Autumn '25 Dance Classes and Workshops

Choreographic Methods (TAPS 26110/36110) with Julia Rhoads
Mondays, 12:30-3:20 PM

This studio course introduces students to a wide range of methods for creating choreography while considering the complex relationship between bodies, form, aesthetics, cultural contexts, technology platforms, and performance objectives. Grounded by interdisciplinary inquiry and ethical collaboration practices, the course will provide students with a robust toolkit for experimentation and play within dance and movement-based work, including compositional structures, improvised scoring, and choreographic prompts that are inspired by students’ unique thematic interests. The course also invites students to consider how choreographic methods can be activated as problem-solving tools across disciplines. Supplementary readings and viewings will drive discussion and analysis while giving students a broad understanding of how choreography engages current social and political issues.

Jazz Dance with Keesha Beckford
Mondays, 5:00-6:30p
Bartlett Arts Rehearsal Studio (BARS)
Sign-Up Form 

This open-level class explores jazz technique as a mixture of African-American social dance traditions and ballet and modern-dance vocabularies that blended and evolved to form a range of jazz styles. Through a warmup, an across-the-floor series, and center choreography, we will focus on dynamics, alignment, musicality, technical clarity, transitions, and expressive and powerful movement. Beginners will have the space to learn the fundamentals, while more experienced dancers can push their attention to detail, athleticism, and artistry.

Keesha Beckford began her dance studies in Queens, New York, before graduating cum laude from Princeton University with an A.B. in American history and a minor in dance. She has performed the choreography of Milton Myers, Teri Lee and Oliver Steele, Danny Herman, Paige Cunningham-Caldarella, Amy Marshall, Michael Foley, and Lorn MacDougal, among others in the U.S. and abroad. Her teaching credits include Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Columbia College Chicago, Dance Center Evanston, Charlotte Ballet, the UNC Charlotte dance department, and as a guest teacher for Thodos Dance Chicago. Beckford has served as Youth Programs Manager at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and is currently the Dance Lab Liaison at the Joffrey Academy, Official School of the Joffrey Ballet.

Hip Hop Fundamentals with Bravemonk 
Tuesdays, 5:00-6:30p
Bartlett Arts Rehearsal Studio (BARS)
Sign-Up Form 

Open to all levels and experiences, BRAVEMONK will focus on the foundational movements & vocabulary of breaking while guiding students to develop proficiency in core techniques & concepts that are utilized across Breaking and a variety of Hip-Hop & Street Dance styles. Students will have the opportunity to improve & gain new skills, knowledge & application through weekly practice. A curated playlist of BreakBeats, Hip-Hop, Funk & Soul music will bump!

Daniel "Bravemonk" Haywood (he/him) is a choreographer, performer, and dance educator based in Chicago. He regularly travels throughout the US and internationally as a guest speaker, host, judge, and teacher at many hip hop events, and has worked closely with the University of Hip Hop, Temple of Hip Hop, Urban Arts in Action Movement, Hip Hop Congress, and Universal Zulu Nation. Over the past fifteen years, Daniel has dedicated much of his time to researching the origins and mastering the foundations of hip hop’s cultural dance form known as B-boying or breaking, in addition to drawing from house, freestyle, martial arts, and various other hip hop lineages. Daniel is currently a member of Chicago’s legendary breaking crew, Phaze II—Crosstown Crew. He is also a founding member and active leader of Awesome Style Konnection and a member of F.E.W. Collective.

Release-Based Contemporary with Sophie Minouche Allen
Wednesdays from 5:00-6:30 PM
Bartlett Arts Rehearsal Studio (BARS)
Sign-Up Form 

Rooted in release-based modern dance techniques, this class activates both softness and strength in the body to find more efficiency in movement. Class begins with a gentle, flow-based floor sequence and progresses into standing/across-the-floor phrases, culminating in a rigorously locomotive combination. Sophie keeps an eye on anatomical integrity while helping students explore their range of motion and expressive capacities. Classes are geared towards intermediate-level students but will support a wide range of movers. Long pants and/or knee pads are suggested but not required.

Sophie Minouche Allen is a dance artist who performs, choreographs, and teaches throughout Chicago and beyond. In addition to her own projects, she has performed with The Seldoms, Bob Eisen, Niko8, Ayako Kato/Art Union Humanscape, Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre, and many others. As a choreographer, her work has been presented by FACT/SF, Thodos Dance Chicago/DanceWorks Chicago, Midwest RADFest, Detroit Dance Exchange, Going Dutch Festival/Side Street Studio Arts, and COMMON conservatory. As a teacher, Sophie nurtures a nonjudgmental, uplifting class environment in pursuit of the joyfulness of dancing/dancing together. She is on faculty at The Grainger Academy of The Joffrey Ballet, offers open classes throughout Chicago, and has taught classes for DanceWorks Chicago/Dance360, Denison University, DISCO RIOT, FACT/SF Summer Dance Festival, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, University of Chicago, University of Michigan/ACDA East-Central Conference, Western Michigan University, and many others.

Intermediate Ballet with Eric Skinner
Thursdays from 3:30-5:00 PM  (this might change to 5-6:30p)
Ida Noyes Dance Room
Sign-Up Form 

Progressing from barre combinations to center phrase work, students will be guided through a mindful approach to the structure and flow of classical ballet. Emphasis will be placed on functional technique, musicality, and artistic expression of the individual dancer. This class is geared towards an intermediate level of ballet practice, but more advanced students will be challenged to complicate the material.

Originally from Muncie, Indiana,  Eric Skinner has had a hand in some of the most important dance developments in Portland, Oregon during his three + decades living there as a dancer, teacher and choreographer. He was a founding member of Oregon Ballet Theatre. He performed with modern choreographers Gregg Bielemeier and Mary Oslund. Was a founder of aero/betty aerial dance theatre as well as a founder of BodyVox Dance Company (with artistic directors Jamey Hampton and Ashley Roland), At BodyVox he danced, choreographed and acted as Artistic Associate for 20 years. In 2002 Skinner with his then partner Daniel Kirk, formed their own company the skinner/kirk Dance Ensemble and was presented as part of the 2008 White Bird Dance Series. He taught dance for over two decades in Portland, including classes at the BodyVox Dance Center and Reed College. He has also taught master classes throughout the United States, including Butler University, where he received his BA in Dance.

Contemporary Floorwork with Michel Rodriguez Cintra
Saturday, October 11, 1-3pm
Sign-up form

This workshop will explore the ways we use floorwork in contemporary movement practices today. Drawing on the fundamentals of somatic practices such as Laban and Bartenieff Fundamentals, we’ll learn the mechanics of how to get on and off the floor safely. We will then gradually build the skills needed to find ease in floorwork through simple combinations. Finally, we will eventually build up to phrase work and learn how to fly through space.

 Safety Release: A Somatic Movement Lab with kt williams
Saturday, October 18, 1-3pm (BARS)
Sign-up form 

This workshop will introduce the basic principles of Safety Release (SR) to deepen mind-body awareness and expand movement efficiency. Class will begin with a somatic warm-up on the floor, functioning as a movement laboratory, and progress into standing, traveling, and more physically dynamic movement phrases. Both set movement and improvisation will give participants the opportunity to sense, examine, and listen to their internal body patterning. Long sleeves and loose-fitting pants are helpful with floor work, but not required; kneepads are optional.

kt williams is a dance artist, choreographer, dance filmmaker, and Safety Release Master Teacher based in Chicago, IL. kt earned a BFA in Dance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and an MFA in Dance (Choreography) from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Currently, kt is on faculty in the Dance Program at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, IL, and she leads seasonal SR workshops for advanced/professional dancers across the Chicago area. Additionally, kt choreographs under the name kt williams + artists, which explores the space where technicality and improvisational experimentation dynamically coexist. kt is also the co-founder and co-artistic director of DanSeries Collective with Caitlyn Schrader. Together, they create site-specific dance works that intersect with immersive platforms, making dance visible in public, non-traditional spaces. 

