Sunday, February 1, 2015

Bio


Candice Michelle Franklin

Dance Artist/Choreographer/Producer


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, Studies in Jazz Rhythms for Dancers,
Concert Jazz & Repertory from Jazz Ain't Dead®


clip_image002[4]Born and bred into Jazz music and dance, Candice Michelle Franklin is the creator and choreographer of the music and dance live stage production, "Jazz Ain't Dead®" and a national touring master instructor in Jazz dance studies to academy, collegiate, and conservatory-trained students across the country.  Originally from St. Louis, MO, she is now a New York based professional dancer, choreographer, and producer who has been seen in numerous film, TV shows, music videos, industrials, and, on the live stage performing in plays and dance companies.  While in St. Louis, she trained at her cousin's studio, Pelagie Green Wren Academy of Dance, Ray Parks Academy of Dance, Geri Stretz Academy, and Missouri Concert Ballet.  Later, she received her in B.A. in dance on a four-year dance scholarship. While in New York she received her formal training at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center as well as studied on scholarship at Steps on Broadway.  Since then, she performed in New York City with the Dunham-based dance company, Joan Peters Dance Company and modern-based company, Earl Mosley's Diversity of Dance, and performed as principal dancer with Nommo Contemporary Dance Company, Phoenix Rising Dance Company, the Underground Dance Project, Vissi Dance Theater, and the Graham-based dance company, Avodah Dance Ensemble.                                         

clip_image004[4]Since 2001, she has owned 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 Kumble Theater, Syracuse Oncenter, Odeum Expo Center, Broad Street Ballroom, Capitale, Symphony Space, 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, and Joyce SoHo, as well as numerous casinos on the east coast such as the Foxwoods, Mohegan Sun, the Borgata, Turning Stone, Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Tropicana, and Caesar’s.

Currently, Miss Franklin performs live with legendary Jazz Pianist, Onaje Allan Gumbs II's New Vintage, works as an Advance Jazz Instructor and adjudicator for the Joffrey Ballet School in the Jazz and Contemporary department and instructs on the Joffrey Ballet School's Master Teacher National Tour, serves as the Head Choreographer for CEG Productions, a high-end exclusive event production company choreographing singers and dancers, background singers, and actors for live stage shows, and produces and choreographs,
Jazz Ain't Dead
®, a live band and dance production group performing for Jazz festivals.  Miss Franklin is a founding member of iDANZ, Inc., a proud member of SAG-AFTRA, and is represented by DDO Artists New York City

Photo:  Members of the JAD team pictured with Candice (second from left).


Recent Choreography Credits:
·          WEBBY-nominated music video for the rock band Black Taxi called “Shoeshine,”
·          Music video for rapper, BRASCO called “So Fresh”
·          Holiday stage play, "Coming Home to Christmas," at Theater of the Riverside Church
·          Gospel stage play, Blest Be the Tide, performed at Aaron Davis Hall in New York City
·          MTV’s “Listen to the Beat” Live in Concert

Additional Chorography Credits:
·         The Live Concert Grammy Award winning recording artist, MACY GRAY
·         80′s Girl Group, BUFFALO STANCE
·         R&B Hip Hop recording artists including NATIAH
·         Internationally celebrated Bollywood Hip hop artist, SHAKTI  

Current Positions:
·         Performs with the legendary master Jazz pianist Onaje Allan Gumbs II's New Vintage
·         Advanced Jazz instructor and adjudicator for The Joffrey Ballet School in the Jazz and Contemporary department to their summer intensive and elite professional bound trainee programs, and instructs in Joffrey's Master Teacher National Tour.
·         Head Choreographer for CEG Productions, a high-end exclusive event production company, choreographing dancers and singers, background singers, and actors for live stage shows
·         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. 

Upcoming:
JAD (Jazz Ain’t Dead), Candice’s production company, will be featured as one of the resident performance groups for the upcoming NASHVILLE JAZZ FESTIVAL slated for the Summer 2015!


Click Here for C.V.
           

