Location: Univ of MD, Dance Dept Studios The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center University of Maryland, College Park, Md 20742-1625
Informational Guide www.ngcfddt.org
Dissonance Dance Theatre Shawn Short, Founder/Director
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Table of Content Mission, Vision, Goal - Pg. 1 Program - Pg. 2 History Facilities Schedule and Curriculum Dancer Division & Level - Pg. 4 Lower Division Level I Happy year six, welcome to Summer DanceLab 2019. Summer DanceLab is PG County’s only pre-professional dance program connected to a nationally-recognized dance company. Summer DanceLab is an annual dance training and exposure program, that aids youth with aspirations for careers in dance performance and/or its support sectors. Students have departed Summer DanceLab with pre-professional dance training experience, referrals for college and entry-level positions in our professional contemporary ballet company Dissonance Dance Theatre. We are proud of our accomplishments and invite you to become a part of our growing success at becoming a leading dance organization in the Washington, DC area. Yours in Dance, Shawn Short, MFA
Upper Division Level II Level III College Referral & Job Training Opportunities - Pg. 7 Trainee/Apprentice Auditions College/Secondary School Recommendations Tuition And Fees - Pg. 7 Lodging/Housing Options (Deadline Feb 15th) - Pg. 8 Faculty Bios - Pg. 9 *Dissonance Dance Theatre is the professional company of Ngoma (N-Go-Mah) Center for Dance. Ngoma is the parent organization. Ngoma Center for Dance (N-Go-mah) is a 501(c)3 arts organization whose mission is to provide a conduit between multicultural dance artists, and their enthusiasts, across generations and social classes, with a deeper understanding of the art of dance through intense community integration, inspirational performance, competitive training, and artist development.
Why Do We Do This?
Where Do We See This Going?
Mission: To provide pre-professional dance training that informs and encourages, the pursuit of a post secondary education, healthy living, mentorship, self and life skill mastery.
Vision: Summer DanceLab becomes a mainstay in summer dance programming for Washington, DC area families, particularly in Prince George’s County.
What’s The Point? Goal: To empower a generation of young artists to be the change agents of their community.
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Participation in a summer intensive program is an important investment in a young artist’s future. Starting in 2007, Dissonance Dance Theatre has been providing quality arts programming to aspiring and professional dancers. Ngoma Center for Dance in 2012, continued and enhanced DDT’s capacity to serve communities at large. Now in its 6th year of operation! Summer DanceLab now provides an opportunity for aspiring - 7 year olds through young adult - dancers to train in a pre-professional dance environment: training eight hours a day, from one to four weeks of dance study during the summer. Students will be completely immersed in dance and will obtain invaluable dance training that enriches and complements their previous dance education. World Class Facilities Come experience the Clarice! Since opening in 2001, the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center has become a cultural force in the metropolitan Washington, DC area, known for adventuresome programming in dance, theatre, music and interdisciplinary art. Six performance spaces, four dance studios, a performing arts library, rehearsal halls and meeting rooms make the Clarice a state of the art facility! Schedule and Curriculum Named “One of the 11 small-but-mighty dance companies outside of LA and NYC” by Dance Spirit Magazine, Dissonance Dance Theatre staff and dancers, along with local and national guest teachers conduct five classes daily.
Audition & Registration Process All students must audition for acceptance into our Summer DanceLab program. Audition Dates: Jan 12, 2019 Feb 9, 2019 *Mar 16, 2019 April 6, 2019 Audition Fee:$20 Registration: 5:30pm-6:00pm Auditions: 6:00pm-9:00pm *Registration: 9:30AM-10:00AM Audition 9:30AM – 12:00PM
*Audition results will be given at the end of Students attend classes Monday through Friday. Weekday classes are audition or emailed within scheduled between the hours of 8:30am and 5:10pm. The core two weeks of the audition; curriculum includes ballet, modern/contemporary, and jazz dance techniques depending on the number with masterclasses in hip-hop, African and acting. of auditionees. Upon acceptance, the student’s The summer will finish with studio performances, and observation classes spot will be guaranteed showcasing the talent, artistry, and development of our participants. for two weeks after Additionally, advance students will have the opportunity to audition for trainee we recieve their $200 deposit. If not recieved, and apprenticeship positions with Dissonance Dance Theatre. the student’s space will no Schedule is subject to change. The 2019 summer class schedule will be emailed longer be guaranteed and registration will be done to enrolled students in april. on a first come, first serve basis.
