Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Candice Michelle Franklin –Choreographer, Dance Artist, Master Teacher in Jazz Dance Studies

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Candice Michelle Franklin

Creator of JAZZ AIN'T DEAD® Live Music and Dance Production

Master Teacher Photo

Dance Artist/Choreographer/Master Instructor in Jazz Dance Studies: 

Traditional Jazz Technique, Contemporary Jazz Soul, Lyrical,
Theater Jazz, Afro-Fusion Jazz,
Latin Jazz Styles, Commercial Jazz,
Street Jazz for Young Dancers, Ballroom, Swing,
Studies in Jazz Rhythms for Dancers,
Concert Jazz &
Repertory from Jazz Ain't Dead®



Biography

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 Dance Industrial Professionals, Inc./The Pro DANZ Group in which she oversees the dance and creative direction of several performance groups, recording artists, industrials, and stage shows.  Her work has been performed in a host of New York venues including Jacob Javitz Convention Center, The Syracuse OnCenter, MTV/Viacom, Capitale, Odeum Expo Center, Broad Street Ballroom, The Kumble Theater,  the National Black Theater, Symphony Space, Joyce SoHo, Brooklyn Academy of Music's BAM Cafe, Webster Hall, The SPACE at Westbury/Westbury Theater, Stage 48, the Oheka Castle, The Theater of Riverside Church, The Sage Theater, American Theater of Actors, Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park, Marcus Garvey Park,Tribeca Performing Arts Center, John Jay College, and New York’s City College, as well as numerous casinos on the east coast such as Turning Stone, the Foxwoods, Mohegan Sun, Tropicana, Borgata, and Caesar’s. 

More recently, her choreography has been seen in the WEBBY-nominated music video for the rock band Black Taxi called “Shoeshine,” in the holiday stage play for Tiny Starr Productions, "Coming Home to Christmas," and in the gospel stage play, Blest Be the Tide, performed at Aaron Davis Hall in New York City.  Additionally, she has been performing with the legendary master jazz pianist Onaje Allan Gumbs II's New Vintage and has served as Head Choreographer for CEG Productions LLC in addition to being an integral part, as both dancer and dance captain for the organization, for over 20 years.   Moreover, she has served as choreographer for the 80′s Girl Group, Buffalo Stance, and as choreographer for a number of recording artists including Natiah, internationally celebrated Bollywood Hip hop artist, SHAKTI, the rapper BRASCO, Art Aure, and Grammy award winning recording artist, Macy Gray. 

Currently, Ms. Franklin works on faculty as an Advanced Jazz instructor for the Joffrey Ballet School's elite year-round ballet program and master instructor and adjudicator for their summer intensive National audition tour and works as the producer and choreographer for Jazz Ain’t Dead®, a live band and dance production group performing at Jazz Festivals and Jazz concert series' such as Jazzmobile, the Harlem Shrines, and the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival.  She continues to study Dunham as a certificate candidate with IDTC and teaches Dunham-Informed Jazz Technique at Cumbe Center for African and Diaspora Dance in Brooklyn, NY.  She also is pursuing her MBA with a concentration in Music Business in a joint degree program with SNHU and Berklee College of Music.  Miss Franklin is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA and a founding member of the not-for-profit 501(c)3 dance advocacy foundation, iDANZ®, Inc.
 


 


Candice Michelle Franklin

Master Teacher in Jazz Dance & Jazz Dance Rhythm Studies

Master Class List

Dance Conservatories/Colleges/Academies

State

Joffrey Ballet School 

New York, NY

Mauro Compañía y Academia de baile y producción

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Pro Arte Dance Centre

Vancouver, B.C., Canada

Andanza Contemporary Dance Company

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Vancover School of Arts and Academics

Vancouver, WA

IABD/Dallas Black Dance Theatre

Dallas, TX

Boston Ballet

Boston, MA

University of Hartford/The Hart School

Hartford, CT

East Coast Ballet

Jacksonville, FL

Detroit Music Hall Center for Performing Arts

Detroit, MI

University of Utah/Marriott Center for Dance

Salt Lake City, UT

IABD/Joy for Motion Dance Center

Washington, D.C.