Click here for choreography recommendation letters:
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
Michael Blake, Director of Jazz and Contemporary at Joffrey Ballet School (Testimonial of Choreography/Instruction)
PS 87, Testimonial of Student Lecture Demonstration
Contact Info: 
Candice Franklin, New York, NY 
♦ (212) 426-1305  ♦ Email: candicegetsdown@gmail.com  

♦ Website: www.JazzAintDead.com

Monday, January 12, 2015

Recap: Albemarle Ballet Theatre Joffrey Audition


Hey Folks,

Just got back from my first weekend of the Joffrey audition tour.  I was teaching the lovely students in Crozet, Virginia at Albemarle Ballet Theatre, and a local NBC news crew swung by before I taught my Jazz audition for the Joffrey Ballet Jazz and Contemporary program.  These students were so well behaved and very attentive which I love!  I hope to see them again soon.

Anywho, watch me swing the curtain open and "sashay" past the camera in my casual NY model walk.  That part is hilarious!

Enjoy........


NBC29 WVIR Charlottesville, VA News, Sports and Weather



Friday, January 9, 2015

Joffrey Jazz and Contemporary Audition Tour 2015


Joffrey Jazz & Contemporary Audition Tour 2015
Coming to a City Near You!

Michael Blake, Director
with Joi Lynn, Candice Michelle Franklin, and David Strobbe

 

Joffrey tour 2015

Once again I’m honored to be joining the audition team of the Joffrey Jazz & Contemporary Department.  I will be a master instructor on the tour as well as adjudicating placement into the school’s summer intensive and trainee programs. 
Hope to see you on tour!


Audition Cities for Candice Michelle Franklin

Saturday, January 10, 2015 Ballet Nova Falls Church VA
Sunday, January 11, 2015 Albemarle Ballet Theatre Crozet VA
Sunday, January 18, 2015 Carolina Dance Center Raleigh NC
Friday, January 23, 2015 Infinity Dance Company- closed Master Class Bellingham WA
Saturday, January 24, 2015 Infinity Dance Company Bellingham WA
Saturday, January 31, 2015 Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Chicago IL.
Sunday, February 1, 2015 Pro Arte Centre/Pro Merita Academy North Vancouver BC
Saturday, February 7, 2015 Music Hall Center for Performing Arts Detroit MI
Saturday, February 14, 2015 Kansas City Ballet School Kansas City MO
Sunday, February 15, 2015 Westside Dance Academy Waukee IA
Saturday, February 28, 2015 Hope College Dance Department (Dow Center) Holland MI
Sunday, March 1, 2015 Young Dance Academy Oak Creek WI

Friday, November 21, 2014

November Master Classes in Knoxville, Tennessee

 

I’m so excited to announce that I’ll be teaching Master Classes from 2pm –7pm at Angela Floyd Schools –North, Saturday, November 22 in Knoxville, TN.  Wow!  I haven’t been to Knoxville since my Dad drove our family there for the World’s Fair on a family vacation.  Hey, whatever happened to the World’s Fair anyway???

Anywho, be prepared to SWEAT Knoxville… 

I’m on my way!!!!!

Joffrey_for_Website_copy

Click here for more information.

 

***

Winter Tour Schedule

 

Candice Michelle Franklin
Winter Master Class Teaching Tour Schedule
2014-2015

 

Date

Organization

State

What

October 11, 2014 N’Ferno Performing Arts Center Randallstown, MD Dance Monsters
Intensive
November 22, 2014 Angela Floyd Schools Knoxville, TN Master Classes
January 3 –4, 2015 Center for Performing Arts Methuen Boston, MA Master Class & Composition Workshop
January 8, 2015 Mind-Builders Bronx, NY Master Class
January 10, 2015 Ballet Nova Falls Church, VA Joffrey Master Class Audition Instructor/Adjudicator
January 11, 2015 Albemarle Ballet Theatre Crozet, VA Joffrey Master Class Audition Instructor/Adjudicator
January 18, 2015 Carolina Dance Center Raleigh, NC Joffrey Master Class Audition Instructor/Adjudicator
January 22, 2015 IABD International Blacks in Dance Conference Cleveland, Ohio Master Class
January 23, 2015 Infinity Dance Company Bellingham, WA Closed Master Class
January 24, 2015 Infinity Dance Company Bellingham, WA Joffrey Master Class Audition Instructor/Adjudicator
January 31, 2015 Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Chicago, IL Joffrey Master Class Audition Instructor/Adjudicator
February 1 Pro Arte Centre/Pro Merita Academy North Vancouver, BC Canada Joffrey Master Class Audition Instructor/Adjudicator
February 7 Detroit Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts Detroit, MI Joffrey Master Class Audition Instructor/Adjudicator
February 14 Kansas City Ballet School Kansas City, MO Joffrey Master Class Audition Instructor/Adjudicator
February 15 Westside Dance Academy Waukee, IA Joffrey Master Class Audition Instructor/Adjudicator
February 28 Hope College Dance Department (Dow Center) Holland, MI Joffrey Master Class Audition Instructor/Adjudicator
March 1 Young Dance Academy Milwaukee, WI Joffrey Master Class Audition Instructor/Adjudicator

 

 

 

 

***

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Coming Home to Christmas Sneak Peak

Sneak peak

I’m back again choreographing “Coming Home to Christmas.”  Yay!!!!

