"Dance Up" Spring 2013 - The Newsletter of The Wooden Floor

danceup spring 2013

Providing Hope and Opportunity Through Dance, Academic, and Family Programs

news from The Wooden Floor

Melanie ríos glaser, artistic director

In the First Person

Victoria, Class of 2009 My name is Victoria and I am 21 years old. I am CubanAmerican and have lived in Santa Ana, California since I was two. I started at The Wooden Floor when I was 10 and continued there for eight years. Growing up as the oldest of five with two full-time working parents meant having to cook, clean, and babysit before taking care of myself. My dreams always took the back seat. Outside my home I was always in the minority. Growing up in a culturally mixed family meant never being fully accepted by any group.

It wasn’t until The Wooden Floor that I became comfortable in my own skin to express myself and pursue my dreams. The Wooden Floor offered me support in every aspect of my life, from academic to personal. Here I developed an interest in the sciences, as viewed through the lens of an artist as a form of support for a healthy body, mind, and spirit.

My passion for medicine began in elementary school on my aunt’s sofa bed where I could do nothing but watch as my cousin died from cancer. Many of my friends and family members suffered in such a way, and this drove me to pursue the best education possible to become better equipped to help others. As a dancer I came to understand the vital importance of the linkage between the body and the mind with relation to personal health. Dancing has given me the confidence to take risks and take advantage of every opportunity.

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In celebration of our 30th anniversary, we take a look back with stories from Alumni about their journeys with us. View more stories online at www.TheWoodenFloor.org/30Years

1810 North Main Street Santa Ana, CA 92706-2727 714.541.8314 www.TheWoodenFloor.org

I am currently an undergraduate student at the University of California, Riverside, on the path to receiving a B.S. in Neuroscience. Neuroscience allows me to explore the connections between the mind and body. I will be the first one in my family to pursue a professional degree. The Wooden Floor gave me the tools necessary to manage the stresses of the real world via coping mechanisms and traits for success. Out of the classroom I have been doing research on my campus to better the lives of individuals suffering from various diseases. I also volunteer in my community at the free health clinic and public schools to improve the quality of life of everyone around me. After I graduate college I will pursue an MD/ PhD degree. This dual career will enable me to help people in the present while seeking better solutions for the future.

April 4, 2013 Inside the Studio 6:00pm

April 25, 2013 1st Annual Step Beyond Breakfast, 7:30am

May 30-June 1, 2013 30th Annual Concert

Join Artistic Director Melanie Ríos Glaser and choreographer Mark Haim for an intimate sneak peek into the artistic process of the 30th Annual Concert. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Please RSVP by April 1 to Jenn at 714.541.8314 ext. 139 or RSVP@TheWoodenFloor.org.

Gather with Orange County’s leaders in support of our Class of 2013’s academic plans and The Wooden Floor’s college scholarship program.

Tickets are $75 per person. See back page for more details. For more information or sponsorship opportunities, contact Keegan at 714.541.8314 ext. 140 or Keegan@TheWoodenFloor.org.

Experience the powerful and singular energy that emanates from a unique collaboration between our youth and top-of-their-field choreographers at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. Tickets for this contemporary dance event go on sale April 1 at www.TheWoodenFloor.org.

Complete information on events featuring the students of The Wooden Floor is available online at www.TheWoodenFloor.org.

Supporter Spotlight

Changing Lives Through Dance The Wooden Floor has remained relevant over the years by being keenly aware of and responsive to the needs of our students and our community, each step of the way.

In 1983, destructive behaviors such as drugs and gang violence were taking a toll in the Santa Ana community.

Sayago & Pardon Artistic thinking is the foundation of success. That is part of the ethos of Sayago & Pardon, an organization based in Tustin created to support the cultivation and sharing of Latin American art. Co-Founders Sammy Sayago and Nicholas Pardon curated an exhibition from their personal collection of Latin American art to enliven the walls of The Wooden Floor, titled Rhythm & Movement.

Pardon says interest in bringing their art to The Wooden Floor came from a desire to share their love of art with the community, but in an intimate way. “The Wooden Floor is not your typical exhibition in a gallery space or art-centric space. It is almost more like living with the art, which is an interesting interplay. We wanted the opportunity to have the art affect the lives of children and others who spend time daily at The Wooden Floor, to create within them a desire to be around art. The space will be transformed by the addition of art.”