Not only will our students enjoy a rigorous dance schedule, their summer study will also be enhanced by additional classes in conditioning & alignment, choreography, and acting/theatre classes. Summer DanceLab 2019 2 Body + Technique + Mind & Spirit = Success
Professional and Spacious studios,
waiting areas, and locker rooms await young dancers. In the studios, dancers are cultivated through solid dance technique, enlightening masterclasses and thought-provoking wrap sessions around professional dance endeavors.
Studio Dimensions Dance Studio 1 56.5 feet x 33 feet Choreography Studio Beginner Students 47 feet x 29 feet Theatre Rehearsal Studio 39 feet x 26 feet Mulitz-Gudelsky Rehearsal Studio 22.33 feet x 27.5 feet Preinkert Studio 50 feet x 30 feet
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Level I
Summer DanceLab - Lower Division
Director Shawn Short assisting dancers. Description: Ages: Seven to 12 years old. None to minimal experience needed This level is designed to enhance and expand the student’s knowledge, technical proficiency and performance quality in classical ballet, modern, jazz, African, and hip hop. Students will gain an understanding of the basic principles, vocabulary, poses & positions of above styles; introducing centerwork, adage/adagio, allegro basics. Focus and Emphasis * Learn proper body alignment along with flexibility, strength, posture, balance, expression and movement quality. * Learn and execute all components of a class.
Daily Schedule Jazz 8:30am - 10:00am Ballet I 10:10am - 11:40am Lunch 11:45am - 12:45am Modern 12:50pm - 1:50pm Stretch 2:00pm - 3:30pm Choreography/Rep 3:40pm - 5:10pm
* Understand a working knowledge of fundamental Classical Ballet history and vocabulary.
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Summer DanceLab - Upper Division Description: Ages: 12-15 years old. Two years of pre-professional experience required This level is designed to enhance and expand the student’s knowledge, technical proficiency and performance quality in classical ballet, modern, jazz, African, and hip hop. To continue to develop the student in the rigors of above styles, through advance beginning/intermediate skills including the use of demi pointe, pirouettes (intro), batterie, and grand allegro steps.
Level II Daily Schedule Modern 8:30am - 10:00am Jazz 10:10am - 11:40am Stretch 11:45am - 12:45pm Focus and Emphasis * Continue the learning and usage of proper body alignment along with flexibility, strength, posture, balance, expression and movement quality. * Facilitate learned skills throughout all components of class. * Students will begin to utilize their working knowledge of dance fundamental.
Lunch 12:50pm - 1:50pm Ballet 2:00pm - 3:30pm Choreography/Rep 3:40pm - 5:10pm
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Summer DanceLab - Upper Division
Level III Description: Ages: 16 - 25 years old. Four years of pre-professional experience required This level is designed to enhance and expand the student’s knowledge, technical proficiency and performance quality in classical ballet, modern, jazz, African, and hip hop. To continue to develop the student in the rigors of above styles, through intermediate/advance skills including the use of demi pointe, tournant, batterie, and grand allegro steps. Class combinations are quick and require a refined technical approach to classwork. Focus and Emphasis * Begin to master proper body alignment along with flexibility, strength, posture, balance, expression and movement quality; additionally adding learned kinesthetic/somatic education.
