Schedule & Class Description 2023/2024
Fall semester starts September 18-Feb 2, 2023
Spring semester starts February 5 - June 7, 2024
Modern dance, ballet, choreography, podcast & playwriting - Maya Milenovic Workman, and guests
Drumming: djembe, dundun - M’ ten Halsey, Will Pew, Maya Milenovic Workman, Reggie Workman, and guests
Drama, Acting, podcast - Ayana Workman, Maya Milenovic Workman, and guests
Guest Monday Modern with Jess Michal (Rutgers University, Mason Gross)
Schedule at a glance:
Monday: Modern Dance & Ballet & Choreography
3:50- 5:00 – Modern 2 / Ballet / Choreography (ages 8 - 11) * 3:50-4:45 Modern & ballet
5:00 - 6:30 – Modern 3 & Choreography (ages 11– 18)
6:30 - 7:30– Ballet (ages 12 + up Intermediate )
Tuesday: Modern Dance & Ballet & Choreography
3:35 - 4:10 – Creative Movement/Story/Ballet, youngest team (ages 3-5)
4:10 - 5:05– Modern 1/Ballet /Choreography (ages 6-8)
5:00- 6:10– Ballet for: dancers & actors &drummers (ages 9 -12 + up)
6:10 - 7:30 – Modern 3/4 -+ Choreography (ages 12 and up + up
Thursday: Drama 1, Drama 3 - Physical Theater, Ballet
3-50- 5:00– Drama: Acting/Games/Scenes/ Play-writing/ Intro Podcast (ages 8 - 11)
5:00 - 6:00 – Ballet (ages 12 + up Intermediate)
6:00 - 7:30 – Drama 3: Acting/Improv/Play-writing/Podcast, Physical Theater (ages 12 + up, Level 3)
Friday: African Drumming, Djembe, Dun dun, Poems & Rhymes
3:50 -4:20 Djembe, G Clef Story/Poem / Movement (Ages 5 -6 - Beginners)
4:20- 5:10 Djembe & Poem/Movement (ages 6- 81/2 Level 2)
5: 10- 6:10 Djembe Drum& Poem/Movement & Dun-Dun (ages 9- 11 Level 3)
6:10- 7:15 Djembe Drum, Dun-Dun (ages 12 + up and ADULTS, Levels 4)
Jess Michal, a guest teacher teaches Release on Mondays once/a month!
We follow Montclair public school closings, with exceptions!
Early Bird Registration for Spring January 2 - January 31
The Winter /Spring semester starts on February 5
June Recital TBD
Class Descriptions
Modern Dance 2: Modern, Ballet, Choreography
Ages 8 - 11, Monday: 3:50 pm – 5:00 pm
We start with stretching!
Students explore space, qualities of movement, coordination, direction, levels, and rhythms, in relation to time. They explore choreography, versus visual art. A new story is created. effortlessly. Students develop skills in modern dance, the base of ballet. Critical and creative thinking and independent work are born! (Loose clothes). Ballet is added for a better understanding, of how to build stretch and strength!
Modern Dance 3: Modern, Choreography & Improvisation
Ages 11 - 15, Monday: 5:00 – 6:30 pm
We start with Pilates and stretch bends.
Coordination, and direction in space, levels of movement, and time come first. A technique we teach is inspired by Merce Cunningham’s modern dance technique. We add qualities of movement. We explore images of the movement in visual art. Short stories are formed. Students develop skills in modern dance, ballet, and stretching. Qualities of movement and principles of LABAN are practiced. Critical and creative thinking is brought forward, and independent work, supporting and leading solo, duet, and trios are practiced. 1x month a guest teacher Jess Michal will work on release, and pair work.
Creative Movement&Story&Ballet, for the Youngest Team
Ages 3-5 Tuesday: 3:35 - 4:10 pm
Through fun imaginary 'travel throughout the world' and meeting animals, and ethnic music, we will start understanding the space, and the movement in space; how do my friend & I move, and how can we create a movement story together? Basics steps such as plie, gallop, hop and skip will accompany a myriad of self-invented movements.
Modern Dance 1: Modern & Pre-Ballet&Improvisation
Ages 6 - 8 Tuesday: 4:10 - 5:05 pm
Creative movement based on modern dance, coordination in space, directions, levels, Laban, and pre-ballet. We observe paintings and listen to stories. We develop strength through the joy of movement. We introduce rhythm patterns & dance steps. Conflict resolution happens spontaneously. We encourage creativity. Confidence, strength, bodily-kinesthetic awareness, dance, and teamwork are developed. A technique we teach is inspired by Merce Cunningham’s modern dance technique. (Bare feet, loose clothes).
