Volume 3, Issue 2 - March 2001

Artistic Director's Update
Amalgam
McMaster Dancers
Life as a Mac Dancer
American College Dance Festival
McMaster Hip Hop Dance Company
Michelle Odle, Young Dance Professional
KIN 3T03 - Dance Performance
Quotes and feedback from Term 1 dance classes
Amulet
New Teachers
Collaboration
Auditions
McMaster Interdisciplinary Performance Group
Mac Dance Club Update
Dance Teaching
Professional Companies
World Congress
McMaster Children's Christmas Party
Dance Classes
People
Centre for Dance Website
Dance and Kinesiology
Profiles
What is Pilates? 


Artistic Director's Update

It's hard to believe that the year is almost over. Two great semesters of dance have come and gone. I'm already planning classes for the Fall and setting dates for auditions. This newsletter is the biggest we have ever produced. Events keep springing up, new opportunities and new people exploring a rich array of dance opportunities. We wonder which OAC students will pick Mac for academics and because of the quality dance program! We wonder which recreational dancers will audition for the Mac dance companies. Will the Hip Hop company be on TV next year? Will we have streaming video via webcam to the whole world showing dance classes and rehearsals? Will McMaster be strike free!! Ah, the future beckons. Some classes I am thinking of adding: Choreolab, Teaching Dance, Dance Workout, Dance Basics, Dance Skills-Intermediate, Pilates (lunchtime) and Rave-Style Dance. Keep dancing and check out our Spring/Summer classes if you are in the area. Best wishes to all dancers who are moving on - thank you for bringing your creativity and love of dance to our studio. To keep in touch, visit - www.mcmaster.ca/dance.



Amalgam 

The Centre for Dance produced their end-of-year show, Amalgam, December 2/3 in Robinson Memorial Theatre, Chester New Hall. The show included 10 Modern pieces by McMaster Dancers, 2 Hip Hop pieces by McMaster Hip Hop Dance Company as well as ballet and jazz by the Inner City Ballet. The Mac Dancers premiered its three dances that were performed in Ohio in March, as part of the American Colleges Dance Festival. The Jedi Ninja Crew & Affiliates also presented Break Dance. 


McMaster Dancers

The company have been focussing this semester on learning 6 repertoire pieces, teaching in schools and preparing 3 dances for the American College Dance Festival. Dancers graduating this year are: Trish Caluag, Heather Finn and Kelly VanderBoom. Dancers continuing from last year are: Meghann Clark, Cheryl Glazebrook, Debbie Heard and Tomiko Robson. New dancers from September are: Anne-Marie Cayer, Laura Davies, Sarah Hamilton, Jen Holmes and Jena McGill. Dancers joining this January are: Abby Lichtenberger and Katie Smith. Founded in 1987, the Mac Dancers are enjoying making the new Rose Hill Dance Studio their home. Check out the Rose Hill display in the stairwell to the studio to find out who this woman was! 


Life as a Mac Dancer

Kelly Vanderboom, Kinesiology Level IV
"Mac Dancers has not only been an inspiration for creativity but a strong community of committed dancers. In 4 years I have learned exceptional things about dance aesthetics, choreography, technique and expression while growing as an individual dancer. Through the workshops, collaboration and creative process provided by Mac Dancers I have discovered a new depth to my dancing and to myself. It has definitely been a highlight of University, being a part of such a powerful group of talented people. Thanks to Dave for pushing me beyond what I thought was possible. And thanks to past, present and future Mac Dancers for keeping this beautiful art form alive."

Trish Caluag, Kinesiology Level IV
"Mac Dancers to me is more than an extra-curricular activity. Working with a group of strong, dedicated individuals has been physically painful, yet extremely rewarding. In the process of hard work, I have gotten to know an amazing group of people who I admire. The hours that I have put in at the studio, performing for different audiences and trips to ACDF, have been therapeutic, exhilarating, and most of all fun. Dave, Kelly and Heather…thank you. Have fun with it guys, I'll miss all of you." 

