Dissonance Dance Theatre Summer Dancelab 2015

Unleash The Artist Within

Summer DanceLab

2015

Jun 22nd - July 18th, 2015

Dissonance Dance Theatre

Univ of MD Dance Dept Studio Clarice Smith Perf. Arts Center

W W W. D D T D C . O R G Advertised in Dance Magazine Jan 2015 Issue!

Dissonance Dance Theatre Come grow with us in our 2015 Summer DanceLab 2015, as we continue our commitment to quality training and educational programs.

“Thank you so much for allowing my daughter to be part of your program.

Dedication, discipline and determination are key for our youth. Please continue to keep us in mind for future workshops.”

— LaShawn Lewis, Proud Parent

Participation in a summer intensive program is an important investment in a young artist’s future. Since 2007, Dissonance Dance Theatre has been providing quality arts programming to aspiring and professional dancers. Students will be completely immersed in dance for one to four weeks and will obtain invaluable training that will enrich and complement their previous dance education. Students are categorized into two age brackets: Ages 8-12 years old; Ages 13-24 years old.

Students will also learn about Dissonance Dance Theatre during “Meet the Artist” seminars. Company members and other special guests will discuss their careers and show video selections of Dissonance Dance Theatre’s repertory.

Summer DanceLab 2015 provides an opportunity to train in a professional environment and dance for eight hours a day, learning from our quality staff and Dissonance Dance Theatre company members.

Additionally, advance students will have the opportunity to audition for trainee and apprenticeship positions with Dissonance Dance Theatre.

World Class Facilities Come experience the Clarice! Since opening in 2001, the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center has become a cultural force in the metropolitan Washington, DC area, known for adventuresome programming in dance, theatre, music and interdisciplinary arts. With six performance spaces, four dance studios, performing arts library, rehearsal halls and meeting rooms the Clarice is a state of the art facility!

Ballet Modern (Horton Technique) Lunch Masterclass/Choreography Modern Jazz

Schedule and Curriculum Classes are taught by regionally and nationally acclaimed faculty and special guests. Students attend classes Monday through Saturday, and weekday classes are scheduled between the hours of 9am and 5pm. The core curriculum includes ballet, modern, and jazz dance techniques. Not only will our students enjoy a rigorous dance schedule, their summer study will also be enhanced by additional classes in conditioning & alignment, choreography (advance students), and acting/theatre classes.

Advance students will also take participate in college advisement, tour of University of Maryland, workshops with local dance professionals. Beyond dance master classes, beginning students will have free time with make new friends, and participate in fun theatre workshops.

The summer will finish with studio performances/ observation classes showcasing the talent, artistry, and development of our participants.

Sample Class Schedule

Before Care: 7:30am-8:15am

Mon-Fri 8:30-10:00am Mon-Fri 10:10 - 11:40am Mon-Fri 11:45 - 12:45pm Mon-Fri 12:50 - 1:50pm Mon-Fri 2:00 - 3:30pm Mon-Fri 3:40 - 5:10pm After Care: 5:15pm-6:30pm

Schedule is subject to change. The 2015 summer class schedule will be emailed to enrolled students.

Top - Notch Instruction Summer DanceLab 2015 classes are taught by professional instructors, including current and former Dissonance Dance Theatre company members.

Instructors include: Shawn Short, Producing Artistic Director Damon Foster, DDT Rehearsal Manager Tisa Huff, Instructor - Dissonance Dance Theatre Caitlin Cooley, Instructor - Virginia Ballet Theatre Willie Hinton, Instructor - Philadanco Torens Johnson, Instructor - Ailey II Ryan Tuerk, Instructor - Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet Tony Thomas, Instructor - National Tour of West Side Elijah Gibson, Instructor - Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago Kevin McEwen, Instructor - Kankouran Dance Company Johnnie Mercer, Instructor - Kyle Abraham/Abraham.In.Motion Alvin Mayes, Instructor - Merce Cunningham Dance Company Additional Artists