Pardon says that the purpose of the exhibition was for the children to begin to form an opinion about the pieces selected, not necessarily to like all of them. “A lot of people don’t like art because they don’t know how to form an opinion on it,” says Pardon. “Having an opinion is when perspectives change, adapt, and evolve. Also becoming used to being around art and being immersed by it in their space will help the children feel more comfortable around art.”

And what was it about The Wooden Floor’s space that drew Sayago & Pardon to it?

“The Wooden Floor is a great fit; it already has an artistic thinking foundation. It is a great organization because of its standards and high quality.

Quality level is so important,” says Pardon.

He continues, “The Wooden Floor is not just inspiring, but it is building a foundation of progressive thinking. Its higher education outcomes are a huge reason we support The Wooden Floor, but also, the creation of the desire for a higher purpose, and an increased sense of worth in youth are very important.”

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Founder Beth Burns set out to use innovative dance making as the catalyst for change to bring hope and opportunity to those who dreamed of a safer and brighter future.

Over the years the vision has grown, as we have responded by helping our students move forward. In 1999 when our campus was built, the goals were to increase our student population from 150 to 375 and couple the dance education program with academics and family services. In 2002, the college scholarship program was created and the college preparatory services were launched. Today, the goals are to provide

An Interview with Ivy Baldwin, 30th Annual Concert Guest Choreographer It’s an experience that you have to witness firsthand to sense its impact. Young people, ages eight through 18, on stage performing new and pioneering contemporary dance works that break down barriers, both artistically and demographically. It’s The Wooden Floor’s Annual Concert, which now in its 30th year is a platform to produce some of the genre’s most moving and thoughtprovoking art.

“This is the largest cast I have ever worked with, so it’s both exciting and sometimes overwhelming to imagine all the possibilities inherent in a cast this size.” She continues, “I can tell already that the greatest reward will be the privilege of getting to know these students over the course of the year.”

To get a sense of her work, check out a sneak peek video of Ivy’s rehearsals online at www.TheWoodenFloor.org/IvyBaldwin.

This year’s Annual Concert welcomes Brooklyn-based choreographer Ivy Baldwin to collaborate with 62 student artists. Ivy began the creative process with a blank palette, and then began drawing from the experiences, contributions, and personalities of her group of students to construct the new piece. Now, after spending some time with her composer, Justin Jones, she says that other external factors are beginning to paint a much bigger picture of what audiences will experience.

“I’ve been incorporating influences from the structure of European gardens and Renaissance architecture,” says Ivy.

Ivy Baldwin, founder of Ivy Baldwin Dance, has performed across the United States and in international locales, including Germany and Romania. She joins fellow choreographers Mark Haim and Artistic Director Melanie Ríos Glaser at the 30th Annual Concert at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, running May 30-June 1. Tickets go on sale April 1 at www.TheWoodenFloor.org or by phone at 949.854.4646.

Be a part of this unforgettable experience by joining us as a 30th Annual Concert Underwriter. Levels of support range from $3,000 to $50,000. For more information about underwriting the Annual Concert, please contact Keegan at 714.541.8314 ext. 140 or Keegan@TheWoodenFloor.org.

Pictured: Students perform Chris Yon’s “Zig Zags of Treachery” during the 29th Annual Concert at the Irvine Barclay Theatre.

each student with the tools and resources to be successful in school and life; thereby breaking the cycle of poverty through generational change by means of dance, setting them on the path to higher education.

behalf of the Board of Directors and staff, we thank you for your support and joining us as agents for change.

As we look forward to the next 30 years, we will continue to produce the results that we are known for and grow our impact directly and exponentially.

Each successful graduate of The Wooden Floor is a role model and will exert his/her influence that in turn will reverberate throughout the community. On

Warm Regards,

Dawn S. Reese

Executive Director & Co-CEO

Melanie Ríos Glaser Artistic Director & Co-CEO

February 19 Seattle-based choreographer Mark Haim arrives at The Wooden Floor to begin working on a new collaboration premiering this year.

Many may remember Haim’s previous choreographed works: Los Angelitos (2002 and 2010), What is Too Strong for Breaking (2008), and Presence (2004).

As The Wooden Floor celebrates 30 years of changing lives through dance, learn how the organization has become a leader in youth development in Orange County.

