// Velocity Dance Center • CLASS DESCRIPTIONS + FACULTY BIOS //

strictly seattle 2016
class descriptions + faculty bios

PHOTO TIM SUMMERS

Professional / advanced session

>> PROF/ADV PERFORMANCE TRACK CHOREOGRAPHERS >>

ZOE SCOFIELD (Prof/Adv Choreographer), a 2015 Guggenheim Fellow, is a dance and visual artist based in Seattle, WA. Zoe began ballet at a young age, instilling in her a deep interest in structure, discipline and performances’ ability to create a transformative experience. Since 2004 Zoe has been collaborating with video and visual artist Juniper Shuey. Their company, zoe | juniper, has been commissioned and presented by American Realness, Bates Dance Festival, BodyTraffic, Boston Conservatory, CAC New Orleans, CalArts, Carolina Performing Arts, CNDC Angers, Columbia College Chicago, Cornish College, NYLA, DancePlace, FringeArts, Frye Art Museum, Jacob’s Pillow, Myrna Loy Center, New York Live Arts, On the Boards, Pennsylvania Ballet, PS122, PuSh Festival, REDCAT, The Joyce, Trafo House of Contemporary Art and Velocity Dance Center among others. zoe | juniper has been awarded residencies and grants from 4Culture, Artist Trust, Foundation for Contemporary Arts, The Glenn H. Kawasaki Foundation, The MacDowell Colony, MAP Fund, Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation, National Performance Network, New England Foundation for the Arts’ National Dance Project, Princess Grace Foundation, Seattle Foundation, Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, The Mellon Foundation, and Trust for Mutual Understanding.

AMY O’NEAL (Prof/Adv Choreographer) is a dancer, performer, choreographer, and dance educator with one foot firmly planted in Hip Hop, Street, and Club Dance culture and the other in Contemporary Performance. She is passionate about the intersection of these worlds and how they connect energetically and philosophically, while honoring their cultural differences. For fifteen years, she has taught and performed throughout the US, Japan, Italy, and Mexico, and she has choreographed for stage, commercials, rock shows, galleries, dance films and music videos. She regularly collaborates with musician/comedian Reggie Watts since 2002 and co-directed locust (music/dance/video) with musician/composer, Zeke Keeble, from 2000-2010. Amy teaches Contemporary dance and Street/Club dance styles regularly at Velocity Dance Center and co-teaches House dance with Dani Tirrell at the Beacon: Massive Monkees Studio. Amy is a two time Artist Trust Fellow, Creative Capital, National Performance Network, National Dance Project, Mid Atlantic Arts grantee, DanceWEB Scholar, and two time Stranger Genius Awards Nominee. Amy was one of the first James W Ray Project Venture Awardees through the Frye Art Museum/Artist Trust and was honored with the first Distinguished Alumni Award from Cornish College of the Arts in 2015. She currently spends half her time in Seattle and half her time in the Bay area and is touring her latest evening length work, Opposing Forces.

ALICE GOSTI (Prof/Adv Choreographer) is an architect of experiences. While her background is mostly in dance and choreography, she uses all media to create a cohesive environment in which the viewer is invited to both experience and perform. Born and raised by the dynamic art duo SANDFORD&GOSTI in Perugia, Italy, she trained at Associazione Culturale Dance Gallery with Valentina Romito and Rita Petrone. At 19, Alice moved to Seattle, where she received a B. A. in Dance from the University of Washington with a focus in choreography and experimental film. Alice has received the Vilcek Foundation Creative Promise award in Dance, the 2012 danceWEB scholarship from ImpulsTanz; and, for How to become a partisan, an Artist Trust Gap Grant 2014 and a Seattle Office of Arts and Culture individual project award 2015. She has been awarded residencies and smaller prizes all over the world. Gosti is Velocity’s 2015 Artist in Residence. Alice’s work has been presented in Italy, Germany, Japan, and on both coasts of the United States. Her project, Spaghetti CO. toured as part of Velocity’s SCUBA National Touring Network, and had the honor of being the last piece presented at the Joyce Soho in New York City, before the theatre closed. She has been presented in Northwest New Works, Seattle International Dance Festival, and Velocity’s NEXTfestNW, Bridge Project, Fall Kick-Off, and Guest Artist Series. In 2013, Alice inaugurated Yellow Fish // Epic Durational Performance Festival, the only festival worldwide dedicated to durational performance. As a performance curator, Alice has also been in charge of Modern Dance Behind the Pink Door, Under Constructions (Velocity Dance Center) and various smaller events in collaboration with the Satori Group and the NEPO 5K don’t RUN.

