10th Annual Impulse Dance Festival
COMPLETED July 11- 25, 2009

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

THERAPEUTICS : this class will incorporate elements of yoga, pilates, assisted stretching, relaxation techniques and various therapeutic and somatic practices.

PARTNERING AND IMPROVISATION :
Taught by aTrek Collective artists, this class is designed to teach the basics of partnering in the tradition of Contact Improvisation. This class will start with the fundamentals of lifting and being lifted and move on to more advanced partnering. It will prepare students for advanced partnering work in other IMPULSE classes and weekend workshops.

PERFORMANCE & REPERTORY :
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 dancer. This class will ask students to consider what makes the difference between a good dancer and a professional dancer (beyond technique), and is also designed to give students a boost for upcoming auditions. During week 1, intermediate students will learn repertory from LehrerDance and advanced dancers will learn repertory from Alicia Graf. Both groups will perform these pieces in both weekends' Festival showcases (July 17,18,24,25). During Week 2, students will learn rep from the aTrek Dance Collective and perform at that weekend's showcases (July 24,25).

CHOREOGRAPHY ::
Participants will explore the process of creating movement and advance their ability to self-express. Through improvisation, critical observation, and choreographic exercises, students will expand their creative abilities and be able to evaluate and participate in the choreographic process.

ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE FOR DANCERS :
The Alexander Technique is a unique method of re-education that pertains to how we use ourselves.  It addresses how our harmful habits of use interfere with the efficiency and effectiveness of our movements in any activity.  This class will introduce the basic principles of the technique and apply them to a variety of dance experiences thereby allowing you to make a choice about how you move, how you think about movement, and how you respond to a given stimulus.  These guided instructions are intended to help you increase your attention and awareness of how you use yourself for the purpose of general self-care, injury prevention, and enhanced performance. 

JON LEHRER - Modern
Jon’s classes will focus on the four main elements of the LehrerDance style: Circularity, Momentum, Three-Dimensionality, and Athleticism. Dancers will experience a class that engages their entire physicality, combining elements of ballet, modern, and jazz to achieve a more efficient and engrossing method of movement and expression.

ALICIA GRAF- Modern/ Ballet
The 2009 IMPULSE Dance festival will feature Alicia Graf, former principal dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Dance Theatre of Harlem.

KRISTIN BEST - Modern
Taught by aTrek Collective Artist, Kristin Best, assistant professor at Lindenwood University, this class is a blend of modern principles and jazz dance styles. This high-energy, athletic class will begin in the center focusing on conditioning and technique, followed by progressions across the floor and a center combination

ANGIE CAMPBELL- Modern
This modern class is designed to: further the student's advanced modern dance and performance techniques; enhance efficient use of weight and momentum; release held patterns in the body's mechanics; and enrich spatial awareness, dynamic range, and musicality.

We'll begin class on the floor releasing the weight of the body and learning to use this release to create speed and directional intention.  We will then Stretch to open the hip joints and back muscles before standing up and proceding through a standard modern warm-up: plies, foot exercises to strengthen articulation, and swing exercises to integrate the whole body.  Combinations will include floor work including large spatial patterns, articulation of shape, and jumps across the floor, emphasizing musicality, variation of speed, and dynamic range.

LOCATION
IMPULSE Studio
30 Crestwood Plaza
Saint Louis, MO 63126

FACULTY BIOS:

Alicia Janelle Graf (Assistant Director of COCAdance) received her training at Ballet Royale Academy under Donna Harrington-Pidel and attended the School of American Ballet and American Ballet Theater summer intensives. She comes to COCA immediately following her role as a principal dancer of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and prior to that with Dance Theatre of Harlem and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Her guest appearances include Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet, the Balanchine Celebration at Central Park SummerStage, and the Fashion Rocks Awards with Andre 3000 and Beyoncé at Radio City Music Hall.

Jon Lehrer (LehrerDance, Artistic Director)
Prior to launching his company, Jon was the Associate Director and Resident Choreographer of Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago (GJDC). He has also danced professionally with the Erick Hawkins Dance Company, John Passafiume Dancers, Merv Griffin's “Funderful” , and in the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular.

Jon has created works for companies around the world including GJDC, Thodos Dance Chicago, Instruments of Movement, Momenta Dance Theatre, Dancers from the Joffrey Ballet, Le Jazz Groupe from Monterrey, Mexico, and Kannon Dance of St. Petersburg, Russia. Jon has also set work at the University at Buffalo, University of Nevada Las Vegas, University of Nevada Reno, East Central University, Northern Illinois University and others. In 2002 Jon was one of four Chicago choreographers selected to participate in the first ever Dance Chicago Choreography Project.

Jon is on the Advisory Board of Dance Spirit Magazine and was featured on the November 2007 cover of Dance Teacher Magazine. He continues to teach master classes throughout the U.S. and around the world, is on the faculty of the Jazz Dance World Congress, Dance Masters of America, Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, Chicago Dance Connection, and is a guest artist at numerous colleges around the country

Jon's Class Description: these classes will focus on the 4 main elements of the LehrerDance style: Circularity, Momentum, 3-Dimensionality, and Athleticism. Dancers will experience a class that engages their entire physicality, combining elements of ballet, modern, and jazz to achieve a more efficient and engrossing method of movement and expression. More Info on Jon Lehrer, LehrerDance and company members.