Daily Schedule Stretch 8:30am - 10:00am Modern 10:10am - 11:40am Ballet 11:45am - 1:15pm Jazz 1:20pm - 2:20pm Lunch 2:20pm - 3:30pm Choreography/Rep 3:40pm - 5:10pm
* Utilize classes to enhance and synthesize dance training: cognitively and physically. * Apply knowledge of fundamental classical ballet history and vocabulary to all classes and choreographic assignments. Summer DanceLab 2019 6 Body + Technique + Mind & Spirit = Success
We Believe in Progress College Recommendations & Job Training College/Secondary Recommendations We all need assistance in getting to where we want in life. Dance is no exception. As an added bonus to participating in our program, students needing written recommendations to performing arts programs may request one written by our Director Shawn Short. Students must attend four weeks of the intensive, for staff to better understand and evaluate student’s talent. Trainee/Apprentice Audition During our Summer program, we offer a trainee/apprentice audition for prepared dancers interested in our year-long program dancing along Dissonance Dance Theatre. The Trainee /Apprentice program nurtures and develops dancers, 18 - 25-years-old, interested in contemporary and classical ballet forms of dance. Since its humble beginnings, trainee dancers have received scholarships to nationally-ranked schools, college dance programs and dance company apprenticeships.
Tuition and Fees Tuition only (no boarding) Students are dropped off and picked up Level I - III $1,800 — Four Weeks $1,600 — Three Weeks $1,200 — Two Weeks $900 College Student Tuition Additional Fees Late Fees $100 (Payment received after May 2) $200 (Payment received after June 1) $800.00—One week (25 classes) Tuition only $220.00—Parking Pass—Four Weeks (Passes cost $55.00/Week) Before and After Care Included All tuition monies are due May 1, 2019 Financial assistance is available to accepted dancers.
Dancers receive contemporary ballet technique classes four days a week. In addition, these emerging dancers work with Dissonance Dance Theatre dancers: gaining valuable work experience and the chance to work with guest choreographers and artists during DDT’s theatrical season. Selected trainees have the opportunity to perform at community engagements, artistic events and Dissonance Dance Theatre productions. Trainees are provided scholarships for Ngoma Center for Dance drop-in classes and workshops. Trainee program annual tuition is $6,300 Apprentice program is a non-paid dance position with Dissonance Dance Theatre. Summer DanceLab 2019 Body + Technique + Mind & Spirit = Success 7
Lodging/Housing Options
Summer DanceLab 2019
Deadline for On-Campus Housing Notice Nonrefundable Deposit of $300 Due Feb 15th Remaining $1,200 Balance Due April 14th
Dates: June 17th, 2019 - July 13th, 2019
Boarding at UMD’s campus is available for students 18 years old and older in dormitory-style housing on University of Maryland’s campus. Space is limited. Many students have enjoyed attending Summer DanceLab while lodging with friends or family in their nearby homes or hotels. Other housing options include AirBnb, Homestay.com, and College Park Marriott Hotel. Meal Plans are Available. Please ask Fran (Registrar) for further details.
Dates to Remember Two Weeks After Acceptance $200 Deposit is Due Mid-April 2019 Room Assignments Are Mailed With Assigned Level May 1, 2019 Final Tuition Payment Due
Location: Univ. of MD, Dance Dept Studios 3800, The Clarice Perf Arts Center College Park, MD 20742-1625 Main Faculty: Shawn Short, BFA, MFA Tony Thomas, BA Shawn Rawls, MFA Anthony Spivey BFA Guest Faculty: Ryan Tuerk, MFA Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet Ralph Glenmore Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre May Kesler, MA, MS, MTh, PT Chris Law Culture Shock DC Kevin McEwen Kankouran Dance Company Florian Rouiller Stuttgart Ballet DDT’s Summer DanceLab is a program of Ngoma Center for Dance a D.C. 501 (c) 3 arts non-profit. Ngoma Center for Dance Board of Directors Corey McDougle, MBA, CISA - Chair/ Treasurer Tyler Lewis - Vice Chair Shawn Short , MFA - Pres./Secratary
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Main Faculty Bio
* Faculty Subject to change without notice.