Audition and Registration Process

Auditions ($20 Fee. Cash or Pre-registration online) Washington, DC Saturday Dec 27th, 2014 Flashpoint - Coors Dance Studio 916 G st NW, Washington, D.C. 20001 *Registration - 6:30pm - 7:30pm *Audition - 7:30pm - 8:30pm College Park, MD Saturday Jan 10th, 2015 Saturday Feb 21th, 2015 Saturday Mar 7th, 2015 *Registration - 6:30pm - 7:30pm *Audition - 7:30pm - 8:30pm

Program Sessions We offer students in Beginning -Advance the option of attending one to four week options or attending the full four weeks.

Accepted students will have the option to note their desired dates during the registration.

Housing Options Boarding on UMD Campus Housing is available for students who can’t commute to daily classes. Dissonance

Saturday Jan 24th, 2015 *Registration - Noon - 1:00pm *Audition - 1:00pm - 2:00pm Univ of MD, Dance Dept Studios 3800, The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742-1625 All students must audition for acceptance into our Summer DanceLab program. Audition dates, locations, and dance attire requierments can be found on our website at www.ddtdc. org. Audition results may be given at the end of audition or emailed within two weeks of the audition; depending on the number of auditionees. Upon acceptance, the student’s spot will be guaranteed for two weeks after notification.

After two weeks, the space will no longer be guaranteed without deposit payment and registration will be done on a first come, first serve basis. If students have a conflict with a deadline from another school, they could contact Dissonance Dance Theatre at 202-540-8338 on Summer Intensive extension hotline.

Dance Theatre can accommodate out-of-town students ages 14 and older in dormitory-style housing on University of Maryland College Park’s campus. Students who are accepted into the program but not offered a space in campus housing are still welcome to attend! Many students have enjoyed attending while staying with family or friends in their nearby homes or hotels.

Boarding packages include three nutritious meals daily.

University of Maryland College Park is located near the Hyattsville, Maryland Arts District filled with eateries and s hopping and 15 minutes away from the nation’s capital. Move-in and out dates and other details will be provided upon invitation.

(Please note: All students staying in dormitory housing must be 14 years old by June 1, 2015.)

Airport Airport directions to and from UMCP can be located here.

College Park Marriott Hotel Whether traveling for business or leisure, guests will find the eco-friendly College Park, Maryland hotel’s attentive service and lavish amenities a reflection of its dedication to provide travelers with a remarkable hotel experience.

Luxury bedding ensembles, Plug-In technology, complimentary wireless Internet access and room service are standard in all guest rooms and suites with Concierge Level accommodations available for even greater comfort.

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Guests are also pampered with easy access to the University of Maryland, the FDA’s White Oak campus, downtown Washington, D.C. and some of the country’s most treasured monuments and attractions. For more information click here!

Homestay.com 18 and older students have the option of living with a home-stay family. Home Stay costs approximately $245.00 a week. Please visit www.homestay.com for more information.

DDT is not affiliated with Homestay.com.

However, it is an option for housing available in the local DC area. Please do further research prior to booking.

Tuition and Fees Tuition only (no boarding) (Local Dancer Package) $1,800.00—Four Weeks; $1,200.00—Two Weeks Tuition + Meals (3) + Parking Pass (Commuter Package) $1,250.00—Four Weeks; $1,000.00—Two Weeks Tuition + Meals (3) + Room & Board (Umd Package) $3.500.00—Four Weeks; $2,000.00—Two Weeks Additional Fees (a la Carte Options) $800.00—One week (25 classes) Tuition only $200.00—Parking Pass—Four Weeks (Passes cost $50.00/Week) *For dancers who do not purchase a meal plan with their tuition, food and beverage may be purchased in the UMCP Stamps Student Union Building approximately 15 minutes away from dance studios.

Payments and Scholarships Dissonance Dance Theatre awards a limited number of merit scholarships for Summer DanceLab. If offered, these scholarships are announced through email one week after audition. Financial Aid is available for students in need. Tuition payments can be made in four installments. Please note that all tuition and housing fees must be paid off by June 1 2015.

