Detroit Opera House to offer Sunday Dance Workshop Series for Teachers

Teachers Can Earn Sb-Ceu Credits For Participation

DETROIT, Michigan, Oct 25, 2006…In a continued effort to offer exceptional dance-related educational programming, the Detroit Opera House announces a new Sunday Dance Workshop Series for Teachers. The six workshop series will be facilitated by industry professionals and will spotlight a variety of unique topics. Teachers participating in four or more workshops can earn 1.1 SB-CEU credits.

The series begins on Sunday, November 19, with a workshop titled Capturing Dance Through A Camera Lens. The three hour course will begin at 3:00 p.m., and will focus on the creation both video and photographic archives of dance performances. Participants will also learn about DVD and Internet distribution, with emphasis on promotion of dance and educational programs. Professional dance archivist Joe Yunkman will draw from his 14 years of experience archiving dance for the University of Michigan Musical Society and School of Dance, Eisenhower Dance Ensemble and Peter Sparling Dance Company to give students an in-depth and hands-on look at archiving dance through the camera lens. No video or photography experience is necessary.

On Sunday, January 21, 2007, the series will continue with Kinesiology for Dance Teachers, a two hour workshop facilitated by Laurie Eisenhower. Artistic Director of the Eisenhower Dance Ensemble and Director of Dance at Oakland University, Ms. Eisenhower has more than 20 years experience teaching dance kinesiology. The course will focus on issues of specific interest to dancers, ranging from injuries and anatomical alignment to training for extended physical health. Kinesiology for Dance Teachers will begin at 2:00 p.m.

On Sunday, February 4, 2007, University of Michigan Musical Society Community Relations Manager Nicole Manvel will host two workshops titled Publicity and Promotion for Dance Professionals. Session one, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., will serve as an introduction to dance promotion for teachers and studio owners with limited publicity experience. The course’s second session, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., is advanced level, and will take a more in-depth look at “getting the message out” and increasing marketability while staying within a budget. Participants may attend one or both courses. For accrediting purposes, these sessions are considered separate workshops.

On Sunday, March 4, 2007, the series will take a special look at sacred dance with Worship Through Dance Experience. Penny Godboldo, Associate Professor of Dance/Dance Education at Marygrove College and Minister of the Liturgical Dance Ministry at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church, will facilitate this unique course, in which students will experience and create movement for worship settings. The workshop will cover sacred and liturgical influences from Jewish, Christian and African cultures, providing historical context as well as a modern perspective. Worship Through Dance Experience will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., with a 15 minute break.

The Sunday Dance Workshop Series for Teachers will conclude on April 22, 2007, with Ballet for Dance Teachers, facilitated by Joanne Danto. Formerly a principal dancer with the Joffrey, Pennsylvania and Frankfurt Ballets, as well as a master teacher, Ms. Danto will address the correct instructional techniques for several critical ballet fundamentals. The discussion will focus on evaluating dancers’ body and performance style, to maximize teachers’ abilities to coach beginning and advanced level performers.

All workshops will be held in the new Ford Center for Arts and Learning at the Detroit Opera House (1526 Broadway, Detroit, MI 48226). Workshops cost $45 each. Participants attending four or more workshops can receive discounted admission (4/$140, 5/$160, 6/$180). To receive SB-CEU credit, participants must attend a minimum of four full workshops. Classes cannot be prorated for accreditation. To register, contact Detroit Opera House Dance Education Coordinator Kamilah Levens at (313) 237-3251 or klevens@motopera.org. Registration begins November 6, 2006.

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Contact

Rebekah Johnson
Communications Coordinator
(313) 237-3403
rjohnson@motopera.org

Laura Wyss
Director of Communications
(313) 237-3416
laura@motopera.org