Hudson Valley Contact Improvisation

08/06/2026

We are deeply saddened by the loss of choreographer and movement artist Simone Forti, whose “Dance Constructions” have influenced generations of artists and dancers. In December 2016, Danspace Project and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)’s Department of Media and Performance Art collaborated on an unprecedented Research Residency with Simone Forti, on the occasion of MoMA’s acquisition of Forti’s “Dance Constructions” (1961).

MoMA curator Stuart Comer said, “We’re particularly interested in the idea of body-to-body transmission, so we’ve been developing a new model of workshops with the organization Danspace Project to ensure that this work continues to inhabit the dance community and the new generations who will carry it forward.”

“Simone’s trailblazing and radically embodied experiments are deeply embedded in Danspace’s cultural ethos,” writes Judy Hussie-Taylor, “She was a generous and fearless artist, collaborator, and friend. She has left an indelible imprint on all of us who were fortunate to be part of her world.”

📷: Simone Forti, “That Fish is Broke,” Danspace Project’s Platform 2012: Judson Now, November 2012. Photo: Ian Douglas.

07/15/2026

Someone asked (rhetorically!) during the most recent closing circle: How does this magic always seem to occur? Someone else offered: We set up the conditions for magic and see if it appears.

Let's keep setting up the conditions for magic together!

Last class before we pause for August: "Finding the YES!" by Leighann Kowalsky

While "no" is a full sentence, a stop sign, a meaningful and important force - we will learn to also seek the available "yes"! We will build skills for finding new paths and frames - physical and cognitive; for finding the "yes" in every moment.
* please arrive to class 10 minutes early so we can start on time
* all levels warmly welcomed

Leighann Kowalsky (she/her) is a Hudson-Valley based dance artist, travelling globally to perform, choreograph & teach. Kowalsky has been a practitioner of Contact Improvisation since 2012, and has been a collaborator with early CI pioneer Nita Little since 2021. In 2022, Kowalsky joined the Institute for the Study of Somatic Communication as the Global Coordinator, and has been developing and adapting Nita Little’s Advanced/Intermediate body of work, for beginners. Leighann lives and breathes art, and appreciates being enmeshed in community, communication and movement in a variety of forms.

Jam with music from 3pm -4:30: Music/sound by Madeleine Grace

Address: Score Studio, 59 O'Neil St., Kingston, NY 12440

Prices: Thank you for contributing promptly upon arrival, rather than waiting until the end (cash or VENMO).
Both class and jam together: $25 (or $30 if you can!)
Only class: $10
Only jam: $20

Fall '26 Hudson Valley Contact Improv dates:
- Sept. 13
- Sept. 27
- Oct. 11
- Oct. 25
- Nov. 8
- Nov. 22
- Dec. 13
- Possibly Dec. 27
Put 'em in your cal!

Additional Details & FAQ in the FB Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/2164562247493785/

07/12/2026

TODAY'S CLASS: Falling Into Potential Part II with Jovanina Pagano
Last month, we shook our joints, tissues, and organs to find stability; folded to fall; released to rise; and explored how much weight we actually needed to give to our partners so they could sense our structure. This Sunday’s pre-jam class will continue exploring these paradoxical themes, with a specific focus on partnered weight-sharing exercises. Together, we'll deepen our awareness of both our own and our partner’s centers, creating the physical conditions for new movement possibilities to emerge.

* please arrive to class 10 minutes early so we can start on time
* all levels warmly welcome

Jovanina Pagano is a dedicated student and teacher of Contact Improvisation, Afro-Haitian folkloric dance, Body-Mind Centering, and Iyengar Yoga. She has shared her love of yoga and dance with the New York City public and private schools, St. John the Divine, Heifetz International Music Institute, Jackson Hole Dancer’s Workshop, Key West Dance Company, and the City-Wide Youth Opera. Jovanina currently co-produces contact improvisation events at the Peaceable Barn Studio in Redding, CT.

Jam with music from 3pm -4:30: Music/sound by Shir Meira Feit

Address: Score Studio, 59 O'Neil St., Kingston, NY 12440

Prices: Thank you for contributing promptly upon arrival, rather than waiting until the end (cash or VENMO).
Both class and jam together: $25 (or $30 if you can!)
Only class: $10
Only jam: $20

06/23/2026

Newly based in Brattleboro VT, Moti Zemelman has been facilitating groups centered in Contact Improvisation, somatic practices and consent for over 30 years across the USA, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, Israel and Europe. He has been both a teacher and board member at Earthdance Retreat Center where he co-organized Touch&Play Festival for 6 years.Additionally he is a featured dancer in Sanford Lewis' documentary film about CI "An Intimate Dance."

