CAPOEIRA NO RODA
Capoerista Solomon Adaf from Afro Brazil Arts introduces students to the vigorous, musical movement form developed in the 1500's by Angolans taken as slaves to Brazil. Students develop the fundamental physical skills and vocabulary of capoeira as they practice the focus, discipline, respect and the strategic, improvisational thinking required to excel at the art form. In the roda or circle formed at the end of each class, students try out their new skills with each other in a ritual of continuously evolving duets. A sharing with families and peers may conclude the residency.
EXPLORING CHINESE CULTURE
THROUGH DANCE AND VISUAL ARTS
Working with artists from the Chinese Folk Dance Company students learn the colorful ribbon and fan dances and receive instruction in calligraphy and paper-cutting as they explore traditional Chinese culture, often in conjunction with a classroom study of that culturally rich country. Children become familiar with the discipline and focus required to master these Chinese art forms as they practice a movement vocabulary requiring strength, flexibility, balance and endurance. An informal presentation of dances and art works for families and schoolmates may conclude the residency.
ROOTS OF AFRICAN AMERICAN DANCE
AFRICAN DANCE
DANCE COMPOSITION FUN-DAMENTALS
Dance educator Margot Faught leads children in a dynamic exploration of the basic elements of dance composition. Moving in pairs, trios, quartets and large groups, students learn to interact with each other in space using a new, creative awareness. They gain an understanding of shape, personal and general space and of how to use concepts of time and energy as they create their own movement phrases and patterns. The residency may culminate in a sharing with families and schoolmates.
AFRO-CARIBBEAN DANCES
Dancer/choreographer Imani Faye and per percussionist teach traditional dances and rhythms of West Africa and the Caribbean. After learning a warm-up sequence based on traditional African Diaspora movement vocabulary, students learn an age-appropriate dance from the many traditional dances in Ms. Faye's repertoire. Supplementary information on the social, historical and musical context of each dance punctuates each session. Students also learn about the djembe, a traditional African drum that accompanies many of the dances. Students celebrate their experience of this beautiful dance genre with an informal final presentation for families and peers.
DANCES FROM THE SWING ERA
Dancer/choreographer Patricia Gibson introduces students to the popular dances of the Swing era. After a complete warm-up, students dance to the music of Billy Strayhorne and Duke Ellington in traveling exercises that develop in complexity each week. They also learn about the Harlem Renaissance and develop a physical and cognitive understanding of dance vocabulary.
NATURE'S RHYTHMS-THE OCEAN AND ITS CREATURES; THE RAINFOREST; FLORA & FAUNA
In her work with children, dancer/choreographer Martita Goshen combines her twin passions for dance and the endangered species of our planet. Students move like dolphins, polar bears, whales, frogs, fish and tigers as they leap, skip, gallop, glide, crawl, pounce and slither through classes designed to strengthen their bodies and their imaginations. As they practice a joyful, exploratory approach to movement, they are empowered to better care for their own and the planet's health. At the end of each class, students reflect together on their experience of that day's material. They may share their learning with families and schoolmates at the conclusion of the residency.
MODERN DANCE FUN-DAMENTALS
Dancer, choreographer and artistic director Kim Grier leads students in an exciting exploration of modern dance. Using a dance technique developed by modern dance pioneer, Lester Horton, students learn how and why to properly warm up their bodies, challenging themselves as they build strength, flexibility, agility, endurance and balance. They master increasingly complex movement phrases, and become familiar with the routines, etiquette and expectations of the dance studio. An informal presentation for friends and family may conclude the residency.
CREATIVE MOVEMENT
Professional dance teaching artist Kate Hamilton-Caillet will teach students to move their bodies through structured and fast paced workshops in this creative movement residency. Beginning with a warm-up each day, students will investigate a wide range of movement explorations. They will learn how to participate in a professional dance class and to move and freeze in time to musical cues. After learning to have greater control of their bodies in personal space, they will then begin to move through general space making choices to move on high, medium and low levels, with varying directionality and force.
