choreography :
O dette H eyn -P enner |
photo :
R odney S. B raun
the professional program of
R odney S. B raun photo :
T edd R obinson | choreography :
“ The School of Contemporary Dancers’ programs are
vitally important to the discipline and to the Canadian artistic community
WHO WE ARE
”
THE SCHOOL OF CONTEMPORARY DANCERS
Canadian Heritage Assessor
WHO WE ARE The School of Contemporary Dancers is recognized as a leading national centre for professional contemporary dance training in Canada. Under the direction of Odette Heyn-Penner and Faye Thomson, the School’s Professional Program is renowned across the country for the excellence of its training methods and high calibre of its students and graduates. The mandate of the Professional Program of The School of Contemporary Dancers is to prepare students for careers in contemporary dance performance. The objective is to provide a strong technical and artistic training, which will allow the dancers to perform the diverse movement styles required by different choreographers and companies. The Program promotes a rich interconnectedness with the professional dance community. The Directors view this as an integral part of providing a vibrant and stimulating environment for the training of future professionals. As well as the core master teachers, the Artistic Staff includes nationally and internationally renowned guest teachers and choreographers. The Professional Program also undertakes numerous collaborations with professional artists and companies locally, nationally and internationally. The School is viewed as making important contributions to the cultural fabric of Canada.
HISTORY The School and Apprentice Program of Contemporary Dancers was founded by Rachel Browne in 1972 as a division of Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers. In 1983, the Apprentice Program was recreated by Odette Heyn-Penner and Faye Thomson as the Professional Program. In 1995, the School was separately incorporated from the company of Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers. The School will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2012/2013. Odette Heyn-Penner and Faye Thomson have co-directed the Professional Program for over 30 years. For several years, core staff has included Founding Artistic Director, Rachel Browne, C.M., Artist-in-Residence, Stephanie Ballard, and Artistic Associate, Gaile Petursson-Hiley. Throughout the history of the Professional Program, numerous graduates have continued to enter the profession and perform with renowned companies and choreographers across the country. The Program has also been the source of distinguished choreographers and artistic directors within the Canadian contemporary dance community.
THE SCHOOL OF CONTEMPORARY DANCERS
WHO WE ARE
STRUCTURE OF THE PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM The Professional Program of The School of Contemporary Dancers is structured as a four-year professional training program for dancers seeking a career in contemporary dance performance. An extensive, high-quality curriculum provides students with a strong preparation for entrance into the profession. The Fourth Year of the Program is a special bridging year from the professional student to the professional emerging artist level. Fourth Year dancers are supported in making this critical transition and are given opportunities to undertake professional projects. The Professional Program has a strong focus on performance. As well as presenting several performance series and special performance projects annually, the School is proud to take the art form into the wider community and presents public school tours for over 5000 youth.
AFFILIATION WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG The Professional Program, while maintaining its autonomy, has undertaken an affiliation with the University of Winnipeg whereby students may elect to receive up to 14 credits for their work in the Program. Upon completion of 6 additional non-dance academic credits, students are eligible for a BA (Honours) Degree with specialization in Dance. These additional credits may be undertaken concurrently during the years within the Professional Program. Independent of university credits, all dancers who successfully complete the Four Year Program achieve the status and designation of Graduate of the Professional Program of The School of Contemporary Dancers.
