The growing West Virginia University Summer Dance Academy, a week-long intensive hosted by the School of Theatre and Dance, to be held June 15-21, is once again offering three distinct programs this year for dance students of every skill level, as well as for dance teachers.
“We are very excited about our fourth year of the WVU Summer Dance Academy,” said WVU Dance Program Director Yoav Kaddar. “It’s growing from year to year, not only in participants, but with the extended and diverse program that we offer in each of our three academies. Each program is tailored to the specific dancers attending that program so that everyone will find something new and challenging.”
The Young Academy, to be held June 16-20, is for ages 5-11 and offers daily classes in ballet, jazz, creative movement, hip-hop, and tap for children who have little or no previous dance experience. The classes will be held in Elizabeth Moore Hall located across from the WVU Mountainlair on the Downtown Campus. The students will present a showcase performance at the end of the week.
Instructors for the Young Academy include WVU dance students Corinthia Rilko (lead instructor), Alexandra Dennis, Rachel Frye, Katie Yates and Morgan Heflin.The Teen Academy, a week-long, in-residence program to be held June 15-21 at the Creative Arts Center, is for students from age 12 to 18 who are interested in furthering their dance training. It will offer various specialty classes, including daily dance techniques, classes in wellness and conditioning and other specialty movement classes such as Israeli Folk Dance, Hip-hop and Gaga. It is required that applicants have at least three years of prior dance experience. A student showcase on the main stage of the Creative Arts Center is scheduled for the last day and will be free and open to the public. Students are also encouraged to bring a dance from their home studio or school to present at the showcase. A one-on-one performance coaching session with the Summer Dance Academy faculty will be offered to each student performer.
WVU faculty members for the Teen Academy include WVU School of Theatre & Dance professors General Hambrick, Renee Nicholson, and WVU Director of Dance Yoav Kaddar. Guest artists include Terry Goetz, Katreena Snyder, Matt Saffron, Fiona Upward, Lauren Carter and Ron Amit.Housing is provided for participants of the Teen Academy at Evansdale Residential Complex located on the WVU Evansdale Campus. Students who elect to stay in the WVU residence halls will be supervised by WVU Dance program chaperones.
The Teachers Academy, for private studio owners, teachers, professionals and academic dance educators, presents an opportunity for participants to immerse themselves in a weeklong schedule of classes, discussions and interaction at the Creative Arts Center with Summer Academy dance faculty and fellow dance educators.
Participants will have the opportunity to participate in morning technique classes as well as repertory classes. Specialty classes are scheduled for the evenings and forums for discussion and questions will conclude each day.
Special guest artist for the Teachers Academy is Terry Goetz, director of the Creative Dance Center in Seattle, Wash., established by renowned dance educator Anne Green Gilbert. Terry will lead most of the afternoon classes for the Teacher’s Academy, focusing on Gilbert’s pedagogical dance education methodologies.
WVU faculty members for the Teachers Academy include WVU School of Theatre and Dance professors General Hambrick, Renee Nicholson, and WVU Director of Dance Yoav Kaddar. Guest artists include Stephanie Lorenze, Ron Amit, Katreena Snyder, Matt Saffron, and Fiona Upward.
For more information on the Summer Dance Academy, including what participants should bring with them, the week’s schedule, tuition, and registration forms, please visit, http://theatre.wvu.edu/summerdance, call 304-293-2020, or email theatre@mail.wvu.edu.
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CONTACT: Charlene Lattea, College of Creative Arts
304-293-4359, Charlene.Lattea@mail.wvu.edu
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