DANCING IN THE ELEMENTS
Dancer Dionne Kamara leads students in an exploration of the basic elements of dance. As they learn about the function of dance in other cultures, students generate and share their own movement ideas, experimenting with such dance concepts as personal and general space, rhythm, tempo, partnering and the use of imagery. As they develop their strength, coordination and flexibility, students also learn to improvise singly and in groups with and without props. A sharing with students' peers and families may conclude the residency.
WEST AFRICAN DANCE
JOURNEY THROUGH THE CARIBBEAN
Dancer Yvette Martinez and musician Nancy Friedman of ¡Retumba! engage students in an investigation of the roots of Afro-Caribbean percussion, song and dance. Students learn about the cultures of Puerto Rico, Liberia, Haiti, Cuba and the Dominican Republic through their dance and music. An informal sharing with families and school mates may conclude the residency.
CARY'S CARNIVAL of CREATIVE MOVEMENT
Dancer Cary McWilliam guides children in an exploration of creative movement fundamentals that develop their physical, creative and cognitive learning skills. In each session, a warm-up sequence is followed by an investigation of several key dance concepts that may include shape, tempo, personal and general space, floor patterns, levels and direction. As they expand their movement vocabularies, students develop strength, flexibility, balance, agility and their imaginations. Each session includes opportunities for students to make creative choices, individually or in small groups. An informal sharing for schoolmates and families may conclude the residency.
LOUIS MOFSIE OF THE THUNDERBIRD AMERICAN INDIAN DANCERS
Hopi/Winnebago native Louis Mofsie introduces students to the traditions of the Iroquois people of New York State and Canada. Students discover the importance of nature in Native American life and its impact on their dance forms. They learn about the clothing, musical instruments, stories and customs of the Iroquois and the contributions of Native Americans to our culture.
THE ART OF DANCE IMPROVISATION:
DISCOVERING CREATIVE MOVEMENT VOCABULARIES
Students develop their concentration, creativity and cooperative learning skills with modern dancer/choreographer Jessica Nicoll as they practice the physical, cognitive and imaginative skills embedded in dance improvisation. They build critical and descriptive language skills as they learn to observe and constructively critique each others' work. Each class creates a unique dance study based on their explorations of dance elements such as rhythm, tempo, level and movement quality. Students may share their work with peers and families in an informal, culminating event that celebrates the physical and creative challenges of dance.
CREATIVE MOVEMENT
MEXICAN DANCE: JALISCO TO YUCATAN
Dancer Alda Reuter and musician Peter Basil teach students the fundamentals of Mexican dance and music. Students learn physically, aurally and cognitively about Mexican culture by participating in traditional Mexican group dances. They share their learning in a costumed final presentation for family and friends.
BANTABA: COME TO THE DANCING GROUND!
Renowned performer and teaching artist Amparo Chigui Santiago introduces students to a variety of movement forms, including modern dance, yoga and traditional African and Caribbean dances and songs. Students develop an awareness of personal space, rhythm and percussive patterns as they engage the body's major muscle groups. They build coordination, strength, flexibility, agility, balance and endurance through dance sequences that grow progressively more complex. Ms. Santiago incorporates age-appropriate yoga during the cool-down section of the class.
AFRO-CARIBBEAN DANCE
AFRO/MODERN FUSION
AFRO/MODERN FUSION
CREATIVE MOVEMENT
Dancer/choreographer Alicia White introduces students to basic dance skills that build imagination, strength, flexibility, endurance, balance and spatial awareness. Students explore dance elements like shape, imagery, direction, tempo, spatial pathways and movement quality as they construct their own simple dance studies. An informal sharing for families and schoolmates may conclude the residency.
WEST AFRICAN DANCE
MEXICAN DANCES: TABASCO TO MONTEREY
Dancer and choreographer Yloy Ybarra and a dancer from his company, Ballet Fiesta Mexicana teach students about traditional Mexican dance and music. Students learn physically, aurally and cognitively about Mexican culture by participating in traditional Mexican large group dances. They share their learning in a costumed final presentation for family and friends.
