Dance style
Contemporary dance for expressive, confident movers
Croft Gilchrist School of Dancing offers contemporary dance in Townsville that blends creative movement with structured technique. Rather than following a rigid external syllabus, our contemporary classes develop each dancer's artistry through improvisation, floor work, breath and choreographic thinking — from Junior Contemporary right through to Senior Contemporary.
Why contemporary dance unlocks artistry
Contemporary builds creativity, improvisation, breath control and emotional expression — the qualities that turn a technically correct dancer into a compelling performer. Students learn to connect movement to meaning, develop their own choreographic voice, and grow the confidence to take artistic risks. It's especially valuable for dancers who are starting to think about choreography, audition work or simply want a freer, more expressive outlet alongside their ballet or jazz training.
Our studios at 36 French St, Pimlico have sprung timber floors that make floor work and rolling movements safe and comfortable.
Contemporary levels taught at Croft Gilchrist
Classes are grouped by age and experience, each balancing structure with creative freedom:
- Junior Contemporary — an introduction to contemporary movement through games, imagery and simple sequences that build body awareness, creativity and confidence.
- Senior Contemporary — deeper technical work including floor work, weight transfer, breath control, improvisation and choreography, for teens and older students ready to develop their own movement style.
A structured approach without exam pressure
Contemporary at Croft Gilchrist follows a structured progression of technique and creative movement, but without formal external examinations. Instead of training toward an exam syllabus, dancers work toward performance — class sequences, improvised tasks and original choreography that build skill and artistry in equal measure. This keeps contemporary a space of exploration, even for students deep in examination training in their other styles.
When and where do contemporary classes run?
Contemporary classes run on weekday afternoons and evenings at our Pimlico studios, with Junior and Senior classes grouped by age and experience. Many students take contemporary alongside their jazz or ballet classes in the same visit. See the full timetable for exact times.
Frequently asked questions about contemporary dance classes
What is contemporary dance?
Contemporary is a modern dance style that blends elements of ballet, jazz and lyrical with freer, more expressive movement. It uses breath, floor work, improvisation and emotional connection to tell stories — think of the expressive routines you see on shows like So You Think You Can Dance.
Is contemporary suitable for my child?
Yes. Our Junior Contemporary class is designed for school-aged children and uses imagery, games and creative tasks to build movement skills in a fun, pressure-free way. Children who love to move, imagine and express themselves tend to thrive.
Do I need prior dance experience?
Some dance background helps in Senior Contemporary, but it isn't essential. Junior Contemporary welcomes complete beginners, and because there's no exam syllabus to catch up on, new students settle in quickly at any level.
What should I wear to contemporary class?
Fitted, comfortable clothing that allows free movement — the school uniform top with leggings or shorts is ideal. Contemporary is usually danced barefoot or in foot undies, and long hair should be tied back.
Browse all classes
Looking for a different style? See every class we teach at Croft Gilchrist.
