It was the advice of her doctor that guided Jeannine Lorca to be sent to Popard classes at six-years-old. This act marked the beginning of her lifelong link to the Méthode Irène POPARD and “harmonic and rhythmic gymnastics” method; today, she is just as dedicated.
In 1973, Jeannine graduated with teaching credentials from le Centre Irène POPARD and since then she has taught the method to all ages. “It’s universal from youth to old age,” she says, “for each age, there is always a specificity.”
Jeannine was first introduced to the Centre de Danse du Marais in 1971 when she took Graham technique classes with George Gatecloud Di Bellecroix. After taking a long break from the center and teaching at Saint Denis and Dreux in Eure et Loir, she returned in 2007 to offer classes in Popard method. Since 2001, she has been the president of the National Association of Irène Popard. |
She has accomplished many other Popard-related efforts as well, such as running la Compagnie POPARD from 2001-09, establishing a professional pedagogical formation, and even publishing a re-edition of the historical book on the method in 2011. When we meet for our interview, Jeannine shows me the original book, and then her own re-edition, how she modified the layout so as to make it more readily understandable, all the while keeping true to the authenticity of the text.
Jeannine’s choreography has a very strong musicality and she even says, “I don’t dance without music. I teach in rapport with music.” It is therefore no surprise when she adds that she used to play piano and harpsichord.
I visit Jeannine’s children’s class as they prepare for their upcoming show. Enthusiasm is in the air and I am touched by their joy as they demonstrate what they have practiced. Jeannine clearly works extremely well with children, calming their outbursts, but encouraging their eagerness. “The method doesn’t imprison children,” she explains later. Jeannine tells me that she teaches with a balance of discipline and kindness to “nourish her students with movement.”
I visit Jeannine’s children’s class as they prepare for their upcoming show. Enthusiasm is in the air and I am touched by their joy as they demonstrate what they have practiced. Jeannine clearly works extremely well with children, calming their outbursts, but encouraging their eagerness. “The method doesn’t imprison children,” she explains later. Jeannine tells me that she teaches with a balance of discipline and kindness to “nourish her students with movement.”