Daniel Gwirtzman Dance Company Washington Heights Summer Musical Theater Dance Festival
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Encore Press Contact: Eric Hill (212) 543-1367 info@GwirtzmanDance.org
YM & YWHA Publicity Contacts: Deborah Katznelson (212) 569-6200 x 219 dkatznelson@ywashhts.org
Washington Heights Summer Musical Theater Dance Festival
July 19-August 1, 2010
Providing solid training to serve whatever style of dance a student pursues.
One-week programs July 19-July 25; July 26-August 1
Two-week Program July 19-August 1
at The YM & YWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood
54 Nagle Avenue New York, NY 10040
Reach New Heights IN THE HEIGHTS! This summer, study dance in the Heights at the Washington Heights Summer Musical Theater Dance Festival, directed by Daniel Gwirtzman and his vibrant, electric company! This is the festival that’s just the size for you. The summer residency of the Daniel Gwirtzman Dance Company, the Festival, is a two-week intensive dance-training program for pre-professionals and professionals as well as dancers ages 12-18. All classes are open to the public on a drop-in basis. No pre-registration is necessary. Only $13/class.
THE FESTIVAL: A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE
“The face of Broadway choreography has changed,” says Daniel Gwirtzman. “Think of the diversity of movement styles in today’s shows, the range needed and expected of dancers. As a DanceBreak finalist for 2010, I have observed first-hand the next generation of musical theater choreographers and the demands they are making of dancers. As an innovator with a concert dance background, my work asks dancers to have a full set of technical, stylistic and performance skills. This festival is about preparing the aspiring theatrical dancer for this range of choreography.”
The Festival provides a rigorous and holistic program to develop and strengthen contemporary dance and musical theater dance skills, while creating relationships with the Company and special guest artists. The Festival is geared toward students of all levels and technical abilities, from those that are passionate about a career in dance and who wish to train at an intensive level with professional teaching artists and performers, to the absolute beginner with an interest in dance and musical theater.
The Festival is an intimate program that values a low student to teacher ratio so that the emphasis of the festival is on individual growth and attention. Another primary difference that sets the Festival apart is the inclusion of composition classes. Enrolled students, in addition to developing their skills and techniques and learning repertory from the Company, will have the opportunity to work as a choreographer does, developing dances.
The festival emphasizes strong personal investment in each student’s dancing; we coach each dancer to reveal his or her individuality and we are focused on helping our students cultivate their performance qualities. The festival will provide solid, intelligent technique to serve whatever style of dance a student decides to pursue; in today’s companies, and on Broadway, versatility is key. Our philosophy is to prepare the dancer for this diversity of dance styles.
THE SCHEDULE and CURRICULUM
The festival operates Monday-Sunday, with Saturday off from all classes. All classes are open to the public on a drop-in basis. No pre-registration is necessary. Only $13/class.
9:00-9:30 Morning Meeting
9:30-11:00 Technique Class—open to the public
11:15-12:30 Repertory Class—open to the public
12:30-1:30 Lunch
1:30-3:00 Repertory Class—open to the public
3:00-4:30 Composition Class—open to the public
4:45-6:00 Master Class—open to the public—visit Daniel Gwirtzman Dance Company on Facebook to see the specific schedule of guest teachers; Please note on some days, the master class and composition class times will be switched.
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE ONE OR TWO WEEK PROGRAM:
- Fill out an application, which can be downloaded by accessing our website, www.GwirtzmanDance.org.
- Mail the completed application, with a check to:
Daniel Gwirtzman Dance Company
720 West 181st Street, #31
New York, NY 10033
