FSU Dance in Paris

Dance in Paris is a month long immersive and curated study abroad program designed to explore dance in Paris and the broader French culture. Participants have ample opportunities to explore the language and other notable Parisian art forms such as painting, sculpture, architecture, fashion, and gastronomy.

Dance in Paris helps cultivate students’ understanding of themselves as artists navigating the international dance profession. Participants will take two courses, Dance Technique, Dance and French Culture. The course offerings are carefully curated to expose young artists to highly regarded international master teachers at rigorous dance studios and professional training centers. Students will also explore French culture, participate in cultural exchanges with binational and bilingual dance artists, and learn more about the artistic influences that have shaped the relationship between Paris, France, and the United States.  

Each course offers excursions to augment the goals and objectives of each class. Students are immersed in the Parisian dance concert scene with performances at Palais Garnier, Théâtre Paris-Villette, and Théâtre National du Chaillot, and a closing burlesque performance and dinner at the renowned Crazy Horse. Additionally, students will explore the city through guided and self-guided walking tours in Montmartre/Sacre Coeur, Le Marais, and Montparnasse, as well as visit Versailles and other popular museums.

All participants have multiple opportunities to co-create their artistic experience and foster self-development and personal exploration in “The City of Light.” The Dance in Paris program is a unique opportunity perfect for students seeking to explore and expound their dance experience in an international landscape.

More Information

Program Description

• COURSE WORK

  COURSE DAN 4935-01 Special Topics: Dance Technique in Studio and Related Studies (3 credit hours)

  This course is designed to provide technique classes in classical ballet, modern, and contemporary dance at various studios and movement venues in Paris, France. Other dance genres will be explored throughout the course to build awareness of different European styles. Additionally, students will attend performances to augment their exposure to European dance styles and companies.

   

  COURSE OBJECTIVES:

  By the end of the course, students will have learned to:

  • Identify and discuss varying European and American approaches to dance training in Paris
  • Develop an awareness of the educational/conservatoire system in France
  • Explore the professional dance scene in Paris through participation in classes, performances, and master classes
  • Participate in cultural exchanges

  COURSE DAN 4935-02 Special Topics: Dance and French Culture (3 credit hours)

  This course will focus on the cultural differences between the U.S. and France, as well as the cultural impact both countries have had on each other in relation to the art of dance. The course will concentrate on 1) understanding language and cultural differences, 2) exploring the lives of Isadora Duncan, Loie Fuller, and Josephine Baker, 3) discovering the impact haute couture fashion designers have had on dance, and 4) engage in conversations and cultural exchanges with binational and bilingual dance artists to better understand the cultural influences and significance of dance in France and the U.S.

   

  Course Objectives:

  • Develop confidence with basic language skills outside of a dance studio setting
  • Experience unique cultural aspects of the city while developing an understanding of cultural differences
  • Explore historical landmarks and contributions of notable dance artists working in Paris, such as Loie Fuller, Josephine Baker, and Isadora Duncan
  • Discover the impact of famous haute couture designers on dance costuming
  • Produce projects or presentations articulating newfound understandings of the American dance presence in Paris, France

   

  This course will be offered at the graduate level: DAN 5930-02 (3 credit hours).

   

• Eligibility

  FSU School of Dance undergraduate and graduate dance majors – This program is currently open to all undergraduate and graduate dance majors approved by the FSU School of Dance.

  Non-dance majors and majors from other universities may also apply.  Please contact Kehinde Ishangi for additional information at kehinde.ishangi@fsu.edu.

• HIGHLIGHTS – Based on 2023 Dance in Paris Program

  Week I

  MAIN TOPIC: GETTING TO KNOW PARIS AND DANCE FILM BASICS

  • Neighborhood walking tour and exploring the center of Paris
  • Ballet master classes with Jenny Sandler
  • Technique classes with Nathalie Pubellier, Gregory Cianci at Studio Harmonic
  • Montmartre walking tour meeting at the Basilica of Sacre Coeur
  • Viewing of dance film archives at Centre National de Danse (CND)
  • Performance of The Dante Project by the Paris Opera Ballet at the Palais Garnier

  Week II

  MAIN TOPIC: EXLPORING PARISIAN DANCE SCHOOLS AND DISCOVERING CINÉMA VÉRITÉ

  • Ballet master class at the CND with Javier Torres, artistic director of the Finnish National Ballet
  • Technique classes at Centre du Marais de Danse
  • Lecture and visit to Musée du Louvre
  • Contemporary technique class with Emilio Urbina at Ménagerie de Verre
  • Floor Barre/MUNZ FLOOR class with Anais L’heureux at Ménagerie de Verre
  • Performance of MOMO by Batsheva Dance Company at Théâtre Paris-Villette

  Week III

  MAIN TOPIC:  EXLPLORING TECHNIQUE IN PARIS AND MISE EN SCÈNE

  • Visit to Musée de la Cinematheque Française
  • Contemporary technique with Sherwood Chen at Ménagerie de Verre
  • Performance of Triptych by Peeping Tom at the Palais Garnier
  • Lecture and museum visit to Centre du Pompidou
  • Explore technique classes related to professional trajectory and/or specific research area

  Week IV

  MAIN TOPIC: AUTEUR THEORY

  • Contemporary technique with Pascale Gille at Ménagerie de Verre
  • Contemporary master class with Sholmi Tuizer at the CND
  • Afro-Modern master class with Georgey Souchette
  • Performance of My Body, my archive by Faustin Linyekula at Theatre du Chaillot
  • Final Film Project Showing at Cité Universitaire
  • Closing Performance and Dinner at Crazy Horse and Ginger

• Technique Classes

  Micadanses

  • Peter Goss (Contemporary/Somatic work)

  Studio Harmonique

  • Wayne Byars (Ballet)
  • Nathalie Pubellier (Contemporary)
  • Corinne Lansell (Contemporary)

  Menagerie de Verre

  • Nina Dipla (Contemporary)
  • Stephanie Fratti

  Examples of Assignments:

  • Reflection Paper
  • Journals
  • Artist/Writer Report
  • Museums – critique of visual artists
  • Hypothetical Choreographic Project
  • Weekly Blogs
  • Student Designed Walking Tour of the Marais area
  • Final Project (Photo &/or Creative Essay)