Heather Finn, Arts and Science Level IV
DISCOVERY OF RISK
"Dance is a physical risk that tests your balance and endurance in front of penetrating eyes; a social risk when you show innovative movement to your friends and family; and an emotional risk as all the rehearsal time invested comes down to a few minutes in the spotlight.

As a Mac Dancer, I have learned to love these risks. As I leave university, I look forward to the uncertain yet boundless future I dance towards. While I decided after high school not to pursue a career in dance for fear of being a starving artist, I now know I cannot be without dance in my life. I have listed lessons I have learned in the Rose Hill Dance Studio that will stay with me:

  1. No dance form is the dance form. With the diverse classes available each semester at the Centre For Dance, I made it a goal to try one new dance. Along with technical dance styles, I now incorporate elements of breakdancing, hip-hop, swing, wrestling (thanks to the combatives next door), and tai-chi into my dancing.
  2. Anyone can appreciate dance. I admit it, I talk about dance 24/7. How can I help it when I am dancing the same amount? During the past four years I have dragged hundreds of friends to our shows. I am constantly rewarded when people who do not expect to enjoy the show do. I firmly believe that dance is accessible to anyone who watches it.
  3. I am not a dancer unless I am a choreographer. Since I danced in Joanna Blackwell's Discovery of Slowness at my first American College Dance Festival, I have admired the creativity, playfulness and craftiness of choreographers like her. Through improvisation and invention I have developed what I hope is my own dance style. This is the greatest gift I received from McMaster Dancers, defining my dance identity. McMaster Dancers has given me a rich and diverse dance background. As I look at the new Mac Dancers, I am amazed by their willingness to take risks. I wish them the best, and I hope their dance experiences here are as rich as mine were."

American College Dance Festival

The Mac Dancers participated in the American College Dance Festival (Eastern Region) at Bowling Green State University, Ohio, during March 9-12, 2001, with 2 dances adjudicating and 1 dance performed in an Informal concert.

Choreographer Tomiko Robson's Until 1988 competed in Adjudications with 35 other choreographed dances, all of which were American. Robson's work was heralded by the judges as being highly original and it was suggested that she go to New York to work as a choreographer. Until 1988 (a dance about the internment of Japanese-Canadians during WWII), was chosen with 8 other dances to be performed in a fully-produced Dance Gala. The dancers were Heather Finn, Debbie Heard and Kelly VanderBoom. The creative, idiosyncratic and personal nature of dance-making was given strong support by all three adjudicators. This aligns well with the Modern Dance approach championed at McMaster.

The second McMaster adjudicated piece titled: Under The Lake, was choreographed by Toronto dance artist and former Mac Dancer '91-'96, Jen Johnson, featuring Anne-Marie Cayer, Meghann Clark, Sarah Hamilton, Abby Lichtenberger and Tomiko Robson. This dance also received good feedback.

Debbie Heard's Informal piece, Undecided, included dancers Trish Caluag, Laura Davies, Cheryl Glazebrook, Jen Holmes, and Katie Smith. 


McMaster Hip Hop Dance Company

Fresh from its performance at Amalgam in the Fall the company members are busy choreographing 4 dances for the campus production Amulet. The choreographers are David Ng, Jen Ng, Michelle Odle (Guest choreographer & McMaster Hip Hop Teacher), Anjali Sivan. The company consists of: Jennifer Deadman, Laicie Lauffman, David Ng, Jen Ng, Gillian Shadlyn, Anjali Sivan, Lindsay Smith, Natalie Van Dine, Bill Whitwham and also Theresa Boyd selected by audition in January. Michelle Odle will be a guest dancer in two pieces. 


Michelle Odle, Young Dance Professional

Michelle danced competitively across North America with diverse studios for 8 years and started professional dancing a year ago. Michelle toured with the Boomtang Boys, McMaster and James, and Sarina Paris with her company DLM (Dance Like Me) in Toronto.

While studying in her first year of social science here at MAC, Michelle is teaching Beginner/Intermediate Hip Hop for the Centre For Dance. She is also choreographing a Hip Hop piece on Monday evenings with the McMaster Hip Hop Company, which will be performed in the Centre For Dance's upcoming show on March 24/25.

