WORKSHOP FULL DESCRIPTION:

Within a clear structure of exercises, the Countertechnique class thoroughly prepares the body for rehearsal and performance, enabling dancers to move bigger, more fluidly and more spatially, while becoming stronger and more flexible. By continuously and sequentially directing parts of the body away from each other in space, Countertechnique allows the moving dancer to work with an ever-changing dynamic balance. This dynamic balance reduces the pressure on the overall body structure and can be changed at any given moment.

Participants will be introduced to the Countertechnique Toolbox, a systematically organized collection of tools, often visualized as a virtual map that dancers carry with them. The toolbox contains information regarding anatomy, the body in space, mental/physical awareness, and the perspectives of directing and counterdirecting.

In the first part of class, we will do some luscious dancing and get sweaty! Dancers will experience a full, physical practice of Countertechnique where they will be introduced to the tools in an embodied way. In the last part of class, dancers will have the opportunity to analyze and translate their physical experience into a theoretical one.

BIOGRAPHY

Rosanna Tavarez received an MFA in Choreography from Ohio State University as a University Fellow and a Teaching Fellow and a BFA in Choreography from University of Michigan. She has a diverse background as a performer/entertainer and has had the honor of working with Marina Ambramovic, Ryan Heffington, Travis Payne, Tony Michaels and Rosanna Gamson/Worldwide. 

She also toured with N’SYNC and Jessica Simpson as one-fifth of the girl group Eden’s Crush and covered the Emmys, Grammys and Oscars in addition to hosting her own shows as a television personality for FOX, E!, TVGuide Network, and Telemundo/NBC.

Tavarez has been studying Countertechnique since 2011 and in 2016 she was selected to attend the Countertechnique Teacher Training program. She is now one of eleven certified American Countertechnique teachers. In 2023, after co-leading her first One Body One Career Intensive with Founder Anouk Van Dijk at Gibney in New York City, she became a Senior Teacher. Tavarez has had the pleasure of teaching Countertechnique nationally and internationally.

Tavarez’s work has been presented at The Broad Museum, ODC Theater, REDCAT, Dance Camera West, The Odyssey, Breaking Ground Dance Festival, LA Department of Cultural Affairs’ LA Dance Platform, Sarasota Contemporary Dance and Highways Performance Space, and has been supported by CalState LA’s Research, Scholarship and Creativity Awards, CalArts, ARC grant from the Center for Cultural Innovation, UCLA Hothouse Residency and Show Box LA.

As a dance educator, Tavarez has taught as faculty and guest artist at numerous institutions including USC Kaufman School of Dance, University of Michigan, Loyola Marymount University, Scripps College, CalState Long Beach, Studio School, University of Southern Mississippi, Texas State University and Cal State LA. Currently she serves as the BFA Program Director at CalArts Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance.