New Updates

ASM Dance Ensemble has had their first show on July 8th at Christopher School. Christopher School is an inclusion school that meets the needs of many disabled children. The audience enjoyed the show and wanted to join us in dancing. Within the next few days we received letters from the children letting us know how much we were appreciated there. Also, The Dance Ensemble has had a master class with our partners from DanceWorks Chicago. The class was exhilarating and we learned choreography and did an exchange complete with feedback from them. They presented us with their rehearsal and we showcased some of our work.

Performance Dates

• Monday July 19th Family Fun Tent at Millenium Park 1 to 2 p.m
• July 22nd Daley Plaza 12:00 p.m.
• July 27th The Cultural Center 2:30 p.m.
• July 29th The Cultural Center 12:30 p.m.
• August 6th Family Night at The Cultural Center 6 p.m
• August 9th Storefront Theatre at Gallery 37 - 7:30 p.m
• August 12th Children's Memorial Hospital 12 p.m

More performance dates TBA

Posted by :SB

Kick Start!

After School Matters Dance Ensemble has kicked off a new summer session with new dancers, instructors and new pieces! Yay! Programs started on June 21st with thirty five talented young advanced apprentices. Things are off to a good start and we have already begun performances around the city. Performance dates will be posted soon.
SB

Come One Come All!! Auditions for Summer Program!!

Do you want to be a dancer?!?! The ASM Dance Ensemble is a touring company that will provide performance opportunities to showcase your star qualities!

Throughout the summer program you will gain the necessary tools to become a well-rounded artist, more advanced in many techniques including ballet, modern, and jazz. You'll also have the opportunity to create a portfolio and learn about careers in dance.

AUDITIONS!!!

WHERE???

Gallery 37 Center for the Arts 66 E. Randolph Room 2W

WHEN??

Wednesday May 19th: 4-7 pm

Thursday May 20th: 4-7 pm

Saturday May 22nd: 1-5 pm

Wednesday May 26th: 4-7 pm

* Please only attend one day!!

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT???

We are hiring ADVANCED dancers with several years of training

Please come prepared to dance in professional attire: leotards/tights or jazz pants

You will be learning one to three combinations in different dance techniques

Your audition will take approximately 30 minutes

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER, PLEASE GO TO...

afterschoolmatters.org

ASM Dance Ensemble Featured in Time Out Chicago!!

photo by Vin

Below please find the link to the Dance Ensemble's interview with Zachary Whittenburg from TOC. We are thrilled to have our dancers featured in this prestigious magazine!!

http://chicago.timeout.com/articles/kids/84632/learning-what-matters-after-school

Closing Celebration Sunday Show

preshow photos by Vin

There will be a performance by our ensemble on Sunday April 18. The show will be at The Museum Of Contemporary Art. This will be the last show of the semester. The show will feature works by our administrators Amy Wilkinson and Kari Wall. There will also be works from our three featured choreographers. This will be one of our most important shows and we need people to support us, so come on out!

Fieldtrips to Hubbard Street/ Citywide Showcase

Dance Ensemble had an opportunity to go to The Harris Theater to see Hubbard Street Dance Company perform. Some of the dancers thought the performance was different and was something that they had never seen before. This was the first time members of The Dance Ensemble had seen Hubbard Street and we are thankful that we were graced with the opportunity. Also we had a chance to see The Annual Citywide Showcase performance. Dance Ensemble went to show support to fellow After School Matters colleagues. We were very happy to see what the different programs had been doing at the different program locations within the city.

Wayne McGregor/Random Dance

After School Matters Dance Ensemble was priviledged with the opportunity to have a master class with Wayne McGregor Random Dance Company. They are a London based dance company and have dancers from all over the country. The master class was really fun and included choreography from our individual perspective. The dancers from The Random Dance Company helped us tap into different techniques to come up with new choreography. The techniques were really helpful and can be used in our own choreography. The information for the dance company can be found on the upper right side of the blog.

Vin Reed PhotoShoot

On Wednsday March 3rd The After School Matters Dance Ensemble had the honor and priviledge of being photographed by Vin Reed. He is a professional photographer and it was our first time being shot by him. The photoshoot turned out very good and the pictures show our collective dance work and movement. It shows the highlights of our skill and team work. We would like to thank Vin for giving us an opportunity to showcase our talent and work. Following this post, there is a link to the website where you can see all of the photography.

http://gallery.me.com/vinnous#100976

Posted By: SB

Adjudication and Choreographers Start Working

Photo by Vin

Yesterday, March 8th 2010 was the start of the rehearsals for elected ASM choreographers. Everyone was eager to start, with suggestions and constructive comments. This time is very crucial to our performances. In the beginning, when learning the new dances you have a chance to bond with the choreographer and become familiar with their dancing style, techniques and strengths of the other dancers in your group as well. There are three choreographers and three groups. So far working with the groups is going well. We hope that you all will be able to see them at our upcoming performances.