Michelle's Beginner Hip Hop classes, which filled up instantly, are currently held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in the Rose Hill Dance Studio. The students work on skills such as jumps, flexibility and basic steps, and are also participating in a choreographed Hip Hop piece. They are encouraged to free style in order to build confidence in their abilities.

"It has been an amazing experience meeting tons of people in my classes, from 12 year olds to Med students! Dancing brings people together and makes them smile. These are two things that I like to do!"
Michelle Odle 


KIN 3T03 - Dance Performance

Dave Wilson's Dance Performance class consists of 16 dynamic students! This class, which supports McMaster's Experiential Education philosophy, has given its students the opportunity to develop individual creative modern dance styles.

The students have prepared and taught unique dance lessons to fellow peers within tutorial groups. Some students have also had the opportunity to apply these creative modern dance lessons to elementary school students through Kelly Vanderboom's KIN 4EE3 placement, which strives to promote dance in the community.

Three groups within Dance Performance have been strategically choreographing modern dance pieces, which will be performed at the end of term along with solo pieces of various dance styles. The students have been keeping individual journals of class topics and other events and insights relevant to dance. The journals will provide a great reflection of physical, emotional and spiritual growth attained throughout the term.

Two students, Jessica Liu and Allison Carrier, will be performing a modern dance piece in the Centre For Dance show Amulet on March 24/25. Come and see these energetic young dance enthusiasts in their very first public performance! 


Quotes and feedback from Term 1 dance classes

The feedback from Term 1 dance participants was very positive and encouraging.
Congratulations to all Centre for Dance teachers!

This was an AMAZING Beginner Ballet class. Irina taught us so much and was very patient. (For Irina Aoucheva, Ballet)

Troy can Fly! (For Troy Feldman, Break Dance)

Max is a wonderful teacher and a lovely person. Enjoyed the live music too!! (For Max Ratevosian, Ballet)

Great class. Challenging and great pace. (For Janet Johnson, Modern Technique)

Great class, lots of fun, very encouraging instructors. Learned many new things and improved on old tricks. (For Kelly Arbour and Stephanie Scutella, Acro)

We value your comments and suggestions, so please feel free to contact us or drop by our dance office, room 230/C in the Rose Hill Dance Studio (2nd floor of the Ivor Wynne Centre). 


Amulet

Amulet is the Centre for Dance’s end of year production. We are excited to bring you the magic of dance. Approximately 30 dancers will leap, fall, roll, spin and yes - express themselves, on Saturday March 24 and Sunday March 25, at 8.00pm in Robinson Memorial Theatre, Chester New Hall, McMaster. The production will involve the McMaster Dancers (Modern), McMaster Hip Hop Company, McMaster Interdisciplinary Performance Group, Jedi Ninja Crew & Affiliates and students from KIN 3T03-Dance Performance. Come and feel the mystery and craft of 20 dance pieces designed to thrill! Tickets are $9; $7-students & seniors. Call (905) 525-9140 x23878 for reservations. 


New Teachers 

A special welcome to Gillian Shadlyn who is teaching Hip Hop Intermediate this semester, and to Jen Deadman teaching Tap Intermediate. Both are members of the Hip Hop Company. 


Collaboration 

Mac Dancers Heather Finn and Tomiko Robson along with Hip Hop Dancers David Ng and Natalie van Dine are creating a hybrid dance piece that mixes Modern, Hip Hop and Break for the March 24/25 production. Can’t wait to see this one!! 


Auditions

September seems a long way off, yet we need to think and plan ahead in order to advance our dance programs at McMaster. The audition for McMaster Dancers (Modern) and the Hip hop Dance Company will be on Saturday September 8th, times TBA. Second audition call backs will be held on Tuesday September 11 in the evening. Call Dave Wilson for more details. (905) 525-9140 x23571. 


McMaster Interdisciplinary Performance Group 

Our new performance group have been experimenting and rehearsing through the Fall and this semester and are working towards a Spring performance. Current members are: Diane Lavigne, Lauren Majowicz, Sue Marsh, Marta Soltys (also taking KIN 3T03 - Dance Performance), Ian Vaithilingam (also did Sound Engineering for Until 1988 - ACDF entry). Their interests are dance, theatre, music and poetry, combined with the exploration of social and political issues.

