Summer (Dance) Time in Natchitoches

1) Excel

2) Summer Dance Intensive

3) Taking Dance Class 

1) This summer I was asked to teach at a unique but amazing program called Excel.

It is designed for students who are on the cusp of getting into LSMSA, 

but maybe aren't up to snuff academically.

Essentially it's an academic bootcamp for their brains,

for one whole month.

During that month the students eat, sleep and breathe academia life.

They do incorporate the arts, and that is where I came in.

I taught dance improvisation to these 20 unsuspecting youngsters,

for the first two weeks of the their journey.

We explored moving out bodies in silence with limb motivated movement.

Different speeds, levels and intentions.

Words were also used to initiate improvisation, 

as well as interaction with others with positive and negative space.

The most rewarding part for me was seeing these young adults

start to gain confidence in their bodies

and realize they are capable of doing so much more

than they thought possible.

Truly a blessing to witness their transformations.

2) I also got to teach the first annual summer dance intensive at LSMSA.

Although it was small, it was successful.

Each day the dancers came to grow in their ballet and modern technique.

At the end of the week, they demonstrated what they had learned.

It was very rewarding to see their tremendous progress

because of their handwork and dedication to what they love.

3) I audited a movement class offered at NSU,

that ran all four weeks of June.

The class met Mon-Thur 1-3:30pm each day.

It included ballet, pilates, cardio and strengthening.

It was so enjoyable to be able to focus on my own dancing

and get back in touch with my technique, training and mental health.

I plan to continue to take ballet in the fall.

Goal for July:

Get in the studio and start choreography for the fall dance concert.

Happy dancing to you all!