The Minnesota Shubert Center is excited to announce its dance offerings for the 2009-2010 school year. Our offerings are now are structured in 3-session workshops, 5-session mini-residencies, and 10-session full residencies. Teachers are given materials to enhance learning and assessment tools based on the Minnesota Education Standards.
Schools outside of Minnesota and schools in Minnesota who are not eligble to participate in the free program can request our programs through: www.cilc.org. Simply search for "Minnesota Shubert Center" and you can request our offerings. Or you can email Jessi Kolodziej to schedule your classes directly.
Please contact Jessi Kolodziej (612-465-0220 or education@mnshubert.org) at the Minnesota Shubert Center to learn more about these programs. Space is limited and offerings are subject to change. If there is a particular dance class not listed that interests your school, please let us know.
Full Residencies
Mini-Residencies
African Dance and Music
Grade Levels: K-12
Subjects/Standards: Dance, Music, Physical Education, Geography, Social Studies
Christian Adeti, founder of Titambe Dance Company, will have your students dancing and drumming to the beats of Ghana, New Guinea and South Africa in this dynamic class! Your students will learn drumming technique (no drums necessary- desk tops work great), learn about the symbolism of the movement and be on their feet dancing to the ancient beats from the African continent.
Argentine Tango
Grade Levels: 4-12
Subjects/Standards: Dance, Music, Physical Education, Spanish
Gretchen Larson of the Minnesota Tango Society will teach students about Argentine Tango dance culture through msuic appreciation, movement and history. The Argentine Tango is a social dance formed from body language and improvisation that originated in the late 1800’s. This social dance, with its emphasis on creativity and the common language of the body, is an ideal medium to present a model of diversity that is not divisive, but rather inclusive of all.
An Introduction to Ballet
Grade Levels: 4-12
Subjects/Standards: Dance, Physical Education
Abdo Sayegh of Minnesota Dance Theatre will get students “on their toes” and moving with lecture/demonstrations that introduce students to ballet. Student will learn basic positions and fundamental movement, as well as a brief history on this traditionally rich dance form. Abdo can adapt this class to include cultural elements in ballet, including American Indian ballet dancers or ballet from his native country of Venezuela.
Capoeira
Grade Levels:7-12
Subjects/Standards:Dance, Geography, Martial Arts, Physical Education,Spanish
Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts, music, and dance. Student will learn the basic jinga step, how to attack and defend their partner with kicks, crouches, and cartwheels. The moves will be called out to see what they have retained. This class is taught by Giselle Mejia and can be taught in Spanish or English.
Choreography
Grade Levels: K-12
Subjects/Standards: Dance, Physical Education
Sarah Jacobs, choreographer and teacher, will have your students creatively expressing themselves through movement. Students will learn tools for developing movement, and by the end of the residency will have created their own work, individually and as a large class.
Flamenco: The Music & Dance of Spain
Grade Levels: 2-12
Subjects/Standards: Dance, History, Music, Physical Education, Social Studies, Spanish
Not "flamingo"...Flamenco! Susana di Palma and Michael Hauser of Zorongo Flamenco will teach students about the culture of Spain through demonstration, lecture and movement. Students will learn various rhythmic patterns, dance steps from the Flamenco tradition, the verses to a "Tangos" song, as well as the cultural elements of the dance and music of Spain. In the mini-residency model, students will create their own Flamenco-style song and dance. This class can be taught in English or Spanish. ¡Olé!
Hip Hop: Breaking
Grade Levels: 2-12
Subjects/Standards: Dance, Music, Physical Education, Social Studies
B-Boy J-Sun, Minnesota's premiere breaking (break dancing) choreographer and teacher will have your class spinning on the ground, kicking their legs in the air and top-rocking the dance floor. Through movement and a lesson in the history of this American dance genre, the students will gain knowledge of breaking has revolutionized movement in the U.S. and worldwide.