Ian Vaithilingam, "Interdisciplinary and proud"
As a group, we have experimented with masks, text, movement, and music, stressing interactivity and improvisation. We have taken something of a yin-yang approach. On one hand we emphasize the creation of new pieces of work from within the separate artistic disciplines, be they visual, aural, kinetic, or technological in nature. At the same time we attempt to deconstruct rigid disciplines and smear borders.

For example, we are experimenting with reversing the relationship between the dancer and the music. Rather than dancing to pre-determined music, the dancer may control musical elements using his/her natural vocabulary of gestures, sensed by a synthesizer rigged to detect disturbances in a magnetic field.

The challenge for our group has been to make diverse elements converge and gel. The interdisciplinary performance group also serves as a think-tank for developing new and interesting ways of performing art in a broader context. 


Mac Dance Club Update 

The Dance Club’s main event, Centre Stage, was held in January. Centre Stage was performed at Hamilton Place and featured 61 McMaster students. Both shows were sold out, and there were people turned away at the door, despite the theatre staff increasing audience capacity. The show included jazz, tap, lyrical, hip hop, ballet, Russian character, belly, and acro. Thanks to all of the dancers, choreographers, backstage help, staff of Hamilton Place, Mario Dimain, and to our audience, without whom the show would not have been possible.

The next event was a road trip to Mamma Mia in Toronto. 40 Dance Club members and friends attended this amazing show!

Finally, we announce an appreciation dinner to unite for the last time this year, all dance club members. The dinner is free for all members and one guest each. We will be showing the final edit of Centre Stage, complete with pre and post show interviews with performers and audience members. We will be announcing next year's Dance Club Executive at this event.

The Dance Club Exec will be working hard all summer coming up with new ideas for next year. Next year will feature dance workshops, road trips and the Third annual dance club show. Those interested in joining the Dance Club next year should stop by the Dance Club table at next year's Clubsfest.

Goodbye and good luck to all graduating Dance Club members and Exec, Thanks for an awesome year.
Ali Walter, VP Dance Club.
-Please email questions and comments to the Dance Club at: macdanceclub@hotmail.com


Dance Teaching 

Dance In Schools Project
Kelly VanderBoom, Mac Dancer, Kinesiology Level IV and Program Co-ordinator
This is a project that began last year and provides elementary and secondary schools in Hamilton with dance teachers to teach the Ontario dance curriculum to students. It is a way to educate children about the new world of dance and teach the proper principles and techniques of movement. Over 20 dance teachers have participated and shared their expertise in the areas of Hip Hop and Creative Modern Dance to students in grades 1-5. These teachers include Mac Dancers: Trish Caluga, Anne-Marie Cayer, Meghann Clark, Heather Finn, Cheryl Glazebrook, Sarah Hamilton, Debbie Heard, Jen Holmes, Abby Lichtenberger, Tomiko Robson, and Katie Smith; Hip Hop Company: Natalie Van Dine, Lindsay Smith; Dance Course 3T03: Allison Carrier and Valerie Steep and Community Members: Erin Aquin, Leah Dube, Heather Roy and Allison Schure. Schools like Vern Ames, Prince Phillips and Central Park Elementary Schools have participated and been extremely pleased with the success of the program. Through the dedication of all of the dance teachers and their commitment to quality instruction the material was fun, innovative and appropriate for each age level. The students and classroom teachers responded to the classes in positive and energetic ways. It has been a rewarding experience that I hope will expand and grow for Hamilton and the Centre for Dance in the future.

St Mary's High School
The Centre for Dance was invited into St Mary's High School again this semester to teach dance to approximately 50 Grade 10 students - male and female. Our Hip Hop teacher was Allison Schure and our Break Dance teachers were Ian Chan and Dave Ng. We have been asked to do more classes this April.

Columbia College
The dance program that the McMaster Centre for Dance set up at Columbia International College (CIC) in September 2000 is quickly progressing. The College's Winter Show in December 2000 was a hit! . Cheryl Glazebrook performed a ballet solo, while Jen Deadman and Troy Feldman presented Hip Hop and Breakdance pieces respectively, each with two CIC students.