Pacific Northwest Ballet School

Seattle, WA

Maria Verdeja School of the Arts

Coral Gables, FL

Freddy Jet Art House and Dance Conservatory

Oxford, AL

Colorado Ballet

Denver, CO

The Ballet School of Stamford

Stamford, CT

Walnut Hill School for the Arts

Natick, MA

NOCCA -New Orleans Center for Creative Arts

New Orleans, LA

Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing Arts

Dallas, TX

Young Dance Academy

Milwaukee, WI

Joffrey Ballet School/Miami -New World School of the Arts

Miami, Florida

University of Kansas Department of Dance

Lawrence, KS

Uptown Dance Academy

New York, NY

Ballet Hispanico

New York, NY

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre

Pittsburgh, PA

Wycoff School of Dance

Wycoff, NJ

Cycely Tyson High School of the Performing Arts

East Orange, NJ

Next Step Dance Studio

Milwaukee, WI

Expressions Dance Studio

West Union, IA

Infinity Dance Company

Lyndon, WA

N'Ferno Performing Arts Center

Baltimore, MD

Center for Performing Arts Methuen

Boston, MA

Together We Dance

St. Louis, MO

Pinx Academy of Dance

St. Louis, MO

Jovan Miller Productions

Seattle, WA

IABD Wyndham Hotel/Cleveland

Cleveland, OH

IABD Denver Center for the Performing Arts

Denver, CO

Carolina Dance Center

Raleigh, NC

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago

Chicago, IL

Arkansas Academy of Dance

Little Rock, AK

Kansas City Ballet

Kansas City, MO

Eisenhower Dance

Rochester, MI

Kent State University

Kent, OH

Classical Ballet Academy

Portland, OR

Suzanne's Main Street Dance Centre

Detroit, MI

Angela Floyd Schools

Knoxville, TN

The Majestic

Bellingham, WA

School of Alberta Ballet

Calgary, Canada

Edge School for Athletes

Calgary, Canada

Hovi Strauss - Dance Etc.!

Fargo, North Dakota

Elite Dance Studio

Portland, OR

California Dance Theater

Agoura, CA

Jody Phillips Dance Company

Overland Park, KS

The Putney School

Putney, VT

Webster University

St. Louis, MO

Portland School of Ballet

Portland, ME

Pennsylvania School of the Performing Arts

Newtown, PA

School of Nashville Ballet

Nashville, TN

Heart of America Dance Center

Lee Summit, MO

School of Classical Ballet & Dance

West Des Moines, IA

Beck Center for the Arts

Cleveland, OH

Center for Dance Education Carolina Ballet

Columbia, SC

***


Click Here for C.V.

Click Here for Videos



Click here for choreography recommendation letters:

Michael Blake, Director of Jazz and Contemporary at Joffrey Ballet School (Recommendation for Katherine Dunham Certification)

Randy Thomas, Universal Music Group (Jazz & Contemporary Music Label Executive)

Beverly Fish, CEG Productions, LLC (Live Music and Dance Event Corporation)

Adam Hootnick, Resonance Interactive (Music Video Film Director/Film Production Company)

Lafayette Harris, Jr., Pianist (Major Jazz Recording Artist and Music Director of Bring in Da’ Noise/Funk)

SHAKTI, Internationally Celebrated Bollywood Hip Hop Recording Artist

Joffrey Ballet School, Director of Jazz and Contemporary at Joffrey Ballet School (Testimonial of Choreography/Instruction)

PS 87, Testimonial of Student Lecture Demonstration


***



NYSCA Grant 2024 Winner Candice Michelle Franklin X Cumbe Center for African and Diaspora Dance


After our incredible performance this weekend... Guess what FAM?
I'm an NYSCA Grant Award Winner!

This grant allows me to create a new piece called "Rise" in which I'll lead, teach, and choreograph an open-level Adult Community Dance Performance Group for Cumbe: Center for African and Diaspora Dance. My government name is listed under NYSCA FY2024: Support for Artist Awards. Click here to see the list of grantees!

I would like to thank first and foremost Katherine Dunham and my brilliant IDTC family for their inspiration. I would also like to thank Jimena Martinez, our fearless leader of Cumbe, for spearheading our application and believing in me and my vision.