Chicago Footwork with The Era with Crystal “Queen Crystal” James
Saturday, October 25, 1-3 PM, BARS
Sign-up form

Come learn the foundational steps of Chicago Footwork with Era Footwork Crew (The Era), pioneers of Chicago's footwork dance tradition. The workshop will also cover the cultural history of Chicago footwork in an immersive dance workshop for all backgrounds. No prior experience needed. 

Crystal James, known as “Queen Crystal,” is a trailblazing Footwork artist from Chicago’s South Side. Beginning her journey as a teen in the early 2000s, she quickly rose to prominence as one of the most respected female battlers in the scene, earning recognition from legends like the late DJ Rashad. Her career includes major performances at Lollapalooza, Pitchfork Music Festival, Navy Pier, and Art on the Mart, along with appearances in films such as I Am The Queen. Beyond the stage, Crystal has spent years teaching Footwork in schools and community programs, inspiring the next generation with her resilience, artistry, and leadership. Today, she continues to embody the legacy of Chicago Footwork as both a global force and mentor, now as the newest member of The Era Footwork Crew.

West African Dance with Muntu Dance Theatre with Shakeena President-Beckford (Teacher) and Deshon Newman (Drummer)
Saturday, November 8, 1-3pm (BARS)
Sign-up form

Founded in 1972, the Chicago-based Muntu Dance Theatre performs and teaches contemporary and ancient African and African-American dance, music, and folklore. This workshop will integrate West African dance technique, history, and culture for dancers of all levels and ages. Let the live drum rhythms take you away as you move your body, work your mind, and feed your soul! 

Shakeena President-Beckford, born in St. Lucia, is a dancer, choreographer, and educator with over 30 years of experience. A longtime member of Muntu Dance Theatre, she has also performed with companies including Ayodele, Alyo, and Nunufatima. She currently directs Les Enfants Dance with After School Matters, inspiring Chicago teens through culture and movement.

Deshon Newman is the founder of Best of the Best Productions and a celebrated percussionist, producer, and choreographer. Trained through Gallery 37 and VanderCook College of Music, he has performed with Dance Africa, Najwa Dance Corps, Muntu Dance Theatre, and more. Dedicated to youth empowerment, he uses the arts as a vehicle for education and community building.

Moving Out Loud with Maya Odim and Musu Bangor
Saturday, November 1st, 1-3pm, BARS
Sign-up form

In this workshop we will use a poem as a movement score to choreograph from a poet's words (cadence, gestures, meaning, message, emotion). An interdisciplinary workshop exploring movement composition and writing. This workshop will open with a movement warm up and a free write, and transition into recitation, listening, choreographing and showing. Poet-dancers Musu Bangura & Maya Odim will bridge their work as dancers and writers to guide you through ways to use writing as a catalyst for movement composition. Please bring something to write with and to write on, and please wear clothes you are comfortable moving in.

Musu Bangura is an artist originally from Washington, D.C. and currently residing in Chicago, Illinois. They are the author of the essay-book “…Considers Lil’ Kim’s Hard Core.” Their work has been published in New Delta Review, Apogee Journal, Southeast Review, and more. In 2020, they were selected as a 2020 Best of the Net Poetry finalist. Musu is a teaching artist at the Chicago Poetry Center, and has served as a judge for two years at Poetry Out Loud’s City and Metro Regionals. Musu can be found gazing at Lake Michigan or under a weighted blanket. 

Maya Odim is rooted where writing and dance meet, anchoring an artistic approach in the space of overlap where arranging lines in a stanza becomes like arranging phrases of movement, and vice versa. Maya explores how words move and what bodies they are a part of, a practice is rooted in recitation, writing, and movement. Maya received honorable mention in the 2024 Ruth Weiss Foundation Poetry Competition, has self published poetry and been published in part in the Performance Response Journal and the Chicago DanceMakers Forum Blog and received a Chicago Performance Lab residency, summer 2025. Maya is a Poet in Residence with the Chicago Poetry Center and has served as a judge for the Gwendolyn Brooks Youth Poetry Awards and lectures at the University of Chicago & Roosevelt University. If the music is right, you'll catch Maya in the cypher (with a pen, in tennis shoes or barefoot).

