Archive: Ongoing Classes

Averie Mitchell-Brown joins Zenon Dance School in taking over All Levels Hip Hop every Wednesday evening!

All Levels Hip Hop with Averie Mitchell-Brown
In person.
Wednesdays, 7:00-8:00pm
First class: April 27. Will continue through the rest of Spring Session until June 5.

Averie has always found ways to entertain herself through art. After first dancing on stage at the age of 11, she strived to make any aspect of dance her life, taking classes in ballroom, West African, break dancing, jazz and contemporary. Averie Mitchell-Brown is a University of Minnesota – Twin Cities graduate aspiring to touch as many lives as possible with her love, light, and talent. She has worked with well-known artists like Al TAW’AM – The Twins and as a crew member for Best Ensemble Sage Award-winning group S.H.E – She Who Holds Everything, Kenna Cottman in Voice of Culture Drum and Dance Company, Aneka McMullen in Epitome No Question, Bboy J-Sun, Leah Nelson, and many more.

Working with other artists and dancers of different styles helped her improve as a dancer holistically and helped her become more knowledgeable about the origins of the dancing community here in the Twin Cities. She is lives her life as a multidisciplinary artist with a focus in dance. When not dancing, she is touching the lives of many as an educator and traveling with her family.

Registration runs April 15–May 21 for The Arena’s upcoming Summer Session May 9–July 30!
Register here: https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/classic/mainclass

Enrollment-based classes for Creative Movement and Boys Dance:

Creative Movement for 4- through 8-year-olds is designed to give young artists the tools they need to explore their unique voices, alone and as an ensemble. Dancers hone age-appropriate modern, ballet, and jazz vocabularies, while growing creatively. This 6-week class period, taught by Kendall Kramer, dives into the four elements of the artistic process: creating, performing, responding, and connecting. Students learn dance terminology in addition to creatively describing common dance exercises and explorations. Examples of class themes include responding to stimuli, learning how to modify dance steps, creating the structure of a story, and interpreting written or visual art (literacy and reading comprehension not necessary). Exercises, music, and props are carefully chosen to stimulate the imagination and expand upon common experiences of the young dancer. Introduction to the historical and cultural roots of dance, body-awareness, and breathing, in an inclusive environment of laughter and cheer.

Boys Dance is geared for young people ages 5-11 that want to move! Blake Nellis offers an inclusive approach to dance for people of all ability, age and experience. Over the 6-weeks students will explore self expression, a range of physical energies and group collaboration. The dancing skills and techniques will be integrated into the dancer’s interests and styles. Many dance games, scores and improvisations will be facilitated through solo and ensemble movement.  Come play!

Please join us this spring for a series of three open adult class offerings featuring three different Twin Cities teaching artists. Each offering will include four weekly classes. Join for all three offerings or drop-in as your schedule allows. Each class will be followed by an optional time to connect with one another over coffee/tea provided by TU Dance – either socially distanced in our green room space or outside on the loading dock, weather permitting. We hope to create a space where people can explore movement and dance and also build community by staying to connect through conversation and reflection of their shared experience.

We invite you to join our second teaching artist in this series, Aneka McMullen, as she brings us Old Skool Dance House Party.

Open to participants age 18+.

“We goin’ back, waaaaayyy back in time to the days of house parties in the basement with blue and red lights on in the corner. All boom boxes in full effect, all street dances come correct – it’s time to sweat! Come shake your groove thang and enjoy setting your spirit free with your favorite Old (True) Skool Hip Hop and Street dance styles. We’ll groove together and get our solo shine on in the Cipher! All dance lovers on deck! Let’s get it!” – Aneka McMullen

Saturdays, April 23 and 30
4:00-5:30pm
Cost options: $12 or $15
Class Cards: $120/10 classes
In-person only at TU Dance Center.
Pre-registration required as in-studio space is limited!

Please join us this spring for a series of three open adult class offerings – each offering will include four weekly classes – featuring three different Twin Cities teaching artists. Join for all three offerings or drop-in as your schedule allows. Each class will be followed by an optional time to connect with one another over coffee/tea provided by TU Dance—either socially distanced in our green room space or outside on the loading dock, weather permitting. We hope to create a space where people can explore movement and dance but also build community by staying to connect through conversation and reflection of their shared experience.

Traditional Flow: African Dance and Yoga with Kenna

A 90-minute movement class where we explore traditional and contemporary West African dances. Using authentic recordings, Kenna will teach movements from different dances, stringing them together into a choreographic routine. The class winds down with stretching and breath-driven movements one might find in a vinyasa yoga class, but still influenced with Afro flavor. All ages, levels and abilities are welcome, and the class is intentionally designed to be rigorous for those with experience in Afro dance styles.

May 7,  14, 21 and 28
Saturdays, 4:00-5:30pm CT

Cost options: $12 or $15, sliding scale. Previously purchased class cards accepted.

TU Dance Center is offering in-person open classes for intermediate and advanced dancers.

Through May 9, 2022
9:30-11:00am CT
In-person only at TU Dance Center. Pre-registration required as in-studio space is limited!

Monday: Ballet with Laurel Keen
Tuesday: Horton-Based Modern with Toni Pierce-Sands
Wednesday: Ballet with Abdo Sayegh-Rodriguez
Thursday: GYROKINESIS® with Abdo Sayegh-Rodriguez
Friday: Body Watani (body-as-homeland practice and Arabic dance) with Leila Awadallah

Cost: $15 per class. Class cards: $120/10 classes.

