dance class

KEITH JOHNSON MODERN DANCE INTENSIVE: Jan 11- 15, 2010

Keith Johnson is originally from Tempe, Arizona and was a competitive gymnast through college before making the switch to dance. He received his MFA in dance from the University of Utah where he received the Dee R. Winterton Award for Excellence. He has danced professionally with Ririe/Woodbury, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, Creach/Koester and Doug Varone and Dancers. Keith is an Associate Professor at Cal State University Long Beach and is the Artistic Director of Keith Johnson/Dancers formed in 1998. In 2008, Keith was awarded a Lester Horton Award for Outstanding Choreography (Long Form) for his work Girl Falling Towards The Sky. He continues to freelance as a teacher and choreographer throughout the world.

Class will have an emphasis on the alignment of the skeletal structure and the freedom this allows for expansive and dynamic movement. Emphasis is placed on the movement and articulation of the torso and how material is threaded through the center of the body to the extremities. There is a lot of repetition of material and re-enforcement of conceptual ideas with a focus on breath, dynamics, and athleticism. The skeletal structure is not separated from the muscularity of the movement but both work together to generate the ability to ride momentum and falling as a means of traveling. Both center combinations and across the floor work will involve highly athletic material. Be prepared to move.

Information: keepkijo@gmail.com