Technique Classes
BECKAH VOIGT (Webster University & ANNONYArts) is an Associate Professor of Dance at Webster University (1986-Present), teaching all levels of modern technique, composition, improvisation and dance history. Currently she is Head of the Dance Program. Beckah is Artistic Director of ANNONYArts, a company dedicated to the creation and performance of new works and to the exploration of subtle energies in the healing arts. Her choreography is best described as theatre dance, as she draws on the use of props, voice and the motivation of human interactions to create her pieces.
MIKEY THOMAS (Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville), received an MFA in Dance from The Ohio State University. Prior to joining the faculty of SIUE, Michael worked as a dancer/choreographer in NYC for companies such as Sean Curran and has been on the staff or faculties of Otterbein College, Ballet Met Columbus, Marymount College Tarrytown, Perry Mansfield School of Performing Arts, and Savannah College of Art and Design. Michael teaches technique classes in modern and ballet, as well as cources in dance composition, movement fundamentals, dance appreciation and emerging technologies in dance performance.
DAWN KARLOVSKY, Washington University (class description) teaches modern dance and related courses at Washington University in St. Louis and also at the Center of Creative Arts (COCA). Dawn is a certified teacher of the Alexander Technique and member of the American Society for the Alexander Technique (AmSAT). As a dance artist, she’s been performing, choreographing, and teaching professionally for over 15 years. Her choreography has been presented by Webster University, Washington University in St. Louis, The University of Minnesota-Duluth, The University of Utah, American College Dance Festival (ACDF) Faculty Concert, Dance St. Louis for their Contemporary Moves Festival and by various modern dance and theater companies nationally. Dawn has danced and toured with GASH/VOIGT Dance Theatre in St. Louis, California Contemporary Dancers in San Francisco, and Afterimages Repertory Dance Co. in Louisville. In collaboration with ANNONYArts, she presents an annual lunchtime performance series called “Dine on Dance” which takes place at various outdoor sites in the St. Louis area. Dawn is the Director of Dawn Karlovsky and Dancers, a St. Louis based pick-up company, and will be offering an evening of her work in the upcoming concert, “INTIMATE” in May 2008. Dawn received her MFA degree from the University of Utah and a BA degree with honors from Northern Illinois University.
Dawn Karlovsky's modern dance technique classes will focus on deepening our sense of awareness in our self and of the space around us. We will explore new movement possibilities through guided improvisation and apply those discoveries to the given movement phrases. We will play with the transference of weight through the body and into the floor, making kinesthetic connections moving from the “inside-out.” Moving with clarity and ease will be highlighted and explored through influences from the Alexander Technique.
Alexander Technique for dancers: an introductory session to the Alexander Technique where students can get an understanding of how to become more efficient and intelligent movers through in-class studies focusing on conscious attention and awareness of the whole self while experimenting with simple movement patterns.
DAVID MARCHANT (Washington University) is a Senior Lecturer, on the faculty of Washington University in St. Louis since
1994, teaching all levels of modern technique, composition, and improvisation.
He is a certified teacher of the Alexander Technique and member of the American
Society of Alexander Teachers (AmSAT). David is Co-Founder/ Director of Zo Motion Arts with partner Holly Seitz-Marchant, developing site-specific installations in natural environments, including tree-climbing as a dance form. He was a company member with the Utah Repertory Dance Theatre from 1989 to 1991. David was a recipient of the Iowa Arts Fellowship for excellence in choreography from 1991 to 1993, while earning a Master of Fine Arts degree from University of Iowa. David frequently teaches master classes and residencies. He has been a guest at American Dance Festival, University of Iowa, University of Illinois, Stephens College Winona State University, and Purdue. He has been commissioned to make dances by Winona State University, Atrek Dance Collective and Missouri Contemporary Ballet. His work has been re-staged for Dance Repertory San Francisco, Suzanne Grace & Dancers, Chicago Academy of the Arts, and University of Iowa's touring company. His choreography has been honored six times in encore performances at the American College Dance Festival, as well as the National Festival in 1996. David also holds a bachelors degree with Honors in Psychology from the University of Iowa.
