An experienced and respected pedagogue, the dancer and choreographer teaches technique classes as well as a wide range of workshops aimed at preprofessional and professional dancers. The pedagogical context focuses on the continuity of a laboratory for research and creation. Everyone’s attention is drawn to defining work tools and being available to the creative process from technical and artistic perspectives, which feed and define one another.

Marc Boivin’s teaching is always connected to a personal synthesis and inspired by the many artistic encounters that have highlighted his impressive career. Some teachers have more specifically shaped his pedagogy: Risa Steinberg, Angélique Wilkie, Irene Dowd, Peter Boneham and Ginelle Chagnon are artists who remain references for him. To this core, others have also contributed at one time or another by showing him a new approach to dance and movement.

The technique class offered is a contemporary dance class, drawing material from the Limón technique and from ballet principles. It challenges the dancer to develop a dynamic balance between strength and freedom of movement, release of ballistic weight to propel the gesture, clarity of impulse within the proprioceptive sphere combined with a relationship of intent to the scenic space, through clear form and focus. In this process, technique is defined as the preparation of the body towards a dynamic and creative state, and the acquisition of tools to physically articulate the dancerʼs artistic contribution according to his/her choices.

Discussion groups and seminars
Based on the participantsʼ interest, it is possible to allow time within the workshop for discussion and reflection on the dancerʼs work in the different spheres of his practice, from training, to creation process, to performance.

Located in Montreal, École de danse contemporaine de Montréal has remained Marc Boivin’s primary teaching base since 1987. Technique classes, often open to all, are offered regularly as well as various interpretation or choreography workshops, which are taught periodically.

photo credit: Dominique Bouchard