Weekly Dance Technique Classes
Afro Grooves with Amansu Eason
Mondays, 5:00-6:30, BARS
Sign-up Form
Open to dancers of all levels, this class explores the Afro-dance umbrella including a mixture of traditional and secular African diasporic movements, hip-hop, and dancehall styles. Students learn popular Afro moves from countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Congo, South Africa, Jamaica and North America. Over the quarter, participants will be challenged to learn multiple
techniques, movements and perform choreography. Wear comfortable clothing for full range of
motion.
Amansu Eason is a dancer, choreographer and teacher of African/Diaspora dance. He is a certified instructor in the Katherine Dunham Technique and offers classes in West African, Afro Caribbean as well as his exploration of “Afro Grooves." Eason serves on the technique committee for the Institute for Dunham Certification. He was the guest instructor for Edna Manley School of Dance summer intensive in Kingston, Jamaica and was invited to give a dance workshop series at the direct request of the Ga’ aton Kibbutz dance commune in Israel. Eason began training at an early age in ballet, jazz, tap, modern, and musical theater. He also received extensive training in West African folklore and after high school began touring with Muntu Dance Theater of Chicago, the oldest traditional African Dance Company in the US. In the 18 years he performed with Muntu, Eason was lead dancer, rehearsal director, assistant artistic director and choreographer. His tribute to Michael Jackson won two Black Excellence Awards for Best Choreography in Chicago. Amansu has performed with and opened for pop artists Ben Harper, Omarion and Mary Mary, and has been a soloist for Chris Walker and a guest artist with Kashe Dance Company.
Beginning Ballet with Eric Skinner
Tuesdays, 5:00-6:30p, Ida Noyes
Sign-up Form
This class will cover the fundamentals of ballet technique and is geared towards a beginning-intermediate level. Progressing from barre combinations to center phrase work, students will be guided through a mindful approach to the structure and flow of classical ballet using a somatic approach. Emphasis will be placed on functional technique, musicality, and artistic expression of the individual dancer.
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.
Modern Release w/ a Twist with Kevin Shannon
Wednesdays, 5-6:30pm, BARS
Sign-up Form
This modern release technique class is based on Limon Technique, while expanding the core
principles to consider how we can use them in contemporary practices today. Kevin’s class
begins with a focus on the fundamentals of weight, gravity, and momentum, and many other
skills used in this classic modern dance form. He then expands upon these skills and ideas to
develop phrase work that moves into more contemporary concert dance aesthetics. This class
will be geared towards an Intermediate+ level, but will support a wide range of movers. Long
pants are recommended.
Kevin J. Shannon was born in Baltimore, Maryland and is a graduate of the Baltimore School for the Arts. He received additional training from the School of American Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Paul Taylor, and Springboard Danse Montréal. After receiving his BFA from The Juilliard School, Kevin was invited to join Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. While a company dancer with Hubbard Street from 2007 to 2022, he had the privilege to perform works by Kyle Abraham, Aszure Barton, Alejandro Cerrudo, Peter Chu, Sharon Eyal, William Forsythe, Jirí Kylián, Ohad Naharin, Crystal Pite, Twyla Tharp, Robyn Mineko Williams, among many others. As an educator, he has led and programmed the Hubbard Street Dance Chicago Summer Intensive and is currently a guest teacher for Hubbard Street’s main company, José Limón Dance Company and Gibney Company. He has been a visiting artist for the School of The Art Institute of Chicago and has served as faculty for The Joffrey Ballet School, Gibney Dance NYC, Chicago Movement Collective, Youth American Grand Prix, and Peridance Center. Kevin is a certified IMAGE TECH for dancers™ teacher. He is on faculty for the Gibney Pro professional certificate program under the direction of Alexandra Wells. Currently he is a freelance artist dancing with Flockworks Dance, Brian Brooks/Moving Company, KNONAME and Danielle Russo.
Instagram: @thedancingpotter
Intermediate-Adv Ballet with Erica L. Edwards
Thursdays, 5:00-6:30p, Ida Noyes
Sign-up Form
This class is geared towards an intermediate-advanced level of ballet practice. 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.
Erica Lynette Edwards (she/her) has over 20 years of professional experience in the dance industry as a ballerina, teacher, consultant, and administrative leader. As a ballerina with The Joffrey Ballet, she performed lead roles throughout a rewarding 15-year career, dancing in hundreds of performances in the United States and abroad. During that time Ebony Magazine declared her a “Young Leader in the Future of the Arts” and the Chicago Tribune gave her the title "Black History Maker." When Edwards retired from the stage, she became an artistic and administrative senior leader as Joffrey's Director of Community Engagement. Under her visionary leadership, the department grew to support the city of Chicago through a focus on community partnerships rooted in DEI. Edwards independently expanded her DEI services to engage a wide variety of clients with authentic and innovative consultation. Her many honors include multiple features in Dance Magazine, a TEDx talk, speaking on international panels, and being selected as a member of Crain’s Chicago Business “40 Under 40." She currently serves as the Executive Director of Giordano Dance Chicago.