Come dance with the one and only, Lauren Anderson on April 27th from 11:30-1PM for a Ballet Class! This class is 11+ and is open to any dancer who is an intermediate to advanced level.

Guest Teacher Joe Celej will be teaching on Thursday, April 18th from 7:30-9PM. Read more about him below.

Joe Celej  is a New York City based creative artist whose career spans nearly fifteen years of professional concert dance performance, choreographic investigation, and passionate instruction and mentoring of students. Joe began his relationship with METdance, then called Houston Metropolitan Dance Company, as a dancer in 2001, and worked with artists such as Robert Battle, Kate Skarpetowska, Peter Chu, Mario Zambrano, and Eddy Ocampo. During this time, Joe served as Resident Choreographer of METdance, creating several works for the company including audience and critic favorite, What More? (2005). In the fall of 2005, Joe relocated to New York City and performed for over eight years with the internationally touring/acclaimed concert company Elisa Monte Dance. As a senior company member and soloist, Joe performed extensively throughout the US (including multiple Joyce seasons) and Europe with EMD, most notably meeting and performing for the Duke and Duchess of Luxembourg. Through the EMD choreographic initiative, Joe enjoyed collaborating and creating six works for the company, and was honored to have his Joyce Theater choreographic premiere in 2011. During this time, Joe continued his relationship with METdance as a guest choreographer, creating new works including ForeverFleeting (2007) and primed (2014), guest faculty, and served on the company’s advisory board. Joe is incredibly honored to be appointed Associate Director of METdance beginning in its 2015-16 20th Anniversary Season. Joe is a master teacher throughout the US and Europe. He has been a guest teacher/choreographer at a variety of educational institutions including Steps on Broadway, SUNY Buffalo, Rice University, Salve Regina University, the High School for Performing and Visual Arts Houston (HSPVA), Episcopal High School, St John's School, and the Hetrick-Martin Institute. Joe is proud to have been a teacher/mentor to many dancers performing with multiple dance companies and projects. Joe graduated summa cum laude with a BFA in dance performance from SUNY Buffalo, where he was a performing and creative arts honors scholar and supplemented his training with scholarships to Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, The Edge, and the Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles. Joe’s commercial credits include Levi Strauss and Company, Wal-Mart, and the City of Houston. As an independent artist, Joe has presented his choreography at numerous venue and his most recent endeavors include presenting his new commission, tonight, we dream together for the Island Moving Company of Newport, RI at the Great Friends Dance Festival this past July, and co-creating a new digital comic book, Drawn In: The adventures of Jamo Lady and Magners Man with co-author Clymene Baugher. www.joecelej.com

Guest Teacher Yoshito Sakuraba will be teaching on Thursday, March 28th from 10-11:30AM. Read more about him below.

Yoshito Sakuraba is a visionary force in the world of contemporary dance, celebrated as both the founding artistic director of Abarukas and an acclaimed award-winning choreographer. Hailing originally from Japan, Yoshito embarked on his artistic journey in the heart of New York City, igniting a career that has since spanned the globe, captivating audiences in Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain, Israel, Mexico, and the United States. 

Yoshito's exceptional talent has graced prestigious stages worldwide, including the illustrious Joyce Theater, BAM Fisher, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Jacob's Pillow, Kaatsbaan, and the McCallum Theater, where he dazzled audiences at the Palm Desert Choreography Festival. His creative prowess has garnered him numerous accolades, including the coveted Best Choreography Award at the FINI Dance Festival in Italy and the Audience Award at the Masdanza International Contemporary Dance Festival in Spain. Notably, he has triumphed as a winner of NW Dance Project's Pretty Creatives and Whim W'Him's Shindig competitions. 

Beyond his own company's repertoire, Yoshito has been entrusted with commissions from esteemed institutions and companies around the world. His innovative choreography has graced the stages of renowned organizations such as the Bayerisches Staatsballett in Munich, DAF in Rome, Lamondance in Vancouver, Louisville Ballet, Ballet Arkansas, Ballet Des Moines II, Newport Contemporary Ballet, Litvak Dance, Levy Dance, Pony Box Dance Theater, Modas Dance, Kit Modus, Nimbus Dance, Peridance Contemporary Dance Company, and Graham II. 

Yoshito's passion extends to nurturing the artistic expressions of emerging talents, and he has been invited to inspire and instruct at esteemed institutions such as the Joffrey Ballet School, Alvin Ailey/Fordham University, University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Peabody at Johns Hopkins University, Marymount Manhattan College, Barnard College, Vassar College, Reed College, DLNY, MOVE l NYC, and Steps on Broadway Conservatory. 

His dedication to the craft recently led to a prestigious commission from the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts in Michigan, reaffirming his status as a trailblazer in the world of contemporary dance. Yoshito's artistry has not gone unnoticed by the media, with features on NY1 News and Bric TV on Spectrum Cable Channel showcasing his exceptional talent. 