>> ADV DANCE FILM TRACK >>

Frame by Frame with KT Niehoff and Sebastien Scandiuzzi
This three-week workshop takes the dance filmmaker through every step of the process as they create their own short dance film. Along with Niehoff, the faculty will include a cinematographer and editor Sebastien Scandiuzzi and composer BC Campbell. Participants will learn the necessary preparatory elements of creating a film – sound and choreographic elements, storyboarding, location scouting, styling, and rehearsing material through the perspective of the camera’s lens. Each student will then have the opportunity to shoot their film with a professional cinematographer, learning on-set vernacular and how to effectively convey their directorial vision to their camera person. In the final stages, students will learn basic editing skills, with a professional editor and composer available as mentors. Final short films will be shown at the Strictly Seattle Performances July 29 + 30, 2016.

We will start at the very beginning of the process of creating a short dance film and work through until each student in the class has completed their own, 1.5-2min short. The first week will be dedicated to learning simple camera techniques and how to use your core to connect to the lens. We will practice seeing dance material through a specific point (the cameras POV – point of view) instead of the choreographers’ overview eye that we are used to employing when we make live work. Each student will come up with their concept, storyboard, locate sites, create material, find performers and stylize their short. The rest of the faculty will include a composer, cinematographer and editor. Students will receive overview lectures from these professionals to get a general idea of how to collaborate with these artists (their specific trade language, communication on and off set and the technical aspects they are negotiating). Each student will have 4 hours to shoot their film working with a professional cinematographer. From there a very basic tutorial in editing software will be given and the third week will be editing, laying down the score, and finishing the film, with the faculty on-site to help problem solve.

Each student will be required to have their own laptop and external hard drive dedicated to the project. If you have Adobe Premier editing software that is great, if not they have a trial package that can be downloaded and used for the three weeks.

KT NIEHOFF (Prof / Adv Film Track) is a Seattle based artist who makes events, dances, music, films, classes, spaces and fosters creative communities. She was featured in Dance Magazine’s “International Women in Dance” (’08) and on the covers of Dance Teacher Magazine (’12) and City Arts Seattle (’13). Her interest in dance film began in 2008. Since then she has had the privilege of learning from filmmakers Thierry De Mey, Victoria Marks and Alla Kovgan as well as working with cinematographers Ben Kasulke, Christian Hansen, Sebastien Scandiuzzi and Linus Phillips. To date she has created four short films and her work has been screened at the American Dance Festival, NEXT Dance Film Festival, Dance for Reel at Emory University, Green Valley State University and the San Francisco Dance Film Festival.She was the co-founder of Velocity Dance Center and in 2011 opened her own creative research space on Capitol Hill called 10 degrees. www.ktniehoff.com

SEBASTIEN SCANDIUZZI brings nearly 20 years of commercial and film production experience to Pressing Pictures as a producer, director and cinematographer. Sebastien’s work as Director of Photography can be seen in award winning films such as: SPIN – a short psychological thriller, SAD CITY, RAIN BEATS DOWN, THE 14/48 PROJECTS, BENEATH OUR OWN IMMENSITY, and many more. Sebastien is a regular contributor to ARTZone featured on KCTS 9, Fretboard Films, and SIFF TV. Watch Sebastien’s Reel >>

AUDIT: Frame by Frame with KT Niehoff and Sebastien Scandiuzzi
July 10-30
2:30-5:30 / Mon-Fri

>> PROF/ADV CLASSES >>

Professional/Advanced Contemporary with Jody Kuehner
For the highly trained dancer who already has a strong technique base. The flow-based class will keep you moving throughout promising ample time for big movement and artistic exploration. The class will be a container for the advanced body to explore concepts and train through a physical practice. This includes continuous flow, heat, complicated pathways, sequencing, moving from your spine, the separation of trunk and legs, inversions, stretch, strength and long intensive phrase work to end each class. For the highly trained dancer, this class will be a container for physical practice and artistic expression including; flow, heat, complicated pathways, inversions, and intensive phrase work.