My mission is to bring dance and its performance, with no judgment, back into the lives of adults who used to dance as children and haven't danced in 15 years, the novice, the dance hobbyists, and the self-taught who just want a chance to perform, the busy mother who wants something fulfilling for herself, and the retired professionals who need a place to continue dance in their lives and be challenged without fear of criticism.

We'll be putting together a calendar of local community events for performance opportunities for us to perform by the community and for the community! So look for us This Summer!!!

Dunham-Informed Jazz Class by Candice Michelle Franklin will resume in January 2024!


https://cumbedance.org/dunham-informed-jazz-technique

https://nysca.org/downloads/files/FY2024_New_Awards_List.pdf


Cumbe Dance 4 Joy 2023 is in the books!

Another FANTASTIC Dunham Jazz performance in the books!

And We KILT IT!!!

"Red Warrior"
Choreography by Candice Michelle Franklin
Music by Philip Hamilton with percussion by Baba Fitz
Sold out Show
Sunday, December 10
@Billie Holiday Theater
Every dancer did their part with Passion and Energy literally through the roof and our musicianship was AMAZING... We even had beautiful singing in Creole by our very own student
@ortaaoverdose with English translations performed by Miss Hettie and @paetra19 as Spoken Word.

But wait, there's more... We even had a whacking solo juxtaposition section from our very own student, Chris!!! Thank you @philiphamiltonmusic and @fitzoneseven for your brilliant music. Thank you, @cumbedance, for this wonderful opportunity. And, thank you @chicava and @jimenapiacumbe for your brilliant programming, curation, and leadership. You all ROCKED! Shout out to dancers Chris, Hettie, Izzy, Jernee, Akeela, Aqila, Alisha, Jenny, Tanya, Asia, Gabrielle, Layla, and Sadie! Shout out to musicians Philip Hamilton and Baba Fitz Choreography by Candice Michelle Franklin @billieholidaytheatre

Sunday, September 10, 2023

Dance For Joy Fall 2023 Workshop

 Dunham-Informed Jazz Performance Workshop


DANCE FOR JOY!

Dunham-Informed Jazz Performance Workshop

With Instruction & Choreography by Candice Michelle Franklin



10-Class Workshop
Open Level
Taught by Miss Candice Michelle Franklin

Saturdays 12pm - 2:00pm

@Cumbe Center for African and Diaspora Dance
Brooklyn, NY

Starts October 7 through December 9, 2023 Performance on December 10, 2023 @The Billie Holiday Theater Brooklyn, NY



Join Cumbe's Dunham-Informed Jazz Performance Workshop!

A Community Dance Group Open to Dancers of All Levels


Dunham Jazz Performance Workshop is a special class and choreography series open to community dancers of all levels culminating into a live concert-staged performance presented by Cumbe at The Billie Holiday Theater with the option to perform at Cumbe socials and locally produced community events.


Next Workshop Series Starts October 7, 2023


Class Description: Inspired by the work of Katherine Dunham, dancers will explore Dunham's movement vocabulary often used in Jazz dance, traditional modern Jazz motifs, as well as vernacular jazz movement and experiment with the three to ultimately train and strengthen the body for a concert Jazz dance movement aesthetic.  For each meeting, a classic Dunham warm-up will be given followed by lively, Dunham-inspired Jazz progressions.  The final hour of each class will be reserved for choreography creation, ultimately building a concert dance piece.   Class is open and embraces all levels, yet challenging enough for students who haven't danced for many years in a fun, freeing, and supportive environment.  


Perform with Cumbe.  All Are Welcome.

Excited to join?  Check out our recap video!

Performance Workshop Recap
December 4, 2022
Performed at the Billie Holiday Theatre



Dunham-Informed Jazz Performance Workshop Schedule             10 Workshop Dates:

Saturday, October 7 Noon - 2:00 pm

Saturday, October 14 Noon - 2:00 pm

Saturday, October 21 Noon - 2:00 pm

Saturday, October 28 Noon - 2:00 pm

Saturday, November 4 Noon - 2:00 pm

Saturday, November 11 Noon - 2:00 pm

Saturday, November 18 Noon - 2:00 pm

Saturday, November 25 Noon - 2:00 pm

Saturday, December 2, Noon - 2:00 pm

Saturday, December 9, Noon - 2:00pm (2:00 - 3:15 pm for Performing Students Only)


(Please note that performing students are not required to attend all rehearsals and workshops, but should make their very best effort to come to any special rehearsals closer to the show to learn their final blocking).


