ISABEL GOTZKOWSKY Modern

Isabel Gotzkowsky, originally from Germany, came to New York City in the summer of 1988 to pursue a career in dance. She joined the Faculty at Dance New Amsterdam in 1995 and formed Isabel Gotzkowsky and Friends (IGaF) in 1998. Since its inception the company has performed Isabel’s work in a variety of venues in New York as well as nationally in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Virginia and California. Internationally, IGaF has been seen in Canada, Mexico, Europe and Africa.

Class Descriptions:

Beginner & Slow Intermediate Modern

Isabel seeks to create movement based on knowledge of the individual body and strong technique rather than traditional dance vocabulary. She enjoys exploring different and unexpected ways to move. Much of her movement is off-center and uses breath and rebound, focusing on initiation and dynamic quality. The warm-up prepares the dancer to interpret and execute Isabel’s movement in an individual way. Beginning slowly standing in the center, dancers warm up spine and waist, focusing on pelvis placement, before introducing more complicated patterns that include range of motion, full body movement, direction changes and floor work. She believes firmly in artistic expression through the body and continues to explore movement and create work for her company, Isabel Gotzkowsky and Friends.

Modern Guest Artist Series

(Intermediate/Advanced Modern):

Isabel seeks to create movement that, although based on knowledge of our individual body and strong technique, is not based on traditional dance vocabulary. She enjoys exploring different and unexpected ways to move the body. Much of her movement is off-center and uses breath and rebound focusing on movement initiation and dynamic qualities. The warm-up will prepare the dancer to interpret and execute Isabel’s movement in an individual way. Beginning slowly in the center and standing, the dancers will warm up the spine and waist, focusing on pelvis placement, before introducing more complicated patterns that include limb range of motion, full body movement, direction changes and floor work. Isabel recognizes the Simonson Technique, the Muller Technique and the Pilates Method as strong influences in her training and movement approach. She believes firmly in the artistic expression through the body and continues to explore movement and create work for her company, Isabel Gotzkowsky and Friends.