WHO WE ARE
THE SCHOOL OF CONTEMPORARY DANCERS
R odney S. B raun photo :
S tephanie B allard | choreography :
“ The School of Contemporary Dancers’ teaching staff is comprised of three full-time master core faculty and a diversity of esteemed guest instructors. The quality of the core teaching staff and guests is
unparalleled in the discipline ” Canadian Heritage Assessor
THE SCHOOL OF CONTEMPORARY DANCERS
WHO WE ARE
CORE FACULTY Odette Heyn-Penner, Co-Director Faye Thomson, Co-Director Rachel Browne, Founder Stephanie Ballard, Artist-in-Residence/Archivist Gaile Petursson-Hiley, Artistic Associate Claude de Moissac, Accompanist Shirley Grierson, Accompanist David Schneider, Accompanist
GUEST FACULTY The Program has continued to feature several national and international renowned guests each year. The Program has drawn extensively on renowned senior artists from the Winnipeg professional community as guest teachers and for artistic collaborations. These artists have included: Jolene Bailie, Paula Blair, Kristin Haight, Randy Joynt, Karen Kuzak, Brent Lott, Casimiro Nhussi, Natasha Torres-Garner, and B. Pat Burns (Voice). Over the years, out-of-province guests have included: Peggy Baker, Serge Bennathan, Peter Bingham, Marc Boivin, Peter Boneham, Heidi Bunting, Susie Burpee, Ginelle Chagnon, Connie Cooke, Lesandra Dodson, Sylvain Emard, Bill Evans, Paul André Fortier, Margie Gillis, Don Halquist, Ginette Laurin, Claudia Lavista, Christina Medina, Davida Monk, Sharon Moore, Tedd Robinson, Victor Manuel Ruiz, Julia Sasso, Roger Sinha, Michael Trent, Dan Wild and others.
CORE ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Charlene Kulbaba, Office Manager Dwight Chmilnisky, Administrative Manager
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ellen Oberlander, Co-Chair Trish Smerchanski, Co-Chair Rhonda Smerchanski, Co-Treasurer/Secretary Fred Penner, C.M., Member Rachel Browne, C.M., Honourary Member Odette Heyn-Penner, Co-Director of the School Faye Thomson, Co-Director of the School
FACULTY
THE SCHOOL OF CONTEMPORARY DANCERS
ODETTE HEYN-PENNER & FAYE THOMSON CO-DIRECTORS TECHNIQUE, REPERTORY, COMPOSITION, PAEDAGOGY
Odette Heyn-Penner and Faye Thomson have co-directed the Professional Program of The School of Contemporary Dancers for many years. In this capacity as master teachers, they have been among the prime trainers of most members of Winnipeg’s contemporary dance community and many artists now dancing with choreographers and companies across the country. They have been invited panelist/presenters for several symposiums, festivals, conferences and roundtables focusing on professional contemporary dance training and the arts in Canada. Odette Heyn-Penner has performed and choreographed for Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers and continues to perform as an independent with numerous choreographers including Rachel Browne, Brent Lott and Stephanie Ballard. She has also choreographed work for various performances including the Festival of Canadian Modern Dance and the Kuan Du Arts Festival in Taipei, Taiwan. Ms. Heyn-Penner has served as a Guest Company Teacher for Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers for many years and was Assistant Artistic Director during Bill Evans’ directorship. Previously, she was Founding Artistic Director of Sundance Children’s Dance Theatre, created with the assistance of a Canada Council Explorations Grant in 1979. She has received several grant awards and has served as a juror and assessor for the Manitoba Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts. She is currently a member of the board of the Alliance for Arts Education. Faye Thomson has performed in numerous works including with Stephanie Ballard, Rachel Browne, Tedd Robinson, and with Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers. She has served as a Rehearsal Mistress and ‘Outside Eye’ for Stephanie Ballard for several projects. She studied and performed in South Indian Classical Dance for many years under the direction of Menaka Thakkar, including an acclaimed 1984/85 performance tour of India. She holds degrees in Dance and Philosophy. Ms. Thomson has served as a Guest Company Teacher for Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers for many years and was Assistant Artistic Director during Bill Evans’ directorship. She has been the recipient of several grant awards and has served as a juror/assessor for the Manitoba Arts Council and for the Canada Council for the Arts. She is currently an appointed member of the board of the Winnipeg Arts Council as well as serving as an elected member of the Manitoba Arts Council Advisory Panel.