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SUMMER BEASLEY (aTrek & ANNONYArts Dance Companies) received a BFA in Dance from Webster University and an MFA in Theater w/an emphasis in movement from Lindenwood University. She has choreographed and performed in Washington D.C., Seattle, Kansas City, MO and extensively in St. Louis. She was production manager and senior company member of the Modern American Dance Company. She has produced, directed, and choreographed Summer Beasley, In Concert, 2004 and has collaborated with other St. Louis choreographers to produce Gramo Danse, 2006. She currently teaches dance at MICDS, Leaping Lizards Performing Arts Studio, Stages Performing Arts Academy and St. Margaret’s of Scotland.
>see class schedule
JEROME “NUNEY” STIGLER (Wylliams/Henry Danse Theatre and Deeply Rooted Dance Theater), a native of St. Louis, MO, began his training at the Katherine Dunham Children’s Workshop and the Center of Contemporary Arts(COCA). He has received two degrees in dance, a BFA from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a MFA from the University of Iowa. He has received scholarships to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, Milwaukee Ballet, American Dance Festival, and The Yard at Martha’s Vineyard. He has taught and choreographed for numerous schools throughout the United States. Mr. Stigler has performed with the dance companies of the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC), Albany Berkshire Ballet, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Columbia City Ballet, Florida Dance Theatre, St. Louis Ballet, Charlotte Adams & Dancers & Walt Disney World. He is currently a member of the Wylliams/Henry Danse Theatre and Deeply Rooted Dance Theater.
Nuney teaches a modern class which is an eclectic blend of Horton, Limon, Graham, and Lewitsky techniques. A basic modern dance class using the principles of technique.
>see class schedule
The Choreography Project
Artists are invited to bring choreographed contemporary modern dance works, in any state (completed or not) to the IMPULSE Dance Festival Choreography Project showings ( see IMPULSE schedule). IMPULSE's faculty artists will offer feedback and support for the further development of the artists and their work. Works that are ready for main stage performance may be invited to perform as a part of the IMPULSE Dance Festival Showcase or a future aTrek performances.
Rehearsal space will be available before and throughout IMPULSE for participants wishing to work on their pieces. There is no cost to participate in this program, but space may be limited. Contact us if you would like to participate. Artists may participate in any number of the Choreography Project showings, as each one will be reviewed by a different panel of educators, but it is recommended that you participate in as many as possible and that you make changes to your work between showings if appropriate.
There will be a preliminary showing of works interested in being selected for the IMPULSE Dance Festival Showcase on July 21. From 10-4pm, aTrek will open it's dance studio to the public as part of the Second Annual City-Wide Open Studios Weekend presented by the Contemporary Art Museum, St. Louis. Participating choreographers will receive a time slot to show their work to the aTrek Dance Collective and Open Studio guests. Choreographers will be expected to answer questions about the development of their work and, if they would like, may use some of their time to rehearse. |
Warm-Up & Conditioning (Yoga/Pilates/Plus) |
IMPULSE offers a conditioning intensive designed specifically for dancers. Blending principles from Yoga, Pilates, physical therapy, energetics and traditional dance warm-ups, this class trains dancers sustain performing at their best. Doubling as a warm-up for IMPULSE's classes, this Warm-Up and Conditioning class will thoroughly invigorate the muscular-skeletal system to enable students to dance fully and safely in classes and rehearsals. Additionally this class will lay the foundation for a comprehensive conditioning program to help keep dancers in shape over the summer and year-round.
Performance
This series will focus on training dancers to reach beyond technique to achieve a stage presence that is compelling and makes the audience WANT to watch the dance and the dancer. This class will ask students to consider what makes the difference between a good dancer and a professional dancer (beyond technique).
Dancers will have the opportunity to practice the concepts presented in class by having a piece created on them, rehearsing it and performing it at the IMPULSE Showcase.
This class is designed to give students a boost for upcoming auditions.
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