Week 4 with Teresa!
In starting my third year teaching and directing the Ross Summer Dance Program, I was looking forward to further defining the expectations and standards of our dance curriculum, and to designing classes that are exploratory, challenging, and fun for all of the dancers involved. I was also so excited to see our students who I have enjoyed getting to know over the years. They continually engage me with their depth of imagination, intelligence, and creativity!
Week Four was a group of four dedicated dancers that were an absolute delight. Our first day we focused on Jazz technique, and then created a dance to Justin Bieber’s catchy beats. It was a light and fun dance, focusing on our fancy footwork. Watch it [here]!
Our next dance technique was contemporary. The dancers embodied intentional focus, sustained movements, and partnered very well with the music. As per special request by The Ross Rock Band, we did a Throwback Dance Day and created a dance to “Eye of the Tiger.” You can see [our version] where we ate up the whole studio space, and then contained it to perform in the band room. It was such a fun experience to perform this dance in two locations, and to feel the intensity of the live music behind our Rocky-themed movements!
During Week Four I also had the opportunity to choreograph with the dance minor students. We had a wonderful time working with one of my favorite music artists, LCD Soundsystem, appropriately named “Home.” BodyStories has been performing our newest work, HOME this year, and a piece of it followed me out here to East Hampton.