2006-2007 PROJECTS

 

Ballet Classes at Quest (July & August)
Project Contact: Judy Atchinson, Quest

XQuest, Inc. (also known as Quest), an organization serving children and school-aged youth in the Hamilton Hill area of Schenectady, plans to expand its twice-weekly ballet instruction program. Quest will offer an 8-week summer program consisting of two daily sessions of ballet instruction (one for 5-10 year olds, the other for youth aged 11-16). Beth Jacobs, Quest's regular ballet instructor will be assisted by Olga Kostriztky, faculty member of NYS Summer School of the Arts and several field trips are also planned along with a final graduation / performance by the students which will be open to the public.

 

An Exploration of Dance and Architecture for Students (September - November)
Project Contact: Kim Engel, Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company

The Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company's newest artistic endeavor is SPILL OUT!, a collaboration exploring an interdependent merging of modern dance and architecture. The work will premiere in the fall of 2006 running for three weeks in Troy followed by a week at Skidmore College and another week at the University at Albany. Educational performances will take place in each location. Partners in Dance will support follow-up workshops by ESDC in the schools with classes who saw the performance.


A Preliminary Dance Experience for Watervliet Elementary (October - December)
Project Contact: Barbara Spring, Capital Region BOCES

At Watervliet Elementary's request, the Capital Region BOCES is spearheading a first-ever encounter with dance for the students in the school. Through several phases, the project will offer multiple performances for students and in-depth participatory experiences for several grade levels. The project plans also reach out to neighboring schools when a performance opportunity at a centralized location is offered.


Opportunties in Dance for Students at Abram Lansing (November - March)
Project Contact: Cliff Bird, Abram Lansing Elementary

Each year, Abram Lansing Elementary works with multiple artists to provide dance opportunities for its students. This year, our entire student body will be present for a November performance by Vanaver Caravan. In addition, the 4th and 5th grade students will have a second performance experience when they see the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company in January and will participate in movement workshops at the school.

 

District-wide Fourth Grade Dance Residency (January - June)
Project Contact: Ellen Sinopoli, 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 eight 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.

 

A District Dance Mentorship (March - June)
Project Contact: Sarah Pingel, Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company

Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake (BH-BL) Central School District will continue a dance residency/performance project begun under the mentorship of the Scotia-Glenville School District two years ago. In year one of this project, Charlton Heights Elementary School was the pilot school from BH-BL followed by Stevens Elementary in year two. In this year three project, Pashley Elementary (the third and last school of the district) will join the project under the mentorship of the other two schools. 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 III (April & May)
Project Contact: Kim Engel, University at Albany Performing Arts Center

Taking a Look at Dance - Part III builds upon the success of the Taking a Look at Dance projects that were collaboratively planned by the University at Albany Performing Arts Center (PAC) and the Older Adult Services and Information Systems (OASIS) in the last few years. This follow-up course takes a more in-depth look at dance through the eye and pen of the critic while previous courses have looked at the art form from the vantage point of performer, audience member, collaborator, photographer and designer. The three-part course is presented by Times Union Executive Entertainment Editor Susan Mehalick. Participants will attend two dance performances with her - Paul Taylor Dance Company at The Egg and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at Proctors.


Ruth St. Denis/Isadora Duncan Master Class and Performance Series (May)
Project Contact: Beth Hartle, National Museum of Dance

The Ruth St. Denis/Isadora Duncan Master Class and Performance Series features master classes and performances intended to celebrate the lives of two modern dance pioneers. During the weekend of May 18-19, The Art of the Solo dance company, along with artists from eba Dance Theatre and Skidmore College Dance Department, will offer master, technique and repertory classes to area dance students and community members of all ages. An exhibit featuring photos, film, artifacts and costumes of St. Denis and Duncan will open May 18 with a reception and performance by The Art of the Solo dance company.

 

BACK TO PROJECTS