Shawn Short, MFA Summer Director/ Ballet & Choreography Faculty Shawn is the founder, Producing Artistic Director and Principal Choreographer of Dissonance Dance Theatre. In addition to his role as producing artistic director and principal choreographer of Dissonance Dance Theatre, Shawn is the founder and director of Ngoma Center for Dance (Ngoma). For Shawn, Ngoma is central to the life and development of Dissonance Dance Theatre. Just as he expects the finest dancing and most meticulous attention to detail from his dancers, he demands the highest standards for training at Ngoma. Growing up in the Washington, DC area. Shawn has studied with nationally and internationally acclaimed artists including faculty and dancers from Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, Lines Ballet, Washington Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Dance Institute of Washington, Dance Alloy, Philadanco, Towson University, Baltimore and Duke Ellington School of Performing Arts. As a student of ballet pedagogy, Shawn studied with John White, Margarita De Saa and the Washington School of Ballet Director Kee Juan Han. Shawn is a Pointe Magazine’s Video of the Month Editors’ Choice award recipient for his contemporary ballet work “Caught” in 2013. He is a 2016 Black Enterprise Magazine Modern Man (BEMM) 100 Men of Distinction Recipient. A 2014 Princess Grace Award (NYC) in Choreography nominee, Shawn holds a BFA in Musical Theatre with a minor in Theatre Management from Howard University and a MFA in Dance at University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a focus on dance history, arts administration and somatics. He is a former professor of Classical Ballet at Catholic University of America. Shawn is a former fiscally sponsored artist through the New York Foundation for the Arts. Shawn has choreographed for The Dance Institute of Washington and The Washington Ballet School of Ballet at THEARC. His has presented his works at the Capital Fringe Festival, Greater Washington Urban League National Conference, Southeastern University, Artists’ Bloc 12X6 Series, Harke Theatre, Jack Guidone Theatre Space, Lang Theatre, Atlas Theatre Complex Lab II Theatre, THEARC Theatre, Joe’s Movement Emporium, DC Parks and Recreation, Sidney Harman Hall, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, PBS Broadcasting, VelocityDC, and Brooklyn Arts Exchange. Shawn was the Resident Choreographer for the Kelsey Collie Children’s Theatre for six years. In education, Shawn has developed and implemented dance curriculum and programs for: Catholic University of America’s Musical Theatre program, Adventure Theatre-MTS, Imagination Stage Dance Division, Kelsey Collie Children’s Theatre Experience, PG County Schools, Dance Institute of Washington, Washington Ballet @THEARC. His performance credits include work with K2 Dance, Adrian Bolton Dance, El Tearto de Danza Contemporeanea El Salvador, and Bolton/Smith. He has also served as a guest artist with Dance Alloy in Pennsylvania. He has been commissioned by Catholic University of America’s Benjamin T. Rome School of Music to choreograph “Mother’s Blood”(2008), VF Dance Theater for their Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts to choreograph “ Genotype Called Love” for their Terrace Theatre production of “Futurology” (2012). Summer DanceLab 2019 Body + Technique + Mind & Spirit = Success 9
Nicole Brewer, MFA Movement/Acting Nicole Brewer earned her M.F.A. in Acting from Northern Illinois University and her B.F.A. from Howard University. She had the opportunity to study Acting at the prestigious Moscow Art Theater in Russia. Ms. Brewer has worked locally as both an actor and director. Theater Credits include Colored Peoples Theater, The Hegira, and Forum Theater. She is also the owner of Creative Acts Learning Center LLC in Washington, DC.
Florian Rouiller, MFA Classical Ballet Florian Rouiller is a dance teacher, choreographer, and performer who has worked extensively across three continents. Rouiller has an MFA in Dance from the University of Maryland, where he choreographed and performed the original productions Profondeur Inconnue and Wave while continuing extensive performance with local dance companies outside the university. Rouiller began his dance career with training at the prestigious John Cranko School in Stuttgart with a BFA, and performed with the Stuttgart Ballet in productions such as Sleeping Beauty and Giselle. Upon immigrating to the United States, he danced wit h Merce Cunningham Dance Company as an apprentice, Ohio Ballet, Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, Milwaukee Ballet, Ballet Chicago, Ballet International Eldar Aliev, Ballet Metropolitano de Caracas, and Ballet Contemporanea de Caracas in Venezuela, as well as Goteborg Ballet in Sweden. Performing soloist and principal roles and working with choreographers such as Alonzo King, Jiri Kylian, Simon Dow, Robert North, Jorma Uotinen , Jean-Paul Comelin, Lynne Taylor Corbett to name a few. In the DC area, he has performed with City Dance Ensemble, Dana Tai Soon Burgess, and Lucy Bowen McCauley, Karen Reedy. His piece Fragments was at the finals in the 2010 Korean Ballet competition and his Female solo Verge just won the 3 prizes at YAGP competition in 2013. He also won a 3prizes in the Men division 2015 at YAGP.
