Horton Technique is one of the main modern techniques taught and utilized in choreography today. Lester Horton created this technique and taught it at his company in Los Angeles. It is based on his early interest in Native American dance as well as his time working with Michio Ito, a Japanese Dancer. The most well known dance company currently using Horton’s technique is the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, founded by one of Horton’s former students, Alvin Ailey.
Many see similarities between Horton’s warmup technique and the movements typically found in a jazz warm up. Including isolations of different parts of the body as well as lateral stretches and lunges. Horton’s technique has been codified into 17 fortifications including achilles stretches, laterals, lunges, hip isolations, and coccyx balances. Some other iconic Horton positions are flatbacks, primitive squats, hinges and the lateral T.
Horton Technique requires great core strength and control. Together, the technique works to stretch and strengthen the back and hamstrings. The technique is not only taught and practiced in technique class but is also used in choreography. Of course Horton utilized his technique in his own choreography, but his students also went on to use his technique as a basis for many of the pieces they created and this practice is still in use today at modern dance companies throughout the United States.
Horton Hinge 