Kate Hilder
I focus on encouraging an atmosphere of exploration and playfulness as I believe that creativity blossoms when we are enjoying ourselves.
What will students gain if they come on one of your courses?New ways of expressing yourself through movement, vocal sound and speaking; spontaneity and a willingness to play; building connections with others through improving listening and relationship skills; curiosity and a sense of the wonder in everyday life.
Are there any particular techniques/processes you use in your teaching?My main influence is a form of improvised physical theatre called Action Theater? which was developed by Ruth Zaporah – see www.actiontheater.com for more on this. I have also trained with other improvisation masters such as Al Wunder and Andrew Morrish. I use Al Wunder’s ‘positive feedback’ method which offers a framework for people to talk about what interests them about their own improvisations and that of their peers.I am in my third year of the Feldenkrais Teacher Training programme and I use movements from this method in the warm-up at the start of class.
What inspires your own work?Every time I improvise I discover something new about myself, its like peeling off the layers of an onion and revealing hidden parts of me. At the moment I’m focussing on developing my singing voice – which I didn’t know existed till recently. I like the immediacy of improvisation, it’s a very honest form of performance as there is no pre-conceived script or choreography to hide behind. For this reason my students are a big inspiration – their willingness to take risks, be vulnerable and go beyond their habits is an act of generosity. Nature is another important source of inspiration – the different qualities of movement of natural elements; sounds and silences; visual patterns??..its all a resource for creating material in the studio.
Where did you gain your training/experience?I trained with Ruth Zaporah in California and in New Mexico from 2001. In 2006 I completed the teacher training programme and became the UK’s first Action Theater? teacher.
What teaching experience have you had?I have been teaching a weekly class in London and in Brighton for the past 7 years and have taught in universities, dance schools, adult education centres and at festivals.
Have you written any books/had articles published?No.
Do you belong to any professional groups/societites?Foundation for Community Dance; Feldenkrais Guild UK