2008 SUMMER DANCE, PILATES & YOGA

For complete descriptions, click on a program below or scroll down through all the listings to see what interests you.

FOR AGES 6-9
Click here to learn more about our Summer Sampler camps held at Arts Together

Click here to learn more about our SummerQuest program held at Our Lady of Lourdes School.

FOR AGES 8-10
Creative Dance and Yoga Workshop

FOR AGES 9-ADULTS
Inclusive Dance & Art Extravaganza!

FOR AGES 10-14
Teen Class Card

FOR AGE 15–ADULTS
Summer Evening Class Card

PILOBOLUS INSTITUTE WORKSHOP – a special event for ages 16 – adults

FOR AGE 18+
Compositional Improv Weekend Workshop with Katherine Ferrier

INCLUSIVE DANCE & ART EXTRAVAGANZA! (ages 9-adult)
Here is a chance for folks with mixed abilities to come together and experience dance and art in a creative and inclusive environment. We will have one hour of dance and one hour or visual art each day. We will celebrate our process and discoveries with an informal sharing at the end of the week. Limit 16 participants
Instructors: Jamie Butler, Michelle Pearson
Dates: August 4-8
Time: 12:30-2:30pm
Cost: $100 (Summer registration fee waived for this workshop.)

CREATIVE DANCE & YOGA WORKSHOP (ages 8-10)
Here is a class that will have your child stretching like a cobra and leaping through the air! We will explore basic dance and yoga fundamentals in a playful and creative environment. Your child will benefit from both the centering and stretching qualities of yoga along with the action and control of dance– a great combination! Limit 12 students
Instructor: Ann Huntley
Dates: August 11-15
Time: 4:30-5:30pm
Cost: $60 (Summer registration fee waived for this workshop.)

back to top

Every summer internationally-acclaimed Pilobolus Dance Theatre performs at The American Dance festival in Durham and this year their educational arm, the Pilobolus Institute, will teach a special workshop at Arts Together.

Pilobolus is well known in the dance world for its collaborative choreographic process and unique weight-sharing approach to partnering, as well as for its startling mix of humor and invention. This 37-year-old dance company includes a world-wide touring component and The Pilobolus Institute, the umbrella for its educational programming. Pilobolus is universally recognized as a major American dance company of international influence and our June workshop will provide a rare glimpse into their choreographic process and philosophy.

Modeled on Pilobolus’ collaborative creative process of dance making, students will explore a sequence of skills which, taken as a whole, define a choreographic process and a general approach to creative thinking. This workshop will include a Pilobolus warm-up, an investigation of physical improvisation, a variety of exercises dealing with group composition, discussion and an informal showing of work among the participants. Using a guided creative process that derives its content from the participants, this workshop will allow a collection of individuals, working together, to arrive at a group vision without losing the identity of individual voices.

Workshop instructor Renee Jaworski has worked with Pilobolus for the past seven years and holds a BFA in Modern Dance from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. After graduating she immediately began performing and teaching throughout the world with Momix. She later moved back to Philadelphia to create and perform her own work, while working for Group Motion and touring part time with Momix. In 1998 Ms. Jaworski went to New York City and began working with Carolyn Dorfman before joining Pilobolus in 2000.

back to top

COMPOSITIONAL IMPROV WEEKEND WORKSHOP (ages 18+)
This class is for dancers interested in exploring improvisation as composition and for performance.  Attention will be paid to the construction of compositional elements, such as the initiation and generation of movement material, the expansion of individual movement vocabularies, the development of forms and the recognition and support of emerging structures. This class balances in-depth individual exploration with practice in spontaneous ensemble dance-making. The artistic value and integrity of one's "voice" is sharpened in conversation with the whole as students note the aesthetic and poetic effect of compositional choices. Prior dance improvisation or instructor’s permission required. Limit 14 students.
Instructor: Katherine Ferrier
Dates: Friday, July 25 – Sunday, July 27
Time: Friday, 6:30-9pm / Saturday, 9am – Noon & 2-5pm / Sunday, 9am – Noon & 2-5pm
Cost: $120 (Summer registration fee waived for this workshop.)

back to top

back to top

THE SUMMER EVENING CLASS CARD (age 16 – adults)
Adults need summertime fun just as much as children, but vacation trips can make it difficult to sign up for classes that meet week after week all summer long. Enter the Summer Evening Class Card, which gives you the flexibility to select the classes that best fit your summer plans. The choice is yours – immerse yourself in yoga, hip hop, modern, pilates or African dance or be free and easy and try a different class from week to week!
Class Card Fee: $120 for any 9 classes of your choice – no summer registration fee required
Summer Drop-In Fee: $15/class

back to top

For complete descriptions, click on a class in the chart below or scroll down to find a particular class.

Intermediate/Advanced Modern Technique (ages 15 – adults)
In this challenging technique class, students work to refine their dance skills and increase their physical range through awareness of how the body moves in the safest, most efficient manner. At least two years dance training required or permission of the instructor to take this class.
Instructors: Jennifer Huggins, Michelle Pearson, Kathryn Ullom
Dates: Mondays, June 16 – August 11
Time: 6-7:30pm

Beginning/Intermediate Modern Technique (ages 15 – adults)
A unique opportunity for beginning dance students to focus on full body maintenance increasing flexibility, muscle tone, short-term memory, and imagination in a supportive and fun environment.
Instructors: Jennifer Huggins, Michelle Pearson, Kathryn Ullom
Dates: Mondays, June 16 – August 11
Time: 7:30-8:30pm

back to chart

Pilates (ages 15 – adults)
Pilates exercise techniques have been popular with dancers for years because they strengthen core abdominal and back muscles, while increasing flexibility, balance and body alignment.
Instructor: Mary Humphrey
Dates: Tuesdays, June 17 – August 12
Time: 6-7pm

African Dance (ages 15 – adults)
Learn the traditional dances of Africa. Whether you are a beginner, or have knowledge of other dance styles and now want to discover authentic African dance, then this energetic and fun class is for you.
Instructor: Ruby Johnny
Dates: Tuesdays, June 17 – August 12
Time: 7:15-8:15pm

back to chart

Yoga (ages 15 – adults)
Learn Hatha yoga postures with a focus on proper alignment, integration of breathing techniques, strength and flexibility, fortifying the joints and learning balance. Suitable for both beginning and experienced students.
Instructor: Ellen Byars Gibney
Dates: Wednesdays, June 18 – August 13
Time: 6-7:30pm

back to chart

Hip Hop Jazz (ages 15 – adults)
Using funky hip music, this class exposes students to the stylized movements of jazz and hip hop. A great way to energize the body and spirit!
Instructors: Kathryn Auman, Jordan Wallace
Dates: Thursdays, June 19 – August 14
Time: 6-7pm

Flow Yoga & Dance (ages 15 – adults)
In this class, only available for four weeks, dancers will move at an intense physical pace that incorporates variations on traditional yoga technique. We will unite this bodily intelligence with our dancer-selves off the yoga mat into choreographed movement as well as improvisations that ebb and flow with our inner pulse. Previous dance experience preferred, no yoga experience or mats necessary.
Instructor: Carson Efird
Dates: Thursdays, July 24 – August 14
Time: 7-8:30pm

back to chart