THE SCHOOL OF CONTEMPORARY DANCERS
FACULTY
RACHEL BROWNE, C.M. Rachel Browne founded Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers (WCD) in 1964 and served as the Artistic Director, resident choreographer and teacher for over twenty years. Under her direction, WCD grew to be a nationally recognized repertory company significant in the development of modern dance in Canada. She remains active as a choreographer, teacher and performer. Her work has influenced generations of dancers whom she has trained and directed. Rachel has received numerous awards from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Manitoba Arts Council, the Winnipeg Arts Council. Foundation awards include the 1995 Jean A. Chalmers Award for Creativity in Dance, the 2000 Canada Council Jacqueline Lemieux Prize and the 2001 Manitoba Arts Council Great-West Life Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1997 she was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada. Rachel Browne’s biography, DANCING TOWARD THE LIGHT, by Carol Anderson, was published in 1999. Rachel’s current activities include creating works for her ongoing project, Older Women Dance. EDGELIT, featuring six senior dance artists, premiered at WCD’s 35th Anniversary Festival in 1999 and was produced in Toronto by Danceworks in 2000. Other creations include FLOWERING (2005), MEIN RUHE PLATZ (2006), performed to klezmer music, and VARIATIONS ON SERENITY, to music by Canadian composer Ann Southam, which opened WCD’s 42nd season in 2006. FLOWERING, performed with Odette Heyn-Penner, was presented at the Older and Reckless series in Toronto in 2007. CEREMONIES, Rachel’s newest piece, performed to Ann Southam’s ‘Seastill’, premiered in 2007. CEREMONIES was commissioned by three WCD dancers for an independent project entitled Transformations.
STEPHANIE BALLARD
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE/ARCHIVIST Stephanie Ballard is an acclaimed choreographer, personal coach and educator. She is a recipient of Canada’s most prestigious awards for choreography including the Clifford E. Lee Award, the Jean A. Chalmers Award and the Jacqueline Lemieux Prize. Formerly an apprentice, company member, apprentice director and associate artistic director of Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers, she continues a close affiliation with the Company as a guest choreographer and Legacy Advisor. Her work with the Margie Gillis Dance Foundation included 13 years of extensive
FACULTY
THE SCHOOL OF CONTEMPORARY DANCERS
touring of Asia, the U.S., Canada and Europe. She has a Masters Degree in Therapeutic Counselling and has been active with Learning Through the Arts and Artists-in-the-Schools. She is a founding Director of Mouvement/Winnipeg Dance Projects and continues to create new work on a regular basis. Her “Landscape Dancing” continues to be performed throughout Winnipeg and at the Canada Dance Festival biannually. Ms Ballard’s ten- year Legacy Project was the seed for establishing The Winnipeg Dance Preservation Initiative with Margaret Piasecki in 2006. Ms Ballard is a member of the Society for Canadian Dance Studies and is an Honourary Advisor to Dance Collection Danse.
GAILE PETURSSON-HILEY ARTISTIC ASSOCIATE
Independent Winnipeg choreographer, Gaile Petursson-Hiley has contributed to the Canadian dance community for the past 30 years as a dance artist, dance educator and dance creator. She was a featured dancer with Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers, Stephanie Ballard and Dancers and Pacific Ballet Theatre and has performed throughout North America, Europe and Australia. Gaile is an Artistic Director of Mouvement, Winnipeg Dance Projects. Mouvement premiered Gaile Petursson-Hiley’s highly successful work “Faeries” in July 2006. It was reviewed as a “magical debut for Mouvement/Winnipeg Dance Projects”. Gaile’s newest project, “Bronte”, will be presented by the Company in 2008. As Co-Founder and Co-Director of Dance Collective from 1989-1994, Gaile created over twenty original works for the repertoire of the Company. Three works commissioned by the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra were premiered in the DuMaurier New Music Festival 1992 and 1993. Gaile has been awarded grants from Canada Council, Manitoba Arts Council and Winnipeg Arts Council for study, creation and production. In 1994, Gaile received the prestigious Manitoba Arts Council Major Arts Award for the creation of “Waltz”, a collaboration with composer Holly Harris and visual artist, Susan Chafe. She celebrated her 20th Anniversary as a choreographer in 2002 with the World Premiere of “Cherry Blossom Pink” in Winnipeg. As a dance educator, Gaile has toured throughout Manitoba with the Manitoba Artists-in-the-Schools Program. Artistic Associate of The School of Contemporary Dancers Professional Program, Gaile is an outstanding Master teacher with a strong commitment to the nurturing of a new generation of artists.
