Open Contemporary Class with Josie Archer

This class offers a welcoming blend of contemporary dance foundations, improvisation, and choreographic exploration. Sessions begin with an embodied warm-up, followed by guided improvisation tasks that invite participants to explore movement qualities and styles in their own way. These discoveries are then brought into a structured movement phrase towards the end of class.

Designed for anyone curious about contemporary dance, the class is a chance to experience how technique, creativity, and improvisation can work together to build confidence, depth, and greater freedom in movement.

Explore contemporary dance in Christchurch

This welcoming contemporary dance class is an opportunity to explore contemporary movement, develop dance foundations and discover your own creative approach to movement. The class brings together contemporary dance technique, improvisation and choreography in a supportive environment, making it a great option for adults who are curious about contemporary dance or looking to try something new.

What to expect

Each session begins with an embodied warm-up designed to help participants connect with their bodies and prepare for movement. Guided improvisation exercises then introduce different movement qualities, ideas and styles, giving dancers the opportunity to experiment and find their own ways of moving.

The discoveries made through improvisation are brought together into a structured movement phrase later in the class. This creates a balance between freedom and structure, allowing participants to experience both the creative and technical sides of contemporary dance.

A creative approach to dance

Contemporary dance can offer a different experience from more traditional dance styles, with opportunities to explore individuality, musicality, physical expression and creative decision-making. Through improvisation and choreographic tasks, participants can develop greater confidence in their movement and become more comfortable experimenting with new ways of moving.

The class focuses on exploration rather than getting everything “right”. Participants are encouraged to work at their own level and discover how technique, creativity and improvisation can work together.

Who is this class for?

This class is designed for anyone curious about contemporary dance. You don’t need to consider yourself an experienced contemporary dancer to enjoy the class. It can be a great introduction for someone wanting to try contemporary dance for the first time, as well as for movers with previous experience who want to explore a more creative and improvisational approach.

Contemporary dance classes in Ōtautahi Christchurch

MOVE offers welcoming dance and movement classes at Parakiore Recreation and Sports Centre in Christchurch. Our contemporary dance programme provides opportunities to learn, explore and connect through movement in an inclusive environment.

Whether you’re looking for an adult contemporary dance class in Christchurch, wanting to try improvisation, or simply curious about exploring movement in a new way, this class offers a welcoming place to start.

Requirements:

For experienced participants

Timing and location:

Saturdays, monthly @ 10:15-11:45am, 1 August & 5 September (1st Saturday of the month)

Movement Studio 1,

Level 2, Parakaiore

Price:

$15 (on-line booking, Dance+ concession card or payment on the day)

Your tutor

Josie Archer - Profile Picture - Dec 2025

Josie Archer

Josie is a freelance choreographer and performer based in Ōtautahi. A graduate of Unitec’s Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts (Contemporary Dance), her work has been presented across Aotearoa and internationally, including Experimental Dance Week Aotearoa, Performance Art Week Aotearoa, The Performance Arcade and Asia Tree New Wave Festival. Josie frequently collaborates with her partner, Kosta Bogoievski, creating imaginative projects that span spaces, styles and communities. She has held residencies in South Korea, India and Aotearoa, and has performed with a wide range of acclaimed artists. Josie brings curiosity, generosity and adventurous thinking to every creative space she enters.

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