Youth Dance Ensemble Dance Intensive
Street dance intensive led by Teaching Artist Daijiro Tsushima.
In preparation for the new season, Living Arts Youth Dance Ensemble (YDE) hosts an annual dance intensive and company auditions. For one week, dancers attend daily classes with Out-of-School Arts Teaching Artists and special guests where they focus on learning new dance techniques and choreography. Following the completion of all classes, dancers are invited to audition for a spot in the Youth Dance Ensemble. This year, we are introducing Youth Dance Ensemble 2 as a sister company to YDE. YDE2 is intended to provide a platform for younger students who are interested in deepening their training as a dancer and artist.
The goal of these companies is to give space and energy to seriously invested students who may want to pursue a career in dance after high school. Along with building a solid foundation through weekly technique classes, company members engage and explore concepts normally introduced in post-secondary dance education. At the intensive, dancers are encouraged to investigate personal experiences and ideas through improvisation, choreography and performance. Additionally they formed relationships with one another through a shared experience.
Street jazz intensive with guest Teaching Artist Justin Alesna
Each year the intensive provides a well-rounded program that encompasses a variety of dance styles including ballet, hip hop, modern, jazz and improvisation. In class, students gained insight into the history and background of the specific form in order to deepen their understanding and appreciation for dance. They built confidence by accepting new challenges and taking risks in a nurturing and fun environment. Ultimately, this intensive provides a pathway for invested students to audition to become a member of the dance ensembles.
Committed dancers from the OSA program are encouraged and invited to attend this annual dance intensive along with previous company members. We are looking forward to a new year filled with performances, community events, workshops and other activities that will highlight the talents of our young artists. Classes begin the first week in October and we’re excited to start the season with new and familiar faces!