If you missed the production last year, no worries!  The show will run again this holiday season
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, December 19 – 21, 2014.
Here’s one of my favorite numbers from the show…..

Enjoy!

“Mary, Did You Know” 
–Excerpt from “Coming home to Christmas” performed last year at the Theatre of Riverside Church, December 2013.
 
Choreography by Candice Michelle Franklin

Candice Choreographs Coming Home to Christmas at National Black Theatre

Hey, Folks,
 
I’m teaming with Tiny Star Productions again for the third time.  Yay!

Come to our holiday production, “Coming Home to Christmas,” choreographed by Yours Truly!
 

 
Coming Home to Christmas

Friday, December 19, 2014, 8:00 pm
Saturday, December 20, 2014, 8:00 pm
Sunday, December 21, 2014, 4:00 pm

 
 
Dr. Barbara Ann Teer's
The National Black Theatre
  
LOCATED BETWEEN 124th and 125th STREETS
2031 5th Avenue
New York, NY, 10035

EASILY ACCESSIBLE BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION


 
General Admission Ticket Price $40.00 
GROUP TICKETS AVAILABLE
$35.00

TO PURCHASE TICKETS CLICK HERE
or 
Call  888.679.3104

THE NATIONAL BLACK THEATRE 
THE BOX OFFICE AND WILL CALL 
WILL BE OPEN ONE HOUR BEFORE THE CURTAIN CALL

For Information About Up-coming Shows:

Call Tiny Star Productions
888.679.3104  info@tinystarrproductions.com

 
 

Monday, October 27, 2014

Dora and Friends Promo

 

This was a fun gig!  Me, in the center, as Dora the Explorer for Nickelodeon’s new show promo, “Dora and Friends!”

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Monday, September 1, 2014

Class with Candice Michelle Franklin


Buy Classes Online & SAVE!
Students who purchase their classes online often pay less than if they waited at the door.

CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT CLASSES

So sorry, but Candice is not teaching any publicly open classes at this time.
Please check back again later.  Thank you.


Current Discounts:
25% off College Students currently enrolled in an accredited college or conservatory
25% off Professional Artist with Union Card (i.e. SAG, EQUITY, AGVA, AGMA, etc.)

Discounts also available for
JAZZ AIN'T DEAD PERFORMERS
CURRENTLY ENROLLED JOFFREY BALLET SCHOOL STUDENTS

Classes with Candice

Buy Classes Online & SAVE!
Students who purchase their classes online often pay less than if they waited at the door.

So sorry, but Miss Candice is not teaching any publicly open classes at this time.
Please check back again later.  Thank you.

CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT CLASSES
Please see Beginning Jazz & INT/ADV Class Descriptions Below:


BEGINNING Jazz Classes with Candice!
This is a no stress, adult beginning jazz class focusing on the fundamentals of Jazz and traditional jazz movement vocabulary.  Class includes full warm-up, foot and leg exercises, abs, stretch, progressions across the floor, turns, and leaps, and a whole lot of fun.  Great for dancers getting over injuries, hip hop and break-dancers looking to refine skills, and adults getting back into dance after a long siesta!  The ab work alone is worth the price of admission…….

New York, NY
6:30pm

Only $12 Online/$15 @Door

*Pay Less Online! 

Tuesday, September 9, 2014 CLICK HERE – $12 Online/$15 @Door
Tuesday, September 16, 2014 CLICK HERE – $12 Online/$15 @Door
Tuesday, September 23, 2014 CLICK HERE – $12 Online/$15 @Door
Tuesday, September 24, 2014 CLICK HERE – $12 Online/$15 @Door

 

INT/ADV Jazz Technique Classes with Candice!
This is an intermediate/advance jazz class designed to improve strength, flexibility, and overall technique.  Class includes full warm-up, isolations, leg and foot work, flexibility stretching, extensive ab exercises, contractions, pelvic hinges, progressions across the floor, jazz styling, turns, traveling turns, jumps and leaps.  This class is excellent for those trying to focus only on their technique and not worry about learning a lot of choreography.