Ralph Glenmore, Modern
Ralph Glenmore is a native of Washington DC. He began his studies in the arts at McKinley Technology High School as a Visual Art Major. Joined the DC Youth Chorale under direction of Edward Jackson and the D.C. Repertory Dance Theater under direction of Mike Malone. He continued his studies at The Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Howard University and The Juilliard School. He was a principal dancer with The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater under the direction of Alvin Ailey. Touring the world and working with choreographers Alvin Ailey, Donald Mykayle, Talley Beatty, Judith Jamison, Bill T Jones and Arnie Zane, Billy Wilson, Jennifer Mueller, Ulysses Dove, George Faison and John Butler. His Broadway credits include A Chorus Line, Bubblin’ Brown Sugar, Reggae and Bob Fosse’s Dancin’. He has worked as Instructor, Rehearsal Director, Stage Manager and Choreographer with The Lula Washington Dance Theater, The Debbie Allen Dance Academy, The Robinson Project, The Horton Summer Intensive Daytona Community College and The Movement of Agape. He was also Resident Dance Supervisor for Disney’s The Lion King Los Angeles Company. Most recently he has worked with the Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, The Dance Institute of Washington, the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and is now a professor of Jazz Dance at American University.
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May Kesler, MA, MS, MTh, PT Floor Barre
With more than 50 years of dance training and 33 years of experience and in-depth physical therapy training, May Kesler has brought her healing touch and expertise in physical and massage therapy and movement dynamics to many people. May graduated from Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons, School of Physical Therapy, in 1982, and has 29 years of experience as a physical therapist as well as being a licensed massage therapist. She specializes in the integration of manual therapies such as myofascial release, craniosacral therapy, mobilization, trigger point release, somatoemotional release, lymphatic drainage, and visceral manipulation. She adds her more than 50 years of experience as a dancer and her studies in Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais Technique, yoga, and Pilates to her work in exercise and movement reeducation. Most recently, she has become the only physical therapist in the USA to become a Certified Zena Rommett Floor-Barre Teacher. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, the International Association of Health Care Practitioners and the American Bodyworker Massage Professionals.
Christopher Law, MFA Hip-Hop
Christopher Law is a Culture Shock D.C. company member, undergraduate alumni and current Graduate Student of UMD College Park. Law has had the pleasure of performing and teaching all over the country and some parts of the world. Though the bulk of his movement extends from training in hip-hop dance, he has also obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree for studies in Modern Dance. He is extremely proud to be alum of Gymkana and Dynamic Hip-Hop Dance Team. Law is a five-year Culture Shock D.C. company captain veteran and assisted in directing the team’s freestyle medley for the East Coast Dance Concert in 2011. He is one of the founding members of the UpperClassmen dance crew. Additionally, he and his wife, Ama Law, often collaborate as “Project ChArma” to choreograph, teach workshops and battle. Many of his performance appearances include the Culture Shock showcase in Ottawa (Canada), Prelude DMV Competition and Coalescence in Harrisonburg, VA.
