International Folk Dance (D. Dyson, R. Didyk, J. Glaser, L. Hanson-Miller)
Students learn dances from Europe, Asia, Africa or North America. With each workshop, participants also expand their knowledge of geography, history and culture, as well as improve their coordination, creativity and rhythm skills. Cooperation and teamwork drive these engaging workshops. All lessons are carefully crafted to be grade-appropriate. The work also makes connections to standards in History/Social Science, Foreign Language, math, English/Language Arts and Physical Education. Teaching artist works with teachers to determine the dance content. Here are some examples of the residencies they lead:
Students learn dances from Europe, Asia, Africa or North America. With each workshop, participants also expand their knowledge of geography, history and culture, as well as improve their coordination, creativity and rhythm skills. Cooperation and teamwork drive these engaging workshops. All lessons are carefully crafted to be grade-appropriate. The work also makes connections to standards in History/Social Science, Foreign Language, math, English/Language Arts and Physical Education. Teaching artist works with teachers to determine the dance content. Here are some examples of the residencies they lead:
- Dance and Community (All grade levels): Students use their bodies as active tools to learn about different cultures and to understand their own communities in new ways. Participants experience traditional folk dances from a variety of cultures and engage in creative activities that teach them how to create their own unique movement vocabulary that can culminate in a new community dance.
- Legends through Dance (Grades K-3): Sessions address the Language Arts Standards by using dance as the medium to tell stories. Featuring examples of Native American and Polynesian dances, these workshops allow students to explore the basic elements of dance, learn how to communicate or tell a story through gestures, and bring a legend to life through movement.
- Dances of California/USA (Grade 3-5): These workshops make curricular connections to social studies standards by using line, square and circle dances from early United States history. The sessions can also include dances related to Fort Ross, California Ranchos and the Gold Rush.
Flamenco Dance: Mercedes Ibarra
In this residency, students are introduced to Spanish Gypsy history, cultural traditions, lifestyle and the evolution of Flamenco as an art form. Ms. A’s strong artistry inspires students to express themselves through hand, arm and body movement, as well as rhythmic footwork. The strong rhythmic base of flamenco helps students develop coordination skills through the exploration of stylistic movement, footwork and clapping. Students will learn the Spanish term for each position used in Flamenco dance. Various rhythms and patterns will be combined into 16-count phrases that fit into the 4-count rhythms. Short video clips are shown to give students a visual of the art form. 8-10 session residencies will culminate with a “fiesta,” where students present their dances and knowledge for an invited audience.
In this residency, students are introduced to Spanish Gypsy history, cultural traditions, lifestyle and the evolution of Flamenco as an art form. Ms. A’s strong artistry inspires students to express themselves through hand, arm and body movement, as well as rhythmic footwork. The strong rhythmic base of flamenco helps students develop coordination skills through the exploration of stylistic movement, footwork and clapping. Students will learn the Spanish term for each position used in Flamenco dance. Various rhythms and patterns will be combined into 16-count phrases that fit into the 4-count rhythms. Short video clips are shown to give students a visual of the art form. 8-10 session residencies will culminate with a “fiesta,” where students present their dances and knowledge for an invited audience.
Irish Dance & Culture: Maire Clerkin
This residency focuses on interpreting the written word (a Celtic myth or folk tale) through participatory movement. Students learn traditional footwork and ‘Ceili’ social dances from Ireland and improvised movement, ensemble narration, character creation, and rhythmic body percussion. Each class will enact a scene from the story in a culminating performance.
The residency culminates with a student performance, where each class presents a scene from the story, with simple props and costumes (10 sessions).
Adaptable to different grade levels.
This residency focuses on interpreting the written word (a Celtic myth or folk tale) through participatory movement. Students learn traditional footwork and ‘Ceili’ social dances from Ireland and improvised movement, ensemble narration, character creation, and rhythmic body percussion. Each class will enact a scene from the story in a culminating performance.
The residency culminates with a student performance, where each class presents a scene from the story, with simple props and costumes (10 sessions).
Adaptable to different grade levels.
Dance/Creative Movement: Koryn Wicks
Dance and Poetry (Grades 6-12): Students engage with dance and choreography and explore poetry through movement. The curriculum teaches the choreographic elements of shape, rhythm, dynamics and structure in relation to imagery, rhythm, meter and plot. This program provides students opportunities for self-expression through movement and helps students improve motor skills through dance. By combining dance and poetry, students are encouraged to make connections between different subjects, problem solve in dynamic ways and think creatively.
Dance and Poetry (Grades 6-12): Students engage with dance and choreography and explore poetry through movement. The curriculum teaches the choreographic elements of shape, rhythm, dynamics and structure in relation to imagery, rhythm, meter and plot. This program provides students opportunities for self-expression through movement and helps students improve motor skills through dance. By combining dance and poetry, students are encouraged to make connections between different subjects, problem solve in dynamic ways and think creatively.