancing History