A little bit of Horton class

This was all I could find... but I hope a little is better than nothing :)

A small except of a Horton Technique Class:

The Horton Technique

Horton is a major codified modern dance technique reputed to fortify, stretch, and strengthen the human body. A technique created by Mr. Ailey’s mentor Lester Horton in the 1930's and 1940's. A modern dance pioneer, Horton’s goal was to create a dance technique that was anatomically corrective and utilized the widest possible range of motion, with an emphasis on large, full movements done to musical phrases of varying lengths and dynamics.

Horton was trying to create a dance technique based entirely upon corrective exercises, created with a knowledge of human anatomy; a technique which will correct physical faults and prepare a dancer for any type of dancing he may wish to follow, a technique having all the basic movements which govern the actions of the body, combined with a knowledge of the origin of movement and a sense of artistic design.

In an interview Horton stated: “I am sincerely trying to create a dance technique based entirely upon corrective exercises, created with a knowledge of human anatomy; a technique which will correct physical faults and prepare a dancer for any type of dancing he may wish to follow, a technique having all the basic movements which govern the actions of the body, combined with a knowledge of the origin of movement and a sense of artistic design”. (from the book American Dancer Pierre, Dorathi Bock (New York, NY October 1937, pg. 37.

The basic warm involves: flat backs, primitive squat, descent and ascent, lateral stretches, release swings, leg swings and deep lunges. The shapes that are used throughout the training in Horton technique are emphasized: the T positions, stag position, cross lunge and coccyx balance. The Horton technique was designed with studies to stretch and strengthen different areas of the body. Many of the beginning level studies which are taught focus on the Achilles tendon, the abdominal muscles, and movements that lengthen the spine and the hamstring muscles. Simple combinations of movements that include turns and jumps are taught to introduce musicality and dynamics to the beginning dancer's vocabulary. Performance qualities are emphasized at the very beginning of the dancer's training.

See also:

* The Dance Technique of Lester Horton, Majorie B. Perces, Ana Marie Forsythe, Cheryl Bell, ©1992 Princeton Book Company
* Video: The Dance Technique of Lester Horton: An Advanced Beginners Class (available from Amazon.com)

Lester Horton

Horton, Lester, (1906-53), dancer, choreographer, and teacher is regarded as one of the founders of American modern dance. He developed a unique style of technique and choreography, established the first permanent theater in America devoted to dance, and organized one of the first integrated modern dance companies.

Lester Horton was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. Choosing to work in California (three thousand miles away from the center of modern dance - New York City), Horton developed his own approach that incorporated diverse elements including Native American dances and modern Jazz. Horton's dance technique (Lester Horton Technique) emphasises a whole body approach including flexibility, strength, coordination, and body awareness to allow freedom of expression.

Throughout his career, Horton combined dance and drama into a total theatrical experience. He was intimately involved in creating all aspects of a production: the costumes, sets, lighting, and music as well as the scenarios and choreography. His fascination with ethnic dance, human sensuality, and cultural history was expressed in a prodigious body of work with themes ranging from the classics to melodrama, social concerns to farce.

Horton demanded a lot from his dancers. He required them to study ballet, learn to read music, sew, work the light board, and assist in making scenery and props, participating in virtually all aspects of production, design, and execution. Horton's company members and students included well-known modern dancers/choreographers such as Alvin Ailey, Janet Collins, Carmen de Lavallade, Bella Lewitzky, James Mitchell, Joyce Trisler, and James Truitte. Horton collaborated with Lewitzky to develop the foundation of his technique; they joined forces with several other partners to found the Dance Theater in Hollywood in 1946.

sources:
* Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre - Techniques, Horton
* Wikipedia - Lester Horton