Archive: Ongoing Classes

MotionArt focuses on nurturing children’s individual creativity while facilitating their understanding of the dance elements of Space, Time and Energy. Ages 3-6 explore these elements through playful, structured activities allowing them to expand their movement vocabulary, develop body awareness and gain self-confidence. Ages 7-10 explore the dance elements while being introduced to new movement skills and the creation of their own dances. Ages 11-13 expand their creative and kinesthetic awareness while learning basic movement skills of modern dance.

We are currently offering Creative Dance/Intro to Modern Dance classes for ages 7-10 at the Center for Performing Arts. 

Please go to motionartmn.org to sign up for classes, or contact Pam Gleason for info.

Paying the regular rate helps keep our organization afloat; however, no one will be turned away for inability to pay. There is also an option to pay what you can.

Winter Session at Center for Performing Arts: 
January 8-March 5, 2022. Nine weeks.
Ages 7-10
Saturday, 3:00-3:50pm
$100 full session.

Curiosity, Connection, Community, Choice

To keep our communities safe, AMP is postponing in-person class until February 2. Thank you for understanding!

Wednesdays, 10:00-11:30am
February 2–May 18
No practice March 16 or 23.
In-person and synchronous Zoom/virtual options.

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. Registration information coming to our website soon!
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

The Young Dance 2021-22 academic year is still open for registration. Enroll in your favorite dance classes, or try some new moves with fresh faces! We’re thrilled to welcome everyone back into our space after a long time away.

Young Dance is committed to offering a fun and developmentally appropriate curriculum. Our exceptional Teaching Artists bring an unparalleled level of excellence, where young artists can experience a myriad of styles and techniques. We provide a breadth of opportunities for youth to engage with dance in the way that feels best for them and that supports them in finding and lifting their voices.

Classes include Dance Together, Creative Movement, Hip Hop, Break Dancing, All Abilities Dancing, Modern, Ballet, Choreography, Performing Company, and more.

Young Dance is thrilled to offer Beginning Breaking with world-renowned breaker Joseph “MN Joe” Tran. In this class, students ages 8-13 will learn the fundamentals of breaking, including Toprocks, Go-downs, Footwork, Powermoves, and Freezes, in a supportive environment. In addition to learning technique, dancers will have opportunities to advance their freestyling/improvisation skills, as well as to develop choreography collaboratively with their peers. 

This class is for all abilities and experiences.

“Breaking is an ever evolving art form and there are quite literally an endless amount of moves to learn! I hope that the dancers will develop self-efficacy. It is important in Breaking and Hip Hop to understand the history, tradition and culture of the moves and then to motivate oneself to take those lessons and create something new. The only way to do so is to work hard, develop discipline and have fun doing it!” —MN Joe

Wednesdays, January 5–May 18
4:30–5:30 p.m.

Ages 8–13
Fee: $266

Register.youngdance.org

Come join us at The Arena for youth dance offerings.

Winter Session: January 3-April 9.
Thirteen weeks. No classes February 28-March 6.

Youth Classes – Saturdays
11:00-11:45am: Dancing Together for ages 2-5 with Kendall Kramer
$1 full session. Pre-enrollment necessary. Enrollment closes this Saturday, January 22.

Register on-line at https://www.arena-dances.org/the-arena/

The students and I will open up curiosity, finding internal pathways within the body and the contrast of those same pathways to promote extension of skeletal mobility beyond one’s own range. An assortment of texture, speed, density, length, force and resistance will be taught to open these skills.

My work is best described as contemporary, spanning an array of styles – from quietly evocative to physically demanding, full of spiraling momentum that draws energy in the core and spreads it out like disco ball beams of light. At times focusing on the dancers’ bends and folds, creating shape as one shifts and moves. My work strives to create moments of connection.

Fridays, 10:00-11:30am
Through April 8
Pre-register at https://www.arena-dances.org/the-arena/
Drop-in $17.

Flexible pricing and free parking!

Mathew Janczewski’s inquisitive, immersive and heartfelt approach to contemporary dance reaches beyond the surface and holds the viewer in its embrace. With over 35 works in his repertoire and more than two decades of experience as a choreographer, Mathew has cultivated a highly diverse and mesmerizing style of movement.

Mathew’s work has garnered praise in the Twin Cities and beyond. He has created commissioned works for companies such as Minnesota Dance Theater, Cleveland Repertory Co., aTrek Dance, and Zenon Dance Company. He was the Bates Festival choreographer (2001), received the Sage Award for Outstanding Performance (2005) and won the McKnight Choreographers Fellowship (2005). In 2008, Dance Magazine named him as one of their “25 to Watch.”

Shortly after receiving his degree in dance at the University of Minnesota and performing internationally, Mathew founded his own non-profit dance company, ARENA DANCES, in 1995. ARENA serves as the vehicle for his body of work and provides young, aging and underserved segments of the Twin Cities community with opportunities to experience the transformative power of dance.

The GYROKINESIS® Method is a movement method that addresses the entire body, opening energy pathways, stimulating the nervous system, increasing range of motion and creating functional strength through rhythmic, flowing movement sequences. It is an original and unique method which coordinates movement, breath and mental focus.

Tuesdays, 4:00-5:00pm at The Arena

No class March 1. Brittany Fridenstine-Keefe teaches March 22-April 9.

Pre-register at https://www.arena-dances.org/the-arena/
Flexible pricing and free parking!

Non Edwards is a dancer, choreographer, and Gyrokinesis Method Trainer. She was first introduced to the Gyrokinesis Method by Deborah Jinza Thayer. Non has studied with Domini Anne, Miriam Barbosa, Erika Hassan, Jane Gotch, and Kerry Parker. Cross-training with the Gyrokinesis Method supports Non’s career as a freelance dancer.

Non has danced in DIY and non-art spaces as well as the Seattle Art Fair, Walker Art Center, Nelson-Atkins Museum, and the Twin Cities’ Bedlam, Bedlam Lowertown, Bryant-Lake Bowl, Ritz, Fitzgerald, McGuire, Southern, and Goodale Theaters; in Massachusetts at Jacob’s Pillow; and in Hawai’i at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. In 2020 Non was awarded a McKnight Dancer Fellowship. She has been a member of ARENA Dances since 2016.

Join our dance-learning community of all ages, sizes, and levels of experience to participate in the creative expression and health and fitness benefits of Middle Eastern dance! The beauty of this dance form is that it makes you feel wonderful in your own body.

We now have in-studio options for beginners and all students! Or, you may choose to take these same classes LIVE, online through Zoom.

Go to cassandraschool.com to choose from our ongoing classes, register, and pay in advance using PayPal. Purchase 4 or more classes and receive a $2 discount per class! All class registrations close at 8:00pm CT the night before each class.