A question of somatics the search for a common framework for twenty-first-century contemporary dance pedagogy: Graham and Release-based techniques

This article discusses Graham-based technique in the context of present-day British contemporary dance pedagogy, and focuses on the work as informed by somatic principles. I call for a reconsideration of dance pedagogy vis--vis Graham's technique, especially within the context of Release-based teaching. Under the rubric of Hans-Georg Gadamer's fusion of horizons (Gadamer 2004) it is argued that current dance teaching methods could benefit from a reciprocal understanding of principles as taught in Graham-based training and somatics. Major principles that underpin Graham are analysed and explained, as well as the main principles underpinning somatically informed dance pedagogy. The article further explores an overview of the 1970s shift in Britain when the domination of Graham-based pedagogy gave way to Release in response to the ideas of Mary Fulkerson.