Currently, Yoshito Sakuraba imparts his wisdom and artistry as an esteemed educator at both the Martha Graham School and the Joffrey Ballet School. His enduring impact on the world of dance and his commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists serve as a testament to his enduring legacy in the realm of contemporary dance.

Guest Teacher Sarah Stanley will be teaching on Tuesday, March 26th from 7:30-9PM. Read more about her below.

Originally from Houston, Texas, Sarah Stanley is a dance artist and Ilan Lev Method practitioner based in Stockholm, SE.  She received her dance training from SUNY Purchase (USA) and Taipei National University for the Arts (Taiwan).  Sarah has been based in New York, Berlin and Stockholm where she has worked with Jefta Van Dinther, Örjan Andersson, Punchdrunk’s Immersive production Sleep No More, Kat Válastur, Moritz Majce, Sigal Zouk, Gloria Höckner, Tiago Manquinho, John Heginbotham and Andrea Miller among others. As a teacher, Sarah has led workshops in Sweden, Germany, USA, Laos, Indonesia and the Philippines.  She is a founding member of FRAME, an association interested in the intersection between dance and well-being, with whom she produces the annual research residencies, facilitates movement exploration workshops and creates artistic work for performance. Sarah has been developing her own work since 2011 including Inscriptions (New York), Folia (Texas) and Wayward Wind (Wyoming).  Her work as a dance artist is greatly informed and inspired by her continuing research with Ilan Lev Method. She is a certified ILM practitioner and movement teacher, studying with Yaniv Mintzer and Ilan Lev through ILM Poland under the mentorship of Tzéela Rinsky in Berlin.

https://www.sarahstanley.info/

Come Dance with Guest Teacher, Jack Wolff on March 19th, 2024 from 7:30-9PM. Read more about him below.

Jack Wolff is originally from Pearland, Texas, where he began his dance training at Precision Dance Academy. Later, he attended the High School for Performing and Visual Arts and joined the Houston METtoos. At the age of fifteen, Jack moved to NYC to train at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre on a full scholarship. He attended summer programs at Houston Ballet, Juilliard, ArtsUmbrella, and American Ballet Theatre, where he was awarded National Training Scholar of 2013 and 2014. Also, in 2016, he was named a YoungArts winner in Tap. Wolff made his professional debut in 2017, dancing as a guest artist with iMEE, under the direction of Spencer Gavin Hering and Andrea Dawn Shelley. He also was selected to represent the JKO School of ABT at the 2018 Prix de Lausanne. In fall 2018, Jackbecame an Apprentice at Houston Ballet, promoted to Corps de Ballet in 2019 and is now a Demi Soloist. 

CANVAS is an opportunity for our Houston Contemporary 2 dancers to harness their creativity and choreograph an original work on their fellow dancers. It is a student-run show, with each committee contributing to the finalized production!

Make sure to click on the correct day before selecting your tickets!

Program 1: Friday, February 23rd at 6:00PM and Saturday, Feburary 24th at 8:30PM

Program 2: Friday, February 23rd at 8:30PM and Saturday, February 24th at 6:00PM

Program 1 includes choreography by: Reelaiah Burns, Rylee Burns, Imani Diaz-Anderson*, Isabelle George, Josephine Hutchinson, Beatrix Matthews, Lilly Randecker, Leila Ramirez, Gregory Richard, Gionna Santee, Amelia Sarria*, Katie Webb, Olivia Yi, Azylia Zack

Program 2 includes choregraphy by: Savannah Anguiano, Daria Bader, Gabriella Gonzalez, Sarah Harmond, R’yhia Henix, Lexi Mauk, Caroline Noyes*, Makenna Pedersen*, Zara Poon, Noelle Reed, Bethany Rodriguez, Amelia Sarria*, Caitlyn Thompson*, Calvin Webb

CANVAS is an opportunity for our Houston Contemporary 2 dancers to harness their creativity and choreograph an original work on their fellow dancers. It is a student-run show, with each committee contributing to the finalized production!

Make sure to click on the correct day before selecting your tickets!

Program 1: Friday, February 23rd at 6:00PM and Saturday, Feburary 24th at 8:30PM

Program 2: Friday, February 23rd at 8:30PM and Saturday, February 24th at 6:00PM

Program 1 includes choreography by: Reelaiah Burns, Rylee Burns, Imani Diaz-Anderson*, Isabelle George, Josephine Hutchinson, Beatrix Matthews, Lilly Randecker, Leila Ramirez, Gregory Richard, Gionna Santee, Amelia Sarria*, Katie Webb, Olivia Yi, Azylia Zack

Program 2 includes choregraphy by: Savannah Anguiano, Daria Bader, Gabriella Gonzalez, Sarah Harmond, R’yhia Henix, Lexi Mauk, Caroline Noyes*, Makenna Pedersen*, Zara Poon, Noelle Reed, Bethany Rodriguez, Amelia Sarria*, Caitlyn Thompson*, Calvin Webb

Percussive dance class for advanced/professional dancers, 16+

Founded in 1994 by C. Brian Williams, Step Afrika! is the first professional company dedicated to the tradition of stepping. Under Mr. Williams’ leadership, stepping has evolved into one of America’s cultural exports, touring more than 50 countries across the globe.  Step Afrika! now ranks as one of the top ten African-American dance companies in the United States.

