This year has begun with great inspiration and ambition, promising an exceptional artistic experience for students and staff alike. Our dance teachers dedicated much of their summer to in-depth professional growth and many dance majors polished their skills by attending renowned summer intensives throughout the country. Ms. Foster-King, Mrs. Morales and Mrs. Warkentien attended teacher training sessions in Manhattan, New York City. Ms. Fetters and Mrs. Anderson, (our returning teacher), continued studies and work in California. Ms. Foster-King completed an intensive Horton modern technique training at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Mrs. Morales attended the dance teacher conference at The Juilliard School focusing on pedagogy and preparation for conservatory study and also observed summer intensive classes at Graham Center of Contemporary Dance and Compexions Dance Company. Mrs. Warkentien continued intensive study at the American Ballet Theater in their National Ballet Curriculum focused on the ABT Pedagogy and saw many Broadway shows. Mrs. Fetters studied contemporary, jazz and hip-hop at The Pulse in Los Angeles. Mrs. Anderson taught modern extensively at Ballet Arts and intensified her yoga study in Encinitas. These fantastic experiences empower us with more knowledge, contacts and expanded networking in the international dance community for our students, entire school and our local dance community.
Many of our dance students from levels 1-2 through levels 7-8 attended summer dance intensives. The majority of the dancers received full or partial scholarships with the guidance of our dance teachers who helped the students research and prepare for auditions. Students attended intensives locally at San Diego Civic Youth Ballet, City Ballet, San Diego Academy of Ballet, Stage 7, California Ballet, San Diego Ballet, Balletiquette, San Diego Dance Theatre, Malaschock, Academy of Performing Arts, our own SCPA Summer Arts Intensive and others. Nationally students attended The Juilliard School, Bolshoi Ballet and Alvin Ailey in NYC, Lines Ballet in San Fransisco, Hubbard Street in Los Angeles, Idyllwild Arts in California and more. Many dancers had an invaluable experience participating in our summer musical collaboration with the San Diego Repertory Theatre production of “Hairspray”. Our students and their parents/guardians show true dedication to their art with the time and financial investment that makes these kinds of studies possible. These experiences expand the dancers’ skills, artistic awareness, networks, and gives them a great experience as to what it takes to do this professionally.
Students and teachers are already researching and planning for auditions for the upcoming summer intensive studies. The dance department is working with each of our seniors who are applying for dance majors in universities and conservatories. This year has already begun with exciting preparations for Senior Dance Concert and Spring Dance Concert. Our dancers are gracing the SCPA fall and winter theater productions of “Macbeth” and “Scrooge, The Musical”. After school enrichment studies have begun in modern technique and repertory, ballet conditioning and dance composition. We will also have Master classes in the style of Jose Limon, taught by returning guest, Fransisco Ruvalcaba, principal dancer of the Limon Dance Company. Over one hundred dance majors will attend field trips to Grossmont Day of Dance and “Celebrating Balanchine” at the Spreckels Theatre with City Ballet Company performing. Another exciting field trip in the planning process for January of 2010, is for dance majors to attend the annual International Association of Blacks in Dance conference in Los Angeles.
Spring Concert, “Connections” promises to continue an exciting experience with dance history, (thanks to 21st Century Assests Grant fund), where we bring guests artists to set classic dance choreographies on our dancers. This year dancers will have the unique opportunity to learn classic choreographies from internationally renowned modern dance pioneer, Anna Sokolow. Dancers will perform segments from “Dreams” and “Steps of Silence” in honor of Anna’s 100th year which is being celebrated internationally at universities and in professional companies. Jim May, Artistic Director of Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble and established teacher and choreographer will reconstruct Anna’s work. Our second guest choreographer, another greatly respected modern dance pioneer, Donald McKayle, will inspire our community with his classic, “Songs of the Disinherited”. Our third guest choreographer is returning artist, Christopher Huggins who will set a new, exciting piece on our dancers. (More in-depth biographies on these artist will be posted soon on our website).
“Connections”, spring concert, celebrates how dance history is truly lived as we experience a master’s work influencing the next generation and is continually passed down through the generations. For example, Donald McKayle worked intensively with Anna Sokolow in her classic works when he was a young dancer, and Christopher Huggins performed Mr. McKayle’s classic choreographies also. Soon, our students have the privilege of rehearsing and performing works that reflect one strand of the fascinating continuum of dance history. We are excited about this year and enjoy sharing our enthusiasm with our students and our community in daily class, outreaches and concerts.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Morales, Dance Dept. Chair
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