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February 13 7th and 8th grade girls begin a 6-week course with a professional specializing in adolescents where they will talk about their ambitions, making life choices, and building self-esteem.

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Beginning of the Journey

Founded as a five-week summer dance-pilot program by Beth Burns, the organization’s first home was in a small auditorium before moving into the basement of the Episcopal Church of the Messiah.

20 Students

The class size may have been small but the vision was great. Our founder knew that in the dance studio, rigorous training, creativity, and self-knowledge lead to confidence, leadership, wellbeing, and joy.

March 20 Students learn about possible future career paths from professionals in the Orange County business community during the first quarterly Career Night of the year.

March 4 Brooklyn-based choreographer Ivy Baldwin begins her second residency with students at The Wooden Floor in preparation for the 30th Annual Concert at the Irvine Barclay Theatre.

Then & Now

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The Wooden Floor Newsfeed

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Home Away From Home

The Wooden Floor and its 375 students call the 21,000 square foot award-winning campus in Santa Ana home. Here the students, together with their parents, are supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.

375 Students

Today, the organization annually serves 375 underserved youth and their families for up to ten years. An additional 3,000 students participate in the organization’s community engagement program Dance Free Weeks.

February 4 Parents at The Wooden Floor participate in a workshop hosted by community partner Consumer Credit Counseling Service about renter’s rights and responsibilities.

January 25 The Class of 2014 gather together in the Hutton Education Center for a 6-week KAPLAN© SAT course, which they would otherwise not have the resources to participate in.

January 22 Tutors at The Wooden Floor begin their first tutoring sessions of the spring semester, ensuring our students have the tools to excel in school.

January 18 First-year students receive their very own set of free dancewear as a rite of passage, distributed by loving volunteers.

Stay up to date and join The Wooden Floor online community on:

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A Vision with Room to Grow

Since the beginning, The Wooden Floor’s commitment to promoting a dance aesthetic that values exploration, discovery, and innovation encourages youth to change the way they think about themselves and aspire beyond the grip of the poverty cycle.

$4,000 Budget

Initially supported by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange and a grant from The Ahmanson Foundation, the model has since received national recognition and support for its services.

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A Holistic Approach

Coupled with intensive dance education and performance opportunities like the Annual Concert, students participate in individualized tutoring, college preparatory classes, and family services.

$2.28 Million Budget

92% of funding for The Wooden Floor’s nationally-recognized model comes from private community donations.

This community support allows most students of The Wooden Floor to participate free of charge.

Save the Date 7th Annual Keep the Promise Wine Tasting Benefit Thursday, September 26, 2013 Big Canyon Country Club Newport Beach, CA Join us for Orange County’s premier wine tasting event, which last year netted over $200,000 for The Wooden Floor’s nationally-acclaimed youth development programs. Reviewed by Newport Beach Magazine as an event that will allow you to “find even greater joy in your passion for wine,” Keep the Promise features highly-rated and hard-to-find wines poured in support of The Wooden Floor’s forward movement of under-served youth.

For more information and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Keegan at 714.541.8314 ext. 140 or Keegan@TheWoodenFloor.org. www.TheWoodenFloor.org 3

The Wooden Floor Board of Directors 2012-2013 Ernesto Vasquez, Chair AIA, Founding Partner, McLarand Vasquez Emsiek & Partners Jim Driscoll, VICE CHAIR Community Leader Damien Jordan, Immediate Past Chair General Manager, Retired, American Funds/Capital Group Companies, Inc. Frank Foster, Secretary Principal, Residential Strategies, LLC Richard C. Hunsaker, Treasurer President, Hunsaker Management Glennda Adair Community Leader Joan Beall Community Leader Catherine Chase Senior Vice President, Credit Suisse Private Bank

these graduates and ensure that they can readily step beyond their “second home” with the right tools.

