On January 2 & 3, GroundWorks welcomed 8 dancers into our virtual shared space for our Second Annual Winter Intensive. Over the two days, 13 classes and sessions were taught by our Company Dancers, Executive Artistic Director David Shimotakahara, and Education & Community Engagement Coordinator Rebecca Burcher.
One of the participants shared, “I truly feel that the work we did helped me rekindle my love for dance and added inspiration and structure to my teaching.” Since we were unable to gather in person, it was critical to us that our virtual intensive be a place where we could create community.
Many of the GW staff and participants expressed surprise at how “normal” the intensive felt and how well participants and staff alike were able to get to know each other over the two days.
Each day started with community building exercises and guided movement meditations before taking a technique class led by one of our company dancers. As the day continued, intensive participants took classes rooted in GroundWorks’ own creative process, instructional strategies, and repertory. Throughout the repertory sessions, dancers learned excerpts from four pieces; Imago (2020) and Jigsaw (2020) by David Shimotakahara , INSIDE (2020) by Antonio Brown, and éveillé (2018) by James Gregg.
Participants explored community-based dance education through the lens of GroundWorks’ outreach programs with Rebecca. We also focused on classroom management, social emotional learning, and inclusive education model. The intensive participants were also led, by David, through several creative methods and tools used by the company to create new work. The participants all walked away with several independent movement studies.
“I want to thank each of you for your openness, care, and curiosity to explore with myself and the other artists, as I am ending the weekend feeling inspired and rejuvenated” shared another participant. We are glad we were able to provide a space for curiosity to blossom and creativity to be sparked.
We extend our gratitude to all participants for helping us ring in the new year through community. The passion, openness, and curiosity brought to the intensive was inspiring, invigorating, and refueling. GroundWorks looks forward to a creative 2021 as we continue finding new ways to engage, educate, and enliven our community.