Troika Ranch Master Class/Goodmorning America

photo by Vin

On Tuesday February 23rd ASM Dance Ensemble had a master class with Troika Ranch. Troika Ranch is a dance company that combines dance, theatre and digital media.Co-founders Mark Coniglio and Dawn Stoppiello recently completed a two-year development process to create their newest work , "Loopdiver". The work uses motion capture and Coniglio's Isadora software(a programming environment that provides interactive control and real-time manipulation of digital media), which is named after the dancer Isadora Ducan. Loopdiver is the result of a processes of creating movement and multimedia elements from intricately interwoven loops of prerecorded movement, text and digital materials(video, sound and light). On Tuesday, Mark Coniglio and Dawn Stoppiello came to ASM to show us what they have worked on. What they showed us was a combination of software they had invented, movement and sound. We were able to experience first hand dancing and being allowed to see our movements manipulated afterwards. It was like a duet with yourself. The movements you make are able to create the sound that you are dancing to. The experience was a one of a kind and the ASM dancers were happy to learn about the new technology. Also on the same day after the Troika Ranch Master Class, After School Matters Dance Ensemble dancers were filmed dancing by the television news broadcast "Goodmorning America". The Dance Ensemble was one of the many programs that were videotaped at Gallery 37.

Posted by SB

COLLEGE BOUND!!

Here are some resources for those of you looking to dance in college...
This is a site that has many resources about searching for a university or college dance program that will suit your specific needs.

http://www.danceschoolsintheusa.com/

Here is a website that could lead you to scholarships in dance:

http://www.collegescholarships.org/scholarships/dance.htm

Also - here is another list compiled by dancers that includes many of the best dance programs in the nation. Go to the college websites to find out more.

Arizona State University (asu.edu)
Butler University (butler.edu)
Florida State University (dance.fsu.edu)
Indiana University (indiana.edu)
Juilliard School (juilliard.edu)
Marymount Manhattan College (mmm.edu)
NYU, Tisch School of the Arts (tisch.nyu.edu)
North Carolina School of the Arts (ncarts.edu)
Ohio State University (osu.edu)
Point Park University (pointpark.edu)
Southern Methodist University (smu.edu)
SUNY, Purchase (purchase.edu)
Temple University (temple.edu)
Texas Christian University (dance.tcu.edu)
University of Arizona (arizona.edu)
University of Kansas (arts.ku.edu)
University of Michigan (umich.edu)
University of Oklahoma (ou.edu)
University of South Florida (usf.edu)
University of Utah (utah.edu)
University of the Arts (uarts.edu)

Choreographers You Should Know!!

Photo by Vin

Here are some artists to watch....


Ohad Naharin:
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7PN33509tk
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hz6nUMwlSqY

Crystal Pite:
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt-eVpG8MhI
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS-WeQoNRQc&feature=related

Lightfoot Leon:
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWh_inBmnHs
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJ1pr5VHFpg&feature=related

Jiri Kylian:
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7afrgC5l8I
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t0UuHvMI18&feature=related

Be Inspired...

Photo by Vin

Here are some interviews with dancers from the New York City Ballet. Listen to what they say about music, choreography, passion, and hard work. What moves YOU??


Interview with Rebecca Krohn:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZD_MifWE8c&feature=SeriesPlayList&p=BD94896C2915AFD2

Interview with Marika Anderson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Av_uq293d-s&feature=SeriesPlayList&p=BD94896C2915AFD2

Interview with Robert Fairchild:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_Rk0NGW3UM&feature=SeriesPlayList&p=BD94896C2915AFD2

Career Transition For Dancers Workshop

Today at ASM , we had a workshop from The Career Transition For Dancers program headed by Maryellen Langhout. She is the contact career counselor for the program. Maryellen helps dancers ages sixteen and up with career interests and assesments, cover letters and resume instruction, networking and interview coaching, college search and application procedures, also academic and financial aid advising. I felt like this information was really helpful to us as dancers because it helps us move in the right direction as far as trying to assess what type of dancing career we want to be in , if we choose to be in one. Also Maryellen helps you decide and gives you valuable info on the field of you choice. You can contact Maryellen Langhout at 312-666-0234 or at mlanghout@careertransition.org . Specify your preferred day and time for an appointment. Appointments are available at 12 noon, 1,2,3 or 4pm Monday or Tuesday.

Posted by SB

Program Starts!

Hi Guys!! We are so excited to begin this program – We know we have an incredibly talented group this year and there are amazing things in store for all of us! To those of you returning – Welcome! And for any new dancers – yay for you, we are glad you’re here!















Photo by Vin

ASM Dance Ensemble Schedule

Photo by Vin

Monday Feb 1st – Program Begins!!

Monday Feb 8th – Guest Speaker: Career Counselor from Hubbard Street Dance Co.

Tuesday Feb 9th – Change of hours 5-8 and dancers meet at 1016 N. Dearborn (Ruth Page Center) for Danceworks Dance Chance field trip.

Wednesday Feb 10th – ASM Choreographers’ Adjudication

Monday Feb 15th – NO PROGRAM!!!

Monday Feb 22nd – Citywide Audition – Come in costume

Wednesday Feb 24th – YDN at Gallery (w/Troika Ranch)

Monday March 1st - NO PROGRAM! Happy Pulaski Day!!

Tuesday March 2nd – Choreographers begin rehearsals

Wednesday March 3rd - Photo Shoot please come as if performing

Monday March 15th - Site visit with Zac Whittenburg Timeout Chicago Reporter

Tuesday March 16th – YDN at Gallery (w/Wayne McGregor and Random Dance)

Thursday March 18th – POSSIBLE field trip to Hubbard Street Dance Chicago

March 29th-31st – NO PROGRAM: SPRING BREAK!!!

Monday April 5th - Performance @ Cultural Center dance studio - TBA

Saturday April 17th – Closing Celebrations and Program Ends

Sunday April 18th - Performance at the MCA 1:45

Friday April 30th – Final check distribution