This workshop offers the unique opportunity to explore the technique and choreography of Isadora Duncan, considered the Mother of Modern Dance. Participants will explore the flow of energy that initiates from the core of the body (solar plexus) and expands through space. They will learn excerpts from Duncan’s choreography both from her early work inspired by Nature and her later work rooted in social protest.

Cost: $12 Single Class | $20 for 2 Classes

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What is the legacy of the genre/form/style you are teaching?

Isadora Duncan revolutionized concert dance over a century ago, as one of the first American “dance pioneers”, and laid the groundwork for the use of breath, weight, suspension, fall and recovery and initiations of the torso in movement. Her legacy is just as relevant today, and her technique provides a new perspective to dancers of ballet and contemporary dance, challenging them to initiate movement from breath and the solar plexus, to connect movement to intention, and to transform everyday “natural” movements into powerful expressions of freedom and the human experience.

What background, training, and or relationship do you have with this style/technique/class subject?

Kelli Edwards and Sandra Zarotney Keldsen come from a long tradition of Isadora Duncan’s work that has been handed down directly from Duncan through four generations of dancers. They trained extensively with Dances By Isadora founding members Catherine Gallant and Patricia Adams. They performed with DBI from 1993 and in 2012 formed Dances By Isadora Boston which is now the New Duncan Dance Project.

Finish this statement: I am passionate about teaching this style because…

…Duncan’s work is visceral, expressive, powerful, and encourages connections between dancers. Through this work, I have discovered nuances that have made me a better performer and dancer. It feels good on my body and has allowed me to keep dancing and performing for decades, and I want to pass that experience on to others. It is important to me that the work of this dance pioneer continues. (Kelli Edwards)

Accompanists, Assistants, and Regular Substitutes:

Kelli Edwards joined Dances by Isadora in1996 under the tutelage of Patricia Adams. She is now Co-Director of the New Duncan Dance Project and choreographs new work for the company both in the style of Duncan and through a contemporary lens. Kelli has also performed with choreographers Marcus Schulkind, David Parker, Sara Rudner, Ruth Birnberg, Brian Crabtree, Daniel McCusker, Caitlin Corbett and in her own work. Her choreography has been presented at Dance Umbrella, Dance Now Boston and Soaking Wet in NYC. She has choreographed numerous shows at The New Repertory Theatre, The Huntington, American Repertory Theatre, and Actors’ Shakespeare Project among others. Kelli holds an MFA in Choreography from Smith College, a BFA in Dance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory, and is currently on the performing arts faculty at Milton Academy.

Sandra Zarotney Keldsen is Co-Director of the New Duncan Dance Project. She began her exploration of the Duncan work as a student at the Boston Conservatory, studying with Dances by Isadora co-founder Catherine Gallant. She joined Dances by Isadora upon completing her BFA in 1993, and continued her training with Duncan master teachers Patricia Adams and Sylvia Gold. Sandra formed Dances by Isadora Boston with Kelli Edwards in 2012. She has performed with Daniel McCusker and Dancers, Lorraine Chapman the Company and Kelli Edwards. She has taught Duncan Master Classes at Tufts University, The College of the Holy Cross, Stonehill College, and UMass Amherst, and the Southern Vermont Dance Festival. Sandra is a 200 hr YTT certified yoga instructor and teaches dance and yoga at Center Stage Performing Arts Studio in Quincy, MA. When she is not dancing, she serves as Director of Operations for Institutes and Lifelong Learning Programs at the Boston University Questrom School of Business.

Upcoming Performances:

New Duncan Dance Project performs My Body My Choice: Reimaging Duncan for the 21st Century at The Dance Complex on June 21 & 22, 2025. Watch in-person and virtually (virtual viewing available on Saturday only). Learn more here.

How can students learn more about this offering?
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newduncandanceproject/
Website: https://www.newduncandanceproject.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=new%20duncan%20dance%20project

Contact Information
Contact Kelli Edwards:
kellimedwards@gmail.com