For those who want to learn a challenging routine, dancers can also stay the following hour for the combination session.  Combos can be anything from Jazz Ain’t Dead repertory to Candice’s signature fast and furious club banger style, to big band, hard rock, and classical jazz, to a contemporary pop/lyrical jazz, an Afro Cuban style, or a soulful r&B.

New York, NY
6:30pm Class
8pm – 9pm Choreography Session
(Additional Fee w/Class Admission)

Only $12 Online/$15 @Door
(Sign-up for Both Class and Choreography Combination Session for just $18 Online/$20 @Door)

*Pay Less Online! 

Monday, September 8, 2014
Technique Class Only – CLICK HERE $12 Online/$15 @Door  
Technique Class & Choreography Session -
CLICK HERE $18 Online
/$20 @Door
Choreography Session Only -CLICK HERE $12 Online/$15 @Door
Monday, September 15, 2014 Technique Class Only – CLICK HERE $12 Online/$15 @Door  
Technique Class & Choreography Session -
CLICK HERE $18 Online
/$20 @Door
Choreography Session Only -CLICK HERE $12 Online/$15 @Door
Monday, September 22, 2014 Technique Class Only – CLICK HERE $12 Online/$15 @Door  
Technique Class & Choreography Session -
CLICK HERE $18 Online
/$20 @Door
Choreography Session Only -CLICK HERE $12 Online/$15 @Door
Monday, September 29, 2014 Technique Class Only – CLICK HERE $12 Online/$15 @Door  
Technique Class & Choreography Session -
CLICK HERE $18 Online
/$20 @Door
Choreography Session Only -CLICK HERE $12 Online/$15 @Door

 

*Classes Purchased Online incur an automatic 3.5% credit card convenience fee (average class around 49 cents).

Current Discounts:

25% off College Students currently enrolled in an accredited college or conservatory (Must show valid School ID)
25% off Professional Artist with Union Card (i.e. SAG, EQUITY, AGVA, AGMA, etc.)

Discounts also available for
JAZZ AIN'T DEAD PERFORMERS
CURRENTLY ENROLLED JOFFREY BALLET SCHOOL STUDENTS
(EMAIL Candice at least 48 Hours in advance for discount codes)

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Summer Choreography at JBS Showcase

 

Summer Choreography by Candice Michelle Franklin
Joffrey Ballet School Jazz & Contemporary Student Showcase
Summer Dance Intensive August 16, 2014



Fun times!
Thank you Beautiful Ladies for doing such a great job!!! 


The Divas:
Alyssa, Angelina, Ashton, Azeb, Bella, Cayla, Ellie, Hunter, Jennie,
Kennedy, Kristen, Molly, Paris, Popa, Rachel, Victoria


********************
Student recital.  No Copyright Infringement Intended.  For education purposes only.

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Candice in the News: Cresco Times Plain Dealer!

 
Hey, Everybody!
 
I taught Master Classes in Iowa in July, and had a fabulous time.   Big shout out to Sabrina Schmitt and the students of Expressions Dance Studio.  Look below…  My class was mentioned in the Cresco Times Plain Dealer!  Yay!!!!
 
 
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News

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Expressions Dance Studio students take part in summer master classes


 

By Sara Stromseth-Troy, TPD Staff
Published:
Wednesday, August 13, 2014 4:20 PM CDT
WEST UNION - Expressions Dance Studio students recently took part in three summer master classes with dance professionals at the studio’s West Union location.

Sabrina Schmitt, owner, instructor and choreographer at Expressions Dance Studios --which includes a location in Cresco -- welcomed Candice Michelle Franklin of the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City for a contemporary/jazz master class July 16, creative professional Georgia Finnegan Amdahl for poolside and studio classes July 19, and global choreographer and dancer Desmond Walker for a master class in hip-hop, jazz and technique July 28.

Reflections on the master classes

Schmitt, whose studio in Cresco is beginning its third year this autumn, said the classes were a rewarding experience for both herself and her students.


“Candice Michelle Franklin has a sassy, fulfilling personality,” she said. “My day spent with her was uplifting. We learned about dance cultures in New York City, how to get from class to class by foot or by subway, and we taught her about all things Midwest.”

