ACDA West Regional Conference has ended

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ACDA West Regional Conference

Welcome to ACDA West Conference 2019 The Art of Moving! Be open to new friends, new ideas, new experiences. Enjoy!

STATEMENT OF EMPOWERMENT:
ACDA recognizes that Art can provoke; therefore, during the course of the conference, participants are empowered to remove themselves from conference activities.

To All Conference Participants:
Just a reminder...The adjudication process is structured to ensure that feedback and the selection process is as objective as possible.

Adjudicators do not know the names of schools or choreographers presenting work in the adjudication concerts. In order to keep the integrity of this ACDA policy and process in tact through the adjudicators’ final decision, it is necessary to ask all conference participants to avoid conversation with adjudicators about the adjudicated dances, the adjudication process, or their comments during the feedback session. In addition, please do not discuss your school’s programs or your own work with the adjudicators. Your full cooperation is being requested for the enjoyment of all conference participants, including the adjudicators!

Thank you in advance!

8:30am PST

Dance Because You Love It

Limited Capacity filling up

Lawton's dance training and study of yoga deeply influence her class and pedagogy of
movement. Detailed instructions of optimum alignment, breath, and connectivity to the earth are the hallmarks of her classes. The class starts slow and builds upon thematic principles including lower back alignment, focus through the eyes, and expressiveness while dancing. Drawing from ballet techniques in center, rhythmic patterns when traveling across the floor and use of weight, directed energy, and fearlessness in the final combination, her classes are a celebration through dancing.

Teachers

Dana Lawton

ACDA Board Member/Fac. Rep, Saint Mary's College

Artistic Director of Dana Lawton Dances, a modern dance company in the Bay Area, Dana is a tenured faculty member at Saint Mary's College in the Performing Arts Department, a faculty member at Shawl-Anderson Dance Center and Co-Director of the Enchanted Ridge Dance Workshop.Dana Lawton... Read More →

Wednesday February 27, 2019 8:30am - 10:00am PST
Dance Theatre SPX 216 Paseo de San Carlos, San Jose, CA 95192

8:30am PST

Dancing with My Grandmother: An Approach to Choreography

Limited Capacity seats available

Discover new movement possibilities through an exploration of ancestral stories.

Teachers

Yuki Shiroma

Faculty Rep., Member, University of Hawaii

Yukie Shiroma, faculty at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has been studying modern dance with Betty Jones and Okinawan dance with Cheryl Nakasone for over 35 years. She received her MFA degree in dance from the UHM in 1987 and started the dance program at Mid-Pacific Institute... Read More →

Wednesday February 27, 2019 8:30am - 10:00am PST
Washington Square 106

8:30am PST

Loving Yourself Well

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

As a dancer, it is easy to find yourself working through thoughts of comparison almost constantly. What does it look like to break the cycles of competition and self-hatred in the rehearsal and performance environment? In this class, we will openly discuss this tough topic and move together in some exercises to love your body and your movement into a more sustainable dance career

Teachers

Whitney Hancock

Faculty Rep., Non-Mem.-Institution, Redding City Dance Company

Artistic Director and Founding Member of Redding City Dance Company, Whitney garnered most of her movement training as a Dance BA graduate of Arizona State University.

Wednesday February 27, 2019 8:30am - 10:00am PST
New Ballet Studio A

10:30am PST

Yoga

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

Dharma yoga is a classical yoga class that starts with a flowing warm up and slows
down in poses creating a sense of inner peace. The class finishes with breath control
to calm the mind, relaxation to recharge the body and concentration for self-knowledge.

Teachers

Raphael Boumaila

Faculty, Mem, San Jose State

Wednesday February 27, 2019 10:30am - 12:00pm PST
New Ballet Studio B

2:00pm PST

Intro to Improvisation

Limited Capacity filling up

This class focuses on structured individual improvisation, starting with the familiar and allowing students to let go, free the mind, and explore with the intuition. This will build upon on the dynamic/energy/progression of the class session. People new or growing into their understanding of Improvisation are encouraged to attend as this will be a safe place to explore the experience of working through movement spontaneously.

Teachers

Holly Brosius

Faculty, Mem., San Jose City College

Holly Lampe Brosius graduated with an MFA in Dance from the University of California, Irvine and a BA degree in Dance from San Jose State University. She has taught and choreographed across the United States. Her performance and choreography experience encompasses Musical Theatre... Read More →

Wednesday February 27, 2019 2:00pm - 3:30pm PST
Washington Square 201

Company Improv

8:30am PST

"Pure" Dunham Technique

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

Dunham Technique is an interdisciplinary dance technique that includes foundational references from classical ballet, modern, and vernacular American dance, as well as folk and sacred dances from Haiti, Cuba, and Brazil. This technique class is structured to economize movement and energy, addressing the breath and isolations. Barre and/or center work will include exercises such as fall and recovery, body rolls, heel presses, and leg swings. Moving across the floor with progressions, students will follow the polyrhythms of the drums and slowly build upon basic movements with turns and elevation.

