Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Hey guys! Here's an update on the past week!
 Wednesday, January 8 we had a beautiful ballet class led by Anne White! We are really getting our ballerina status on! Later in the day we had a workshop led by Jesse Zaritt. Jesse received his MFA in Dance at Hollins University/The American Dance Festival in 2008. He also teaches modern at University of the Arts.  He is a former member of Shen Wei Arts Dance Company and Inbal Pinto Dance Company. The workshop focused on BMC which is Body-Mind Centering. We did a lot of exercises and improvisation to get in tuned with our senses as well as our inner body such as our veins, arteries, fat, fascia and so much more. We also did some partnering exercises and looked at a few pictures of the human body/skeleton. Everyone looked beautiful in class and through the energy we know a lot of research was being done by the dancers. Jesse was very insightful, inspiring and his charismatic approach to dance was very soothing.  I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did!
"We need to have a certain facility and options... possibilities in our bodies...we are training to be artist not robots!" -Jesse

Here are a few photos from the day! Enjoy!












Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Today was an exciting day! We started off this morning with a Gaga class led by Douglas Letheren and then learned repertory from one of his favorite pieces; continuing what we worked on yesterday. What an awesome way to begin these chilly mornings. Something that Douglas has brought up more than once is the idea of "falling" and how we can use this feeling of falling to float. Floating is used often when practicing Gaga and instead of always thinking of the up floating sensation we can use this falling into the float idea. Some food for thought!
The day ended with a pow with our guest Ayo Jackson! Ayo received her BFA at North Carolina School of the Arts and was a former member of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance CompanyShe has accomplished so much in her life and is still yet to continue on in her career! She brought so much laughter and joy into the room with her big smile, warm and welcoming heart, her passion for dance, and can not forget her rockin' music (BEYONCE). Definitely a good day!

Monday, January 6, 2014

Off to a great start!

All I can say is these two weeks are going to be phenomenal. Today we had our first GaGa class and after students participated in a Q&A to chat a little with Doug Letheren himself. Here are a couple of the ideas and terms he shared with the class today...


  • Roping arms
  • Snake of spine
  • Full Cross- cross of two diagonals through the body
  • Lala (lay-lah) the connection between the finger tips and heart 
  • Groove- a force/ connected to passion to move but more playful/ connection to sexuality
  • Natural generosity you have with your body


Below are a few pictures from Repertory. Enjoy!








"Gaga challenges multi-layer tasks. 
We are aware of the connection between effort and pleasure, we are aware of the distance between our body parts, we are aware of the friction between flesh and bones, we sense the weight of our body parts, yet, our form is not shaped by gravity... we are aware of where we hold unnecessary tension, we let go only to bring life and efficient movement to where we let go . . . We are turning on the volume of listening to our body, we appreciate small gestures, we are measuring and playing with the texture of our flesh and skin, we might be silly, we can laugh at ourselves. We connect to the sense of  "plenty of time”, especially when we move fast, We learn to love our sweat, we discover our passion to move and connect it to effort, We discover both the animal we are and the power of our imagination. we are "body builders with soft spine". We learn to appreciate understatement and exaggeration, We become more delicate and we recognize the importance of the flow of energy and information through our body in all directions. we learn to apply our force in an efficient way and we learn to use "other" forces. 
We discover the advantage of soft flesh and sensitive hands, we learn to connect to groove even when there is no music. We are aware of people in the room and we realize that we are not in the center of it all. We become more aware of our form since we never look at ourselves in a mirror; there are no mirrors. We connect to the sense of the endlessness of possibilities. 
Yielding is constant while we are ready to snap...
We explore multi-dimensional movement, we enjoy the burning sensation in our muscles, we are aware of our explosive power and sometimes we use it. We change our movement habits by finding new ones, we can be calm and alert at once. 
We become available . . ."

 - Ohad Naharin

Thursday, December 19, 2013

New Information Update!

