“We are so excited to share our perspective on CONTEMPORARY BALLET with the NIQUE instructional video. It is the basis for the training that we provide as a part of the COMPLEXIONS ACADEMY in all of our programs and Intensives, and its approach supports a dancer's development in a multitude of styles. We encourage dancers to catch a Complexions Contemporary Ballet performance to witness how this technique can translate into movement and choreography that requires a full body understanding and a command of their instrument.”
DWIGHT RHODEN & DESMOND RICHARDSON
FOUNDING ARTISTIC DIRECTORS
NIQUE
/nēk/
NIQUE is the official techNIQUE of COMPLEXIONS Contemporary Ballet and was created in the formative years of the company by its Founders Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson. This technique was developed with a TOTAL BODY approach to training and uses a fusion of CLASSICAL and CONTEMPORARY based dance methods to explore both on and off-center movement.
NIQUE is geared toward the dancer that wants to broaden their understanding of the relationship between the upper and lower body, as well as the complexities of moving freely and clearly within a CONTEMPORARY style.
This technique uses a Classical Ballet structure as its foundation, yet allows momentum, and the integration of a fully mobile torso, weight shift, and dynamics to enhance the outcome. Contemporary in its perspective NIQUE places a special emphasis on COORDINATION, PHYSICAL IGNITION, PRECISION, EFFICIENCY, and CLARITY OF FORM.
The NIQUE training method is designed to take a dancer to the next level, through a series of fluid exercises constructed to build STRENGTH, STABILITY and OVERALL PLACEMENT. From the barre to Center floor, NIQUE focuses on versatility and range - with a keen awareness of the fullness in physicality necessary to convey impactful dancing.