Contemporary Technique Class for 10-14 year olds created a short composition about why it is they dance. The question came about as a result of the second installment of our new Dance About Diego Blog. This question allowed for an insightful reflection on their choice to dance. Their answers informed their movement; both words and movement combined to create the piece. They were able to have real ownership of this project as a result. Here is a video of the results of their work and some quotes from the students on the subject:
“Because I love it. It’s an art of expressing yourself. I love the stories that dance tells (I like stories). Because it makes you your own individual.” – Malashock Dance Student
“I dance to get exercise. I dance to escape from the real world. I dance to have fun.” – Malashock Dance Student
“Dance makes you stronger. Increases balance. Increases flexibility and is Fun!” – Malashock Dance Student
To read more about Why Malashock Dance Company Staff choose to dance and work in this industry please visit our new blog, Dance About Diego: www.voiceofsandiego.org/peoplespost/dance/
San Diego is rich in the arts but not many people know about what is going on or where to find it. Malashock Dance and Voice of San Diego have teamed up to give the arts, Dance in particular, a stronger voice to be heard. We have created a new blog called ‘Dance About Diego’ which intends to begin to inform both visitors and locals about dance activity and give insight as to what it is like to work in the Dance industry in San Diego. Check out our first blog entry at Voice of San Diego and look out for new entries to come.
Sunday was the last class in our 4 Sundays in February Master Class Series! John Malashock, Artistic Director of Malashock Dance, gave a two-hour master class, teaching his technique and repertory. Watch this video of excerpts from the class:
Everyone was excited to take class with our resident master, who encouraged students to explore the limits of tension and release in each phrase of movement. It was a fun way to finish this fantastic series!
We have had such a positive response from students, and so many suggestions for other master teachers/choreographers, that we are already planning for our next 4 Sundays master class series! Keep an eye out for it!
Save the date for the third master class in the 4 Sundays in February Master Class Series ! In this exciting series of master classes, Malashock Dance proudly presents four Master Teachers/Choreographers from Los Angeles, Orange County, Long Beach, and San Diego. Each Sunday in February, experience the innovative techniques and powerful repertory of Method Contemporary Dance, Backhausdance, Keith Johnson/Dancers, and Malashock Dance.
Location: Malashock Dance
Dance Place San Diego
2650 Truxtun Road, Studio 200
San Diego, CA 92106
Class Fee: $20; BUY 3 CLASSES, GET THE 4TH ONE FREE!
Sign up now!
Jennifer Backhaus’ master classes are representative of the movement style and vocabulary of her professional contemporary dance company, Backhausdance. Ms. Backhaus’ classes are crafted to give dancers the technical ability to find balance between control and release. The combination of ballet technique and modern dance principals, such as the use of weight and momentum, create exercises that are designed to challenge the dancer’s dynamic expression and increase their range of movement and quality. Ms. Backhaus places strong emphasis on the use of space and moving with fluidity and abandon. Her gymnastic background enables the seamless integration of floor work and weight-shifting between feet and hands, encouraging students to feel comfortable with inversions. Class combinations occasionally include selections from the Backhausdance repertory, partnering work and focus on the facilitation of the expression of the dancer’s unique points of view.
Save the date for the second master class in the 4 Sundays in February Master Class Series ! In this exciting series of master classes, Malashock Dance proudly presents four Master Teachers/Choreographers from Los Angeles, Orange County, Long Beach, and San Diego. Each Sunday in February, experience the innovative techniques and powerful repertory of Method Contemporary Dance, Backhausdance, Keith Johnson/Dancers, and Malashock Dance.
Location: Malashock Dance
Dance Place San Diego
2650 Truxtun Road, Studio 200
San Diego, CA 92106
Class Fee: $20; BUY 3 CLASSES, GET THE 4TH ONE FREE!
Sign up now!
METHOD synthesizes athleticism with subtly nuanced sensuality creating a unique language for motion and momentum. The class trains dancers to have liberated, fearless and articulate bodies, so they can engage extreme physicalities. METHOD makes liberal use of the floor as a launch pad for explorations of flight, a landing pad, and a duet partner; playing with gravity, both overcoming it and succumbing to it, as well as using the weight of the upper body and the propulsion of the legs to carve the space and exist in the off-center environment. Please bring kneepads to class as there is floor work.