For more information and to register visit: https://www.tudance.org/open-classes.
Please check the schedule as teaching artists may shift.

At TU Dance, the priority is to keep everyone safe. Our TU Dance Community Safety Statement serves as a guidance to all TU Dance Center visitors as it provides the safety procedures and rules for our facility, and must be followed at all times until further notice. We assume it’s everyone’s responsibility to make sure of its compliance. Proof of full vaccination (for ages 5+) or proof of a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours will be required. A universal mask mandate is in place for all entering the facility. Hand washing and/or use of hand sanitizer is required when entering the facility and as necessary during the visit. 6-feet social distancing is to be practiced at all times while in the facility.

The TU Dance Children & Teen Program introduces the joy of creative movement and beginning dance technique. Classes, divided by age, provide a comprehensive base on which to expand by developing body awareness, coordination, balance, flexibility, strength and musicality. Click here to download the 2022 Children & Teen Summer Program Daily Schedule. For questions and level placement, please contact us at education@tudance.org or (651) 724-9708.

To register, please complete the four-step registration process: 1) Please find the online pre-registration below under the specific level you are interested in and select a payment option, 2) Make a tuition payment (in full or by selecting a payment plan),  3) If requesting a payment plan please submit the Summer 2022 Payment Plan Form,  and 4) Submit a 2022 Children & Teen Summer Program online registration form.

Registration Deadline: July 1, 2022

Scholarships available. Contact us at education@tudance.org or (651) 724-9708 for more information.

The TU Dance Pre-Professional program is an intensive course of study integrating modern, ballet, African, and creative workshops for students ages 11 to 24. Click the respective level groups to download the 2021 Pre-Professional Summer Program Daily Schedule: Levels 1-3 and Levels 4-5. For level placement, please contact us at education@tudance.org or 651-724-9708. Placement can be done by attending an in-person (by appointment only, a class fee applies) or by submitting a video link (modern and ballet phrase), or during the first day of classes of the intensive.

To register, please complete the four-step registration process. 1) Please find the online pre-registration below under the specific level you are interested in and select a payment option, 2) Make a tuition payment (in full or by selecting a payment plan), 3) If requesting a payment plan please submit the Summer 2022 Payment Plan Form, and 4) Submit a 2022 Pre-Professional Summer Intensive online registration form.

Registration deadlines:
Levels 1-3: July 1, 2022
Level 4-5: July 20, 2022

Scholarships available. Contact us at education@tudance.org or (651) 724-9708 for more information.

This four-week workshop is designed for children ages 2-4 and their parent/caregiver who are interested in a shared movement experience that engages the senses of curiosity and play. Both child and caregiver will participate in developmentally appropriate movement exercises that incorporate elements such as effort, shape, and tempo. Music will play an essential role in the class as students will be asked to respond to sounds as well as make sounds themselves. Participants will be encouraged to join at their own comfort level with the understanding that observation is often the best form of learning with younger children. This class will give children and caregivers the opportunity to learn more about themselves and one another through the art form of dance.

Four-week session: July 18, July 25, August 1, and August 8.
At TU Dance Center or outdoor location TBD.
Mondays, 9:00-9:45am
Tuition: $60.00

Young Dance is excited to dance with you this summer. We are offering a full schedule of programs, including weekly Creative Movement and Dance Together classes, as well as an exciting menu of 4-day camps featuring a variety of styles with some of the Twin Cities best educators. 

Camps include:

Dance + Photography with Blake
Dance a Story Creative Movement with Denise
All Abilities Dance + Stories with Gretchen
Variety Camps with styles such as Hip Hop, Breaking, Ballet, Capoeira, Afro-Modern, Percussive, Afro-Brazilian, Modern, Jazz, and more, featuring a roster of phenomenal Teaching Artists.

Peruse the schedule and register now! Check the website for the most up-to-date information.

Curiosity, Connection, Community, Choice

Wednesdays from 10:00-11:30am
Through May 18.
Synchronous in-person and Zoom/virtual options.

Class rates:
Purchase 1 Single Practice/Drop In: $15
Purchase 5 Practices: $70, save $5
Purchase 10 Practices: $130, save $20
No one will be turned away due to lack of funds.
Please email alternativemotionproject@gmail.com for low/no cost options or questions.

About the Practice
Move BIG, sweat and play in an energizing atmosphere each week! Movers will build awareness and explore expansive possibilities within their own individuality and identities. Through improvised and structured movement vocabulary, participants will be encouraged to research freedom, 3-D expansion, mobility, rigor, presence, and agency within an empowering experience.

Suitable for professional, pre-professional, and/or intermediate/advanced movers, ages 18+. Knee pads recommended. Led by AMP Co-Director, Joanna Lees. Come as you are!

Pre-registration strongly encouraged for in person, but not required.
Register at: https://www.alternativemotionproject.org/registration-page.html
Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to practice start time if participating in person.

If class size needs to be limited, priority will be given to those who are registered.
It is required that you register 30 minutes prior to practice start time for the Zoom option.

CDC Guidelines for COVID-19 will be required. Masks required unless otherwise specified. For the most up to date policy, visit AMP’s website.

Photo: V. Paul Virtucio