JODY KUEHNER is a Seattle-based dance artist, director, and drag queen Cherdonna Shinatra. She is 2015 Stranger Genius Award winner, Velocity Dance Center’s 2014 Artist in Residence, and 2010 Spotlight Award winner. Her choreography has been presented by every major contemporary dance venue in Seattle. Jody received a National Dance Project Production Grant for a new work that will premiere in Seattle 2016/17 seasons at On the Boards and Velocity Dance Center and will tour the US. Jody has worked with Dayna Hanson as Production Coordinator and Assistant Director for various projects. She also dances with Mark Haim and Pat Graney since 2008. Jody as Cherdonna Shinatra performs regularly with DeLouRue Productions and NARK Magazine. Jody teaches professional level contemporary dance class weekly at Velocity Dance Center and is the Resident Choreographer for the LGBTQ youth choir Diverse Harmony.

Professional/Advanced Contemporary with Patrick Kilbane
In this class we will be exploring and developing the tools required of today’s versatile contemporary dancer in a supportive and challenging environment. We will be combining the technical form, improvisation, the inherent line and beauty of ballet, strength + stamina, choreographic material, the pursuit of pleasure and our collective imaginative minds… all while developing individual artistry and waking up to our experience.

PATRICK KILBANE is from Bainbridge Island, WA. He discovered dance at the age of 14 at Bainbridge Dance Center and went on to train at Pacific Northwest Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, School of American Ballet, LINES Ballet, Trey Mcintyre Project and with Suzanne Farrell at the Kennedy Center. Patrick has worked with Oregon Ballet Theater and most recently with Northwest Dance Project in Portland, Oregon as a performer, choreographer and teacher. There he danced original roles in new works by many contemporary choreographers, such as Ihsan Rustem, Olivier Wevers, Patrick Delcroix, Cayetano Soto, Didy Veldman, Gregory Dolbashian, Andrea Miller, Loni Landon, Danielle Agami, André Mesquita, James Canfield, Sarah Slipper, Kate Wallich and many others. Patrick is thrilled to be back in Seattle as a part of the amazing VELOCITY family. He is currently working with Kate Wallich + The YC and Whim W’him.

Professional/Advanced Ballet with Jason Ohlberg
Jason Ohlberg’s Ballet technique focuses on anatomically sound classical technique, with respect and consideration given to individual physicality. This course emphasizes vocabulary, clear alignment, deep muscular core support, efficient movement, and qualitative phrasing.

JASON OHLBERG Originally from Fresno, CA, Jason attended the State University of New York at Purchase and completed his BFA at Cornish College of the Arts in 2013. He holds his M.F.A. from the University of Washington with an emphasis on anatomical structure. Professionally, Jason has danced with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Dance Kaleidoscope, Jan Erkert, and Wade Madsen. In 1997, he founded Same Planet Different World Dance Theater in Chicago. Jason’s choreography has been seen throughout the country on companies such as Dance Kaleidoscope, Same Planet, Different World, Cornish Dance Theatre, Arc Dance Productions, and Seattle Dance Project. Currently, Jason is on faculty at Cornish College of the Arts, PNB, Exit Space, and Dance Fremont, as well as guest lecturer at the University of Washington. Additionally, Jason has been a certified Pilates instructor for over 12 years.

Dance Church with Kate Wallich
Dance Church is an all abilities movement class that offers a fun, nonexclusive approach to dancing. Designed for people of all shapes, sizes, backgrounds and identities, Dance Church is a communal space for everyone who wants to move their body. No previous training is required, but open-mindedness is a prerequisite. Over the course of 90 minutes, Kate guides the class in a series of movement cues, accompanied by a curated playlist of multi-genre pop music. The group listens, explores, laughs and sweats together. From the elation of exhaustion to the stillness of a daydream, Dance Church is a physical wild ride. The mirrors are covered, the lighting is dim and the music is loud. The format is open, there is no front. This is the dance party you wish you had last night. Dance Church was created by Kate Wallich in 2010. www.katewallich.com/#/dance_church