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A non-refundable deposit of $200 is due two weeks after receipt of audition results.

Important Dates: March 1, 2015: Deadline to apply for financial aid Early April: Enrollment packets distributed via email to participants May 1, 2015: Final payment due in full Updates will be sent to enrolled students by email.

Professional and spacious

studios, waiting areas, and locker rooms await young dancers. In the studios, dancers are cultivated through solid dance technique, enlightening masterclasses and thought provoking wrap sessions around professional dance endevours.

Choreography Studio (Room 1611): 47 feet x 29 feet Dance Studio 2 (Room 1912): 60 feet x 40 feet Schoenbaum Rehearsal Studio (Room 3732): 44 feet x 25 feet

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Extra Curricular Activities: Summer DanceLab offers wonderful extracurricular activities that totally complement our quality dance instruction. Commuter and boarding students can make new friends through social engagement!

Terpzone (Starting at $20) The TerpZone is located in room B0106 of Umd’s Adele H. Stamp Student Union, which is on the Basement Level and next door to the Lower Entrance of the University Book Center. We welcome all University of Maryland students, faculty, staff, alumni in addition to all visitors to the University of Maryland to enjoy what our facility has to offer. TerpZone features include (8) Brunswick Bowling Lanes, (10) Gold Crown 9’ Billiard Tables, Video Arcade Games and a Lounge Area with (1) 120” Projection Screen TV & (4) 50” Plasma TVs.

Billiard Tables

Eppley Recreation Center ($7 Unlimited Pass)* The ERC includes the Outdoor Aquatic Center and the Maryland Adventure Program. Inside you’ll find a track, fitness room, weight room, matted room, table tennis, aerobics studio, gyms, racquetball and squash courts, instructional and deep water pools, sauna, steam room, locker/shower facilities, the REC Store, equipment issue Functional Training Studio and Sneaker’s Energy Zone. *Subject to change.

Bowling Lanes

TV Lounge

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Video Game Lounge

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Faculty Bios Shawn Short, Summer Director/Ballet/Choreography Faculty

Shawn is the Founder, Producing Artistic Director and Principal Choreographer of Dissonance Dance Theatre. Under Mr. Short, Dissonance has evolved from a project based entity into an exciting dance entertainment venture in the Washington, DC area. As a choreographer, teacher, and coach, Short has fostered a love of the classical and contemporary ballet lexicon that has become the bedrock of the Company’s training. The dancers are energized and inspired by this rigorous training and continue to rise to new heights with each passing year.

Growing up in the Washington, DC area. Shawn has studied with nationally and internationally acclaimed artists including faculty and dancers from Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, Lines Ballet, Washington Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Dance Institute of Washington, Dance Alloy, Philadanco, Towson University, Baltimore and Duke Ellington School of Performing Arts. As a student of ballet pedagogy, Shawn studied with John White, Margarita De Saa and the Washington School of Ballet Director Kee Juan Han.

Shawn is a Pointe Magazine’s Video of the Month Editors’ Choice award recipient for his contemporary ballet work “Caught” in 2013. A 2014 Princess Grace Award (NYC) in Choreography nominee, Shawn holds a BFA in Musical Theatre with a minor in Theatre Management from Howard University and a MFA in Dance at University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Presently, he is Professor of Ballet at Catholic University of America. Shawn is a former fiscally sponsored artist through the New York Foundation for the Arts. Shawn has choreographed for The Dance Institute of Washington and The Washington Ballet School of Ballet at THEARC. His has presented his works at the Capital Fringe Festival, Greater Washington Urban League National Conference, Southeastern University, Artists’ Bloc 12X6 Series, Harke Theatre, Jack Guidone Theatre Space, Lang Theatre, Atlas Theatre Complex Lab II Theatre, THEARC Theatre, Joe’s Movement Emporium, DC Parks and Recreation, Sidney Harman Hall, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, PBS Broadcasting, VelocityDC, and Brooklyn Arts Exchange. Shawn was the Resident Choreographer for the Kelsey Collie Children’s Theatre for six years.

