Find your start in the studio
Find the best studios for contemporary dance in your area on udansa, as well as like-minded people who share your passion for movement. Start your dance journey now, completely pressure-free.
By Mary De LucaUpdated
Find the best studios for contemporary dance in your area on udansa, as well as like-minded people who share your passion for movement. Start your dance journey now, completely pressure-free.
Contemporary Dance is fascinating because of its freedom and expressiveness. Our self-test helps you to realistically assess your physical readiness and your suitable entry level for contemporary dance, completely without any prior knowledge.
Starting contemporary dance is a long-held dream for many adults. Yet, uncertainty often creeps in about whether one's own body is up to the fluid movements, floor work, and rapid weight shifts. Unlike rigid dance styles, contemporary thrives on individuality: it is not about filling a perfect mold, but about understanding your own anatomy in space. A contemporary dance level test helps you assess your physical requirements and movement preferences without misplaced ambition.
Before you book your first class, you should ask yourself how you move in everyday life. Are you more of a structured type who needs clear choreography, or are you looking for a creative balance where you can simply shake off the stress of the day? If you want to get in the right mindset beforehand, it is worth taking a look at the guide Learning contemporary dance as an adult: Your easy start, which makes your first steps easier.
The best way to start is in a course for absolute beginners with no prior knowledge. Here, you will learn the basics of weight shifting and lose your shyness regarding floor work. Look for courses that are advertised as Basics or Level 1.
You bring a good sense of body awareness from sports or other forms of movement. A standard beginner course that challenges you gently is ideal for you. You can quickly get used to fluid combinations in the room.
Your previous experience allows you to jump straight into courses for intermediate beginners. You grasp dance terminology quickly and can focus on refining your technique and your artistic expression.
| Criterion | Gentle entry (A) | Active lateral entry (B) | Fluid transition (C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prior knowledge | No prior dance experience necessary | Experience from sports, yoga, or fitness | Prior experience in dance or gymnastics |
| Course focus | Basic steps, weight transfer, balance | Coordination, spatial paths, dynamic changes | Complex choreographies, expression, tempo |
| Floorwork | Very gentle approach to floorwork | Simple rolling and sliding movements | Fast transitions between standing and lying |
| Body awareness | Built from scratch during the course | Good basic tension already present | Very good control over your own body |
The classification serves as a guide for self-assessment before booking your first course with udansa.
Find the right studio for your start in contemporary dance.
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After evaluating your answers, it is time for the practical implementation. The test does not show you what you cannot do, but where your natural strengths lie. For example, if you have a high affinity for fluid movements but still feel hesitant about the hard dance floor, you can specifically look for courses that offer a gentle introduction to floorwork. Your test result is a guide, not a rigid judgment.
Use this self-awareness to ask targeted questions when choosing a dance school. Many studios offer trial lessons where you can check the level directly on site. Make sure that the instruction meets your needs: A good course for adults picks you up exactly where you are physically today, and challenges you without overloading you.
No prior knowledge of ballet or other dance styles is required to start Contemporary. The courses for absolute beginners are structured so that you learn the basics from scratch.
Normal everyday flexibility is perfectly sufficient to start with contemporary dance. You will build the necessary flexibility, strength, and coordination automatically during regular training in the course.
Floorwork is a central component of contemporary dance. However, beginner courses introduce you to the floor very gently, so you learn how to transfer your weight painlessly.
Learning Contemporary Dance as an adult: Your easy start
Overcoming fear of improvisation in Contemporary
Finding a Contemporary Dance School: 5 Criteria
Release Technique in Contemporary: Learn flow and relaxation