Dominica’s professional dance teachers are teaming up to bring a multi-disciplinary program to local youth this summer! From July 31st to August 26th, students 6-19 years old will have the opportunity to take classes in 9 different dance styles, culminating in a studio performance on the final day. Children 3-5 years old are invited to Saturday creative movement classes, where they will gain coordination, strength, and flexibility by moving their bodies in new, imaginative ways. They will also be exposed to various musical styles and make dance-related arts and crafts. This is an excellent opportunity for boys and girls with an interest in the arts or athletics, as dance deepens creativity while training the body athletically.
Classes will be taught by seasoned artists with significant performing and teaching experience. Leading the traditional dance program is local legend Joan Frampton, who will be passing on Dominica’s heritage through bélé and the social dances. Contemporary dance will be taught by Guy Thorne, who trained on scholarship at the Dance Theater of Harlem in NYC before becoming a principal dancer with Garth Fagan Dance for 7 years and earning his BFA in dance. Ansel Prince of the AP Dance Company and director of the Dominica Can Dance competition will be teaching Latin dances including salsa and bachata. Afro dance will be taught by Jaylen Olivaccé, who is very active in Dominican creative and traditional dance, and performs in many commercial projects. The program is directed by Rebecca Warthen, who will teach classical ballet, improvisation, musical theater, basic acrobatics, and creative movement. Rebecca is a former competitive gymnast and professional ballet dancer who currently teaches for the Dominica Institute for the Arts (DIFA) under the Cultural Division. She is a classical ballet instructor, certified by the American Ballet Theater, as well as a personal trainer and youth fitness specialist certified by the American Council on Exercise. Ms. Warthen will be joined by hip-hop dance teacher Ghandi Robin, who also teaches for DIFA and is the Artistic/Athletic Director of the Dominica Breaking (Breakdance) Association.
Students ages 6-teen who enroll in the program will take 2 classes per day Monday-Thursday. Ages 6-9 attend 1-3:30 p.m., followed by ages 10-19 from 4-6:30 p.m. Tuition for ages 6-19 is $160 for the four weeks, while ages 3-5 is $90 for the Saturday class. Classes will be held at the Old Mill Cultural Center Dance Studio in Canefield.
You may register via this google form: https://forms.gle/GQoJ4zLzLg56Y2h7A. Contact director Rebecca Warthen via Whatsapp at 767-285-1191 with any questions! We look forward to dancing with you this summer!