Just Added: Gaga Open Studio Class Option
We invite professional dancers and non-UArts students in the Philadelphia area to join a series of specific Gaga Open Studio classes taking place during the Dance Study Cycles Winter Intensive. 

This Gaga class option includes eight non-credit sessions as follows, led by Douglas Letheren:
 
Monday, January 6                      11:15 am - 12:30 pm
Tuesday, January 7  9:15 am - 10:30 am
Thursday, January 911:15 am - 12:30 pm
Friday, January 10  9:15 am - 10:30 am
Monday, January 1311:15 am - 12:30 pm
Tuesday, January 14  9:15 am - 10:30 am
Thursday, January 1611:15 am - 12:30 pm
Friday, January 1711:15 am - 12:30 pm

Cost is $250 for the eight class series. Register online or submit the CE Spring 2014 Registration Form and note the course title: DSC Gaga Open Studio Series with payment in full.
Winter 2014 Intensive featuring Gaga and repertory focus led by Douglas Letheren
January 5 - 17, 2014 / Philadelphia
UArts Dance Study Cycles Winter 2014 Intensive is a uniquely focused cycle featuring Gaga and repertory led byDouglas Letheren (member of Ohad Naharin’s Batsheva Dance Company 2008-2012 and current member of Sharon Eyal’s company), alongside additional daily studio practice, conversations with artists and a culminating  showing of the Gaga repertory. Taking place at UArts, in the heart of Center City Philadelphia, UArts Dance Study Cycles Winter 2014 will be led by a team of internationally recognized artists including Doug Letheren,  Jesse ZarittAyo Janeen JacksonRicardo Zayas and additional guest artists. Designed to provide individual mentorship alongside rigorous study, the strength of the UArts Dance Study Cycles is in its focused experiential study and capacity to serve artists with a program that truly moves, both in the studio and in the world. 
 
FEES
Tuition                                         $820            
Program Fee$55

Fees are used towards student activities, receptions, program support, performances, guest speakers, and other related activities.
 
Enrollment is limited.

HOW TO APPLY
Young artists who pursue the UArts Dance Study Cycles Winter 2014 Intensive must demonstrate a level of maturity indicating readiness for professional level work through the following required materials:
For applicants who are not UArts students or alumni:
  • Video link (3 minutes maximum, private YouTube of Vimeo link of applicant dancing)
     
NOTE: Applications are still being accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis for the two-week Winter Intensive. Acceptance is subject to space availability. Application items should be submitted to: ce@uarts.edu 
 
*Older software may not allow the writeable PDF of the application form to be saved. If you are having difficulty download the non-writeable application form
 
Application Deadline:  November 22, 2013
Acceptance Notification:  November 25, 2013
Tuition Due in full:  December 13, 2013
 
Affordable local housing options are available to accepted students. UArts does not provide housing on campus. 
 
Credits
UArts students seeking to earn 2 credits for this program should contact Bren Thomas in the School of Dance.
Phone: 215.717.6577                     

SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE

  9:15 am - 10:30 am    
Gaga
 10:45 am - 12:45 pm   
Gaga Repertory
  1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Lunch
  2:00 pm - 4/5:00 pm
Special Topic Workshop

Thursday, October 24, 2013

New Information!


NEW APPLICATION DETAILS AND FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22ND DEADLINE!!!

VISIT THE DSC WEBSITE FOR UPDATED INFORMATION

Winter 2014 Intensive featuring Gaga and  repertory focus led by Douglas Letheren
January 5-17, 2014 / Philadelphia
UArts Dance Study Cycles Winter 2014 Intensive is a uniquely focused cycle featuring Gaga and repertory led byDouglas Letheren (member of Ohad Naharin’s Batsheva Dance Company 2008-2012 and current member of Sharon Eyal’s company), alongside additional daily studio practice, research and creation of choreographic work, conversations with artists, video viewings, critique sessions and a culminating studio showing. Taking place at UArts, in the heart of Center City Philadelphia, UArts Dance Study Cycles Winter 2014 will be led by a team of internationally recognized artistic mentors including Doug LetherenDawn SpringerJonathan WindhamJesse Zaritt  and additional guest artists TBA. Designed to provide individual mentorship alongside rigorous study,  the strength of the UArts Dance Study Cycles is in its focused experiential study and capacity to serve artists with a program that truly moves, both in the studio and in the world.  