Moti has sought to integrate communication and intimacy skills into both teaching and life. Tools he incorporates into his teachings include: Non-violent Communication, Authentic Movement, Byron Katie's "The Work," and Betty Martin's "Wheel of Consent." His teachings emphasize the importance of cultivating a deep and embodied sense of presence, as well as developing a compassionate, non-judgmental relationship with oneself.

His workshops and classes provide a space for individuals to explore movement and embodiment in a supportive, non-competitive environment, and are open to participants of all genders, backgrounds, and levels of experience.

Jam with music from 3pm -4:30: Music/sound by Moti
We end the jam at 4:30 and sit in a closing circle together.

Come to class, jam, or both!

at Score Studio, 59 Oneil St. Kingston NY (upstairs)

Cash (preferred) or Venmo. Thank you for contributing promptly upon arrival, rather than waiting until the end. If you can contribute more, this helps sponsor others.
Both class and jam together: $25-30
Only class: $10+
Only jam: $20+

Additional details and FAQ in the FB Event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1613849866348670/

06/13/2026

This Sunday! Details in the FB Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1038264845372795

CI Class "Falling into Potential, Part I" by Jovanina Pagano + Jam w/ sound by Madeleine Grace

In this pre-jam class — part I of II — we’ll explore the seeming paradox of Contact Improvisation: that stability, safety, and freedom of choice all depend on the body’s ability to release into gravity, fold at the joints, and ride the fall. We’ll begin with a short shaking practice to warm and lubricate the joints, then move into solo explorations of fluid stability. From there, we’ll expand into partnered weight-sharing exercises that combine negotiating center — our own and our partner’s — while staying nimble, responsive, and free.

Jovanina Pagano is a dedicated student and teacher of Contact Improvisation, Afro-Haitian folkloric dance, Body-Mind Centering, and Iyengar Yoga. She has shared her love of yoga and dance with the New York City public and private schools, St. John the Divine, Heifetz International Music Institute, Jackson Hole Dancer’sWorkshop, Key West Dance Company, and the City-Wide Youth Opera. Currently, co-produces contact improvisation events at the Peaceable Barn Studio in Redding, CT.

Jam with music from 3pm -4:30: Music/sound by Madeleine Grace

We end the jam at 4:30 and sit in a closing circle together.
Come to class, jam, or both!

at Score Studio, 59 Oneil St. Kingston NY (upstairs)

Cash (preferred) or Venmo. Thank you for contributing promptly upon arrival, rather than waiting until the end. If you can contribute more, this helps sponsor others.
Both class and jam together: $25-30
Only class: $10+
Only jam: $20+

Additional details and FAQ in the FB Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1038264845372795

06/03/2026

CI Class "Falling into Potential, Part I" by Jovanina Pagano + Jam w/ sound by Madeleine Grace

In this pre-jam class — part I of II — we’ll explore the seeming paradox of Contact Improvisation: that stability, safety, and freedom of choice all depend on the body’s ability to release into gravity, fold at the joints, and ride the fall. We’ll begin with a short shaking practice to warm and lubricate the joints, then move into solo explorations of fluid stability. From there, we’ll expand into partnered weight-sharing exercises that combine negotiating center — our own and our partner’s — while staying nimble, responsive, and free.

Jovanina Pagano is a dedicated student and teacher of Contact Improvisation, Afro-Haitian folkloric dance, Body-Mind Centering, and Iyengar Yoga. She has shared her love of yoga and dance with the New York City public and private schools, St. John the Divine, Heifetz International Music Institute, Jackson Hole Dancer’sWorkshop, Key West Dance Company, and the City-Wide Youth Opera. Currently, co-produces contact improvisation events at the Peaceable Barn Studio in Redding, CT.

Jam with music from 3pm -4:30: Music/sound by Madeleine Grace

We end the jam at 4:30 and sit in a closing circle together.
Come to class, jam, or both!

at Score Studio, 59 Oneil St. Kingston NY (upstairs)

Cash (preferred) or Venmo. Thank you for contributing promptly upon arrival, rather than waiting until the end. If you can contribute more, this helps sponsor others.
Both class and jam together: $25-30
Only class: $10+
Only jam: $20+

Additional details and FAQ in the FB Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1038264845372795