Historical Dance Program 

Description of the Program 

For over twenty-five years the historical dance program has been a highly successful part of the Amherst Early Music Festival, itself the largest festival of its kind in the world. Students particularly enjoy the opportunity for performance, along with stimulating classes by dance historians and performers.

The theme of this year's Amherst Early Music Festival is "Cloth of Gold: Music of France and England." The Historical Dance Program reflects that theme, with a focus on dance materials from these regions.

Beginning on Saturday, July 11, 2026, the program consists of technique classes and rehearsals, and culminates in two performances: a fully staged production of Jean-Philippe Rameau's 1745 opera, Platée (Friday evening, July 17), and a Studio Dance Presentation (Saturday morning, July 18).

Dancers who wish to perform in the opera must attend all technique classes and opera rehearsals; those performing in the Studio Dance Presentation must attend technique and studio presentation classes. Dancers who prefer not to perform are welcome to attend for study. Opportunities are available for dancers of all levels.           

Participants may also attend many other events (including English country dancing, concerts and lectures) in the evenings that are part of the Amherst Early Music Festival.

Dance Class Schedule

Monday-Friday, July 13-17
9:00-10:30 am. Baroque Dance Technique (Murray, Olsson)
Technique class in eighteenth-century dance focusing on steps and phrases from notated French and English choreographies by Pécour, Feuillet, Tomlinson, L'Abbé and others, including various dance types (chaconne, loure, menuet, passepied, rigaudon, bourée, etc.).

10:45 am-12:00 pm. Studio Dance Presentation: From Folio to Studio (Murray, Olsson, Meller)
Each dancer chooses a dance (or two) in Beauchamps-Feuillet notation (from a curated “Menu”), to prepare for performance on the Studio Dance Presentation (Saturday morning, July 18).     

1:45-3:00 pm.* Breathe and Step: Early dances for musicians (and Dancers, too!) (Meller)
A low-pressure, low-impact introduction to Renaissance and Baroque dances of England and France with an emphasis on how the core movements of each dance form can deepen understanding of the music. Bring your hottest questions about tempo and affect as we walk, glide and gently spring our way through pavans, branles, minuets, country dances and more. All left feet are welcome.

3:30-5:30 pm.* Dance Rehearsal for the opera project, Rameau's Platée (Murray, Olsson)
Performance Friday evening, July 17, 8:00 pm. Possible evening rehearsals on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Opera project dress rehearsal, late Thursday evening.

*Alternatively, (and for those not involved in the opera) this time can be used for individual practice time, rest, or to attend a music class.

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(Photos by Paul R. Johnson, Kaspar D. Mainz, Dorothy Olsson, and Miranda Penley)