ESTIMATED FEES
Tuition                                         $1500            
Program Fee$225

Enrollment is limited.

HOW TO APPLY
Young artists who pursue the UArts Dance Study Cycles Winter 2014 Intensive must demonstrate a level of maturity indicating readiness for professional level work through the following required materials:
For applicants who are not UArts students or alumni:
  • Video link (3 minutes maximum, private YouTube of Vimeo link of applicant dancing)
     
Application items should be submitted to: ce@uarts.edu
 
Application Deadline:  November 22, 2013
Acceptance Notification:  November 25, 2013
Tuition Due in full:  December 13, 2013
Affordable local housing options are available to accepted students. UArts does not provide housing on campus.  For further details click here for a list of suggested housing options.

SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE

  9:00 am - 11:00 am    
Studio Practice
 11:15 am - 1:15 pm   
Studio Practice
  1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Lunch
  2:30 pm - 3:45 pm
Improv/Comp or Special Topic Workshop
  4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Repertory/ Creative Lab
  6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Dinner

Evening sessions to include: participant rehearsals, showings + critique, as well as film screenings and discussions.



Thursday, October 10, 2013

Dance Study Cycles: Winter Intensive 2014

We are at it again! The University of the Arts will be continuing the dance study cycles with a Winter opportunity!

Winter 2014 Intensive featuring Gaga and  repertory focus led by Douglas Letheren
January 5-17, 2014 / Philadelphia
UArts Dance Study Cycles Winter 2014 Intensive is a uniquely focused cycle featuring Gaga and repertory led by Douglas Letheren (member of Ohad Naharin’s Batsheva Dance Company 2008-2012 and current member of Sharon Eyal’s company), alongside additional daily studio practice, research and creation of choreographic work, conversations with artists, video viewings, critique sessions and a culminating studio showing. Taking place at UArts, in the heart of Center City Philadelphia, UArts Dance Study Cycles Winter 2014 will be led by a team of internationally recognized artistic mentors including Doug LetherenDawn Springer,Jonathan WindhamJesse Zaritt  and additional guest artists TBA. Designed to provide individual mentorship alongside rigorous study,  the strength of the UArts Dance Study Cyclesis in its focused experiential study and capacity to serve artists with a program that truly moves, both in the studio and in the world.  

 
ESTIMATED FEES
Tuition                                         $1500            
Program Fee$225

Enrollment is limited.

HOW TO APPLY
Young artists who pursue the Winter 2014 UArts Dance Study Cycles Winter 2014 Intensive must demonstrate a level of maturity indicating readiness for professional level work through the following required materials:
  • Completed application form
  • Statement of motivation
  • Resume
  • Headshot/Photo
  • Video link (3 minutes maximum, private YouTube or Vimeo link)

Application items should be submitted to: ce@uarts.edu
 
Application Deadline:  November 8, 2013
Acceptance Notification:  November 15, 2013
Tuition Due in full:  December 6, 2013
Affordable local housing options are available to accepted students. For further details inquire with the Division of Continuing Studies.
SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE

  9:00 am - 11:00 am    
Studio Practice
 11:15 am - 1:15 pm   
Studio Practice
  1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Lunch
  2:30 pm - 3:45 pm
Improv/Comp or Special Topic Workshop
  4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Repertory/ Creative Lab
  6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Dinner

Evening sessions to include: participant rehearsals, showings + critique, as well as film screenings and discussions.