The Dalcroze Classics 40 years on: Reflecting on practice and collaboration

In 1982, Dalcroze teacher Sandra Nash performed several exercises and Esquisses, drawing on source materials of Émile Jaques-Dalcroze, in front of the camera. Directed by dance historian Selma Landen Odom, these became the two-part video: “Dalcroze Classics – Ways of Moving in Music.” The films give a rare glimpse of Dalcroze movement in the 1980s as expressed through the body of an expert practitioner. Watching Sandra, we also catch some resonances of her teacher Heather Gell, whose influence is visible. As such, the films are more than a record of a moment in time; they link different generations of practice through the notion of the body as archive. In 2014, Sandra and Selma digitized, edited and published the recordings online. In 2024, I interviewed Sandra and Selma about their experiences on the project. Reflecting after 40 years revealed many insights into their collaboration, including their motivations, choice of materials and the practical challenges they faced, as well as their influences, networks and professional practice. This is the first time that Nash and Odom have been interviewed about their work on Dalcroze Classics. As such the conversation offers new knowledge about this unique example of archiving Dalcroze practice as well as an inspiration for similar work today.