2004-2005 PROJECTS

Children And Seniors Experiencing Dance Together (July)
Project Contact: Deb Rutledge, eba

eba Dance Theatre, The Dance Center of Queensbury, The National Museum of Dance and SPAC are partnering in this project that will bring an intergenerational group of fifty to tour The National Museum of Dance and view a performance of the New York City Ballet at SPAC. Teaching artists will give pre- and post- exhibit/performance workshops to prepare for and reflect on the experience.

3rd Grade/College Student Dance Encounter (October - March)
Project Contact: Mary DiSanto-Rose, Skidmore College

The 3rd Grade/College Student Dance Encounter is a dual-level project involving the Skidmore College Dance Program, the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company and Caroline Street Elementary School. The project consists of a performance opportunity, a five-day workshop program and a performance sharing for three third grade classes as well as a docenting opportunity for Skidmore College students interested in arts-in-education.

Diavolo Dance Residency (November)
Project Contact: Chris Sheehan, Proctors

Students at Schenectady High School will experience a Master Class given by the Diavolo Education Staff on November 4, 2004. A workshop for teachers who are interested in learning how to integrate Diavolo ideas and concepts into their curricula will given by the Diavolo Education Staff on November 4, 2004 at Proctor's Theatre. On November 5, 2004, Diavolo will present a Young People's Concert as part of Proctor's School Day Series. Finally, Diavolo's Artistic Director and/or members of the company will discuss the principles behind Diavolo dance at a Theatre Talk workshop prior to the public performance of Diavolo on November 5, 2004.

Dance & Draw! (January 9 - February 13)
Project Contact: Rolfe Lawson, National Museum of Dance

Dance & Draw is an interdisciplinary program of the National Museum of Dance to be held on its premises. Teh program, in which 8-12 year olds will engage in visual arts as well as movement activities, will run for six consecutive Sunday afternoons under the direction of teachers of art and dance. In addition to a portfolio of their work, the participants will be part of a culminating activity featuring the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company.

Honoring the Divine Dancer: Dancing in the Spirit of Ruth St. Denis (January 15 & 16)
Project Contact: Frank Lombardo

This project is a weekend festival of dance open to the general public. It is designed to celebrate the life and legacy (and birthday!) of American dance pioneer, Ruth St. Denis. The festival will be held at the National Museum of Dance where she is a member of its Dance Hall of Fame. The festival program includes live presentations, audio and video recordings, performances and workshops by dancers from across the country as well as family and friends of Miss Ruth.

Dance Emphasis: Arts Professional Development Day 2005 (March 18)
Project Contact: Barbara Spring, Capital Region BOCES

Arts Professional Development Day 2005 will offer up to 24 workshops to more than 300 attending educators from 43 school districts. The Dance Emphasis will include a keynote dance performance by the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company that will demonstrate cross-discipline and interdisciplinary concepts imbedded in the dance. Morning and afternoon workshops with members of ESDC and sculptor Jim Lewis will discuss the creative process used in the keynote performance and its universality across all arts disciplines.

Fifth Grade Dance Experience - Year 2 (March)
Project Contact: Cliff Bird, Abram Lansing Elementary

The Fifth Grade Dance Experience Project was designed by the Capital Region BOCES Arts & Enrichment Services, the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company (ESDC) and the principal, teachers and members of the Arts committee of Abram Lansing Elementary School in Cohoes. The Year 2 project is a duplication of the initial one designed for the 2003-04 school year and is desired by the school based on the overwhelming success of the project in its first year. The project provides both participatory and presentational aspects so that students gain an understanding of the art form from both vantage points. Activities include movement workshops for students prior to and following a performance by the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company.

District-Wide Fourth Grade Residency (March - June)
Project Contact: Kim Engel, Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company

The District-Wide 4th Grade Dance Residency is a continuation of the Scotia-Glenville dance residency that was begun as a pilot project of Partners in Dance six years ago. This year's project reinforces a long-standing relationship of the district with the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company and includes a performance opportunity for participating students as well as five-day workshop residencies at each of the four schools in the district. It also includes a performance sharing by the students with their community.

District Mentoring a District (March - June)
Project Contact: Kim Engel, Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company

In the District Mentoring a District project, the Scotia-Glenville Central School District (S-G CSD) will mentor Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District (BH-BL CSD) in a dance residency/performance project that has taken place in the S-G CSD for seven years. Piloting the project for the BH-BL CSD will be Charlton Heights Elementary School. It is anticipated that the other two elementary schools in the district will join in subsequent years. The project includes a performance opportunity for 4th grade students as well as a five-day workshop residency and a performance sharing by the students with their community.

OASIS: Taking a Look at Dance - Part II (May)
Project Contact: Kim Engel, University at Albany Performing Arts Center

Taking a Look at Dance - Part II builds upon the success of the Taking a Look at Dance project that was collaboratively planned by the University at Albany Performing Arts Center (PAC) and the Older Adult Services and Information Systems (OASIS) last spring. This follow-up course takes a more in-depth look at dance from vantage points other than just those of performer and audience member. The four-part course includes a performance and three separate class sessions that take a look at dance through the art of the collaborator, the lens of the photographer and the design of the costumer.

Coxsackie-Athens High School Dance Residency (May)
Project Contact: Arlene Sampson, Questar III

Partners in Dance members Questar III and the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company (ESDC), have joined together to develop a High School Dance Residency Project with the Coxsackie-Athens Central School District (C-A ). Focused on the sixth grade, this project would replicate successful school residencies undertaken by ESDC in the tri-city area involving the dance piece From the mind/of a single, long vine/one hundred opening lives. Through this project, faculty, students and the community will be introduced to the art form of dance and have the opportunity to experience its curricular connections with English Language Arts, social studies, visual arts and music. The Partners in Dance grant will fund a full day of professional development and planning for Coxsackie-Athens faculty with choreographer Ellen Sinopoli and wood sculptor Jim Lewis.

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