The ACE Dance program offers young dancers the opportunity to strengthen their dance technique, push their performance skills and expand their own creativity and choreographic voices in an energetic, multi-arts setting.
New this year! In addition to core classes in Ballet and Contemporary Modern Dance, dancers will have the chance to work with professional choreographers on individual choreographic projects of their choice. Want to work closely with a hip-hop choreographer on a trio? Would you like to be part of a group jazz dance? Would you love to learn a contemporary piece – perhaps a duet? This is a rare opportunity to receive very personal attention from a master in the field.
Ballet / Pilates (Dance Studio):
We begin with a 1/2 hour Pilates Mat workout for strength and flexibility, followed by a 1 1/2 hour Intermediate Ballet class.
Contemporary Modern (Dance Studio):
2 hour intermediate contemporary modern dance technique class. Following center and across the floor technique, dancers will learn a unique, fun and challenging phrase. Dancers may also explore improvisation and partnering work.
Choreolab (Gymnasium):
Work with professional choreographer Monica Favand Campagna (
TRIP Dance Theatre) in a choreographic workshop, exploring the art of making dances. This is a risk-taking, creative laboratory for anyone interested in making their own work. Explore improvisation. Develop skills working with space, time, dynamics, and movement invention. Explore many different approaches to making dances, such as working from text, imagery, music, story. Develop your own choreographic voice, your own individual style; learn to collaborate with others and to direct groups. Select short &qoot;studies&qoot; created in this choreography lab which will be performed at the end of the session on Friday August 5th. This class is open to students with all levels of dance experience.
Dance Master Class (Dance Studio):
Once each week you will have the opportunity to take a special world-dance master class for ACE Dance students only. Learn Salsa, Capoeira, Flamenco and West African dance from a master in the field!
Guest Artist Series (Dance Studio Choral Studio):
We will bring back our two favorite workshops of the past few years - Chinese Accupressure Massage and Makeup for Stage. Also, enjoy the opportunity to see 2 performances by professional dance and music ensembles in Oakwood's own facilities!
Special Dance Projects (Dance Studio / Gymnasium / Room 204-5):
Work in small groups with a professional choreographer, on a dance project of your choice.
Examples may include:
1) A hip hop piece with choreographer Hassan Christopher
2) A contemporary piece with choreographer Monica Favand Campagna
3) A Jazz piece or tap piece.
ACE Dancers will see professional dance and music concerts and explore diverse world dance forms with weekly master classes such as Flamenco, Capoiera and Salsa. We'll also bring back our popular Makeup for Stage workshop for those students who want to learn how to get performance ready! All ACE students, musicians and dancers alike, can select electives such as choreography, puppetry, dramatic arts and Brazilian dance& drumming and will have the chance to audition for this summer’s special "dance opera" project. Please see our class list for all of the additional electives available.
At the end of our four week session, ACE Dance students will present a Friday night performance in our state-of–the art dance studio/theatre, presenting the works they have learned and created during the program. Students who have auditioned and been accepted to the "Advanced Performance Studio" will also perform.
