Open Class with Candice

Open Class
with Candice Michelle Franklin

 


Open-Level Dunham-Informed Jazz Technique & Performance Workshop

With Instruction & Choreography by Candice Michelle Franklin

SATURDAYS @NOON
Location: Cumbe Center for African and Diaspora Dance Located within The Bed Stuy Restoration Plaza | 1368 Fulton St., Brooklyn, NY 11216 Admission:  Donation-Based
Elders 65+:  Free


Next Workshop Series Begins October 5, 2024
CLICK HERE TO JOIN


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.   Dunham-Informed Jazz Technique & 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 join RISE, a community dance company, performing at Cumbe socials and locally produced community events.



Perform with Cumbe.  All Are Welcome.

“RISE” Cumbe Community Dance Theater Company

A Community Dance Group Open to Dancers of All Levels


Photo:  RISE Members performing the piece, “Power of Women.”

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO


Become a member of “RISE” Cumbe Community Dance Company
How?  Come to our Dunham-Informed Jazz Technique &
Performance Workshops and stick around to join our dance company!  Saturdays @Noon 

No judgment here, No audition needed… 
Our community dance company is OPEN to ALL LEVELS but challenging enough for experienced dancers.  This group is perfect for adult dancers who started dancing late in life, retired dance professionals, experienced dancers who haven’t danced in 15 years, dancers who used to dance when they were children, 9-to-5 professionals, and busy mothers who just want to do something for themselves.  Community singers, actors, musicians and poets are welcome as well.


Come Join Us!

Perform with Cumbe.  All Are Welcome.

Excited to join?  Sign Up for class
Check out our recap video!

Photo:  RISE Members backstage in costume for the piece, “Power of Women.”



Sample Dunham Jazz Performance Workshop Fall/Winter Schedule

10 Sessions (Dates To Be Announced)

12:00 pm - 1:15 pm Dunham-Informed Jazz Technique Class

1:15 pm - 2:15 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-Informed Jazz Performance Workshop

Come Dance With Us!

***


Photo:  RISE Members backstage in costume for the piece, “Red Warrior.”


Instructor: 
Candice Michelle Franklin
Artistic Director, Choreographer, Dancer, and IDTC Certification Candidate in Katherine Dunham Technique

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 The Pro DANZ Group, Inc. 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 Lincoln Center Summer in the City, Jazzmobile, Harlem Summerstage, MTV/Viacom, Marcus Garvey Park, Jacob Javitz Convention Center, The Syracuse OnCenter, 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, 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. 

In addition, she has served as choreographer for over 15 years with CEG Productions LLC. as well as for a number of recording artists including internationally celebrated Bollywood Hip hop artist, SHAKTI, and Grammy award-winning recording artist, Macy Gray.  A forever student, she is continuing her education in Latin Ballroom Dance technique under the DVIDA Syllabus at the Ballroom Dance Teacher's College in New Mexico and has just received her FULL Associate Certificate in the Rhythm Syllabus with a concentration on Mambo, Cha Cha, Rumba, Bolero, and East Coast Swing.  

Currently, Miss Franklin serves as choreographer for recording artist, ART AURÉ, tours as a Master Teacher/ Adjudicator Instructor for Joffrey Ballet School, and works as the producer and choreographer for Jazz Ain’t Dead®, a live band, and dance production group. Miss Franklin also is studying Katherine Dunham Technique as a certification candidate with IDTC Institute for Dunham Technique Certification in addition to graduate school as an MBA candidate in the Berklee College of Music/SHNU joint Music Business program. Moreover, she is a founding member of iDANZ, a 501 (c)3 dance advocacy non-profit, and a proud union member of SAG-AFTRA.



Performance Workshop Recap

December 4, 2022
Performed at the Billie Holiday Theatre