The West Virginia University Summer Dance Academy hosted by the School of Theatre and Dance will be held June 13-20. Participants will be afforded an exciting week of technique classes and special workshops taught by WVU dance faculty and special guest artists.

“We are very excited about our fifth 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. We are also pleased to offer our K-12 one-day intensive program for those individuals who are looking for a shorter but still fulfilling experience.”

The Young Academy, to be held June 15-19, is for ages 5-10 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 and alums Morgan Heflin, Rachael Cowne, Kelsey McKinney, Alexandra Dennis and Lauren Carter.

The Teen Academy, a week-long, in-residence program to be held June 14-20 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 Yoga, wellness and conditioning and other specialty movement classes such as Israeli Folk Dance, Hip-hop and Swing Dancing. 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.

Instructors for the Teen Academy include WVU dance professors Yoav Kaddar and General McArthur Hambrick, as well as guest artists Christy McNeil Chand, Terry Goetz, Pablo Piantino, Katreena Snyder, Matt Saffron, Lauren Carter, David Loomis and Michael Garber.

Housing is provided for participants of the Teen Academy at Evansdale Residential Complex (ERC Towers) 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, also to be held June 14-20, is for dance educators K-16. It 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.

In addition to the three main academies, a one-day K-12 Dance Professional Development Intensive will be offered on Saturday, June 13. Designed for any K-12 public or private sector educator or instructor, the day is filled with movement integration workshops, specialty classes and open forums for discussion.

WVU faculty members for the Teachers Academy include WVU School of Theatre and Dance professors Yoav Kaddar and General McArthur Hambrick. Guest artists include Christy McNeil Chand, Terry Goetz, Katreena Snyder, Matt Saffron and Pablo Piantino.

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.

-WVU-

cl/05/18/15

CONTACT: Charlene Lattea, College of Creative Arts
304-293-4359, Charlene.Lattea@mail.wvu.edu

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