Hip Hop: Popping
Grade Levels: 2-12
Subjects/Standards: Dance, Music, Physical Education, Social Studies
Dancin' Dave, a world-renowned popper, will give your students a history of the art of popping (tensing and releasing muscles on beat). Popping is commonly related to movements like the wave and the robot. Your students will learn correct popping form, as well as a full routine.
Journey to India
Grade Levels: K-12
Subjects/Standards: Dance, Music, Physical Education, Geography, Social Studies
Aparna Ramaswamy, Artistic Director of Ragamala Music and Dance Theater, will take your students on a journey through ancient and modern India through dance and music. Your students will learn abstract and narrative dances of this rich dance form. If you select the three-day residency, your students will learn a full traditional folk dance and steps from the technical vocabulary.
Jazz
Grade Levels: K-12
Subjects/Standards: Dance, Physical Education
This class is taught by Giselle Mejia and can be taught in Spanish or English. The class will learn a different routine each time. The focus is on choreography and use of jazz technique, which stems from ballet. The students will dance to fun music that is energizing and uplifting.
Latin Social Dances
Grade Levels: 6-12
Subjects/Standards: Dance, Geography, Physical Education, Spanish
This class is taught by Giselle Mejia and can be taught in Spanish or English. This class will include the wide variety of social dances born out of Latin America and Cuba. Examples we will cover include Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Cumbia, and Mambo. The students will learn the basic step to each dance rhythm and that special Latin flair!
Modern Dance: Introduction to Janczewski Style
Grade Levels: 5-12
Subjects/Standards: Dance, Physical Education
Artistic Director and founder of ARENA Dances, Mathew Janczewski will have your students spinning, twisting and leaping through the air in Janczewski's unique style of modern dance. Students will gain an understanding of modern dance and different styles within the genre.
Mexican Hat Dance
Grade Levels: K-12
Subjects/Standards: Dance, Geography, Physical Education, Spanish
This class is taught by Giselle Mejia and can be taught in Spanish or English. This class is a fun way to celebrate our southern neighbors. The Mexican Hat Dance is easy and very enjoyable. Students will learn the traditional dance still used in celebrations today.
Salsa
Grade Levels: 6-12
Subjects/Standards: Dance, Geography, Physical Education, Spanish
Salsa is a dance for Salsa music created by Spanish-speaking people from the Caribbean. Salsa dancing mixes African and European dance influences through the music and dance fusions that are the roots of Salsa. It is normally a partner dance and can be improvised or set with a routine. This class is taught by Giselle Mejia and can be taught in Spanish or English. This class will teach students the basic salsa rhythm and dance steps accordingly. Then they will learn movements to perform with a partner and combine them into a choreographed routine.
Swing Dancing and the Dance Marathons
Grade Levels: 2-5, 7-12
Subjects/Standards: Dance, Physical Education, U.S. History
Artistic Director and founder of ARENA Dances, Mathew Janczewski will teach students how to swing with lecture/demonstrations about the history and cultural significance of the Dance Marathons from the 1920’s to 1940’s. Students will learn concepts such as social Darwinism and how the Dance Marathons have contributed to modern marvels.
Dance Style Sampler
If you wish to give your students a tour of many dance styles from around the world, we are here to help! Choose from 3 or 5 styles and our teaching artists can work with you to create a central theme throughout the sampler sessions. Two weeks notice is required to customize this offering, so please contact us in advance.
Full Choreography Residency
For the 2009-2010 school year, the Minnesota Shubert Center will offer two full, 10-class residencies to high schools in Greater Minnesota. Students will learn in-depth techniques and tools for developing their own creative work in dance. The master choreographer will then take the students' creative works and combine them into one large masterwork to be premiered by the students themselves. Students will experience the professional life of a dancer and choreographer, will be able to respond and critique works, and will have an unforgettable creative experience.
The Choreography Residency will be taught by Mathew Janczewski and Sarah Jacobs. Please contact Jessi Kolodziej to discuss implementing this program in your high school class.