Stephen Petronio Company taught worldwide at every level from primary school to professional. Classes included Petronio Technique, Improvisation Composition Repertory and Somatic Practices. Although SPC never formalized a school, the Petronio language was codified and in presented seasonally in workshops and “Pop up” schools across New York City. Each educational initiative was based in a rigorous and intelligent movement practice that encourages creativity and discovery.

The foundation of Petronio movement is the conscious direction of energy through the body and out into space. Technique class begins with a somatic warmup that focuses on skeletal connectivity and initiation from multiple origins in the body. Across-the-floor movement expands on ideas of spatial awareness, rhythm, and sequencing through the spine. Class is rooted in an energetic, rather than “shape-based,” approach. Each student is encouraged to find a healthy, open, and fearless mobility within their own body. Petronio constantly dared dancers to look away from the mirror to deepen an intuitive understand and mastery of their physicality.

Repertory workshops offered students firsthand experience with Petronio’s acclaimed body of work. Complex phrasework is broken down into accessible components, and rebuilt with an emphasis on dynamism, rhythmic precision, and speed. This unpacking of the choreographic process gives students a host of tools for their own work as dancers and dance makers.

Although every company member was encouraged to teach the work from their unique perspective, SPC named special Directors of Education to facilitate company activities, including, Gerald Casel, Davalois Fearon, Megan Wright, and Tess Montoya.