* The dance technique that Katherine Dunham (1909 – 2006) invented circa 1931, is part of a holistic system which aims to develop the whole person. In communities like East St. Louis, where she moved after retiring from her stage and film career, Dunham raised the sense of social responsibility among her students and helped them to overcome destructive elements in their environment through studies of dance, music, languages, and the humanities. There are at least five generations of Dunham dancers, starting with members of the original Dunham Company.

Teachers

Susannah Keita

Faculty, Mem., Grand Canyon University

Susannah “Sukie” Keita is a versatile dance artist who has paired her energy with dance companies and public schools as a performer, choreographer, and educator. Growing up as a student of Joffrey Ballet principal dancers, Sukie studied modern dance at the University of Michigan... Read More →

Thursday February 28, 2019 8:30am - 10:00am PST
New Ballet Studio A

Company Dunham

8:30am PST

Jazz Progressions

Limited Capacity filling up

Class will begin with a warm up followed by progressions across the floor. Focus will be on refining jazz dance technique.

Teachers

Kevin Godfrey-Chevalier

Faculty Rep., Member, Grand Canyon University

Kevin Godfrey-Chevalier is the current Artist-in-Residence at Grand Canyon University. After being bit by the Musical Theatre bug in high school, he trained at and received a B.F.A. from the University of Arizona. He has taught in San Diego, Chicago, and Phoenix. He has worked with... Read More →

Thursday February 28, 2019 8:30am - 10:00am PST
Dance Theatre SPX 216 Paseo de San Carlos, San Jose, CA 95192

Company Jazz

8:30am PST

Pilates - Finding Your Core

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

This Pilates class will focus on discovering and strengthening your core support. We will take a close look at the muscular structure of the abdominals and spinal extenders as they relate to movement and breath.

Teachers

Amber McCall

Faculty Rep., Member, San Jose City College

Amber McCall, a Bay Area native, has been directing the dance program at San Jose City College since fall 2008. Amber received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance Pedagogy from Butler University in 1998 and completed her Master of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of California, Irvine... Read More →

Thursday February 28, 2019 8:30am - 10:00am PST
Washington Square 201

Company Pilates

8:30am PST

Yoga for the Dancer

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

Yoga is a timeless, pragmatic science evolved over thousands of years devoted to the physical, mental, and spiritual being. In Yoga for the Dancer, the student will learn and practice asanas (poses) that will tone muscles, stretch ligaments, strengthen joints, activate internal organs, increase lung capacity, and quiet the mind.

Teachers

Dana Lawton

ACDA Board Member/Fac. Rep, Saint Mary's College

Artistic Director of Dana Lawton Dances, a modern dance company in the Bay Area, Dana is a tenured faculty member at Saint Mary's College in the Performing Arts Department, a faculty member at Shawl-Anderson Dance Center and Co-Director of the Enchanted Ridge Dance Workshop.Dana Lawton... Read More →

Thursday February 28, 2019 8:30am - 10:00am PST
Washington Square 106

10:30am PST

Introduction to Okinawan Dance

Limited Capacity seats available

An introduction to Okinawan culture through dance. Experience both the classical and folk movement styles of the Ryukyuan tradition. Wear comfortable clothing. Bring socks.

Teachers

Yuki Shiroma

Faculty Rep., Member, University of Hawaii

Yukie Shiroma, faculty at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has been studying modern dance with Betty Jones and Okinawan dance with Cheryl Nakasone for over 35 years. She received her MFA degree in dance from the UHM in 1987 and started the dance program at Mid-Pacific Institute... Read More →

Thursday February 28, 2019 10:30am - 12:00pm PST
Washington Square 201

2:00pm PST

Gaga

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

Gaga is the movement language developed by Ohad Narahin. Class is improvisational in nature and focuses on a deep listening to the body and to physical sensation.

Teachers

Paul Vickers

Faculty, Mem, San Jose State

Thursday February 28, 2019 2:00pm - 3:30pm PST
New Ballet Studio A

2:00pm PST

Humphrey/Limon Technique

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

The dancers will experience movement from the point of view of gravity. They will
unveil the philosophy behind the idea of “fall and recovery” using momentum,
swings, oppositions, isolations, successions and breath.

