Classes

Teaching Philosophy

As a dance educator, my passion lies not only in the art of dance as a technical way of training the body, but also as a means to explore our individuality and artistry. I believe dance should be available to all levels and histories and hope to inspire my students to have a curiosity for movement, as well as self-exploration so they can achieve their own individual artistry. Allowing ourselves to be vulnerable and open in our practice is essential in order to thrive and continue to grow. I challenge my students to be active and present in the moment, to question, and to create the path that can lead to self discovery, progress and empowerment.

"We are all choreographers, performers and masters of our own bodies"

Methodology

My eclectic teaching approach integrates different modern dance techniques and philosophies through centralized concepts that prioritize body awareness and alignment, a clear understanding of the skeletal and muscular systems, phrasing and dynamics.

I believe that in order to cultivate a technically strong, well rounded and efficient moving body, it is essential to embrace multiple points of view and incorporate them into our physical practice. This approach allows me to craft a unique structure that supports all the fundamental principles of modern dance, such as contractions, release, spirals, weight shift and momentum, fall and recovery etc.

Youth Program Class Descriptions

Photo by Tina Craig: https://www.tinacraig.com/

Creative Movement (Ages 3-5)

In this fun and exciting class, young creative movers explore some of the fundamental concepts of dance: body, effort, space and time through imaginative games, storytelling and the use of props.

Students will be introduced to basic ballet and modern dance concepts, steps and terminology as they continue to develop coordination, flexibility and a sense of rhythm.

Primary Modern (Ages 6-8)

Our primary modern dance program continues to build on the skills introduced in creative movement and focuses on developing proper placement and alignment, core strength, and spatial awareness. Students are introduced to center work, floorwork and structured improvisation to continue building coordination, musicality and creative expression.

Modern I (Ages 9-11)

This class continues to strengthen the technique foundations introduced in primary modern, focusing on increasing movement efficiency/vocabulary and introducing more complex, nuanced phrasing.

Adult/Professional Class Descriptions

Photo by Daniel Cooksley: https://www.danielcooksleyphotography.com/

Floorwork

This class focuses exclusively on facilitating dancers with a deeper understanding of floorwork technique from a somatic approach, so as to cultivate and enhance body awareness. We will work with gravity, momentum and release techniques as we explore the building block patterns that constitute contemporary floorwork. Let us allow our weight to carry us through space and move more efficiently by embracing the floor as our partner.

Expect to fall, bounce, spiral, roll and to simply experience the overall joy of movement!

Photo by Brian Morowczynski: https://www.viaphotos.com/index

Contemporary Modern

Centered around core modern dance principles and philosophies, this class integrates floorwork, somatic practices and improvisational strategies to enhance physical, aesthetic and performance skills. We will challenge our habitual pathways as we work with momentum and the flow of movement sequencing through clear initiation points.

Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) L1 Certified

Founded by Marie Walton-Mahon, Progressing Ballet Technique is a body-conditioning and strengthening program designed to enhance dance technique by training muscle memory using a system of ballet-specific exercises. PBT focuses on core strength, weight placement and body alignment with most of its exercises being low-impact and non-weight bearing, which makes it ideal for injury prevention and rehabilitation as well. A wonderful way for dancers, movement practitioners and athletes to refine their skills and ability to perform at their best.

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