Step Afrika! blends percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities; traditional West and Southern African dances; and an array of contemporary dance and art forms into a cohesive, compelling artistic experience. Performances are much more than dance shows; they integrate songs, storytelling, humor and audience participation. The blend of technique, agility, and pure energy makes each performance unique and leaves the audience with their hearts pounding.

Step Afrika! promotes stepping as an educational tool for young people, focusing on teamwork, academic achievement and cross-cultural understanding. The Company reaches tens of thousands of Americans each year through a 50-city tour of colleges and theatres and performs globally as Washington, DC’s one and only Cultural Ambassador. Step Afrika! has earned Mayor’s Arts Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Arts Education (2005); Innovation in the Arts (2008); and Excellence in an Artistic Discipline (2012); and performed at the White House for President Barack Obama and the First Lady.  

This master class is presented as part of the Performing Arts Houston Dance Master Class Series at Institute of Contemporary Dance in Houston.

Joshua Manculich – born in Windber, PA – started dance at the age of fourteen. He had the pleasure of performing with Thodos Dance Chicago, Chicago Repertory Ballet, Pursuit Productions, Jaxon Movement Arts, Jessica Miller Tomlinson, and The Pillow Project. Brought up in a small-town, he is thankful for the numerous inspiring mentors and creative artists that guided his pursuits as a dancer, choreographer, and person. 

Josh’s choreographic work exists in conceptual frameworks, and his choreography has been toured internationally and presented nationally by emerging contemporary dance companies, ballet companies, and universities. Josh was nominated for a Princess Grace Choreography Fellowship by The Big Muddy Dance Company for which he eventually created “Lyra” through support of the Princess Grace Foundation. Some of his choreographic adventures include a longstanding relationship and building of community with organizations like: Ballet Austin II, The Big Muddy Dance Company, Collage Dance Collective, DanceWorks Chicago, Eisenhower Dance, Houston Contemporary, and Santa Barbara Dance Theater. Josh is thankful for Marlana Walsh Doyle and Genene Wallis-McGrath for providing an incredible creative and artistic platform in Houston, TX. 

Come dance with the one and only, Lauren Anderson on October 8th from 10-11:30AM for a Ballet Class! This class is 111+ and is open to any dancer who is an intermediate to advanced level.

Cat Cogliandro (they/them) holds a BFA from SUNY Purchase and an MFA from the University of Arizona. They have collaborated with renowned creators including Cherice Barton, Phillip Chbeeb, Tyce Diorio, Ian Eastwood, Mike Esperanza, Janelle Ginestra, Jason Gorman, Lukas McFarlane, Megan Lawson, Sonya Tayeh, Andrew Winghart, and more. Cat's accomplishments, specifically in their advocacy work, have been recognized in The New York Times, Dance Spirit Magazine, Dance Teacher Magazine, Dance Magazine, Dance Informa, and they have been featured as a guest on many podcasts. 

Cat is currently on faculty with the Joffrey Ballet School, Broadway Dance Center, and Steps on Broadway, and travels with Heat Convention and Competition. They are an internationally recognized educator and choreographer dedicated to using dance as a means for self-discovery and community building. Their influence extends globally, as they lead workshops and participate in dance camps around the world. Furthermore, Cat serves as the director of The Dance Safe, an organization dedicated to advocating for survivors of abuse in the dance community and educating teachers on how to foster a safe and inclusive environment.

Contemporary dance class for advanced/professional dancers, 16+

Known internationally for presenting work of exceptional inventiveness and physical beauty, MOMIX is a company of dancer-illusionists under the direction of Moses Pendleton. In addition to stage performances world-wide, MOMIX has worked in film and television, recently appearing in a national commercial for Hanes underwear and a Target ad that premiered during the airing of the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards. With performances on PBS’s “Dance in America” series, France’s Antenne II, and Italian RAI television, the company’s repertory has been broadcast to 55 countries. Joining the Montreal Symphony in the Rhombus Media film of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, winner of an International Emmy for Best Performing Arts Special, the company’s performance was distributed on laser disc by Decca Records. MOMIX was also featured in IMAGINE, one of the first 3-D IMAX films to be released in IMAX theaters world-wide. With nothing more than light, shadow, props, and the human body, MOMIX has astonished audiences on five continents for more than 40 years.

This master class is presented as part of the Performing Arts Houston Dance Master Class Series at Institute of Contemporary Dance in Houston