Joy of Motion Dance Center - Youth Dance Ensemble

Youth Dance Ensemble
Joy of Motion’s award-winning Youth Dance Ensemble is a performing company and preparatory program that offers an exceptional artistic and educational experience for the young dancer. The Youth Dance Ensemble is a diverse learning and performance experience unmatched in the greater D.C. area that consists of a Junior and a Senior Ensemble for dance students in the 9th-12th grades and an Ensemble Preparatory Program for young dancers in the 1st-2nd, 3rd-5th grades, and the 6th-8th grades.

Through performance and dance education, The Youth Dance Ensemble program is designed to be in alignment with the National Standards for Dance Education. These standards are sanctioned by the National Dance Education Organization and developed by the Consortium of National Arts Education Associations, which include the American Alliance for Theatre & Education, Music Educators National Conference, National Art Education Association and the National Dance Association.

National Standards for Dance Education
In brief, the National Standards for Dance Education are designed to give students a well-rounded education in dance and the arts. The seven content standards include (1) demonstrating movement elements and skills in performing dance, (2) understanding choreographic principles, (3) dance as a way to create and communicate meaning, (4) critical and creative thinking skills in dance, (5) exposure to dance in various cultures and historical contexts, (6) dance as a means to healthful living, and (7) making connections between dance and other disciplines. The incorporation of the Standards as a part of our Youth Dance Ensemble programming takes students beyond exposure and access to dance. The program gives students focused time for sequential study, practice and reflection. While the basic intent is that dance is taught for its own intrinsic value, students will benefit greatly from an enriched program that, in addition to a concentration on performance skills, will help them make connections between concepts and other subject matter, challenge them to think critically and creatively, and provide them an outlet for artistic exploration and expression.

Our belief is that this intensive approach to dance for the young dancer provides an excellent college preparatory experience and provides each participant with exceptional skills that will serve them throughout life. For more information on the National Standards for Dance Education, please visit:
http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/teach/standards.cfm

The Program
The Youth Dance Ensemble consists of core curriculum dance classes that include Ballet, Modern and Jazz for Junior and Senior Ensembles (9th - 12th grades) and Ballet and Modern for the Ensemble Preparatory Program for grades (1st - 8th). In addition to technique classes, students in the Junior and Senior Companies also have Project Blocks and Artist Residencies scheduled throughout the year. Students in the Ensemble Preparatory Program have abbreviated Project Blocks. The Program will also include pre-pointe for qualified students as an optional elective outside of our regular program schedule.

Project Blocks
Project Blocks provide time for activities based on the National Standards for Dance Education that include movement, lecture, creative explorations, and opportunities for dance beyond technique class. Teacher directed projects and lessons allow students to participate in active learning situations that are creative, informative, and fun. To enhance certain Project Blocks for students, special activities are planned throughout the year as extra-curricular learning opportunities. These activities might include attending a dance or music performance, a trip to a museum, or other special activities.

Artist Residencies
Artist Residencies provide Junior and Senior Ensemble students with the opportunity to learn dance choreography for performance from local and visiting dance artists. Aspects of choreography, composition and dance improvisation are also included.

Performance
Throughout the year Junior and Senior Ensembles develop dance pieces to be presented for outreach performances and concerts, both formal and informal. Ensemble Preparatory students perform in Joy of Motion’s annual Youth Concert in the Spring. All students have the opportunity to showcase their work in selected Joy of Motion Dance Center productions as well as present work at various regional dance events made possible through Joy of Motion’s large network of arts partnerships and community service initiatives.

Core Faculty
In addition to Artist Residencies, the Youth Dance Ensemble has a stellar core faculty who work with the students each week. Senior Company Faculty: Elana Anderson, Daniel Burkholder, Adrienne Clancy, Helen Hayes, Miyako Nitadori, Katerina Rodgaard. Junior Company Faculty: Elana Anderson, Daniel Burkholder, Helen Hayes, Mane Rebelo-Plaut, Katerina Rodgaard, Julia Smith. Preparatory 3 (6-8 grades) Faculty: Mane Rebelo-Plaut, Kathleen Weitz. Preparatory 2 (3-5 grades) Faculty: Miyako Nitadori. Preparatory 1 (1-2 grades) Faculty: Alexis Baden-Mayer.

Scholarship
Joy of Motion Dance Center is proud to announce the new Evelyn T. Brandt Scholarship Fund designed to benefit the area's promising young dancers. Local arts enthusiast, Evelyn T. Brandt, has established the Fund for students of exceptional dance ability and character enrolled in the Youth Dance Ensemble at Joy of Motion Dance Center. For more information, click here.

For Additional Information
For additional information about the program and auditions, contact Helen Hayes, Director of the Youth Dance Ensemble program, at youthdanceensemble@joyofmotion.org or call 202-333-6801 ext. 17.

Auditions
Acceptance into our Youth Dance Ensemble Program is by audition only. If accepted, students will be placed in the appropriate level. For audition registration and additional information please contact JOMDC, Bethesda Studio Management at 301-986-0016 or bethesda@joyofmotion.org or Helen Hayes, Youth Dance Ensemble Director, at youthdanceensemble@joyofmotion.org. (Grades as of September 2008.)

Audition Date: Saturday, August 23, 2008 at JOMDC, Bethesda
All levels audition 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.

There is no audition fee.

Audition Requirements:
1. To register, please contact our Bethesda studio listed above.
2. Students should come prepared to dance ballet, modern and jazz.
3. Girls must wear plain-colored leotard and tights (adjustable to bare feet) and bring ballet slippers and jazz shoes. Hair secured up and off the face and neck. Boys must wear a fitted solid color shirt and leggings, tights or pants and bring ballet slippers and jazz shoes.
4. For Preparatory Grades 3-5, students must have at least one year of training in ballet.
5. For Preparatory Grades 6-8, students must have at least two years of training in ballet, modern or jazz.
6. For Junior and Senior Company, students must have at least 4 years of training in ballet, modern and/or jazz.