KATE WALLICH is a Seattle-based choreographer, director and teacher – named one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” in 2015. She received her training from Interlochen Arts Academy and Cornish College of the Arts (Magna Cum Laude). In 2010, she founded her dance company, The YC, with co-founder Lavinia Vago. Her work has been commissioned and presented nationally and internationally by On the Boards, Velocity Dance Center, The Rauschenberg Foundation, MANA Contemporary, Springboard Danse Montréal, TOES, Bumbershoot, Conduit, City Arts Festival, The Frye Art Museum, Henry Art Gallery and Seattle Art Museum as well as by leading West Coast companies Whim W’Him, Raw Dance and Northwest Dance Project. She was a Visiting Artist at University of Washington, University of Oregon, Cornish College of the Arts and University of Utah. Kate has created two evening-length works with The YC: Super Eagle produced through Velocity Dance Center’s Made In Seattle program and Splurge Land produced through On the Board’s Performance Production Program. Kate has received awards and grants from 4Culture, Artist Trust, The Glenn H. Kawasaki Foundation, Seattle Magazine’s “Spotlight Artist Award” and is a 2 time AIR recipient of the Rauschenberg Residency in Captiva, Florida.

Modern Partnering with Alia Swersky
This partnering workshop will blend elements of solo improvisational practice, group scores, Contact Improvisation, and specific partnering skills. The class will focus primarily on the foundations of partnering, and applying these skills in set partnering material. We will range from subtle, sensation-based work, through the intricacies of touch, to dynamic physical contact including falling, lifting, and catching.

ALIA SWERSKY is a movement artist, performer and teacher, engaged deeply in the vital act of dance improvisation. She graduated from Cornish College of the Arts in 1998 with a BFA in dance and now teaches as part of the creative process curriculum at Cornish as an adjunct faculty member since 2005. Swersky has taught at Velocity’s Strictly Seattle Festival and the Seattle Festival of Dance Improvisation (SFDI). She was a long time Co-artistic director of Dance Art Group (DAG), a non-profit organization that promotes the practice and appreciation of dance and somatic education in the Seattle area, including the Seattle Festival of Dance Improvisation. Alia has taught yoga continuously for over 10 years and invites this influence into her dance work and teaching. Other influences include contact improvisation, release/somatic techniques, Authentic Movement, Tuning Scores, Aikido, Buddhist meditation, and many pivotal dance partners and teachers. Alia danced and toured nationally and internationally as a member of the LeGendre Performance Group. She has also collaborated and performed in the works of many Seattle artists including The Maureen Whiting Company, Khambatta Dance Company, Jurg Koch, KT Niehoff of Lingo Dance, and Salt Horse. Alia has been actively performing, and creating improvisational and choreographic works in Seattle since 1998.

The Body/Mind/Spirit of Dance with Louis Gervais
When we dance, we enter in a full expression of our Selves. A great performer is one who inhabits their work from a place of total commitment, generosity and presence. In this class, we will explore what it means to be fully expressed, how to radiate and direct energy, to be vulnerable and empowered at the same time. Exploring with improvisational scores, we will look at the responsibility of the dancer as a creative artist to bring their performance work into living, breathing aliveness onstage.

LOUIS GERVAIS is a professional dance artist, dancing for more than 30 years. His career has spanned countries, companies and choreographers, from the technically virtuosic Lar Lubovitch Dance Company to the shamanic transformational work of Compagnie Marie Chouinard. He is currently inspired exploring improvisation from a body/mind/spirit perspective and continuing his career as a performance artist with his latest work Shapeshifter. He is a member of the Seattle Contact Improvisation Lab and teaches regularly in the Seattle area. Louis received his MFA from the UW in 2009.

Reinvent Your Eye / Tools for Abstract Composition with KT Niehoff
This work uses improvisational scores to examine the components associated with creating non-linear, non-narrative performance art. Structures are designed to dissect elements such as personal movement vocabulary, space / architecture, theatrical elements, time / timing, identification of an idea and development, risk and wild card. Participants focus on defining each element’s parameters and universal properties, as well as individual likes / dislikes and aesthetics. Over time, the elements combined in multiple configurations, allowing the work to develop in complexity and possibility. Because the class uses improvisational scores as the exploration device, the group also focuses on working effectively with an ensemble, maximizing opportunities for intelligent, in the moment decision-making, or spontaneous composition.