She encourages readers to visit Franklin’s blog on the Expressions Dance Studio Facebook page, adding, “Her experience was that of a lifetime.”

Schmitt continued, “Georgia Finnegan Amdahl has been a close friend of mine for almost two decades. Her nurturing, embrace-life-because-you-love-it attitude has always been one of my favorites. She welcomed me into her ballet studio 16 years ago and I return every summer to be her student. She has guided me in ways that words can’t explain; only our dancing can tell the story.”

Of Desmond Walker, Schmitt said, “Desmond has an infectious personality and

energy that lit up our studio. His go-further-than-you-ever-have-before mentality elevated us to a new way of expressing ourselves. His assistant Kody Bernaud is an up-and-comer to watch out for, too.”

She acknowledged, “Eloise, Miller and Rachel – what a joy it was to share the day with you. Thank you for coming to Iowa to share in our classes, entertaining us with your works to Coppelia and dancing around our open fields.”


Schmitt said she is looking forward hosting the dance professionals again next summer.

About the instructors

The following information was taken from the biographies of each master class instructor, provided by Schmitt to The Cresco Times Plain Dealer.

Candice Michelle Franklin

“Candice Michelle Franklin, originally from St. Louis, Mo., is the producer and choreographer of Jazz Ain’t Dead, a fully-staged live music and dance production. She trained at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in dance on a four-year scholarship from the University of Kansas. Since her arrival to New York City, she has performed and choreographed for stage, film, television, commercials, and music videos. She has also performed for several concert dance companies such as Avodah Dance Ensemble, Earl Mosley’s Diversity of Dance, Mia Michaels Raw Workshop at Theatre of the Riverside Church, the Underground Dance Project, Phoenix Rising Dance Creations, Nommo Contemporary Dance Theatre, and Vissi Dance Theater, as well as several other commercial dance companies. Moreover, she has performed in several off-Broadway theatre productions as a dancer, such as Derrick Mitchell’s Thin Line, C. Bembry’s, A Mix Nut in New York, and the Westco production Tales of Anansi the Spider.

“Current projects for Miss Franklin include choreography for numerous industrials for corporate brands such as Loreal/Redken and Verizon, as well as resorts and casinos for CEG Productions such as the Borgata Hotel, Trump Plaza Hotel Casino, Caesars Atlantic City Casino, Tropicana Casino, Jacob Javitz Convention Center, the Mohegan Sun, the Foxwoods Casino, the Syracuse Oncenter, Odeum Expo Center, Trump Taj Mahal Casino, and Turning Stone Casino.

“Miss Franklin has choreographed the live stage shows for such recording artists as Macy Gray, Shakti, and the 80s revue group Buffalo Stance, and music videos  for Shakti, BRASCO, and Black Taxi, in which their Shoeshine video was recently nominated for a 2011 Webby Award. In addition, Miss Franklin choreographed the off Broadway production of Billie’s Blues directed by T. Bankole.

“Film appearances include Step Up 3D, A New York Thing, as well as reggae artist Matisyahu’s latest music video, One Day(SONY EPIC Records) and the national commercial for the video game DJ Hero, featuring Jay-Z and Eninem. Miss Franklin is a founding board member of iDANZ, Inc., a proud member of SAG, and is represented by DDO Artists Agency.

Georgia Finnegan Amdahl

“Ms. Finnegan Amdahl is a creative professional with experience ranging from teaching to fund-raising to nonprofit management. She graduated with a Bachelor of Art degree in education and has taught in various disciplines: Classical ballet, writing, literature, and French.

“Ms. Finnegan Amdahl trained primarily at the Andahazy School of Classical Ballet and has been active in the Sacred Dance movement in the Twin Cities since 1979. She was executive director of Saint Paul City Ballet from 1997 to 2012, and took over direction of Saint Paul City Ballet School in 2001. Possessing the qualities of calm determination and tenacity, she was able to simultaneously build the School and spearhead the development of a Sacred Arts ensemble in 2005, the Company in 2008, and a Studio Company in 2009. Currently along with Ms. Murry, she is co-directing Rivers Summer Intensive and Rivers Ensemble.

“Ms. Finnegan Amdahl has been active in the business community of Saint Paul, encouraging businesses to support the arts. She was honored in 2005 with the Women Changemaker Award presented by the Twin Cities Business Journal and in 2014 with the Grand Avenue Business Association’s Doc Chopp Award. Currently, Ms. Finnegan Amdahl continues to work in the nonprofit arts sector as Development Officer for Landmark Center in Saint Paul.