THE SCHOOL OF CONTEMPORARY DANCERS
FACULTY
THE GRADUATES
The Professional Program has enjoyed a high degree of acclaim and success, with almost all internationally renowned companies and choreographers. Companies have included: Andrew Harwood/AHHA Productions Bill Evans Dance Company Capacitor Coleman Lemieux & Company Dancecorps Desrosiers Dance Theatre Fondation Jean-Pierre Perrault Good Women Dance Collective Julia Sasso dances Kokoro Dance MACHiNENOiSEY Montanaro Danse Newton Moraes Dance Theatre Ruth Cansfield Dance Sylvain Emard Danse Toronto Dance Theatre Van Grimde Corps Secrets x.IDA Austria
@tendance/C.Medina blackandblue dance projects Cavalia Compagnie Marie Chouinard Dancemakers Drive Dance Fortier Danse Création Hinda Essadiqi/Hindanse Kaeja Dance Larumbe Danza Mascall Dance Montréal Danse Odette Heyn-PROJECTS Sinha Danse Ten Gates Dancing TRIP Dance Company William Douglas Dance Young Lungs Dance Exchange
“ The School provides…
excellent preparation for a professional performing career
”
Canadian Heritage Assessor
GRADUATES
THE SCHOOL OF CONTEMPORARY DANCERS
l graduates attaining professional work. Many have performed with nationally and
Battery Opera Buntingdance Cirque du Soleil Dance Collective Danny Grossman Dance Company EDAM Gearshifting Performance Works Judith Marcuse Dance Projects Kinesis Dance Lola Dance Menaka Thakkar Dance Company NAfro Dance Productions Rouge-gorge/Robin Poitras Stephanie Ballard and Dancers
choreography :
G aile P etursson -H iley |
photo :
R odney S. B raun
Avatar Circus Project Brian Webb Dance Company Chick Snipper Danstabat Corpuscule Danse Dancetheatre David Earle Earth in Motion Gaile Petursson-Hiley Dance Projects Holy Body Tattoo Kaha:wi Dance Theatre Le Groupe Dance Lab M-Body Mouvement/Winnipeg Dance Projects O’Vertigo Danse Snappy Dance Theatre TILT Dance Company Tusket Dance Theatre Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers
For an up-to-date list check out www.schoolofcontemporarydancers.ca THE SCHOOL OF CONTEMPORARY DANCERS GRADUATES
R odney S. B raun photo :
G aile P etursson -H iley | choreography :
“ The quality of the various courses offered is exceptional ”
Canadian Heritage Assessor
CURRICULUM
THE SCHOOL OF CONTEMPORARY DANCERS
PHILOSOPHY OF TRAINING The Program focuses on developing dancers that are technically strong, and artistically dynamic and open. It is the objective of the Program to develop dancers that have the facility to manifest the diverse artistry required by different companies and choreographers. We view the essence of training to be the removal of obstacles limiting the emerging of the artist within. To be ‘technical’ is to be optimally unbounded and free. To achieve this, the Program is designed to provide an individual approach to dance training. There is a focus on mentorship and opportunities for all students to work on featured roles in Repertory, and Performance. As a result, enrollment is limited to approximately 35 students for the Program as a whole.