Ballet for Dancers, Actors, Drummers
Ages 9 - 15 Tuesday 5:05-6:15 pm
We work on flexibility, ballet vocabulary, center work, and across the floor. We will incorporate a PILATES warm-up. The positions of the feet and arms define standard placements of the feet (with arms). The class emphasizes placement, control, and coordination. Movement memory develops. This class is recommended for boys and girls and is essential to develop a stronger dancer and an actor.. (Loose clothes, hair secured)
Ballet (Intermediate)
Ages 11 - 18 Mon 6:30- 7: 30Pm
Thurs 5:00-6:00
We start with Pilates. Dancers continue to work at the ballet barre, center, and across the floor in 2 classes. Body alignment is the key (Feet, hips, arms, head) to further turnout (rotation outward) and extensions. Positions of the arms and legs, as well as 9 basic directions of the body, are explored. Small jumps transferring to larger jumps across the floor are practiced. Movement memory is developed. This class is for boys and girls. (Dress code black and pink combination, ballet slippers, hair must be neatly secured).
Modern Dance 4: Modern, Choreography
Ages 12 - 18, ADULTS Tuesday 6:15 - 7:30
We start with Pilates. A technique we teach is inspired by Merce Cunningham’s modern dance, which Maya has expanded to a level that students under 18 can comprehend. After the body is ready, we dive into creativity, invention, and choreography Students choreograph,, direct, and examine performance.. (3) The development of individuality & critical thinking is emphasized. (3) Students are required to voice their impressions. (4) Movement memory is developed. (5) Modern dance, based on Graham and Cunningham, and improvisation, strengthening, and stretching are practiced. (Bare feet & loose clothes)
DRAMA 1: Acting, Games, Scenes, Playwriting, Podcast Intro
Ages 8 - 12 Thurs 3:50- 5:00 pm
Warm up through Butoh Movement, meditation, and stretching. Ayana Workman or Marina Shay as well as Maya will introduce Shakespeare. This class is highly recommended for dancers and musicians. Every student speaks up, thinks critically, and creatively, and adds to the process in every class! Numerous theater games, vocal exercises, and ‘Butoh’ movements are included. Each semester the students will create and write a new play (Loose Clothes)
DRAMA 2: Drama, Acting & Improv, Playwriting, Short Film, Podcast
Ages 12 - 18 and ADULTS Thurs 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Warm up through Butoh Movement, meditation, and stretching. Ayana Workman or Marina Shay, as well as Maya, will introduce Shakespeare, Beckett, Ionescu, and other playwriters. . Students will write plays, stage them, and create short films. (Staging with (Mike Barton - staging; writing and creating a play or film shorts with Maya )Every student is encouraged to create through the process! Theater games, vocal exercises, and ‘Butoh’ movements are emphasized (Loose clothes).
DJEMBE DRUM 1: G Clef Story, Poems, Movement
Ages 4 1/2-5 1/2 - Fri 3:50 - 4:=20
The students create their own rhythms, and poems based on paintings, and begin djembe drumming; we introduce the story of Ms. G Clef Makes Peace & musical notes. They learn rhymes, starting with Kuku, Funga, and Mwana. (loose clothes)
DJEMBE DRUM 2: Djembe, Poetry, Movement
Ages 6 - 9
Fri 4:20 - 5:10pm
The students create their own rhythms, and poems, and participate in African Djembe Drumming & movement. (2) Introduce the story of Ms. G Clef Makes Peace & how to read the music. Students bring movement, rhythm & patterns into space. We teach: Kuku, Funga, Mwana. Youngest learners focus and create! (loose clothes)
DJEMBE DRUM 3: Djembe, DunDun, Poetry, Movement
Ages 9 - 12 - Fri 5:10 - 6:10 pm
The students work on their djembe drumming skills. Poems and rhythms are based on movement. An added benefit of drumming is emotional regulation, the development of focus, and literacy skills. Students are exposed to African rhythms (Kuku, Mwana, Funga, Isokota. N’Kwanga, Forest, Funky Madlom, Isokota, ). We would love to perform with this group!
DJEMBE DRUM 4: Djembe, DunDun
Ages 12 - 18, ADULTS - Fri 6:10 - 7:15 pm
(1) This is an amazing performing group. This class encourages focused learning, perseverance, leadership, and understanding of music as a whole. The students continue to learn African rhythms such as, but not exclusive: Sofa, Kuku, Lamba, N’Kwanga, Funga, Yembala, Samba, Sumeneku, Soli, Sente, etc. (loose clothes). We perform with this group! Commitment is appreciated!
Plnned dance workshops with Madlom Alumnus Hannah Garner
“It was clear how dedicated the kids were and how much work went into the whole thing. My husband was just blown away by what the kids can do.”
Katherine Wandersee (Parent)