Desmond Walker

“Global choreographer and dancer Desmond Walker first began to acknowledge the gift of dance in his life at a very young age. In the art of dance, production and choreography, he has brought strident new movement to dance and cheerleading teams, churches, studios, schools, companies, and national music artists in the southeast parts of Florida and Georgia and even parts of the United States.

“Desmond currently works in the entertainment industry and has auditioned dancers, actors and models that have danced for Oprah Winfrey and Lady Gaga. Desmond has been used by the national and international television show So You Think You Can Dance? for the 2014 Season 11 advertisement. He has appeared nationally on the television network BET with national Grammy award-winning recording artist Smokie Norful as a choreographer and dancer (2013). He has appeared nationally on Oprah Winfrey’s Network (OWN) on a show called Lovetown USA as a dance studio owner and dance teacher (2012). Desmond has also received recognition from five-time Grammy award-winning artist Donnie McClurkin, who called him one of the best dancers he had ever seen.

“Desmond has learned from the best in the industry, such as Mia Michaels, Marty Kuldleka, Chuck Maldonado, Brooke Lipton, NappyTabs, Victor Rosario and more. In the industry of competition and production, his work and choreography won several awards from High Golds, Title Awards, Platinums, judges’ awards, choreography awards, regional, national and state championships.  Desmond has established two businesses: His international choreography company DW Choreography, and his visual and fine arts center in St. Mary’s, Ga., I-Live Center of the Arts, and his own talk show, *The DW4Reel Show*.

“Desmond has been able, in a very eccentric and eclectic way, bring ballet, African, modern, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, latin, and many other styles of movement  in one; his movement expresses divine creativity, innovation, and control. He knows this movement will become a multi-generational outlet and bring freedom to the next generation dancer.”

About Expressions Dance Studio

Expressions Dance Studio is a long-running dance program that was established in Decorah in the fall of 1993. The fall of 2014 notes the studio’s 22nd anniversary.

Expressions teaches children and adults of all ages the foundation of dance and then builds performances on top of that experience. Class sessions run for 36 weeks, from late August to late May.

Kate Barloon began First Step Studio in New Hampton, Iowa, and then branched off to Decorah and briefly ran a studio in Cresco.

In August of 2000, Sabrina Schmitt took over operation of First Step Studio in Decorah. In May of 2001, First Step Studio was renamed Expressions with a quote: “On Top of the World.”

In September of 2001, Expressions branched to Fredericksburg and will continue its 14th year in the fall of 2014. A third studio opened in West Union in the fall of 2004, and will continue its 11th year this fall. A fourth location opened in New Hampton in the fall of 2006 and remained open for six years.  The location closed in 2012 so the studio could expand to Cresco. Expressions will continue its third year in Cresco in the fall.

At Expressions, students will study creative movement, ballet, jazz, tap, pointe, hip-hop, and Acro. Classes in Cresco take place Wednesday afternoons with early school dismissals (Acro) and Thursday nights (creative movement, Dance 1-2, introduction to tap, Dance 3-5, intermediate tap, and hip-hop 1.

For more information, contact Sabrina Schmitt at 563-380-7303 or by e-mail at: dance_expressions@msn.com.

Expressions instructors

Sabrina Schmitt is the owner, choreographer, and instructor at Expressions Dance Studio. She has extensive background in dance and is currently enrolled in the summer ballet curriculum with Rivers Ballet in Minneapolis, Minn.

Nikki Gamez is an instructor and choreographer, teaching a variety of classes. She studied at Expressions for  five years during high school and college. Gamez has background in ballet, jazz, and pointe. She studies with Rivers Ballet as well.

Angelia Walvatne is an instructor and choreographer who teaches a variety of classes. She also studies with Rivers Ballet.



 

 
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Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Class Video: JBS Class Wednesday August 6, 2014


What we’re doing in class…
Joffrey Ballet School Jazz and Contemporary New York
Summer Dance Intensive 2014


My summer student posted herself doing my combo on Facebook.  She’s 14!!!!
Good job, Mira!

Recorded August 6, 2014
 

From Facebook:


Check me out on facebook: 
www.facebook.com/candicegetsdown

facebook group:  www.facebook.com/groups/candicegetsdown
facebook fan page:  www.facebook.com/CandiceMichelleFranklin