In education, Shawn has developed and implemented dance curriculum and programs for: Catholic University of America’s Musical Theatre program, Adventure Theatre-MTS, Imagination Stage Dance Division, Kelsey Collie Children’s Theatre Experience, PG County Schools, Dance Institute of Washington, Washington Ballet @THEARC. His performance credits include work with K2 Dance, Adrian Bolton Dance, El Tearto de Danza Contemporeanea El Salvador, and Bolton/Smith. He has also served as a guest artist with Dance Alloy in Pennsylvania. He has been commissioned by Catholic University of America’s Benjamin T. Rome School of Music to choreograph “Mother’s Blood”(2008), VF Dance Theater for their Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts to choreograph “ Genotype Called Love” for their Terrace Theatre production of “Futurology” (2012).

In addition to his role as producing artistic director and principal choreographer of the Company, Shawn is the director of Ngoma Center for Dance (Ngoma). For Shawn, Ngoma is central to the life and development of Dissonance Dance Theatre. Just as he expects the finest dancing and most meticulous attention to detail from his dancers, he demands the highest standards for training at Ngoma.

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Caitlin Cooley, Ballet

Caitlin joined DDT in 2008 through 2013. Mrs. Cooley is originally from Lawrenceville, Georgia. She has been Short’s muse for several contemporary ballet solo works mounted on her (Scarlet, Caught, and Prayer). Scarlet premiered in New York City in 2009, PBS recording Caught in 2012. She is Short’s demonstrator for several years and a favorite to work with amongst guest choreographers. Caitlin was also the featured soloist mentioned in the Washington Times story about Short titled, Shawn Short, Founder & Choreographer Dissonance Dance Theatre. She began her dance training at the Susan Chambers School of theatre Dance where she was a Georgia Governor’s Honor’s alumnus. She received her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance Performance from Shenandoah Conservatory in 2008. She is now a member of Virginia Ballet Theatre.

Ryan Tuerk, Ballet

Philadelphia, PA In 2005 Ryan graduated from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia with a BFA in jazz dance. While in college he had the pleasure of working with such companies as Koresh, Philadanco and Pennsylvania Ballet.

Ryan was a soloist in the 2005 Philadelphia “Live Arts” Fringe Festival dancing in a piece titled, “Patio Plastico” directed by Brian Sanders (of Momix). He has also performed with Carnival and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. While living in Florida, he co-founded (with hip-hop mogul Pablo Malco) a pre-professional hip- hop company called “Imputz”. Currently Ryan dances as a principal dancer for “Spiritoso Ballet”. Teaching and choreography are his passion; his free time is spent coming up with new and innovative movement combining fundamentals of jazz with the “Vagonava” Ballet Syllabus, and exploring texture, rhythm, and multi-directional flow of energy. He is faculty at Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet in Philadelphia.

Tisa Huff, Modern/Ballet

Tisa joined Dissonance Dance Theatre in 2008 through 2013. A solid performer with beautiful stage sensability, Tisa was pillar in DDT’s ranks. She is the original female soloist in Short’s spiritual inspired work Utopia Fallen in 2008.

She performed Short’s solo in his legato themed work in Reflect movement #1 recored by PBS in 2012. A native Washingtonian, her prefessional training started at Duke Ellington School of the Arts, a pre-professional arts training program in Washington, D.C. Tisa trained under the direction of Charles Augins, Sandra Fourtune-Green, Katherine Smith, Treanna Alexander, and Kikki Sutton.

Mrs. Huff has worked with notable choreographers such as Louis Johnson, Christopher Huggins, Kevin Malone, Bill Evans and Garth Fagan. She Received her Bachelors in Fine Arts from New World School of the Arts.