Contemporary Dance Technique: Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 These courses focus on providing a strong technical foundation for the training of future professional contemporary dancers. Classes draw on Limon influence, kinesiology, ballet for contemporary dancers and other traditional and current influences in contemporary dance. The Program provides Technique with Barre, Technique with Centre Warm-up and Floor, and Technique with Traveling Warm-up. Artistic staff includes core faculty master teachers and outstanding, renowned guests.
Repertory: Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 Students are provided with extensive repertory experience with nationally and internationally renowned choreographers. A challenge of diverse choreographic situations maximizes the students’ facility to embody the diverse artistic visions inherent within professional contemporary dance. As well as ensemble work, all dancers are given opportunities to work on featured roles.
Performance: Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 Students are provided with extensive performance opportunities including the December performance series, the May performance series, public school tours for over 5000 youth, composition performances of student works, touring including to the prestigious Canada Dance Festival in Ottawa and several other special performance projects.
Improvisation: Levels 1, 2 Through a series of both site-specific and studio-based studies, students will investigate familiar and boundary-challenging explorations which will help facilitate the use of improvisation as a tool for both the choreographer and the performer.
THE SCHOOL OF CONTEMPORARY DANCERS
CURRICULUM
Composition: Levels 3, 4 An introduction to dance composition through analysis of choreographic methods and choreographic assignments. Students will be given a unified and comprehensive understanding of the practical exploration of form and composition. Students will explore both humanly created structures and ones which are derived from nature.
Dance Paedagogy: Levels 2, 3 This optional course introduces the students to the principles of teaching and helps to bring a new level of awareness to their own work in Technique and Repertory. The course has a strong studio focus and includes assisting/teaching within the School’s Junior Program.
Contact Improvisation: Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 This course is taught by renowned contact improvisation artist, Peter Bingham, Artistic Director of EDAM. Peter is one of the pioneers and leading exponents of Contact Improvisation. This is a dance form emphasizing flow and the cooperative exchange of weight between partners.
Partnering: Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 Partnering classes are offered to introduce the students to fundamental techniques for partnering. Partnering is carried forward into the repertory work and is explored further in this context.
Voice: Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 These classes are offered to the student to introduce techniques for use of voice. Voice work is utilized in some contemporary choreography and is an important skill for dancers entering the profession.
Body Mechanics: Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 Principles of kinesiology are utilized in Technique and in coaching for Repertory to maximize technical and artistic clarity and to promote longevity in the dancer’s career. These principles are also presented within the Spring Intensive’s Body Mechanics course with Bill Evans.
Conditioning: Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 An intense daily conditioning designed to enhance the articulation of the physical challenges of contemporary technique and artistry. The conditioning sessions will focus on a series of exercises designed to build strength through the core/upper body/legs as well as release through stretching.
CURRICULUM
THE SCHOOL OF CONTEMPORARY DANCERS
Dance Legacy: Levels 1, 2 This course offers a dynamic approach to dance history. The objective is to enhance and deepen the dancers’ artistic understanding of our media. The course explores the concept of artistic legacy on a personal, local, national and international level.
Individual Coaching: Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 Individual coaching is provided to facilitate the students’ progress including during featured work within the Repertory Courses and within the Spring Dance Intensive Performance Technique workshop.
Lighting Design and Production: Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 This optional course focuses on skills for production. The course includes Lighting Design units with renowned Lighting Designer, Hugh Conacher. Skills for Production, taught by Ann Hodges, includes grant application techniques and skill acquisition through mock arts juries.
Bridging Into the Profession: Levels 1, 2, 3 Workshops, networking and individual consultations are provided to prepare the student for entrance into the profession. Fourth Year is a special bridging year where students are supported in making the critical transition to professional emerging artist level. During Fourth Year, students are given opportunities to undertake professional projects.
