Class Descriptions
Ballet (Intermediate) with Kat Wildish
Over three decades of teaching, Kat Wildish has developed a distinctive, systematic, and highly effective approach to dance education. In her beginner & intermediate technique classes, correct placement is the root of Kat’s pedagogy. She gives a long barre and her entire syllabus is constructed to demand constant awareness of skeletal alignment, core strength, and proper weight distribution. Plus, she nags. The intricacy of her combinations ensures that students learn to pick up steps quickly and accurately, so they’re ready for anything that another teacher—or an audition—might throw at them.
Kat’s classes are sparked by humor, but her witticisms always have a purpose: She takes her students seriously, whatever their technical level, A broad spectrum of ages and body types are represented, and she attracts an unusually high proportion of men.
Wildish never forgets that ballet is a performing art. Her repertory workshops offer anybody—professionals to complete novices—the chance to rehearse and appear in stagings of classical ballets. She also teaches four-week pointe/variations classes, exploring the fundamentals of pointe work and coaching dancers in classical variations (e.g., Amor from Don Quixote; Sugar Plum Fairy from Nutcracker).
And finally, there is attitude: Wildish teaches more than technique; she cultivates a sense of individual presence. Her classes promote balance, focus, and grace as students move through class—and through life.
Ballet with Andrea Togni
This Advanced-Beginner ballet class is ideal for people who want to improve their ballet vocabulary and skills.The barre and center exercises, and the architecture of the class, are designed to improve the body in an anatomic safe way. All the dancers are challenged through musicality, correct placement and alignment, dynamic, and progressions to promote harmony of movement according to each individual's level of training and ability. A non-competitive atmosphere is emphasized in class. Andrea Togni obtained his Master of Arts at NYU/ABT in Dance Pedagogy for Higher Education and he is also an ABT® Certified Teacher of Primary through Level 7 and Partnering of the ABT® National Training Curriculum.
Ballet (Beginner) with Yuka Kawazu
This class emphasizes placement, proper classical technique, rhythm and attention to musicality. Students are taught how to improve their instrument through proper barre placement. They are also taught how to move with a strong sense of dynamics. By understanding muscles and placement of their bodies, students refine their technique and learn the subtleties that improve turns, placement, and line.
Contemporary with Mersiha Mesihovic
Class is based on Mesihovic's distinctive choreography, which is a very fined tuned mash of urban and balkan folk movement influences. Mersiha will lead the class participants to find their way into this young company’s (CircuitDebris) edgy style. We will move through a warm-up class to introduce the movement style and prepare the body for the work. We will continue with across the floor improvisational exercises, (part of the fundamental process of development of new work with Company Dancers), followed by repertory based sessions where participants will learn sections of the current work. Music and dance for Mersiha Mesihovic are intrinsically linked and this unique approach to the creation of her work will allow the class to explore the dynamic movement vocabulary while simultaneously focusing on relationship between the music and dance.
Contemporary with Eric Thomas
The artist seeks to explore movement with an earthy, urban feel with technical, ballet-generated overtones. Included in this class is a floor barre, center barre, progressions, ending with choreography based on technical movement.
Core Therapy with Nathan Kosla
A maximally challenging total-body workout that is high-intensity and low-impact. Drawing on principles and exercises from pilates, gyrokinesis, yoga and ballet this mat-based class utilizes body weight and focuses on alignment, placement, core strengthening, balance and endurance. Excellent cross-training for ballet or other types of dance or for anyone who just wants to feel an incredible burn.
Hip Hop/Funk with Q
Considering Q’s “expect the unexpected” approach to teaching, his Hip Hop/Funk class is more an experience rather than a simple exercise in memorizing a few eight counts. Each class begins with a thorough stretch and tone warm-up designed to prepare you for a challenging theatrical routine that encourages you to be a better performer. Frequently and without warning, your Hip Hop experience could easily incorporate the worlds of Pop, Bollywood or Reggaeton with Q drawing creative inspiration from artists such as Nicki Minaj, Wisin & Yandel, Jay-Z and Usher. You may not always know what awaits you with Q’s choreography, but it’s that variety that keeps you, the dancer, literally on your toes and the class so fresh and most definitely so clean. Check out clips of Q’s class action in the QTube section of his website, QsNewz.com
Modern Technique with Ian RT Colless
Ian RT Colless’ international experience in the field of dance along with his academic pursuits has seen him cultivate a distinctive form with a solid foundation to a movement philosophy. His choreographic vocabulary is incomparable to current trends in the modern dance sector. His class has three main aims: to have the dancer build confidence, develop release technique contrasting it with dynamic strengthening and finally, increasing skills of “flow” in movement.
The structure of the class is formatted to scaffold movement data, from the earth up. Beginning with floor work, papering the body and researching breath in release technique. Center work will start from the feet, to the torso out to the twist, working on directional awareness. Ending the class with locomotion, further exploring directional awareness, through movement in space and understanding “push off in jumps”.
Moving through a scaffold structure throughout class, addressing key aims allows the dancer the opportunity to explore with purpose. You will learn to move from the inside out, rather then from the outside in. Evolving, shifting new directions by putting theory into practice, which in turn will modify in some way the quality of further experience to come.
