Dunham Jazz Informed Technique [All Levels]

Dancers will look at vernacular Jazz and its roots, Dunham's movement vocabulary used in Jazz dance, and traditional modern Jazz motifs, and experiment with the three to ultimately create a concert Jazz movement piece. This high-energy class encourages fun and the freedom of expression through artistry, improvisation, and embellishment of choreography regardless of skill and dance experience. For each meeting, a classic Dunham warm-up will be given followed by lively, Dunham-inspired Jazz progressions and a creative rehearsal session.

Originally from St. Louis, MO, born and bred into Jazz dance and influenced greatly by the Jazz music scene, Candice Michelle Franklin is a New York-based professional dancer, choreographer, and producer who has been seen in numerous film, TV shows, music videos, industrials, and, of course, on the live stage performing in plays and dance companies. She has a B.A. in Fine Arts majoring in Dance on four-year scholarship, studied on scholarship at Steps on Broadway, trained in St. Louis at Missouri Concert Ballet, and, upon invitation to New York, received her conservatory training at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center. She owns The Pro DANZ Group, Inc. in which she oversees the dance and creative direction of several performance groups, recording artists, industrials, and stage shows.

In addition, she has served as choreographer for over 15 years with CEG Productions LLC. as well as for a number of recording artists including internationally celebrated Bollywood Hip hop artist, SHAKTI, and Grammy award-winning recording artist, Macy Gray. A forever student, she is continuing her education in Latin Ballroom Dance technique under the DVIDA Syllabus at the Ballroom Dance Teacher's College in New Mexico and has just received her FULL Associate Certificate in the Rhythm Syllabus with a concentration on Mambo, Cha Cha, Rumba, Bolero, and East Coast Swing.

Currently, Miss Franklin serves as choreographer for recording artist, ART AURÉ, tours as a Master Teacher/ Adjudicator Instructor for Joffrey Ballet School, and works as the producer and choreographer for Jazz Ain’t Dead®, a live band, and dance production group. Miss Franklin also is studying Katherine Dunham Technique as a certification candidate in addition to graduate school as an MBA candidate in the Berklee College of Music/SHNU joint Music Business program. Moreover, she is a founding member of iDANZ, a 501 (c)3 dance advocacy non-profit, and a proud union member of SAG-AFTRA.

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Host or Publisher Cumbe: Center for African and Diaspora Dance