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 Summer Retreat Online
July 24th-28th, 2023
All classes taught by Thomas Baird
Daily Schedule:
I. Level A Baroque Dance Technique 10-10:55 AM (EST)
Class will begin with a set Baroque Dance warm-up. You will learn basic Baroque Dance steps and phrases from notated dances including bourrée, sarabande, menuet, gavotte, and gigue. This class is for those who have dance experience in other dance styles, or very basic Baroque Dance experience.
II. Level A Feuillet Notation Reconstruction 11-11:55 AM (EST)
This class is for those who have a basic understanding of the Beauchamp-Feuillet System of Dance Notation. In this class we will reconstruct the Gigue a Deux (L/M # 4940). Notation is available here. The music is available at Amazon Music, Lully’s Roland, recorded by Christophe Rousset, selection #5.
III. Level C Baroque Dance Technique 12-12:55 PM (EST)
This is an advanced level class. Each day we will focus on phrases from theatrical-style dances including Entrée Grave, Passacaille, Chaconne, Entrée, Gigue, Loure, and Sarabande. Pirouettes on one leg, and beaten jumps are included.
IV. Level B Baroque Dance Technique 1-1:55 (EST)
This is an intermediate level technique class. Each day will be a set warm-up as well as a theatrical and a ballroom dance phrase in various dance rhythms.
V. Dance Reconstruction Class 2:15-3:15 PM (EST)
In this Retreat we will reconstruct by Louis-Guillaume Pécour (L/M #8000). Downloadable music can be found on Apple Music: Lully’s Ballet de Flore, Hugo Reyne and Les Musiciens du Soleil, selection #19. Notation will be sent after Retreat fees are received. 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
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