KT NIEHOFF has been teaching since 1995. Her classes vary their structure and content depending on the focus – be it technique, composition, partnering skills, improvisation or philosophy. She strives to cultivate a platform for every dance artist to find a personal practice that is rigorous, playful, honest, curious, fluid, socially and politically expansive and pointed toward unabashed excellence. KT has held adjunct faculty positions at Oberlin College, The University of Washington, Western Washington University and Cornish College of the Arts. She has been a guest artist at institutions including New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, The SNDO in Amsterdam, Estudio 3 in Madrid, The Hong Kong Academy of the Performing Arts, Mt. Holyoke, Hobart William Smith, Kenyon College, Evergreen College, among others. She has taught master classes, Lecture Demonstrations and/or workshops at dozens of U.S. colleges including Ohio State, Vanderbilt, UCSD, UC Riverside, CSLUB, Reed, Alfred University and University of Oregon. She taught for the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival Contemporary Track, has been on faculty for the Seattle Festival of Alternative Dance two times and has regularly taught for The Strictly Seattle Summer Dance Intensive. She has also served as an adjudicator for ACDFA in the Northwest and Southwest regions.KT was the founder and director of Velocity Dance Center in Seattle from 1996-2006.

Contemporary West African Dance with Etienne Cakpo
Enjoy a quick trip to Africa in this class taught by Etienne Cakpo from Benin! The class will focus on modern interpretations of movements that originate from social, spiritual or ritualistic dance from across West Africa. This dance is characterized by high energy, graceful movements, undulation of the back, and lowering of the body by bending the knees. The music is rhythmic and percussive and will take you straight to Africa.

ETIENNE CAKPO is an award-winning professional dancer, choreographer and musician from Benin, West Africa. He teaches and performs traditional African dance from Benin as well as contemporary African dance styles, and has been building his dance repertoire for over twenty years. He is director of Gansango Music & Dance, a dance company registered in Washington State. Gansango works closely with public libraries, schools and independent arts agencies locally and nationally to make performance of dance and music from Africa available to a wide range of audiences, including young children.

INTERMEDIATE SESSION

>> INTERMEDIATE SESSION CHOREOGRAPHERS >>

MARK HAIM (Int Choreographer) has been choreographing for over 30 years. Artistic Director of Mark Haim & Dancers from 1984-1987, and the Companhia de Danca de Lisboa from 1987-1990, he is currently AD of Mark Haim Dance and Theater based in Seattle, WA. He has created new works for the Nederlands Dans Theater, Ballet Frankfurt, Limon Dance Company, Rotterdamse Dansgroep, Whim W’Him, The Wooden Floor, and has restaged his works on The Joffrey Ballet, the Bat-Dor Dance Company, Djazzex, and the Juilliard Dance Ensemble, among others. His full evening solo project, The Goldberg Variations, has been performed at the American Dance Festival, the Danspace Project at St. Mark’s Church, The John F. Kennedy Center, On The Boards and other venues in the U.S, Europe, Asia. His newest work, This Land Is Your Land, opened the ArtDanThe Festival in Paris, and has also been performed at the Joyce Theater in NYC and in the Nasher Museum of Art as part of the 2013 ADF performing series. In 2013, he was choreographer for the Seattle Opera’s productions of The Consul and Tales of Hoffmann. Mark has been on the faculty of the American Dance Festival since 1993 and was the Senior Artist in Residence at the University of Washington Dance Program from 2002-2008. He has also taught at the NC School of the Arts, University of Illinois, Ohio University, SMU, VCU, Cornell, JMU, Reed College, Simon Fraser University, and for schools and companies in Belgium, Holland, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Poland, Latvia, Russia, Argentina, Chile and Japan. He is a recipient of a 1987 NYFA and a1988 and 1996 NEA Choreographers Fellowship, and grants from the NPN Suitcase Fund, ArtsLink, Inc. and the Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs. Mark is a Fulbright Senior Specialist. He holds degrees from The Juilliard School and Hollins University.

