On Saturday, February 24 over 40 dancers gathered on stage at the Decker Theatre in the Gibson Center for the Arts on the campus of Washington College for the 4th Day of Dance sponsored by the Carole Cascio Fund for Mind Movement Dance Connections.
To kick off the 4th Day of Dance Executive Director Peter Pucci taught two classes on Friday February 23 at Washington College.
Peter worked with Chinese dance teacher Rose Xinran Qi’s class and give the student a unique experience with weight-bearing and counter balance exercises that were completely new and invigorating for the class. Following Ms. Xinran Qi’s class, Peter worked with members of the Washington College Dance Club on some new choreography that he created on the dancers during class. It was a fun and inventive session.
Melinda Blomquist the Artistic Director of the Community College of Baltimore County’s (CCBC) Dance Program taught a choreography/composition class. Kristie Shaffner our scheduled ballet instructor had to cancel unexpectedly at the last minute. Adrienne Kraus Latanishen our CCF Teaching Artist and Hip Hop teacher stepped in at the last minute and taught Ballet. Joann Moorer, pianist and accompanist was on hand to play live on stage for the Ballet class. Renee Gerardo the Director of the Dance program at Washington College taught a contemporary/modern dance class.
Dancers came from the local area to Chestertown to participate in our 4th Day of Dance at the Decker Theater. Washington College was represented by dance students, as well as the Mid Shore Dance Academy in Centerville, To The Pointe Studio in Ridgely, Eastern Shore Dance Academy in Cambridge, Queen Anne’s County High School and dancers from the Dance Club at Washington College.
It was a fun and vigorously active day which started with two classes in the morning and two classes in the afternoon. At mid-day, the dancers, parents and studio directors participated in a lively question-and-answer session in the lobby of the Decker Theatre with the guest artist instructors. While the dancers enjoyed a healthy snack break provided by the Carole Cascio Fund.
Ms. Blomquist provided a traditional choreography/ composition class that was free-flowing, and challenged dancers to explore new movement that they created spontaneously. Adrienne taught a classic ballet class at the ballet barre that stressed alignment and encouraged the dancers to move with focus and clarity through the space.
Adrienne then taught an energetic Hip Hop class as she led her students through complex routine to a current song by Ziggy Marley. The dancers had fun participating in executing the movement and enjoyed watching each other do the movement.
Renee Gerardo explored many different movement elements with the dancers. She then taught new choreography to the students and encouraged them to explore the choreography and invest in the freedom to interpret her movements. It was another fantastic Day of Dance sponsored by the Carole Cascio Fund.
Please enjoy the video compilation from our Day of Dance below.
Day of Dance Featured
Our Day of Dance was featured in the Bay Times and Record Observer. Click below to read the full story on their website.
