English, public speaking, foreign language – all of these classes teach Bolles students to communicate.  There’s more to communication than just words, though.  For thousands of years, people have spoken to each other by moving through space and time – or simply put, dancing.

During a weekend intensive held September 26 and 27, nationally renowned choreographer and dancer Brice Mousset taught the Bolles dance company specific techniques to demonstrate emotional expression through dance.  

During the 18-hour weekend intensive, Mr. Mousset taught the Dance Company new dance techniques.  The goal was not pretty performances but technically complex routines in which dancers sought to balance strength and grace.  

Mr. Mousset is the founder, Artistic Director and choreographer of Oui Danse.  Founded in 2013, the dance company Oui Danse invokes the French word for “yes”, which is “oui”, and is pronounced “We Dance”.  Mr. Mousset describes his company’s dancers as storytellers and their dance as an “amplifying mirror of society.”  His performances reflect a re-connection with our world.

In his French accent, Mr. Mousset led the company through an exhausting but rewarding weekend of instruction.  Mr. Mousset, who has taught and choreographed for the French Academy of Ballet, the Broadway Dance Center and the Joffrey Ballet, says, “My choreography completely reflects our world through my perception of it. I use my sensitivity to the everyday life as a source of inspiration. I like to put in movement with a grotesque elegance (to show) the human behaviors and emotions, the distresses of society.”  In this way, choreography articulates the human condition where, as Oui Danse’s mission statement says, “in this age of technology people have never been so connected and so alone.”  

Before dancing worldwide onstage and in film, Mr. Mousset studied psychology and human sciences. “My background in psychology helps me choreograph and dance,” notes Mr. Mousset. “Understanding the human conditions inspires me enormously in my creations. Psychology can also help me to understand the emotion of my dancers so I can direct them better.”

The dancers began their days stretching and then learning combinations, and then dividing into small groups to perform.  They also choreographed their own routines for Mr. Mousset to critique.

For Mr. Mousset, a dancer’s preparation and rehearsal is imperative:  “My dancers improvise very rarely on stage. They execute precise movements I teach them in studios. But sometimes I use improvisation to let their body free themselves, to find unique expression and then I direct them to set specifically what to do or not do.”  

Bolles Dance Director Angela Blackledge agrees that dance is an important way to understand our world, and our cultures.  “Communicating through dance is the essence of dance,” she said.

Bolles dancers impressed Mr. Mousset, who said, “I think Bolles dancers have a big heart, focused and disciplined. They have to keep working on their techniques and bodies to be strong but also remembering that dance is an art form.  A dancer is an athlete and an artist.”

The Dance Company now implements Mr. Mousset’s training in their practice and rehearsals.  The Dance Company’s year-end show takes place in May.