// Ongoing Class Descriptions //
BALLET
Beginning Ballet w/ Ricki Mason: This class is appropriate for students with little or no ballet training. Ricki takes an eclectic approach to ballet technique, using a variety of contemporary music styles to inspire dance that feels great. Following a traditional ballet class format, we will begin developing alignment and articulation at the barre, and then move into the center of the room for yummy adagios, quick twitch petite allegros, earthy waltzes, and big glamorous jumps. Ricki integrates an intelligent approach to body mechanics with a theatrical sense of musicality, making this the perfect class for actors, social dancers, burlesque performers, and people who think moving around to music is fun.
Beginning Ballet w/ Ellie: This class is for those that are new to Ballet, those who have distanced themselves from the technique and those that come to class weekly! This class always has a great, multi-dimensional vibe about it, created by the people who attend — join us for a fantastic work out! Ellie stays true to the regime of the “learned discipline” of a Ballet class, whether it’s at the barre, in the center or moving across the floor. As a teacher, she enjoys finding the balance of the strict, ’set’ exercises found in Ballet technique and the emotional realities of the ever-changing, adult day. By blending the physical body with the mind, the heart and the soul, it is possible to create an emotional, strong, energized and well-balanced dancer. Everyone is welcome in this safe environment of physical challenge. The amazing Jim Kent joins the class live on the piano each week.
Advanced Ballet w/ Karn Junkinsmith: Class will have an emphasis on musicality, anatomically based alignment, and joyful expression of contemporary and classical balletic forms. The class begins with a yoga derived stretching sequence on the floor. Barre work encourages clarity of focus and purity of ‘line’ during the vigorous warming and strengthening exercises. Center work is devoted to learning and representing fluid and original dance passages, which are passionately accompanied on pianoforte by Jeffrey Junkinsmith. Class finishes with grand allegro or turns. Relaxed attire and levity are welcome. Children are invited to observe and/or amuse themselves quietly on the side.
Intermediate/Advanced Ballet w/ Daniel: The class focus is on an organic movement style derived from alignment and connecting to the floor as well as an achievement of fluidity and speed through core use and an attention to agility.
MODERN
Beginning Modern w/ Kristin Hapke: This beginning modern dance class is designed for students who like to move, take risks and be expressive. Musical selections from African beats, bossa novas, blues, classical and hip hop reflect the ecceletic background of modern dance. Through a continuous warm-up, we will get the blood pumping, strengthen and stretch the body, focus on alignment, ease and momentum. Highly influenced by Pilates, Yoga, Release technique, and qi gong, the class will cultivate the body’s energies to work in harmony with power, ease and release.
Beginning Contemporary Dance w/ Ricki Mason: This class is appropriate for students with little or no dance training. This contemporary dance class is built on the fundamental principal that moving your body to music feels good. Class begins with a simple warm up to improve alignment, build strength, and access each student’s range and flexibility. We will continue to experience our expressive and communicative bodies in lush movement across the floor and center phrase material that is unique to Ricki’s eclectic style. Ricki integrates an intelligent approach to body mechanics with a theatrical sense of musicality, making this the perfect class for actors, social dancers, burlesque performers, and people who think moving around to music is fun.
Slow Intermediate Modern w/ Amy O’Neal: A thorough and focused class for the curious tapping into the body’s innate stability and rhythmic patterns. A simple and effective warm-up to build strength is followed by phrase work focusing on musicality, attention to detail, and unexpected choices in timing and is stylistically inspired by release techniques, hip-hop, and ballet. Conceptually based on Amy’s study of Yoga and Pilates and improvisation, we find the maximum potential of dynamic movement and balance through oppositional forces of energy that we consciously direct physically by using our imagination and not being afraid to play.
Intermediate Modern w/ Ellie: By finding the form of our deepest breath to following it’s flow for movement potential, this class asks the students to safely let go and enjoy the journey through their bodies. Classes usually begin with breathing exercises, solo or partner “discoveries”, small improvisational scores and body work. Core strengthening exercises inspired by Graham technique, Cunningham technique, Ballet, Jazz, Pilate’s, Yoga, Tai Chi, Hip Hop and even Jane Fonda- help the students find support from their center of gravity. Using these grounding tools from various techniques, class builds along with the challenge- mentally and physically, ending with juicy, full bodied movement phrases that remind the students to let go in order to find the flow. Come have fun in this safe environment of body/mind connection
Intermediate/Advanced Modern w/ Aiko Kinoshita: This class will be geared towards high intermediate/advanced level movers, but accessible and open to intermediate levels. There will be options within phrasework to satisfy both intermediate and advanced dancers. Class is informed by contemporary ballet and modern dance techniques, somatics and release techniques, contact and improvisation. The class encourages students to find confidence and joy in their own creative and physical potential while challenging them to find greater range of expression through dynamic physicality and specificity. Juicy phrases full of motion, oppositional tension, and weight change follow a simple warm-up that emphasizes clean technique and articulation of the body.
