What is FoCo Technique™:
FOCO TECHNIQUE™ is an original and evolving dance vocabulary created by choreographer and artistic director of YYDC, Yue Yin. Echoing her choreographic voice, FOCO TECHNIQUE™ is a unique contemporary form of dance movement rooted in Chinese classical and folk dance melded with the complex and diverse influences of the immigrant experience. The form grows from Yin’s own blended international background and a deep appreciation for precision, contrast, fluidity and musicality.
Yin developed FOCO TECHNIQUE™ in order to communicate and share the complex, grounded, folk, humanistic connections Yin saw between the technical background and current contemporary forms.
FOCO TECHNIQUE™ teaching is conducted in a follow-along method and the movement is closely aligned with the music. The instructor demonstrates sequences of movement based on the principles of FOCO while following a Three Stage structure:
Activating - establishing the connections between mind and body
Rooting - finding footing and building stability
Mapping - understanding the transitions and pathways of movement phrases.
This streamlined method provides a scaffolding for developing precision, strength, stamina, and ability that promotes controlled, textured and nuanced movement qualities.
FOCO TECHNIQUE™ classes are offered in- person to professional and advanced movement practitioners, and dance students. For the general public, Yin created FOCO X COMMUNITY class to include everyone from various backgrounds with previous dance training required. These classes are currently offered weekly at Peridance Center, 92NY and weekend workshops across New York City.
Certified FOCO TECHNIQUE™ Instructors:
Grace Whitworth and Nat Wilson exemplify the dedication, training, intention, and artistry of FOCO practitioners as performers and now as teachers of the form.
Grace Whitworth has been collaborating with Yin for over 12 years as a performer, artistic collaborator and now as YYDC rehearsal director. Grace attended Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA and earned a BA in Ballet and Jazz studies. She was a proud recipient of the Nicole Marie Falbo Memorial Scholarship. Grace has performed in the US and toured internationally to China, Italy, Germany and Serbia. She has assisted Yin in commissions for Bruce Wood Dance, Alberta Ballet, Boston Dance Theater, Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, BalletMet, Dance Aspen, to name a few. Grace’s extensive experience, exceptional qualities as a dancer and teacher, and commitment to the art form make her an invaluable asset to our teaching initiative.
Nat Wilson has been an integral part of YYDC’s artistic development for the past several years, having appeared in numerous Company performances both in the US and abroad. Nat Wilson grew up in Michigan and studied ballet at Ballet Chelsea before turning their focus to contemporary dance. In 2016, they moved to Israel to join Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company, where they had the opportunity to perform and teach around the world. In January of 2020 they moved to NYC to pursue a freelance career. Since then, they’ve worked in both New York and Los Angeles, performing with YYDC, ZviDance, Ballez, ate9 dANCE cOMPANY, and Volta Collective as well as creating their own work. Their dynamic presence and deep understanding of FOCO technique will greatly enrich our teaching program..