MARIA CIRESE Parent Representative Community Leader Frank Hall Vice President Resource Development, Retired, St. Joseph Health Sharon Hartshorn Community Leader Virginia Hunsaker Community Leader Yvonne M. Jordan Community Leader Catherine MacIver Senior Vice President, Bank of America Retail Products Group Danny Melita Community Leader Yvonne R. O’Neill Certified Public Accountant, O’Neill Financial Management Luz Orozco Parent Representative Community Leader Cyrus Parker–Jeannette Associate Dean of the College of the Arts, California State University, Long Beach DAWN S. REeSE Executive Director and Co-CEO, The Wooden Floor Melanie Ríos Glaser Artistic Director and Co-CEO, The Wooden Floor Kristy Santimyer-Melita Community Leader Jim Slaughter Attorney at Law, Slaughter & Slaughter, LLP Larry Stofko Executive Vice President, Innovation Institute, St. Joseph Health Mary Xavier Vice President and Senior Strategic Program Manager, American Funds/Capital Group Companies, Inc. Barbara Yingling Community Leader William Yingling III Community Leader Beth Burns, Board Emerita Founder of The Wooden Floor and Artistic Director (’83-’05) Socorro Vasquez, Board Emerita Community Leader

Photography by: Kevin P. Casey and Nick Koon

The Wooden Floor’s goal of developing students who are successful in school and life will be celebrated at the first annual Step Beyond Breakfast, an evolution of our popular Graduates’ Brunch. This special event will feature not only a new name but a focus to raise funds in support of our 8th-12th grade college preparatory and college scholarships programs.

The morning will be filled with stories from our Class of 2013, their accomplishments, and their future plans. Most of these graduates are the first in their families to go to college, and the majority receive merit-based scholarships from The Wooden Floor. They say this support makes their dreams for college a reality.

Due to our successes in sending 100 percent of our graduates on to higher education since 2005, we have a growing commitment with each passing year to provide these students with the resources to achieve their goals in high school and in college.

Step Beyond is our opportunity to stand behind

Please join us for a morning that will include an address from a keynote speaker, stories of student success, as well as recognition of Class Partners who help underwrite the academic journeys of each of our graduating classes.

Event Details

Step Beyond at The Wooden Floor campus Thursday, April 25, 2013 7:30am Registration, 8:00am Breakfast honorary chairs

Sharon & Terry Hartshorn and Ernie & Socie Vasquez Sponsorships and Tickets

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Sponsorships start at $1,000 and raise funds to support The Wooden Floor’s academic programs and college scholarships. View sponsor benefits online at www.TheWoodenFloor.org/Events • Individual tickets are $75 each RSVP

Please respond with the enclosed envelope, by phone to Keegan at 714.541.8314 ext. 140, or online at www.TheWoodenFloor.org/StepBeyond by April 18, 2013.

A True Motion Picture Karinne Keithley Syers first fell in love with The Wooden Floor while participating as an Artistic Collaborator for the 28th Annual Concert in 2011, then again in 2012 as a Sound Designer. Her time spent working behind the scenes allowed her to experience the creative process with our young artists directly. She was so moved by what she witnessed that she is now working to document this unique collaborative process for the screen.

Syers, an interdisciplinary artist and scholar of creative pedagogy, will spend the ensuing months-long rehearsal process filming the evolution of a dance work from its inception to curtain call. “It will be a meditation on the kind of thinking that happens within the process of dancemaking, and the effect of that thinking on the students’ lives,” says Syers.

Also important to Syers is the role of The Wooden Floor in creating and sustaining the safe space in which their dancemaking happens.

She continues, “I would like the space of the documentary to really be about that open wooden floor – the possibility and not the limitations the students are working to shed,” Syers says.

Due to be completed in January 2014, Syers’ film will “focus on the equality of physical and intellectual engagement of these students with the artists they are working with, and by implication, their [fellow dancers] in more privileged situations.”

A sneak peak into the documentary will be released this April – stay tuned!

Thank you to the major supporters who have come forward this spring for the students of The Wooden Floor, including: 4 The Wooden Floor | spring 2013

The Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundation

Remembering Pat Yoder Pat Yoder will be remembered fondly as “a quiet woman of powerful action” who became acquainted with The Wooden Floor in 1989. Pat joined the Board of Directors where she worked to establish the organization’s reputation for being fiscally exemplary and helped establish the infrastructure that poised The Wooden Floor for its 1999 move into its new campus. Pat was well known for being a dedicated member of the Neighbors support group, a Dance Partner, and a tireless volunteer.

She founded the spirited Holiday gathering, Eat and Wrap, where hundreds of gifts were assembled for each of the students. She passed away November 3 and will be deeply missed by the entire The Wooden Floor family.

“I find Pat remarkable beyond words.” – Beth Burns, Founder of The Wooden Floor.