Advanced Modern w/ Aiko Kinoshita: Class is informed by contemporary ballet and modern dance techniques, somatics and release techniques, contact and improvisation. The class encourages students to find confidence and joy in their own creative and physical potential while challenging them to find greater range of expression through dynamic physicality and specificity. Juicy phrases full of motion, oppositional tension, and weight change follow a simple warm-up that emphasizes clean technique and articulation of the body.
Advanced Modern w/ Michael Rioux: Michael’s current interests and explorations find themselves somewhere between form and the formless, somewhere between acknowledging codified techniques but not insisting on them, and firmly planted in an alertness for the physical phenomenon of what it feels like to move.
BODY/MIND
Ashtanga Vinyasa Flow Yoga w/ Troy Lucero: Based on the traditional method put forth by Sri K Pattabhi Jois, this vigorous class is comprised of sequences and subsequences determined by the general ability of the group.
Yin Yoga w/ Troy Lucero: This is a contemplative practice. It is a mostly quiet class with postures held for an extended length of time.
Independent Yoga Study – Mysore Style w/ Troy Lucero. Mysore is appropriate for all levels, using the ashtanga sequence as a template, student develop personal practices. Assistance is given on an individual basis. All styles of yoga asana are welcome.
Feldenkrais® Awareness Through Movement®
The Feldenkrais Method® is a subtle and powerful system of neuromuscular re-education that evokes changes in muscular tone, flexibility, coordination, attention, and the comfort and efficiency of movement. Remind yourself of the brilliant and effortless ways your body is designed to move. It’s scientific and sumptuous! Great for all levels of experience, dancers and non-dancers.
Dance Art Group / Movement Arts Research (DAG/MAR)
DAG/MAR features research into improvisation, performance, creative process and composition, contact improvisation, somatic education, New Dance techniques, and other dance realms with a different local teacher/topic each month. DAG/MAR is produced by Dance Art Group (DAG); to see who’s teaching this month go to: www.danceartgroup.org/velocity-series.html
OTHER CLASSES
Bottom Heavy Funk w/ Amy O’Neal: A non-intimidating approach to hip-hop, street, club dance. This class will begin with an integrated warm-up coming from Modern Dance, Yoga, and Jazz to build strength and ground the individual. Simple exercises in body isolation and rhythm will prepare us for funked out, bottom heavy, full-bodied, and intricate movement set to and completely inspired by hip-hop, soul, funk, and R&B music. This is an open class and will be geared toward the level of the majority of participants. Come prepared to be yourself, have fun, and get down and dirty.
Body Rock Breakdance w/ Jeromeskee: In this class you will learn the importance of foundation as you learn proper form and technique as well as the history of the dance. In addition, you will discover how the movements relate to rhythm and the significance of character in your dancing. While you increase your mind with knowledge of the B-boy/B-girl persona, you may produce or improve you own personal style. Students with instruction and guidance will have the chance to test their limits with advance innovative moves. You will learn to: Elevate yourself mentally and physically through a strong b-boy foundation, get exclusive world class training methods, learn advance battle and show techniques, maximize and condition your body. Special guest teacher appearances of Massive Monkees, Rocksteady Crew, and the Sonics Boom squad!!!!
Traditional West African Dance w/ Awal Alhassan: Fun and energetic classes with live drumming focus on traditional Ghanaian and other West African dances. The earth and heart based movements are exciting and varied, yet appropriate for all levels. African dance teaches the body a new vocabulary of movements and rhythms that classical Western styles of dance do not. Because of this it is a great “cross-training” opportunity for dancers of other styles. Lively fun for all, dancer or not, everyone takes something new away! Awal Alhassan has been teaching everyone from complete beginners to professional dancers for over twenty years, and is able to lay out each movement so that every student leaves class amazed at how much fun they had and what they have accomplished. Sweat, Smile, and Celebrate!!!
Beginning Odissi/Orissi Dance w/ Ratna Roy: Orissi is a classical dance style from Eastern India. Tracing its origins to 2nd century BC, Orissi combines dance and theatre. The Beginning class focuses on the grammar and vocabulary of the dance through exercises, footwork, eye-chin-neck coordinations, and hand gestures (mudras). It works with the total body, including facial expressions.
Hip Hop w/ Jaret Hughes: DLearn to move and groove with just the basics. Learn today’s hottest Hip Hop moves with an occassional old skool flare including progressions across the floor. This high energy, intense class is sure to get you movin and groovin and not to mention…SWEATIN!!!! Dress comfortably in non-restrictive clothing and sneakers.