Kevin McKwen, MA African
A native of Brooklyn New York, Kevin holds an MA Student in Dance Education: Teaching Dance in the Professions at NYU Stienhardt. His dance focus is on African dance techniques from the countries of Mali and Senegal. Kevin is also versed in Afro Cuban, Haitian Folkloric, and various Modern/Contemporary techniques. He is currently the West African dance instructor for the Gloria Eve Performing Arts Foundation Inc, located in Hempstead, New York. When Kevin isn’t dancing, he gives lectures on African Diasporic culture, covering a wide range of topics such as the importance of “Dance Lineage” within the fusion of Caribbean dances, to the benefits of using traditional West African dance forms in treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Shawn Rawls, MFA Contemporary/Jazz
An Ailey Teaching Artist, Shawn has performed with over a dozen shows and dance companies throughout the United States and abroad including Pilobolus, the Aluminum Show, Abarukas, Ad Deum, Monster Energy Drink and the Roots, Culture Shock, the Roxey Ballet, Chicago Dance Crash, Tygo Ballets, K-Theory, Son Kiss’d Hip Hop Contemporary and the Chicago Lyric Opera. He trained at Broadway Dance Center, Steps, Peridance, and with artists like Mia Michaels from So You Think You Can Dance, Ravenna Tucker from the Royal Ballet, David Keary of the New York City Ballet, Steve Rooks of the Martha Graham Company, Bill Wade artistic director of Inlet Dance Theatre, and Hope Boykins from Alvin Ailey. He received a full scholarship in dance to pursue a B. F. A. in performance and choreography from Belhaven University. He is a 2020 MFA Candidate in Dance at Wilson College. Shawn Rawls is the Founding Artistic Director of Emotional Physical Theatre in New York City.
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Anthony Spivey, BFA Modern/ Stretch & Conditioning
Anthony joined Dissonance in 2017. Originally from Mississippi, Anthony began his dance training at Mississippi’s School of Arts and moved to Montgomery, AL to study on scholarship at Alabama State University. Graduating with high honors, he received his BFA in dance from ASU. Within his matriculation, he had the privilege of training with artists and choreographers such as Roger C. Jeffrey, Thang Dao, Yin Yue, and Alonzo King of Lines Ballet. Company credit includes performances with the Montgomery Ballet.
Tony Thomas, Jazz
New York-based artist, Tony has toured, performed, and worked as a professional entertainer and designer, scoping a range of television, film, stage, and architecture. In performance, he was featured as Joseph in Theatre Alliance’s production of Black Nativity, in the Olney Theatre Center’s production of Guys & Dolls, and the Fringe Festival where he was honored to star as Renell Gonsalves, alongside renowned jazz saxophonist, David Yarborough, in Paul Gonsalves on the Road. After completing the national tour of West Side Story, Tony was featured in A Chorus Line as Richie at the Olney Theatre Center, where the cast won the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Musical. As a choreographer, Tony was nominated for his work by the Helen Hayes Awards, for Outstanding Choreography in a Play – Word Becomes Flesh. Expanding his opportunity even further, he was honored with the opportunity to work alongside celebrated director Psalmayene24 in his children’s hip-hop story, The Freshest Snow Whyte at Imagination Stage and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown with theatre master, Aaron Posner. Other local guest artist, workshop, and choreography credits include, Studio Theatre, Forum Theatre, Mosaic Theatre, Anacostia Playhouse, Signature Theatre, and Constellation Theatre.
Ryan Tuerk, MFA Ballet/Contemporary Modern
(Philadelphia, PA) In 2005, Ryan graduated from the University of the Arts with a BFA in Jazz Dance. While in college he had the pleasure of working with such companies as Koresh, Philadanco and Pennsylvania Ballet. Ryan was a soloist in the 2005 Philadelphia “Live Arts” Fringe Festival dancing in a piece titled, “Patio Plastico” directed by Brian Sanders (Momix Dance). He has also performed with Carnival and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. While Living in Florida, he co-founded (with Hip-Hop Mogul Pablo Malco) a pre-professional Hip-Hop company called “Imputz”. Currently, Ryan dances as a Principal Dancer for Spiritoso Ballet”. Teaching and choreography are his passion; his free time is spent coming up with new and innovative movement combing fundamentals of Jazz dance with the “Vaganova” Ballet Syllabus, and exploring texture, rhythm, and multi-directional flow energy. He is faculty at Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet in Philadelphia. He holds a MFA in Dance from Temple University.
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Ngoma Center for Dance (c) 2019