Show Week Information         Culminating Show:                 Sunday, December 10, 2023                 @The Billie Holiday Theater         Time: TO BE ANNOUNCED         Show Week Rehearsals (Student Performers Only)             

        2 Night Rehearsals (Possible Dress Rehearsal/Dates Subject to Change)

                *Wednesday, November 29, 6:30pm - 8:30pm (Reserved if needed)

                *Wednesday, December 6, 6:30pm - 8:30pm (Performing Students Only)                 *Friday, December 8, 6:30pm-8:30pm (Dress Rehearsal/Performing Students Only) *Saturday, December 9, 2pm - 3:15pm (Extended Class/Performing Students Only)                 *Sunday, December 10, Tech Rehearsal & Performance (Same Day- Time TBA)


Performance opportunities for other community events and Cumbe socials are optional and may require additional rehearsal.


Dunham-Informed Jazz Performance Workshop

Come Dance With Us!

***

Sunday, December 11, 2022

Pro DANZ® Group



Candice Michelle Franklin
CEO & Head Choreographer of The Pro DANZ® Group


Dance Artist
*Choreographer
Creative Director
Producer
Dance Coach
**Teaching Artist

Master Teacher in Jazz Dance Arts
Traditional Jazz Technique Trainer
Beginning to Professional


*Specializing in choreography for live music concerts, musicals, music videos, stage shows, concert dance, festivals, dance conventions, dance camps, master classes, education workshops, high school dance programs, collegiate dance programs, film, television, web shows

**Teaching Artist of Open Level Creative Movement in Jazz Studies accompanied by live Contemporary and Traditional Jazz Music


Dance Choreography Specialties:
Commercial Jazz, Contemporary Concert Jazz, Afro-Fusion Jazz, Musical Theatre Jazz, Industrial Technique Jazz, Latin Jazz, Urban Contemporary Jazz, Retro Jazz Soul

 
Music Styles:
Neo-Soul, R&B, Hip Hop, Acid Jazz, House, Funk, Blues, Samba, Afro Cuban Jazz, Bossa Nova, Salsa, Cha Cha, Boogaloo, Boogie Woogie, Swing, Jazz Standards, Contemporary Jazz, Bollywood, Bollywood Hip Hop Fusion

 
Dance Casting:
Live Stage Shows, Music Videos, Back-up Dancers, Theatrical Production, Industrials, Special Events

 
Professional Dancers-for-Hire:
Commercial Pop/Hip Hop Dancers Choreographed for
Recording Artists, Music Videos, Industry Events, Special Events, & Fashion Shows
 
Other Custom Choreography Services:
Custom Choreography Packages for Wedding First Dance, Wedding Court/Sweet 16 Routines, Quincinera,
Father/Daughter Dance, Office Party Routine/Funny Video, Milestone Birthday (I Still Got It! Routine)


 
***Wedding Dancers-for-Hire*** 
Express your love on your wedding day in a super special way
with a professionally danced “LOVE” duet!
 

***Hire professional dancers to perform to your favorite love song at your ceremony or reception. 
“LOVE DUETS” are Candice’s specialty!  Whether it’s a sexy, current R&B tune, a romantic old-school Soul song, a flirtatious, yet gritty Blues, or an elegant Jazz classic a la Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, let Candice create a dance just for you.  Dances can be performed to live or recorded music.  Rates start at $500.  Custom choreographed performances start at $600. 
Call for details.

(212) 426-1305
 





Hire Professional
LIVE MUSIC & DANCE ENTERTAINMENT
Hire JAZZ AIN’T DEAD® for your next special event!  Jazz Ain’t Dead® consists of a Live BAND and DJ performed with Live DANCERS in a high-energy floor show.  Sets are 15 minute, 30 minute, 45 minute, 60 minute, and 75 minutes.  Entertainment can be planned up to three hours with band and dancers, and up to four hours with floor shows spread throughout the evening.  Music styles include Funk and R&B, Funk Jazz Fusion, Jazz Standards, 20’s, 40’s, House, Acid Jazz, and Top 40 requests.  Rates start at $2500.  Call for additional information on rates and set descriptions.