Teachers

Raphael Boumaila

Faculty, Mem, San Jose State

Thursday February 28, 2019 2:00pm - 3:30pm PST
New Ballet Studio E

4:00pm PST

Choreography: Experimental Hip Hop

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

Combining abstract movement choices informed by urban dance styles with rich and experimental sound scores, lets try a new flavor of ICE cream. (from: Idea to Create to Experiment)

Teachers

Anthony Kelley

Faculty, Mem., Glendale Community College

Anthony James Kelly aka “AKELLZ” is an urban dance artist from New York, currently based in Phoenix. He is currently faculty at Arizona State University and Glendale Community College. Akellz is one of the founders of "The Sacred G's" which is a touring conscious hip-hop collective... Read More →

Thursday February 28, 2019 4:00pm - 5:30pm PST
Hammer 4

Company Choreography

4:00pm PST

Samba and Samba Reggae: A Brazilian Dance Experience

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

Samba is a Brazilian Dance form that originated in the state of Bahia, over 400 years ago when the first African slaves landed in what we now know as the country of Brazil. It is a dance that emerged out of the resistance of people holding onto their culture that was threatened due to colonization in the new world. It is a blend of African, Indigenous, and Portuguese cultures that manifested into a popular dance that has gone through many transformations throughout the centuries.

Samba is a celebratory dance that is quick, upbeat, and high energy. There are quick foot movements and choreographic patterns, and cross-lateral arm movements to compliment the feet. The hips remain loose so they can move from side to side in a circular motion to accompany the steps. This is an Intermediate Level Class, however if you have never taken Samba before, please do not hesitate to give it a try! Class will be taught with recorded music.

Teachers

Stephanie Da Silva

Faculty, Mem., Santa Rosa Junior College

Stephanie Emmanuela Da Silva is currently the Director of Dance at Harbor High School, teaches Afro-Brazilian Dance at UCSC, is a guest choreographer at Santa Rosa Community College, and is the Artistic Director of Agua Doce Dance Company. Stephanie received her MFA in choreography... Read More →

Thursday February 28, 2019 4:00pm - 5:30pm PST
Washington Square 106

Company Latin

8:30am PST

Love the X: Modern Dance and the Power of YOU

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

This dance class uses the somatic movement principles of Bartenieff to get us moving. We will start on the floor in the X and developmentally progress to standing and moving through space. I am interested in the forces of gravity and how they play with us and how we play with them in return. I am interested in how dancing moves us both physically and emotionally to find our power to change and transform in the moment with movement. I am energized by community and the uniqueness of each person in the room. Come dance with others in a judgement-free space!

Teachers

Cathy Davalos

Faculty, Mem., Saint Mary's College

CatherineMarie Davalos makes dances questioning heteronormativity using a feminist, Latina, and Chicana perspective. The Davalos Dance Company performs regularly in the Bay Area and also in Italy; their latest work, Radical Acts of Love has been well-received by both local and international... Read More →

Friday March 1, 2019 8:30am - 10:00am PST
New Ballet Studio B

Company Modern/Contemporary

2:00pm PST

Broadway Jazz (All)

Limited Capacity filling up

Love the thrill of Broadway? Who doesn’t!? Take this high energy and fast paced Broadway Jazz class to hone your audition techniques, groove out to some amazing showtunes, and have a blast. Singing along always encouraged.

Teachers

Maggie Sniffen

Faculty, Mem., Modesto Junior College

Maggie Sniffen is an Adjunct Professor of Dance at Modesto Junior College (MJC)) teaching various levels and techniques. She received her M.F.A in Experimental Choreography from UC Riverside and her B.F.A in Dance from San Diego State University. Sniffen is also the Head Boxing Trainer... Read More →

Friday March 1, 2019 2:00pm - 3:30pm PST
SPX 178 Paseo de San Carlos, San Jose, CA 95192

2:00pm PST

Coins, Chaos, and Composition

Limited Capacity seats available

Tapping into Twyla Tharp's wisdom, this class will provide new and experienced dance makers a few ways to "shake up" their composition process

Teachers

Sandi Scheuber

Indiv Mem, Individual

Sandra Scheuber, a freelance choreographer (www.makedancehappen.com), has created, studied, and performed in the SF Bay Area, Los Angeles, the Central Coast, and the Central Valley. Her work has been selected for performance at several showcases. She has performed and choreographed... Read More →

Friday March 1, 2019 2:00pm - 3:30pm PST
Washington Square 201

Company Choreography

4:00pm PST

The Get Down: Hip Hop Party Dances from the 80s-00s

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

Get ready to travel through time through music and dance to explore the Milly Rock of the 80’s and the Disco of today. This class will cover the general concept of grooves and the coined grooves of what is known as the Hip Hop party dance style. Familiar grooves ranging from the Cabbage Patch to the Running Man will be broken down and unfamiliar grooves will be added to your vocabulary, and we will be tying them together into a combination and/or an introduction to freestyle! Open to all levels, this class is going to be a PARTY. Come through to have a good time.