ANGIE CAMPBELL (IMPULSE Guest Artist)
Angie Campbell has danced with Burning Feet Dance Co., Atrek, and MADCO in St. Louis, several independent choreographers in Calgary Alberta and Montreal Quebec, and now resides in Albuquerque, NM where she choreographs, teaches and performs while working toward her MFA at the University of New Mexico.  She holds a BFA from Stephens College.  She's also a teacher and student of Anusara yoga.

KRISTIN BEST KINSCHERFF (aTrek Collective Artist)
Kristin is faculty at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.  Prior to SIUE she was an assistant professor of dance at Lindenwood University and the co-director of the LU Dance Ensemble. Kristin is a founding member of Turn of Change Dance Collective and has performed with aTrek Dance Collective, Duarte Dance Works , University of Iowa’s premiere touring ensemble Dancers in Company , and The Slaughter Project . She has danced and choreographed in opening acts for hypnotist Tony Z , comedian Phyllis Diller , the Nokia Sugar Bowl as well as on ESPN for the National Dance Team Championship.

Best has taught at the University of Iowa, Lewis and Clark College, SIUE, Turning Pointe Academy of Dance, M2 Dance Center, Jane Mannion’s School of Dance, Rena’s Dance Unlimited, Dance Station, Broadway Center of Arts as well as a Universal Dance Association Head Instructor. Her choreography has been presented at the American College Dance Festival, National Dance Week, the Gala/Extravaganza for Body Worlds 3, the Victoria Ballet Theater, in Texas,=2 0The University of Iowa, SIUE, Lindenwood, the Universal Dance Association’s summer curriculum, as well as many award winning routines for area dance teams. Best received her MFA in Dance Performance from the University of Iowa and a BA in Theater and Dance from Southern Illinois University.

DIANA BARRIOS (aTrek Director)
Diana received her BA in Dramatic Arts, Dance from the University of California, Berkeley where she founded the Annual Outdoor Festival of the Arts. Ms. Barrios danced with the Bay Area Repertory Dance Company, touring throughout California and Mexico. Her choreography has been shown in California, New York and St. Louis. Ms. Barrios has had the opportunity to study with Mark Morris, Merce Cunningham, Bill T. Jones, Susan Marshall, Margaret Jenkins, Joe Goode, Stephen Petronio and Robert Moses. She is currently teaching dance through St. Louis Community College and creating aTrek’s new Moving with Science outreach program. Diana will teach Therapeutics, Partnering and Improvisation, Choreography, and Performance & Repertory during IMPULSE.

DIANNA ANDREWS GAITHER (aTrek Collective Artist)
Dianna Andrews Gaither received a BFA in dance from Webster University. She was also granted departmental honors upon graduating.  Dianna furthered her studies in New York City at The Ailey School, where she extensively studied the Lester Horton technique of modern dance.   She has performed with such venues as The Ailey School, Turn of Change Dance Collective, Opera Theater of St. Louis, Slaughter Project, Webster University Dance Ensemble, Movement Dance Theater, and State Street Dance Company. Dianna is also an educator for aTrek's elementary school performance and residency program Moving Through Math. Dianna has over ten years of teaching experience and decided to open a studio of her own in June of 2008. Turning Pointe Academy of Dance is Located in Maryville, Illinois. Dianna’s latest accomplishments include an adjunct professor position at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Dianna is also one of the founding Company members and choreographer for Turn of Change Dance Collective. Dianna will be teaching Performance and Repertory during Week 2 of IMPULSE.

LINDSAY KELLY (aTrek Collective Artist)
Ms. Kelly graduated from Webster University in 2004 with her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance.  While at Webster she was a member of Webster University Dance Ensemble under direction of Gary Hubler and Beckah Voigt. From 2005-2007 she was a first company member and resident choreographer for The Slaughter Project in St. Louis. She has also studied and performed with Alexandra Ballet Company, Dance Aspen, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Saint Louis Ballet, State Ballet of Missouri, The Jillana School, and The Rock School of the Pennsylvania Ballet.  Currently, Ms. Kelly is a Financial Aid Counselor and Graduate student at Lindenwood University. In the fall she will begin as adjunct faculty in Lindenwood’s Department of Dance. Ms. Kelly is also a company member, choreographer, and a co-founder of Turn of Change Dance Collective. Ms. Kelly will be teaching ballet during IMPULSE.

BETSY BRANDT HARTLAND (aTrek Co-Artistic Director)
Betsy is an active choreographer, performer, educator, and administrator with aTrek. She received her BA in Dance and Political History from Kenyon College, where she performed in works by Balinda Craig-Quijada, Kristina Isabelle, Julie Brodie, and Bebe Miller, performed and choreographed for the American College Dance Festival, and served as president of the Kenyon Danswers Cooperative. Her participation in the past four IMPULSE Festivals enabled her to participate in the creation of new works choreographed by guests artists including Kim Epifano and Lisa Race. Prior to her work with aTrek, Betsy worked in arts administration and development for the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis and Young Audiences of St. Louis. She recently concluded a teaching residency at Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, and is currently teaching aTrek’s Moving Through Math and Moving Through Science programs.