Pilates & Body Conditioning for Dancers
Unlock your movement potential with this creative and challenging 1 hour mat class, designed for dancers of all levels. We will address faulty biomechanics and the body's weaknesses that often lead to injury; while focusing on specific muscular strength, postural alignment, boney movement, and release techniques. Incorporated into the class will be the use of props to help facilitate and build proprioceptive feedback, and the use of anatomical terminology to enhance your own knowledge!
Jennifer completed her mat and apparatus certifications at the Kane School of Core Integration and was a 2012 FAMI (Functional Anatomy for Movement and Injuries) Participant at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Please Note: Students are highly encouraged to bring their own mat
Pre-Ballet with Hope K. Ruth
Our classes introduce budding ballerinas ages 4-6 to basic ballet vocabulary, rhythmic fundamentals, and technique in a fun, yet structured environment. Emphasis will be placed not only on developing fundamentals such as posture, strength, grace, coordination, and concentration, but will also build self-esteem and confidence. Our small class size promotes individualized attention. Each class incorporates creative movement and exploration of space thereby encouraging our students to enjoy dance.
Swing with Arturo Perez
“Does listening to Jazz and Blues make your feet move? Ever wondered how to dance with a partner? Arturo’s Swing Dance class will get you dancing
in no time. Arturo brings a unique style to Swing Dance by fusing together various dance forms and keeping the joy in the dance. You will learn the fundamentals of the dance form from connection to lead and following skills, rhythm, timing, basic patterns and vocabulary.”
Beginner Swing
Introduction to dancing fundamentals. East Coast Swing – single step and triple step. Six-count fundamentals.
Intermediate Swing
Build on Beginner Foundation with the introduction to complex patterns and variations in footwork. Transition into Lindy-hop. Eight-count fundamentals.
Tap with Denise Caston
Denise's class focuses on technique by isolating elements in warm-up exercises, across the floor exercises, and a combination. Her inspirations span across generations of tap dancers and her years as a Radio City Rockette. Her combinations, in addition to focusing on musicality and and intricate rhythms, will also incorporate stylization and use of the arms and upper body.
Tap with Tony Bradford
Tony teaches his own technique, a combination of Rhythm and Broadway Tap. Each class includes exercises to increase precision, clarity of sound and speed. Choreography for each class stresses elements of complete performance.
Theater Dance with Tony Bradford
Based on the technique and style of Jack Cole, this class covers placement form and style needed for Musical Theater Choreography. Includes a warmup designed to improve placement and increase stretch and flexibility, isolations and progressions combining the elements of style and precise execution. Each class includes choreography suited for the Broadway Stage.
Theater Dance with Vic DiMonda
Theater Dance is a supportive learning environment which provides clear critique on dance and acting technique. The technical work is Ballet/Horton based and I bring my classical training as an actor into all interpretation by incorporating the specifics of character and subtext into the technical training of dancers. I believe this to be essential to dancers currently attempting to enter most dance markets. In my experience an inordinate amount of time in the studio is spent on just the technical aspects of dance. I seek to help dancers build an emotional vocabulary in the expression of commercial dance styles. One’s dance technique should free the individual to communicate. Class Breakdown: Ballet/Horton based wamp-up, Practice of technical skills either stationary or across-the-floor, Classic or contemporary Broadway-style combination.
Vinyasa Yoga with Lizzy Rainer
Lizzy's Open Level Vinyasa Flow class is for anyone who is interested in deepening their understanding of the body and finding balance both physically and mentally. With a focus on strength as well as finding balance within the body, this evening class will consist of two parts. We will begin with a series of postures designed to warm up the body, get you moving, and develop strength and muscular equanimity. We will then progress to a cool down section of the class that will focus on stretching, breathing, and meditation to bring your hectic New York City day to a gentle close. All levels are welcome.
Yoga Workshops with Amber Paul
Sunday, September 29, 6-8PM. Meditation for the Modern Practitioner
Sunday, October 20, 6-8PM. Pranayama: Harnessing the Power of the Breath
Workshops are $35 each, or $25 each if the student purchases both.
Meditation for the Modern Practitioner
Come enjoy an evening of guided meditation and receive practical, easy techniques to jumpstart or deepen your current practice. The workshop will include a meditation discussion, question and answer session, and effective meditation techniques that you can begin using immediately in your home practice. Beginners and students of all spiritual backgrounds are welcome.
Pranayama: Harnessing the Power of the Breath
Learn to master the breath, and you can master life! Learn specific yoga breathing techniques to increase energy, reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and increase your metabolism. With mastery of the breath, you can also learn to overcome audition anxiety and develop endurance for class and performances.
Zena Rommett Floor-Barre Technique with Anna Griffin
Zena Rommett Floor-Barre Technique® is a safe, gentle and effective method of strengthening, lengthening and realigning the body. Utilizing the floor, without the pressure of gravity, Floor Barre® properly corrects placement, strengthens joints and corrects muscles. Floor-Barre® combines classical ballet with anatomical principles of alignment, creating long, exquisite lines. Floor-Barre® is effective for dancers, non-dancers, athletes, and anyone wishing to attain a long lean healthy body. Floor-Barre® improves dance technique, helps rehabilitate injuries, and aids in preventing further injuries.