Teachers

Farrah McAdam

Faculty, Mem., Sonoma State University

Farrah McAdam is a faculty member at Sonoma State University and a performer, choreographer and educator in Northern California. She currently performs with CALI&CO Dance and Jenna Valez and recently premiered her newest work, “code em” (2018), which featured an all POC collaborative... Read More →

Friday March 1, 2019 4:00pm - 5:00pm PST
SPX 178 Paseo de San Carlos, San Jose, CA 95192

8:30am PST

Dancing Your Story

Limited Capacity filling up

Art can be a lot of things but it's potential for power increases when it tells an honest, vulnerable, passionate story. In this session, Sara will discuss storytelling through movement and give participants some tools to do so. Sara will reference most recent dance projects, BIRTH! and Goddess Rising throughout.

Teachers

Sara Malan-McDonald

Faculty, Mem., Glendale Community College

Sara Jean Malan-McDonal is a Phoenix, AZ based freelancing academic. She earned her MFA in Dance from Arizona State University and two BFA degrees, in Dance and Art History, at Brigham Young University. She is the mother of four daughters and the managing director of C3 Dance, teaching... Read More →

Saturday March 2, 2019 8:30am - 10:00am PST
Hal Todd Studio Theatre

Company Choreography

8:30am PST

Tennis Ball Therapy

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

Renew, restore and recover in this class where you'll learn how to use a tennis ball to address tight and sore muscles. Tennis balls supplied.

Teachers

John Pennington

Faculty, Mem., Pomona College

John Pennington is Associate Professor of Theater and Dance at Pomona College and the Dance Program Director. He is the Artistic Director of Pennington Dance Group and ARC Pasadena. Pennington enjoyed a 14-year career with the Bella Lewitzky Dance Company as a performer and master... Read More →

Saturday March 2, 2019 8:30am - 10:00am PST
SPX 178 Paseo de San Carlos, San Jose, CA 95192

10:30am PST

Digging into Your Dance

Limited Capacity filling up

Deep, intentional, physical action will be sought through guided improvisational exercises, cultivating your learning edge, stretching your patterns, taking you out of your comfort zones, and uncovering/excavating new ways of moving for you. We will generate movement that honors your embodied experiences while asking questions that can take you beyond what you know. Class will culminate in a witnessing of smaller groups performing their discoveries.

Teachers

Christine Cali

Faculty Rep., Member, Sonoma State University

Christine's movement classes have been developed through a dance career spanning two decades of practice, research, performing, choreographing and teaching. Her approach to dance is somatic-based physicality that focuses on becoming more efficient, dynamic and sensorial as a mover... Read More →

Saturday March 2, 2019 10:30am - 12:00pm PST
Washington Square 204

10:30am PST

Urban Hip Hop

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

This class is an interpretive version of hip-hop with a cross blend of urban techniques. We will be emphasizing rhythmic phrasing through freestyle and choreographed movements. With the uniqueness of the style, dancers will learn how to express themselves and tell a story through arbitrary and articulated movements.

Teachers

Nhan Ho

Faculty, Mem., Modesto Junior College

Nhan Ho, an emerging artist from Sacramento, California, is a choreographer, dancer, teacher, director, and mentor. He is most known for his fusion of dance styles and movements. Nhan has always been inspired and intrigued in the exploration of movements through kinesthetic teaching... Read More →

Saturday March 2, 2019 10:30am - 12:00pm PST
Hal Todd Studio Theatre

Company Hip Hop

1:30pm PST

Crash Course in Choreography (Adjudicator Master Class)

Limited Capacity seats available

By Nomination Only:
In this class, participants will work together to make a dance by the end of the session. Dancers will all generate movement material and assemble a series of short studies. Then the material will be shaped into a single work with Keefe’s guidance. Participants will be expected to contribute choreographic suggestions, take risks as dancers, and participate fully as performers. The goal of the class is to consider how speedy decision-making can generate numerous choreographic possibilities. Limited to 24 dancers, all skill levels welcome.

Adjudicators

Maura Keefe

Maura Keefe, is a contemporary dance historian. She is a scholar in residence at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, where she writes about, lectures on, and interviews artists from around the world. Her writing for Jacob's Pillow Dance Interactive has created an opportunity to explore... Read More →

Saturday March 2, 2019 1:30pm - 3:00pm PST
Washington Square 106

1:30pm PST

Historical Dances - Baroque

Limited Capacity full
Adding this to your schedule will put you on the waitlist.

Finding purpose in movement through story telling with a focus on character driven physicality.

Teachers

Joan Walton

Faculty, San Jose State

Saturday March 2, 2019 1:30pm - 3:00pm PST
Washington Square 201