DANCE DEPARTMENT HIGHLIGHTS Guest Teachers and Choreographers for 2014-15 include Joey Doucette - Luigi Jazz Technique (International Teacher and Choreographer), Lorraine Graves – Ballet Technique (former principal with Dance Theater of Harlem), Germal Barnes, Modern Technique (formerly with Bill T Jones/International Teacher and Choreographer), Malcolm Burn, Ballet (Assoc. Artistic Director of Richmond Ballet), Todd Rosenlieb, Modern (Artistic Director of Todd Rosenlieb Dance) ASFA dance students attend the National High School Dance Festivals in Philadelphia and Miami and the Regional High School Dance Festival Norfolk, VA; and the Alabama Dance Festival, Birmingham, AL. ASFA dance students have been selected to perform with the Alabama Ballet, Huntsville Ballet, AROVA Contemporary Ballet and Ballet Metropolitan Ballet Theater (Alpharetta, GA) The primary goal of the Dance Department at the Alabama School of Fine Arts is to develop excellent artists through an intense curriculum of classical ballet technique, modern dance, choreography, and exposure to other dance forms and styles. CURRICULUM Alabama School of Fine Arts Dance Specialty Dance students grades 7-12 earn a total of two credit units during each semester. Ballet Technique- A comprehensive and developmental syllabus that is based upon the ABT® National Training Curriculum in classical ballet technique. This syllabus includes focus upon correct physical placement, coordination, stretching and strengthening body conditioning, body alignment, dancer wellness, and physical proficiency, and artistry. (Required) Pointe Technique - Beginning to advanced levels with attention to correct foot progression, strengthening, and developmental technique. (Required) Male Technique - Designed to develop strength and consistency in jumps and turns by using basic ballet technique and movement phrases from traditional classical male variations. (Required) Partnering (Advanced levels only) – From basic concepts of classical partnering which includes learning how to work together as a team through simple exercises involving balance, subtle to extreme supported transference of weight, turns, lifts, adages all leading toward traditional classical pas de deux. Variations/Repertoire (Advanced levels only) - Examples of variations from traditional classical variations. (Required) Modern Technique - Based upon several classical styles including Limon, Graham, and Cunningham, along with a strong influence of Mark Morris. Emphasizes musicality, correct placement, and dynamic and rhythmic complexity. Beginning with the use of the torso, isolations, and combining and coordinating use of the back and head with the arms and legs, the class develops David Keener, Chair 205.252.9241 Fax: 205.251.9541 [email protected] from center warm up to moving across the floor and jumping. (Required) Professional Dance Practicum - A series of course work including Music for Dancers, Dance Theory, Choreography and Composition, Technical Theatre, and Dance History for junior and senior dance majors. Designed to enrich, broaden and build upon their knowledge and application of dance and better equip them for that which they will pursue after graduation. (Required) Performances - Students learn, rehearse and perform new or traditional repertoire of choreography from Classical through very contemporary dance forms. Currently there are three productions staged annually with multiple performance opportunities for the general public, an ASFA community and “In-Reach” performances for public school children. Performance is considered to be an important aspect of the student’s training. (Required) SENIOR DANCE COMPOSITION SHOWCASE This is the final juried project that is required of every senior dance student in order to graduate. Seniors individually develop choreographic concept, select music, hold auditions and choose dancers from the dance department, costume (from current wardrobe or purchase out of pocket), teach and rehearse choreography, and produce. All of this is accomplished with mentoring from Dance Department faculty. DANCE ALUMNI ASFA Dance Department alumni include: Shawn Black, Kathleen Moore and Wes Chapman (American Ballet Theatre); Anne Mueller (Trey McIntyre Project and Oregon Ballet Theatre); Bennalldra Williams (Urban Bush Women); Marshall Ellis (Orland Ballet); Therese Laeger (Cleveland Ballet); Brandon Raglan (Alabama Ballet, Louisville Ballet); Leah Smiley (Dayton Contemporary Dance Company II and Lula Washington Dance Theatre); Jessica Horton (DCDC II and Cleo Parker Lane Dance Company); Kendia Bennet, Mackie Harrison, (Alabama Ballet), and Kayla Johnson (Ad Deum), among others. Recent college and university acceptances for Dance Department graduates include: Auburn University; Birmingham Southern College; Boston Conservatory; Butler University; Ohio State University; Tulane University; University of Colorado at Boulder; Oklahoma University; Florida State University; London Studio Center; New World School of the Arts; Southern Methodist University; University of Alabama; University of Indiana at Bloomington; Virginia Commonwealth University; Wright State University; Alabama University; Fordham University (Ailey-Fordham Program); Hartt School (University of Hartford); Rutgers University; Florida State University, Point Park College, SUNY at Purchase, and Troy University. Teri Weksler, Modern Faculty—After graduating from the Juilliard School, Ms. Weksler danced in the work of Jose Limon, Anna Sokolow, Paul Taylor, Hannah Kahn, Daniel Lewis, Pilobolus, Kazuko Hirabayashi, and Jim Self. Weksler was a founding and long-time member of the Mark Morris Dance Group and continues to teach classes and do projects with the company. As assistant to Mr. Morris, she worked at Les Grande Ballet Canadiens, Ballet West, and London Contemporary Dance Theater, and has taught extensively. She is a Bessie Award winner (New York Dance and Performance Award) and is currently artistic director of Southern Danceworks. Jamie Kilgore-Foust, Adjunct Ballet Faculty – Director of ASFA Ballet Preparatory Academy DANCE FACULTY Susan Beaudry – Music For Dancers David Keener, Chair – Festival Ballet of New York, Maryland Ballet, Ballet Met, Festival Ballet of Idaho. Faculty member of National Academy of Arts, University of Illinois (Champaign-Urbana), Interlochen Arts Academy, School of Ballet West and University of Utah. Served as Director of Dance at Virginia School of the Arts and Artistic Director of Canyon Concert Ballet (Colorado). Artistic Director of Alba Dance International (Italy) and recipient of Casandra Award, Dominican Republic. David is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Primary through Level 7 and Partnering. More recently, David was appointed to the American Ballet Theater (National Training Curriculum) Artistic Board as an examiner. Martha Faesi, Ballet Faculty – Soloist with The National Ballet of Iran, Ballet Royale de Wallonie, Scapino Ballet, and the Bayreuther Festspiele. Ms. Faesi graduated summa cum laude from University of WisconsinMilwaukee with a MFA in Dance and from Southern Methodist University with a BFA in Dance and a BA in French. She was School Director and Ballet Mistress for The Des Moines Ballet, Ballet Mistress for the Butler Ballet, Company Teacher for Indianapolis Ballet Theatre, and Rehearsal Director for Dance Kaleidoscope, as well as serving on the Ballet Faculty at Butler University and at Virginia School of the Arts. Ms. Faesi has completed the ABT® National Training Curriculum and is certified in Primary through Level 7 and Partnering. Mary Margaret Scalici – Pilates Instructor Lisa Altamirano, PT MS CSCS – Injury Prevention and Dance Wellness Laura Prim, ASFA Theatre Arts Faculty– Basics for Dance Lighting
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