Don’t miss the first master class in the 4 Sundays in February Master Class Series! In this exciting series of master classes, Malashock Dance proudly presents four Master Teachers/Choreographers from Los Angeles, Orange County, Long Beach, and San Diego. Each Sunday in February, experience the innovative techniques and powerful repertory of Method Contemporary Dance, Backhausdance, Keith Johnson/Dancers, and Malashock Dance.
Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010
11am - 1pm
Keith Johnson of Keith Johnson/Dancers (Long Beach)
Location: Malashock Dance
Dance Place San Diego
2650 Truxtun Road, Studio 200
San Diego, CA 92106
Class Fee: $20; BUY 3 CLASSES, GET THE 4TH ONE FREE! Sign up now!
This advanced level technique class will have an emphasis on the alignment of the skeletal structure and the freedom this allows for expansive and dynamic movement. Emphasis is placed on the movement and articulation of the torso and how material is threaded through the center of the body to the extremities. There is a lot of repetition of material and re-enforcement of conceptual ideas with a focus on breath, dynamics, and athleticism. The skeletal structure is not separated from the muscularity of the movement but both work together to generate the ability to ride momentum and falling as a means of traveling. Both center combinations and across the floor work will involve highly athletic material. Be prepared to move.
I met Marianne Olsson over a year ago, when a friend recommended her pilates class at our gym. My strongest memory of that first class with her was of her walking over to me several times, telling me that she knew I could stretch a little more, do a few more reps, do the more difficult variation she had taught. After class, when I went up to thank her, she asked if I was a dancer. My answer: Yes, sort of. (I now sit in the office next to the dance studio more often than I take class in there!)
I was impressed that Marianne could recognize dance training in one of her gym students, and even more impressed when she agreed to teach pilates at the Malashock Dance School . She decided to offer Pilates Flow, a pilates class for dancers and for us sort-of-dancers, want-to-be-dancers, and total-non-dancers. Pilates is a great way for anyone to get fit, and as a certified pilates instructor, Marianne is a great teacher to work with.
Join us on Thursday for the first class of the semester—I plan to be there, too!
PILATES FLOW
with Marianne Olsson
Thursday, 7-8:15 p.m.
Try the class once for $15 or purchase a class card now !
Malashock Dance School
Dance Place San Diego
2650 Truxtun Road, Studio 200
San Diego, CA 92106
For three years in a row, we have put on an incredibly fun fundraiser, Malashock Thinks You Can Dance! This year, we are welcoming one of the professional dancers from our fundraiser to teach the rest of us how to dance!
Irina Chalkevitch , ballroom champion and a great teacher with an electric personality, will be teaching a series of ballroom dance classes at the Malashock Dance School . This 6-class series will include Cha Cha Cha, Salsa, Foxtrot, Rumba, Swing, and Waltz . Couples and singles are welcome to learn these ballroom dances in a fun, relaxed, social environment.
You can watch Irina performing at Malashock Thinks You Can Dance! with her partner, John Selby:
Today’s blog comes from Jaami Waali, who teaches Hip Hop at the Malashock Dance School every Monday, 5-6 p.m., for ages 13 & up. Jaami is also founder and co-director of Kruciaal Element, which offers a drop-in, all levels Hip Hop class at the Malashock Dance School every Tuesday, 6-7 p.m.
The more I teach, the more I realize it is less about the subject matter and more about the people involved and how I can inspire them to learn more about themselves. The subject matter becomes more of a way for me to connect with people. I wonder if most people wouldn’t be as open to change or another person’s opinion if it wasn’t aligned with something they were already interested in.
Dance is also something that is so personal because it involves our own bodies, people watching our bodies move through space, and how we connect (in sometimes a very vulnerable way) to music. These elements, and more, are different for every single person and, ultimately, define us. I love teaching dance because I can help people define themselves more and more, and in the process, I do so as well.
Jaami’s students performing in the Malashock Dance School Winter Showcase 2009:
Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010