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Willie Hinton, Modern

Willie Hinton, a native of New York began dancing at the age of 16 at Enloe Gifted& Talented Magnet High School in Raleigh, NC. He was also a scholarship student at the American Dance Festival Durham, NC (1989). Upon graduating Willie attended the University of the North Carolina School of the Arts Dance (1990). Willie has toured nationally as well as internationally with The Rebecca Kelly Dance Company (NY), Jubilations Dance Company (NY), The Philadelphia Dance Company (Philadanco), and Dance Kaleidoscope (IN). He was also a guest dancer with Chuck Davis’s African American Dance Ensemble (NC), and was a soloist in Binghamton’s New York’s Tri-City Opera Company’s production of Samson& Delilah.

In addition to his performance career Willie’s love of teaching allowed him to teach across the US, and abroad at several colleges and universities. He was also the elementary choreographer for “Evening of Entertainment” Durham North Carolina’s annual scholarship fundraising event for high school seniors where he worked with over 240 elementary students. He also guest taught, and choreographed on the North Carolina State University’s “Panoramic Dance Project”.

Willie’s passion to inspire, and motivate young people allowed him to be on staff at the School of the Richmond Ballet where he taught jazz, and modern to all the levels within the school. He also was a mentor/teacher to the trainee’s and apprentices of Richmond Ballets professional company, and a teaching artist for their outreach program “Minds in Motion” an affiliate of the National Dance Institute founded by world famous dancer Jacques de’ Amboise. He just recently finished a two-year contract with NC Arts in Action…another national dance institute affiliate based out of Durham, NC. Willie’s international teaching has taken him to Bolivia South America where he was in charge of the jazz/ modern department at The Estudio de Capezio. He was also a guest teacher at the University of Bolivia, and the American High School.

Dancers in Class with Shawn Short.

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Johnnie Cruise Mercer, Modern/Improvisation

A recent apprentice of Sidra Bell and MacArthur-fellow choreographer Kyle Abraham of Kyle Abraham/Abraham.in.motion, Johnnie is a native of Richmond, Virginia. He has attended the Appomattox Regional Governors School for the Arts and Technology, and a BFA graduate from Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Dance and Choreography. Mr. Mercer began training under the direction of Annette Holt and Rodney Williams at the City Dance Theater of Richmond, then to later continue his formal training on full scholarship at the Richmond Ballet of Virginia under Willie Hinton.

He has also trained intensively as a full scholarship students at The American Dance Festival where he has had the privilege of being mentored and taught

by Gerri Houlihan, James Frazier, Paul Matteson, Leah Cox, Jennifer Nugent, Ishmael Houston-Jones, Pamela Pietro, Richard Chen, Sara Procopio, Mark Haim, Stuart Singer and a host of other amazing artist. As a freelance performer Mr. Mercer has performed in a number of works by numerous artist including: Martha Curtis, Nathan Trice, Reggie Wilson, Kate Weare, Christian von Howard, and most recently Carl Flink. Currently a company member of the Philadelphia/Austin based company Dance Theater X (artistically led by Charles O. Anderson), Mr. Mercer has had the recent honor of performing the New York premier of the company’s newest work Restless Natives at the New York Live Arts Live Ideas Festival.

Elijah Gibson, Contemporary Jazz

Teacher and choreographer in demand, is from San Diego, California, where he attended San Diego School for the Performing Arts. Mr. Gibson is overjoyed to have joined the faculty of his Alma Mater at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, where he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance and Choreography. He received his Masters of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. Mr. Gibson joined Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago in 2000 where he performed for eight years.

He has worked with or performed the works of the late Gus Giordano, Margo Sappington, Christopher Huggins, Jon Lehrer, Mia Michaels, Liz Imperio, Randy Duncan, Tony Powell, Ron De Jesus, and Davis Robertson among many others. He’s also had the privelage of guest performing with Instruments of Movement, Cirqua River a Dance Theater, and Especialty Tap Chicago just to name a few. He has performed and taught throughout the United States as well as in Germany, France, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Latvia, Spain, Ecuador, Canada, and Mexico. Mr. Gibson has served on the faculties of the American College Dance Festival Association, Jazz Dance World Congress, Dance Masters of Wisconsin, Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, Leon Dance Arts NY, and Key West Modern Dance just to name a few.