The Spring Dance Intensive: Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 The Intensive is designed for members of the Professional Program, for other professional contemporary dance students and for professional contemporary dancers. The Intensive offers courses with guest teachers of renowned repute.
THE SCHOOL OF CONTEMPORARY DANCERS
CURRICULUM
T reasure W addell photo :
O dette H eyn -P enner | choreography :
“ The School of Contemporary Dancers is directed with dedication
and integrity by a vastly experienced team of Artistic
Directors and Artistic Associates. The artistic direction is robust and is committed to fostering and developing artistic excellence THE SCHOOL OF CONTEMPORARY DANCERS ADMISSION Canadian Heritage Assessor
�
ADMISSION Admission to the Program is by audition. Applicants should have completed an intermediate level of training in classical ballet, and/or contemporary dance, and show professional potential for a career in contemporary dance. An accepted applicant must hold a high school diploma, or qualify as a mature student, or as an accelerated student with the University of Winnipeg. Upon entry, students are placed according to their level in technique and performance. Most students are placed in First Year. However, sufficiently advanced students may enter the Program at the Second Year level.
AUDITIONS Applicants may apply in one of the following ways:
In-person audition We highly recommend that applicants attend the two-day audition in February/ March. Students are welcome to take the morning audition classes each day and to visit and observe the Program in rehearsals in the afternoon. This provides the opportunity for the applicants to familiarize themselves with the Program. Out-ofprovince students may also do a two-day audition at an alternative date through special arrangements. To arrange to audition in person, or to make inquiries about the Program, contact Charlene Kulbaba, Office Manager, by email or phone. After the initial contact, please submit a completed application form along with a resumĂŠ.
Video audition Alternatively, students may apply by video. To audition by video, please contact us by phone or email. After the initial contact, the applicant should submit the video, according to the application form directions. The applicant should also submit a completed application form and a resumĂŠ.
TUITION FEES The tuition fee schedule is available through the office. Please contact Charlene Kulbaba either by phone or email.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES Manitoba students are eligible to apply for grant awards from the Manitoba Arts Council. Out-of-province students have been successful in attaining similar assistance from their province of origin. Students are also eligible to apply for Canada Student Aid. Out-of-province students should contact Charlene Kulbaba for additional information.
THE SCHOOL OF CONTEMPORARY DANCERS
ADMISSION
“ There is a sense of harmonious energy
throughout,
with students, administrative staff, teachers, and the Co-Directors…
”
Canadian Heritage Assessor
choreography :
P etra S teinert |
photo :
R odney S. B raun
working to mutually support one another
FACILITIES
THE SCHOOL OF CONTEMPORARY DANCERS
The School of Contemporary Dancers offers three categories of scholarships. Some applicants are eligible for partial scholarships through The Jill Mino Memorial Entrance Scholarships. Partial scholarship awards are available to all Fourth Year students through The Bruce Mitchell Memorial Scholarships. Graduation Scholarships are also available to all Fourth Year students to assist with promoting the transition from student to emerging artist level.
FACILITIES Located within a completely renovated heritage building in the heart of Winnipeg’s dynamic Exchange District, the School is housed in national-calibre facilities. The bright and spacious studios, large wardrobe and mezzanine student lounge provide a beautiful environment for professional training. The historic Exchange District is a centre for the arts in Winnipeg and several arts organizations and artists are located in the area.
ACCOMMODATION FOR STUDENTS Students are eligible for accommodation in the University of Winnipeg residences. Many students also elect shared apartment accommodation with other members of the Program.
THE SCHOOL OF CONTEMPORARY DANCERS
FACILITIES
For further information please contact:
CHARLENE KULBABA, Office Manager 104 - 211 Bannatyne Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B 3P2 (204)
fax:
287-8693
(204)
email:
info@schoolofcontemporarydancers.ca
O dette H eyn -P enner |
photo :
R odney S. B raun
website:
choreography :
452-1239
telephone:
www.schoolofcontemporarydancers.ca