MARLO MARTIN (Int Choreographer) has over 15 years of experience as an instructor of multiple disciplines including jazz, modern, tap, hip-hop, musical theatre and creative movement. Originally from Michigan, Marlo earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree from Western Michigan University (WMU). Marlo has been on faculty at numerous studios in Michigan and Washington as well as at WMU, where she served as the instructor for all university jazz classes. Marlo’s experiences as a choreographer and performer include musicals, studio works and concert dance. Marlo is an eclectic and daring choreographer. Her choreography has been selected three consecutive years for The Jazz Dance World Congress, an international showcase of jazz choreographers. Marlo (along side Jill Leversee) was selected for Velocity’s Bridge Project. Marlo presented her company oaklanDrive at takePAUSE, seasonal rep shows at Erickson Theatre and Velocity Main Space, High Wire Series at Seattle University and On the Boards for 12Minutes, among many others. Since moving to Seattle, Marlo has performed at Velocity’s Under Construction, danced as part of The Three Yells in Northwest New Works and Bumbershoot, and spent three years as a company member with Redd Legg Dance. Currently Marlo is a freelance choreographer, a board member of Redd Legg Dance, producer of the BOOST dance festival, and Artistic Director of Exit Space School of Dance.

>> INTERMEDIATE CLASSES >>

Intermediate Contemporary Technique with Mark Haim
This class has influences from the Limon Technique, the Alexander Technique, Laban Space Harmony, among others. The goal of this class is to dance with joy, and all that this entails– muscular freedom, spatial fulfillment, fertile imagination, inner connectivity, outer expressivity. The class generally starts on the floor, rises up to standing and then spreads out into space. The ways in which we do this progression change and mutate.

MARK HAIM has been choreographing for over 30 years. Artistic Director of Mark Haim & Dancers from 1984-1987, and the Companhia de Danca de Lisboa from 1987-1990, he is currently AD of Mark Haim Dance and Theater based in Seattle, WA. He has created new works for the Nederlands Dans Theater, Ballet Frankfurt, Limon Dance Company, Rotterdamse Dansgroep, Whim W’Him, The Wooden Floor, and has restaged his works on The Joffrey Ballet, the Bat-Dor Dance Company, Djazzex, and the Juilliard Dance Ensemble, among others. His full evening solo project, The Goldberg Variations, has been performed at the American Dance Festival, the Danspace Project at St. Mark’s Church, The John F. Kennedy Center, On The Boards and other venues in the U.S, Europe, Asia. His newest work, This Land Is Your Land, opened the ArtDanThe Festival in Paris, and has also been performed at the Joyce Theater in NYC and in the Nasher Museum of Art as part of the 2013 ADF performing series. In 2013, he was choreographer for the Seattle Opera’s productions of The Consul and Tales of Hoffmann. Mark has been on the faculty of the American Dance Festival since 1993 and was the Senior Artist in Residence at the University of Washington Dance Program from 2002-2008. He has also taught at the NC School of the Arts, University of Illinois, Ohio University, SMU, VCU, Cornell, JMU, Reed College, Simon Fraser University, and for schools and companies in Belgium, Holland, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Poland, Latvia, Russia, Argentina, Chile and Japan. He is a recipient of a 1987 NYFA and a1988 and 1996 NEA Choreographers Fellowship, and grants from the NPN Suitcase Fund, ArtsLink, Inc. and the Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs. Mark is a Fulbright Senior Specialist. He holds degrees from The Juilliard School and Hollins University.

Intermediate Contemporary Technique with Marlo Martin
Teaching is a passion for Marlo and she enjoys sharing her views on technique and dance with beginner through professional dancers. Marlo’s class allows students to examine their own learning styles, question patterning, and explore without judgement or prediction of outcome. Class is rooted into the ground within the first moments of class as the foundation is laid through breath and an extensive floor work series. Flowing into standing occurs overtime and develops into a high paced, house music pumping, soul vibrating, exuberant, sweat inducing culmination of full body movement. Students experience a wide range of emotions throughout class as they are safely guided and encouraged to delve deeper into risk while developing specificity and the journey between the two. Dancers leave sweaty and smiling, satisfied with their effort and lifted up by the communal energy.