Dance companies hav e performed his choreography nationally and internationally such as Nomi Lamad, Inaside Dance Chicago, Thodos Dance Chicago, Jayson Tisa Dance Company, City Dance Company of Houston, Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago II, and Naway Dance Company, as well by university dance ensembles throughout the country. Upon his transition into teaching in higher education, he has been on faculty at Shenandoah University and at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has been fortunate to dabble in every aspect of he arts from dance, theater, and film.

Invited Guest Faculty

Kevin McEwen, Instructor - Kankouran Dance Company Alvin Mayes, Instructor - Merce Cunningham Dance Company

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Tony Thomas, Jazz

New York based artist, Tony has spent most of his life performing on stages and teaching across the nation and abroad. He graced the stage for the first time at the tender age of 8 and has been gracing the globe with his artistic fervor ever since.

Tony most recently played the role of Richie in A Chorus Line at Olney Theatre Center. In national tours, guest appearances, television, and film, Tony has performed and developed his craft under the wings of Joey McKneely, Debbie Allen, Stephen Nachamie, David Saint, Tony Powell, Christopher Huggins, Joyce Mosso, and Mike Malone. He has performance associations with members of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Philadanco, The Dance Theatre of Harlem, Dancarate’, Inc., and many others. With an amazing tenacity for focus, an unparalleled understanding of fluidity and a remarkable eye for precision, Tony Thomas is soon to be one of the most sought after artists in the global industry. Member of AEA Actor’s Equity Association

Damon Foster, DDT Repertory / Conditioning

Joining DDT in 2013, Damon has become a favorite to watch performing DDT’s remount of Asadata Dafora’s solo classic The Ostrich Dance. Damon is the original cast for Short’s works My Intimate Friend, First Time, Zero, and Torens Johnson’s all-male ensemble work, Lockdown. Raised in Arlington, TX, Damon studied dance at the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville where he majored in journalism with dance as a minor. His dance studies continued at University of Texas-Arlington. In Dallas, Foster performed as a principle artist with Mahogany Dance Theatre of Texas, under Artistic Director Vann J. Gilbert, and with HappyNia Dance Theatre, under Alvin Ailey veteran Dereque Whiturs; Friends of Tyme Dancer, Mary Kay Cosmetics Seminar. He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Damon hold a group exercise certification from AFAA and a certification in megaformer fitness from Lagree Fitness.

Danelle Dickson, Nutrition/Anatomy

Danelle Dickson (PT,DPT, OCS), a graduate of University of Delaware, and has over 6 years of clinical, research, and administrative experience in physical therapy sports and orthopedic fields. Danelle has a manual osteopathic approach to patient treatments, with an emphasis on biomechanical analysis, correction and return to function. She has been trained in manual based courses such as Institute of Physical Arts and St. Augustine courses and received her Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist certification in 2012.

Ms. Dickson also has an extensive Dance background. She started dancing at age three, where she was formally trained in classical ballet, modern, and jazz. She later became involved in traditional African dance, and performed continually in a variety of local dance and theater productions in her native Trinidad and Tobago. Danelle continued to dance in the US, becoming an active member of the Morgan State Dance Ensemble at Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD. She later joined the Rod Rodgers Dance Company in New York City, Dissonance Dance Theatre, and guest with several dance companies in the DC and MD area. She has been the recipient of scholarships to attend summer intensives at Ballet Hispanico and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT), both based in NYC, and has fused her passion for dance with her career as an orthopedic physical therapist.

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Summer DanceLab 2015 and Dissonance Dance Theatre are programs of Ngoma Center for Dance. For more information, visit www.ngoma-center-for-dance.org