This term we have 20 CIC students participating in Hip Hop and Breakdance styles, taught by Lindsay Smith and Troy Feldman respectively. Lindsay is preparing the students to perform a choreographed piece in the College's Spring Showon April 20th as well as for the College's official opening ceremony on April 26th. The Breakdancers will also be performing freestyle at these two events, developed throughout Troy's classes. The Breakdance class also participated in a field trip to the Texas Boarder, which features Breakdance on Thursday evenings.

The students express incredible enthusiasm and energy and we are very proud to be able to offer them the opportunity to taste the world of dance. 


Professional Companies 

Parahumans Dance Theatre
Dave Wilson’s professional company the Parahumans Dance Theatre have been busy in Toronto over the winter. The company performed two dances at Dance Ontario’s Dance Weekend, at Premiere Dance Theatre in January. They also mounted Stepping Stones, a mixed show of dance and theatre at Dancemakers Studio. Mac Dancers Heather Finn, Debbie Heard, Tomiko Robson and Kelly VanderBoom participated in these events. Their upcoming show in Toronto, May 24-27 is titled Plato Was A Raver. The production will be 2 hours long including 20 creative sections comparing and contrasting historical Plato with today’s Rave culture. 

Hamilton Dance Company
Art Gallery of Hamilton
The Hamilton Dance Company created a site-specific performance, You, the Earth and Air, in the Art Gallery of Hamilton in December. The one-hour performance included 11 sections of dance and theatre and moved through four locations in the art gallery including dances in a freight elevator and around a sculpture. Mac Dancer Tomiko Robson performed with the company as well as Barbara Glazar (Centre for Dance ballet teacher), Marcia Dysart (ex-Mac Dancer); Alina Ciavarella (ex Mac Dancer) and Heather Roy. The company have been invited to create a new work next season.

Guelph Contemporary Dance Festival
The company are presently rehearsing The Creakings, a 30-minute work for the Guelph festival. The performance is outdoors in the ruined Goldie Mill. Six performers conjure up spirits of the dead, immortals, and ritual forces. Not to be missed! Performance times are Sat April 7 - 12 noon and Sunday April 8 - 12 noon. 


World Congress 

The World Congress, an international business conference was hosted by McMaster at the Hamilton Convention Centre in January. The Centre for Dance provided the delegates with dance entertainment. The Mac Dancers, Hip Hop Company and the Jedi Ninja Crew all performed, along with the McMaster Dance Club who also shared the evening. 


McMaster Children's Christmas Party 

The McMaster Hip Hop Company sent a delegation of dancers to the Christmas Party to perform as a warm-up act for a magician. Dancers Jen Deadman, Jen Ng and Lindsay Smith did valiant service to thrill so many young ones. 


Dance Classes 

Upcoming - Spring/Summer
The Centre for Dance will be offering 11 classes in the Spring (May/June) and 10 classes in the Summer (July/August), in the Rose Hill Dance Studio, Ivor Wynne Centre. Classes offered are Ballet, Modern. Hip Hop, Break Dance, Latin, Belly Dance, Swing, Pilates. Registration begins April 11. Register with the Department of Recreation, Rm 220, Ivor Wynne Centre or call (905) 525-9140 x24464. For further information on classes call x23878. 


People 

Jennifer Paul
McMaster Jazz-Intermediate teacher and Kinesiology student Jennifer Paul, choreographed the successful and highly entertaining musical Anything Goes, performed in Robinson Memorial Theatre in March.

Bill Whitwham
Bill was also involved in the musical Anything Goes as an actor and dancer. Bill is a member of the Hip Hop Company and the Jedi Ninja Crew & Affiliates (Break Dance).

Val Steep
Val is working for the Centre for Dance as an Administrative Assistant, co-ordinating the Columbia International College dance project, and also gaining credit for a Kinesiology management placement in KIN 4EE3. She is also enrolled in KIN 3T03 - Dance Performance and the recreational Swing class Lindy Hop.