Solo Performance Workshop with Nora Sharp
Saturday, November 15, 1-3pm (BARS)
Sign-up form

What puzzle pieces can make a solo? Drawing from a solo practice that crosses dance, theater, comedy, and drag, Nora Sharp will offer a set of artmaking tools and improvisation practices that excavate parts of ourselves and our obsessions to make work that keeps audiences engaged while teaching us more about ourselves. Using movement, text, sound, and more, you'll put unexpected things in conversation and be encouraged to trust your interests, with the right dose of rigor and intention.

Nora Sharp (they/them) hosts audiences in worlds where language and embodiment merge in unexpected and illuminating ways. They have been recognized as a 2023 Queer|Art Mentorship Fellow in Performance, 2024 Chicago Dancemakers Forum Lab Artist, and 2025 Oberlin Screenwriters Intensive Fellow. Nora’s performance, writing, and films have been presented by Links Hall Co-MISSIONS, the Pivot Arts Festival, the Fly Honey Show, Salonathon, Notes on Masculinity, Open TV, FACETS, WUSSY Mag, On the Boards (Seattle), Movement Research at the Judson Church (NYC), New Dance Alliance Performance Mix #37 (NYC), the Shawl-Anderson Dance Center (Berkeley), the Cannonball Festival (Philadelphia), Midwest RAD Fest (Kalamazoo), upcoming in the anthology Dancing on the Third Coast (University of Illinois Press 2026) and at the INVERSE Performance Art Festival at The Momentary (Bentonville), and many on other stages, pages, and screenings both DIY and institutional across the country, and supported by residencies at the University of Chicago Performance Lab, The Croft, Hambidge, Links Hall, and High Concept Labs. They work full-time in social change organizing in addition to their creative practice.

Photo: William Frederking

Introduction to Silks with Kat Geber
Saturday, December 6, 1-3pm
Logan Center, Rm 701
Sign-up form

Come learn the fundamentals of aerial silks, no experience required! We’ll go through beginning techniques for climbing, foot locks, inversions, and the basics of vertical theory. Students should wear form fitting clothing that protects backs of knees, waist, and armpits. No prerequisites, but it is helpful for students to have some form of regular physical practice (dance, yoga, pilates, etc). No active shoulder injuries.

Kat Geber is a multidisciplinary circus artist specializing in dance trapeze and aerial silks. Fascinated by the versatility of circus arts, Kat loves collaborating with others in a variety of disciplines including movement-based technology, dance, and musical composition. She is currently based in Chicago, and when she is not circusing you can find her climbing mountains, making baked goods, taking pictures of her cats, or consuming inappropriate amounts of tea.

All About the Funk: Locking Open Session 
DJs: Kin Solo & Vader
Hosted by: Gridlock & BraveSoul Movement
Sunday, October 19, Logan Penthouse (Rm 901)
Sign Up Here

This open dance session is centered on locking and funk styles, inviting you to dig deep and go on a journey of funk and soul—building on inspiration from Chicago’s Soul Train to the intergalactic astroplanes. With sounds spanning funk, disco, boogie, and soul, DJs Kin Solo and Vader will set the dance floor in motion, creating a space where both seasoned and fresh dancers build community through movement, music, and a shared love of funk and the expressive style of dance known as LOCKING. Open to all movers—come get down!

House Flow & Filipino Martial Arts
Facilitator: Crystle “LiWayway” Dino
DJ: James Vincent
Workshop: 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Open Dancing/Playing: 7:30 – 8:30 pm
Sunday, November 9, Logan Penthouse (Rm 901)
Sign Up Here

LiWayway will lead an embodiment workshop, using movement as ritual to cultivate community care, healing, and resistance. Drawing from her grounding in Filipino Martial Arts, dance, Babaylan consciousness, and Chicago House culture, she creates a space where freedom, love, and empowerment come alive through embodied practice. We then invite you to dance, play, and explore the synergies and connections between these movement traditions, soundtracked by James Vincent.