Flamenco is an artistic expression that resulted from the combination of singing, dance, and guitar accompaniment, respectively called cante, baile and toque. Join professional Flamenco dancers and learn more about the beauty, strength, and variety that exists within the Flamenco dance and culture. Participants will gain a deeper appreciation of this art through a brief introduction to the origin and history of Flamenco, as well as an explanation of the performance elements that compose this dance. The participants will complete the program by learning choreographed routines. Also available as a performance, call for details.

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Available on Tuesday & Friday

Internationally acclaimed performer Rathna Kumar utilizes her 30 years of teaching experience to integrate Indian dance into school curricula. Participants learn new means of communication through the elaborate vocabulary of Indian dance, which uses hand gestures to tell stories. For hearing- or speech-impaired participants, the dances become an exciting new sign language, and for any class, TEKS elements can be incorporated to fit individual lesson plans in language arts, social studies, history, science, or math.

Capoeira is a unique fusion of acrobatics, dance, and music. Classes emphasize strength, coordination, agility, endurance, balance, and rhythm. The energy of the game, the rhythm, and speed are determined by the music, led by the Berimbau, an African string instrument. Participants will learn essential moves and strategies, as well as how to play the music and of course, practice all the skills together in the Roda!

This multidisciplinary residency offers Aztec dance, drum and song. A 9-week residency offers students the chance to learn 2 dances and selected students will learn the drumming patterns and one Nahuatl (Aztec) song with a final performance for student body/parents. In a  15-week residency students will learn 4 dances and selected students will learn the drumming patterns for 2 songs in the Nahuatl (Aztec) language. Students will be guided with the circle of respect concept that also integrates racial tolerance, acceptance as all 4 colors of the medicine wheel will be explained as the template of the Native American medicine wheel. These four colors represent the four stages of life, the four original people of color of the earth as well as the four changes of season.

In this cultural dance workshop, participants will journey through various parts of China by exploring authentic Chinese dance techniques. Learning the origin of these techniques will help participants better understand the customs and traditions of China’s various aboriginal groups. Participants will also experiment with Chinese dance props and view excerpts of Chinese dance.

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*Very limited availability for May 2023

This workshop is a writing workshop that encourages free expressive writing and dance. These exercises build vocabulary and movement sequences based on text and onomatopoeia. We will use spelling words, current literature, and synonyms to incorporate into the movement. The participants will explore dance making and text from their own personal stories. This residency can be adapted for grades 2-12. This can be offered as a single class or as a residency that has a culminating performance.

Participants will be introduced to working with emotional balance and emotional states through dance. Participants will learn to express themselves through somatics, stretching and the universal movements of dance. This workshop encourages practices of finding balance, centering, and grounding, when it comes to expressing emotions. This workshop can be adapted for grades K-12. The progression of the workshop integrates the physicalities and sequential movements of the human body, (particularly the brain) its systems, and how we apply them in dance and everyday life. This can be offered as a single class or as a residency that has a culminating performance.

This visual arts and dance workshop and performance will examine the New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian Culture. The workshop bridges the gap between participants and the New Orleans Culture, which most of its origins come from Haitian and West-African traditions. The workshop allows participants to be hands-on by learning sewing techniques, beading, and how to make Mardi Gras Indian regalia. Participants will learn the history and culture of New Orleans and how it influences the world today. The workshop will take participants through simple choreography and dance steps that come directly from the culture. The performance company, Good Dance Since 1984 will perform excerpts from the full length piece with live musicians that will require audience /group participation (Call and response). This workshop can be adapted for K-8 grades. The performance is inclusive to all grades K-12.

This workshop bridges the gap between formal dancing of time periods and current dancing forms. Participants will learn the history of Renaissance periods and the forms of dance back then.  They will do the same with the history of hip-hop culture and dance. This comparison will be examined through different dance sequences and movements. This workshop can be adapted for grades k-8 for a one day workshop or a residency with a culminating performance. This class is improvisation based. It allows for free expression and movement sequences curated by the participants.

In this class, students will experience a colorful choice of music filled with rhythms from across all genres. Starting with a warm-up and progression (some across the floor), participants will combine individual movements into a phrase that incorporates elements from the entire class.

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Students will enjoy a diverse selection of dance styles that range from contemporary to jazz and hip hop. This program may be offered as a single workshop or as a residency of up to 8 weeks.

This program is designed for students whom are learning to read in a fun, physically engaging, approach to language arts. The lessons take a kinesthetic and musical approach to learning that will benefit students' reading development and cognitive skills. The Dance for Reading program can be altered to suit the differentiated needs of each learning group, and is flexible to the environment. Whether used for supplemental reading support, or a creative movement class, this program will get students up and moving in a way that engages their physical, mental, and social well-being. 

Through writing exercises participants in grades, 6 through 12 will use poetry and prose to express and idea, emotion, opinion or experience. The group will be guided to further express their ideas in movement, drawing from the imagery they created with words. This residency may be offered in as few as 6 sessions or as an ongoing program. Public performance options require a minimum of 12 sessions.

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Virtual Option Available 

JAM dance is a highly energetic movement class for boys and girls who love to move. The classes will cover the basics of dance including foundations of movement through jazz and hip-hop dance. It will be a JAM packed class designed to inspire creativity, self expression and incorporate age appropriate current trends in social dancing. Suggested 8 sessions.

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Virtual Option Available