MARLO MARTIN has over 15 years of experience as an instructor of multiple disciplines including jazz, modern, tap, hip-hop, musical theatre and creative movement. Originally from Michigan, Marlo earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree from Western Michigan University (WMU). Marlo has been on faculty at numerous studios in Michigan and Washington as well as at WMU, where she served as the instructor for all university jazz classes. Marlo’s experiences as a choreographer and performer include musicals, studio works and concert dance. Marlo is an eclectic and daring choreographer. Her choreography has been selected three consecutive years for The Jazz Dance World Congress, an international showcase of jazz choreographers. Marlo (along side Jill Leversee) was selected for Velocity’s Bridge Project. Marlo presented her company oaklanDrive at takePAUSE, seasonal rep shows at Erickson Theatre and Velocity Main Space, High Wire Series at Seattle University and On the Boards for 12Minutes, among many others. Since moving to Seattle, Marlo has performed at Velocity’s Under Construction, danced as part of The Three Yells in Northwest New Works and Bumbershoot, and spent three years as a company member with Redd Legg Dance. Currently Marlo is a freelance choreographer, a board member of Redd Legg Dance, producer of the BOOST dance festival, and Artistic Director of Exit Space School of Dance.

Intermediate Ballet with Natascha Greenwalt
This class offers the intermediate dancer an explorative, supportive approach to classical ballet technique. Dancers are encouraged in artistic risk taking, independent thinking and qualitative discovery all the while developing effective moment patterning, and building a supple and articulated body. Natascha utilizes principles from the GYROTONIC® Expansion System, improvisation, and contemporary dance to augment ballet class in a way that is fresh but maintains a traditional class structure.

NATASCHA GREENWALT is a performer, teacher, choreographer and certified GYROTONIC® trainer who has called Seattle home for the past 12 years. After earning her BFA from Cornish as a Kreielsheimer Scholarship recipient, she had the pleasure of guesting for numerous regional classical ballet companies, performing for DASSdance and Spectrum Dance Theater before ultimately embarking on the adventure of creating Coriolis Dance Collective with Christin Call. She has had the honor to perform work by notable choreographers such as Zoe Scofield, Donald Byrd, Lily Verlaine, Rainbow Fletcher among many others. Her own choreography has been presented by Coriolis, Ballet Bellevue, Whitman College, Western Washington University (and others) in venues such as Chop Shop: Bodies of Work, Spotlight on Seattle, numerous Coriolis Productions and Open Flight (Flight Deck Residency). For more info please visit www.coriolisdance.com.

adult beginning session

>> BEGINNING SESSION CHOREOGRAPHER >>

ROSA VISSERS (NL/US) believes in magic; in bodies, minds, and movement—in dance as thought. Based in Seattle, she has performed internationally with over 20 companies and independent artists on large and small stages, film, sidewalks as well as in galleries, parks, and living rooms. Rosa has been teaching dance for over 10 years at places such as Idaho State University, University of Oregon, University of Washington, Velocity Dance Center, University of Utah, and elsewhere. She is co-director of dance theater company PE|Mo and the Executive Director of local nonprofit Yoga Behind Bars. rosavissers.com

>> BEGINNING CLASSES >>

Beginning Contemporary Dance with Rosa Vissers
Technique is used to access an articulate yet spontaneous sense of movement in this eclectic class. Dancers are invited to find freedom and enjoyment within the framework of contemporary and modern techniques, expanding body and spatial awareness. We’ll get warmed up, grounded, and centered, and then take over the space with bigger movement phrases. Together, we’ll create a supportive, easy-going atmosphere where people feel safe to start where they are, take risks, and wonder what really is possible when we dance. Technique is used to access an articulate yet spontaneous sense of movement in this eclectic class. Dancers are invited to find freedom and enjoyment within the framework of contemporary and modern techniques, expanding body awareness.

Beginning Ballet with Natascha Greenwalt
Beginning Ballet is ideal for someone who has never taken ballet or has a desire to bush up on the basics. We will be working to build solid alignment and patterning that will be beneficial to all dance and movement forms. While working towards classical ballet positioning in a way that is both supportive and healthy for all body types and ages. Be prepared to play and sweat!

Back to Strictly Seattle main page >>

PHOTOS BY: Juniper Shuey, Nate Watters, Tim Summers, Dylan Ward, Michael Filler, Nancy Kahn, Joseph Lambert, Nigel Cooper, Jessie Young

Velocity Dance Center

strictly seattle 2016 class descriptions + faculty bios