modern dance – Page 5

Review: World Dance Workout

February 8, 2011 by 4dancers

Product: World Dance Workout CD

Cost: $25 for CD, $22 for digital download

World Dance Workout is a CD designed specifically for dance. The music is percussion, and the musicians understand that a steady rhythm is needed to accompany movement. The centerpiece of this album is a nice, hypnotic beat that would be great for many different types of dance class. I can see belly dancers using it, modern dance classes or even dance classes at a health club. [Read more…]

Introducing Your High School Students to Modern Dance

January 20, 2011 by 4dancers

I have been teaching at Oak Park and River Forest High School (OPRFHS) for fifteen years. I inherited the job from a great teacher and friend who had already built and maintained a substantial program. I am also blessed to work in a community where the arts are respected and appreciated. My job is to keep reinventing a dance experience that caters to all of our students and teaches them to be life long dance enthusiasts. I’m proud to say that when I walk into work each day, I believe that’s what we are doing.

Our dance program is part of the Physical Education Department, and students are required to take one dance class before they can graduate from the high school. That’s right. EVERYBODY dances. Once everyone has taken a nine week (quarter) class as a freshmen, entitled “Introduction to Movement,” they can either be finished with their dance experience or continue to take dance classes at a more advanced level as juniors or seniors. Although our introductory course covers seven different dance styles, the overall dance program is based in modern dance. We want our students to know how modern dance came out of and is still influenced by other dance forms… [Read more…]

10 Questions With…Brittany Delany

December 20, 2010 by 4dancers

Today on 4dancers we have Brittany Delany with us…

1. How did you become involved in dance?

I became involved in dance at an early age. I loved music and dancing to radio and records. I enrolled in a local studio to learn ballet, tap and jazz but gave it up shortly after for town sports. Then in high school and college, I became more involved with choreography, improvisational dance forms, world dance forms, dance history, and performing/training in multiple dance styles. My parents understand my passion for dance, and I am ever grateful for their support and love.

2. What are you currently doing in the field?

I write as the Dance Editor at Hot Stepz Magazine and I train in hip hop dance with De La Femme, the all-female hip hop company of Funkanometry SF. I collaborate with modern dancers and support the performing arts as much as possible. I am wrapping up an internship in January with CounterPULSE, a radical, supportive, dynamic, flexible performing arts space in San Francisco.

3. Can you share a special moment from your career?

A special moment would be dancing outside with my mentor Pedro Alejandro in New Haven, CT at the Festival for Art & Ideas. I felt so blessed.

4. What advice would you offer other dancers?

Keep pushing the form of dance and support fellow dancers.

[Read more…]

Dance In The US: Arizona School Of Classical Ballet

January 25, 2010 by 4dancers

More about ballet in Arizona….

Name: Arizona School of Classical Ballet

Location: 20820 N. 25th Place, Suite # 110 – 112, Phoenix, AZ, 85050

About: The Arizona School of Classical Ballet teaches the Russian Method of Classical Ballet and also offers a recreational program of dance, and an adult ballet program for those who are looking for something less demanding. There is a four-year program for students ages 3 to 7 that prepares them for serious study.

The more advanced study of ballet begins at ages 8/9, and after some time girls are exposed to pointe work as they are ready. Other dance styles offered here include character dance, flamenco, modern and jazz.

School director Nadya Zubkov has served in many different capacities in her career, including the Artistic Director of the Ballet Department of the Children’s School for the Arts in Moscow and as a full-time faculty member for the School of Ballet Arizona prior to her current position.

The faculty at Arizona School of Classical Ballet all have strong backgrounds, and it is clear that they all have a great deal of experience in their respective fields. I found it very interesting that they also have a music instructor on staff who teaches piano and music theory.

Dance In The US: Anchorage Classical Ballet Academy

January 16, 2010 by 4dancers

Continuing in our new series, Dance in the US, we feature our first organization from Alaska…

Name: Anchorage Classical Ballet Academy

Location: 501 W. International Airport Rd., #22, Anchorage, AK 99518

About: This school has been around since 1997 and it offers a complete curriculum, providing classes for everyone from pre-school students to pre-professional dancers. On the site there is an interesting article that outlines 4 Things To Consider If Your Child Is Serious About Ballet, which is an excellent resource for parents. (It can also serve as a great tool for studio owners who are looking for a way to point out their strengths.) One of the points in the piece talks about whether the school has graduates that are successful in the field. Anchorage Classical Ballet Academy has some impressive placements, with students accepted at places such as the Kirov Academy, The Royal Ballet School, and Alvin Aily Company, among others.

Classes here include Mommy & Me, designed for children 18 months to 2 years of age, which I thought looked good since they didn’t try to push for an hour. The class is 45 minutes long, and that is a challenge enough for most students that age. (I know, I’ve taught them!) In addition to ballet classes the studio also offers jazz and modern dance.

As always, if you are from the company or the school and you would like to tell 4dancers readers something about your organization, please feel free to leave a comment…

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