Kelly VanderBoom
Longtime Mac Dancer Kelly VanderBoom is also enrolled in KIN 4EE3 and has had the task of locating schools that need teachers to assist with dance in the school curriculum. Kelly has managed to send close to 20 student teachers into 4 schools - they get paid too!!

Jill Paradis
KIN 3T03 - Dance Performance student Jill Paradis is also doing an Independent Research KIN course (4R03), focussing on the ‘rave’ experience. Jill has prepared some questionnaires and also a trip to a ‘rave’ in Toronto on Saturday March 17th. Call x23878 if interested. 


Centre for Dance Website 

The Centre for Dance website (mcmaster.ca/dance) has been redesigned by computer science student Tracy Hoang. It is very colourful and has an easy to read layout. The site impressed people so much that Tracy was hired to redesign the Department of Kinesiology website. 


Dance and Kinesiology 

Historically and in contemporary educational spheres, dance has been integral to the understanding and expression of human movement. McMaster’s dance program continues this rich tradition with a diverse contribution of dance. The Department of Kinesiology is proud of the Centre for Dance, the many academic and recreation dance classes, the community outreach and the strong leadership consistently shown by Professor Dave Wilson and his students. 

Sue Inglis, Ph.D
Associate Chair - Undergraduate Affairs
Department of Kinesiology
McMaster University 


Profiles 

Jedi Ninja Crew, students
The Jedi Ninja Crew is a group of friends within the McMaster community who practice, perform and teach breakdance. The Crew currently teaches a beginner and intermediate break class. Outside of McMaster, the Jedi Ninja Crew performs at corporate events and competes and performs in clubnights like Uprock in Toronto and the surrounding area. Break classes will be offered on Monday nights during the summer session from 8:30 - 9:30 p.m. Also, the Jedi Ninja Crewencourages outside breakers and anyone who would like to drop in and break to contact them at astrolyze@hotmailcom. In short, the Jedi Ninja Crew just wants to breakdance, practice and hang out and have fun!

Natalie Quick, student
Natalie Quick is a current Honours Sociology student at McMaster. A hometown Hamiltonian, Natalie graduated from Sherwood High School. Although Celtic, and in particular, Highland dance is known for the famous 'sword' dance, Natalie Quick is living proof there is much more to Highland dance than just a sword. Natalie is a 3-time World Champion Highland Dancer, 6-time Canadian Champion and she holds numerous North American and Commonwealth titles. Natalie began dancing when she was just 3years old, she began competing at age 5. She has performed internationally with the dance group Celtic Accent. When asked why she dances, Natalie exclaims, "Because I love it, it is a terrific creative outlet, a wonderful challenge and a terrific, unique work-out." Natalie currently teaches Celtic Dance at McMaster. She notes that her classes are a combination of Highland, Irish, ballet and Step dancing. Natalie has been teaching since she was 15 and is a member of the British Association of Teachers of Dance. Natalie also teaches out of her own studio, The Natalie Quick School of Dance. "Teaching is a wonderful way for me to continue to learn and practice dance, I encourage men and women alike to come out an try a class!" 


What is Pilates? 

Pilates is a contemporary approach to mind - body exercise pioneered by Joseph H. Pilates. The Pilates technique is a form of body conditioning which emphasizes muscular balance, strength with flexibility, as well as postural improvement and neuro-muscular re-patterning. Pilates requires a strong mental focus. Pilates exercises begin with mat work and progresses towards working on specifically designed pieces of equipment, such as 'the Reformer' and 'the Cadillac', that allow for a progression of movement patterns.

McMaster's Pilates instructor, Terry Gallo, is a fully certified Pilates instructor in the Stott Pilates method. Moira Stott, who studied in New York City at the studio Joseph Pilates originated and developed the Stott Pilates method. The Stott method involves more initial pelvic and shoulder girdle stabilization exercises. This is a progressive approach and reflects current thinking about the body and how it functions. Terry encourages everyone to come out and experience a new, unique, comprehensive workout! Look for Pilates to be offered in the upcoming Spring/Summer session at McMaster! - you can also check out www.stottpilates.com for additional information.