Miss Candice Michelle Franklin is the Choreographer and the Artistic Producing Director of 
JAZZ AIN’T DEAD®.





 
Pro DANZ CLEAN Logo Jpeg
Pro DANZ® Group
Dance Industrial Professionals, Inc.
(212) 426-1305
Candice Michelle Franklin is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA.




Cumbe Dunham Jazz Performance Workshop Recap

Dunham Jazz Performance Workshop
Open Level
Taught by Miss Candice Michelle Franklin

10 Sessions
@Cumbe Center for African and Diaspora Dance
Brooklyn, NY

Performance Workshop Recap
December 4, 2022
Performed at the Billie Holiday Theatre




DANCE FOR JOY!

Dunham Jazz Performance Workshop

With Instruction & Choreography by Candice Michelle Franklin



Join Cumbe's Dunham Jazz Performance Workshop!

A Community Dance Group Open to Dancers of All Levels


Dunham Jazz Performance Workshop is a special class and choreography series open to community dancers of all levels culminating into a live concert-staged performance presented by Cumbe with the option to perform at Cumbe socials and locally produced community events.


Next Workshop SeriesTo Be Announced


Please note that this choreography workshop is an extension of the Dunham-Informed Jazz Technique class at Cumbe. 


Class Description: Inspired by the work of Katherine Dunham, dancers will explore Dunham's movement vocabulary often used in Jazz dance, traditional modern Jazz motifs, as well as vernacular jazz movement and experiment with the three to ultimately train and strengthen the body for a concert Jazz dance movement aesthetic.  For each meeting, a classic Dunham warm-up will be given followed by lively, Dunham-inspired Jazz progressions.  The final hour of each class will be reserved for choreography creation, ultimately building a concert dance piece.   Class is open and embraces all levels, yet challenging enough for students who haven't danced for many years in a fun, freeing, and supportive environment.  


Perform with Cumbe.  All Are Welcome.

Excited to join?  Check out our recap video!




Sample Dunham Jazz Performance Workshop Schedule

8 Sessions (Dates To Be Announced)

1:30 pm - 2:45 pm Dunham-Informed Jazz Technique Class

2:45 pm - 3:45 pm Creative Choreography Session and Rehearsal

Show Week (Dates To BE Announced)

2 Night Rehearsals

Tech Rehearsal & Performance (Same Day)

Performance Location:  Billie Holiday Theater


Performance opportunities for other community events and Cumbe socials are optional and may require additional rehearsal.


Dunham Jazz Performance Workshop

Come Dance With Us!

***


Saturday, December 25, 2021

Jazz Ain't Dead "Halloween Edition" Boogie Man Swing 2021

 Jazz Ain't Dead "Halloween Edition" Boogie Man Swing



We DID IT!  Thank You, Everybody!


Jazz Ain't Dead "Halloween Edition" Boogie Man Swing Commemorative Program 2021

Click the Open Square in the lower right-hand corner
to read the program larger on a full-sized interactive screen or
Click HERE to open the INTERACTIVE Viewer App.



Jazz Ain't Dead "Halloween Edition" Boogie Man Swing 2021 Performance

Produced by Jazzmobile, Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park, Jazz Ain't Dead
Choreography by Candice Michelle Franklin
Music Direction by Axel Tosca

YouTube Link to FULL SHOW Video URL:
https://youtu.be/JkgWjOBSJcc


Special Guests:
Sekou McMiller -Afro Latin Jazz Dance Master
Samuel Coleman -Jazz Vernacular Swing Dance Master

Band:
Axel Tosca, Keys
Barry Stephenson, Bass
David Gibson, Drums
Jerome Jordan, Guitar
Rogerst Charles, Alto Sax
Alphonso Horne, Trumpet
Knoel Scott, Baritone Sax/Flute
Calvin Booker, Tap Artist

Singers:
Antoinette Montague, Lead Vocals
Rick Delancy, Song & Dance Man

Dancers:
Candice Michele Franklin
Alexzandra Knapp
Lyndsey Arorash
Jerome Melsaun Warren
Brandon Jones
Steven Orrego Upegui
Ryan Albee
Maddie Pineda
Audrey Borst
Nia Simone Washington
Jason Herbert