Education

Adult Drop-In Classes:

Pop-Up Int/Adv Modern Class
11am-12:30pm @ Whim W'him Contemporary Dance Center (1716 2nd Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109)
REGISTER FOR CLASS HERE

Sunday, October 27

Pricing: $15-$20 (Venmo preferred)

Choreo Clinic
Hosted by eXit Space Dance
REGISTER FOR WORKSHOP DATES HERE

Four Separate Offerings
♢  9.22  6:30-8pm @ Studio NOD
♢  10.20  7:30-9pm @ Studio A (NEST)
♢  11.17  7:30-9pm @ Studio A (NEST)
♢  12.15  7:30-9pm @ Studio A (NEST)

This class is for both the experienced dance-maker and folks new to choreography. If you are someone who has been asked to create choreography in rehearsals and would like more experience, someone who would like to create something and are not sure how to get started, someone who has a road-block and is looking for a low-stakes space to practice saying “yes” to making choices, and if you love creating dance and are looking for a fun place to play that isn't tied to a product, this clinic is for you.

In each class, we will work with a choreographic prompt in small groups or solos. Dancers will practice and develop their creative skills to create short dances. The themes will range from developing our “Choreographic Tool Box”, practicing “concept forward” choreography, utilizing props, and interacting with new inspiration.

These “dance sketches” will be shared with the class at the end of each session where students will also get an opportunity to practice how to facilitate their own feedback and to give feedback in a supportive environment.

The purpose of these clinics is to hold a fun and creative space for dancers to have a lot of mini practices with creating choreography, regardless of prior experience. With guidance from the instructor, dance makers both new and experienced might have an opportunity to play with new pathways, new movement relationships, and new approaches to entering the space and saying “yes” to their ideas.

Dancers should wear comfortable movement clothes with warm layers and a notebook. These clinics will be offered once a month and can also be taken as a standalone class.

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY:

All humans dance. Sometimes we dance as we navigate a busy sidewalk or juggle walking with too many bags. We dance when we move around a kitchen to put dishes away and toss to find the most comfortable spot in bed. Sometimes we dance in a dance studio. When I am working inside a dance studio or with dance students there are three pillars to my focus of teaching.

• Dance as a means to develop memory, muscle control, motor function, and coordination to improve our ability to move throughout our lives with more ease and efficiency.

• Dance as a means to express oneself emotionally and reimagine ourselves physically. Developing creativity and imagination through imagery of space, movement, and dynamic.

• Dance as a means to develop the artistry of dance technique. To become capable, fluent, and safe moving within a codified dance form. To push and grow the expectation, strength, and musicality of the body as a solo and ensemble artist.

Ballet Technique with Amy J is centered around timing and rhythm to develop dynamic technique and musicality. Class is approached with a holistic warm up of the body to prepare the dancer for use of rotation and presentation of the body at barre and center floor. Dancers are encouraged to revel in the complexity and demand of ballet technique in a good-natured attitude.

Modern Technique with Amy J is a technique-based dance class is designed for the adult dancer. Class begins with a thorough floor warm-up based on the Bartenieff Fundamentals and continues with a standing technique portion. Focused on developing and maintaining a dancer’s strength, articulation, and coordination; classes include a final combination that encourages creativity, dynamics, and use of imagery. Dancers will be challenged in a fun environment to work their brains and bodies!