Interview with Graciela Kozak

Interview with Graciela Kozak


Graciela Kozak was born in Argentina, and trained at the Teatro Colón of Buenos Aires. She danced with the Bat-Dor and Bat- Sheva companies in Israel, and the Peridance Ensemble in NY. She has performed works by Alvin Ailey, Paul Taylor, Jiri Kylian, Mark Morris, Igal Perry, Lar Lubovich, Donald McKayle and many other choreographers. Graciela joined the Peridance Faculty in 1985, and the faculty of the Ailey School in 2002. She has taught classes for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, Ballet Tech, Complexions, Donald Byrd, Pascal Rioult, the School of Ballet Hispanico and Ballett Akademien in Sweden. 

When did you start teaching? 

I began at the age of 15 in Argentina. I later moved to Israel, where I performed and taught for twelve years. I always knew that's what I wanted to do. I find   the process of learning and teaching fascinating. It is wonderful to see how dance has evolved in the 21st century, physically and artistically. Dancers have physically raised the bar to new standards, and there are new forms of dance emerging.

How long have you been at Peridance?

Almost 25 years. I have taught ballet classes, pointe workshops, and choreography workshops. I have also been teaching ballet classes at Alvin Ailey for the past seven years.

Can you expand on your dance background a little more? 

I have worked with some of the best choreographers of the 20th century, including our very own Igal Perry. Back in Israel I danced in Igal's first ballet, "Episode", which I thought was a masterpiece. I also worked with Alvin Ailey, Jiri Kylian, and Mark Morris, to name a few.

What types of students come to Peridance? 

The student body consists of dancers of all backgrounds. Dancers are both professionals, and aspiring professionals. Others, such as actors, journalists, lawyers and singers to name a few take dance class to complement their professional careers.

Anything else you would like people to know about Peridance? 

I have taught for the The School at Peridance and choreographed for the Peridance Youth Ensemble. I am proud that Peridance has grown to the proportions it is today and proud of the great teachers we have here. Some of our "babies" are now getting accepted to college dance programs and companies, a fact that serves as its own testament to the quality of our program.

Leigh, dancer and intern at Peridance, shares her Peridance Experience!

Almost exactly four years ago, I was taking my second trip to New York for a dance science internship. It would last all summer, which meant I'd planned to be doing a lot of dancing! My previous visit had only been for one day with no time for even a single class. Thus, I needed insider information on where to go for the best New York dance experience. It appeared that most of the large dance institutions had been in existence for several decades, so I asked one of my former dance teachers, who was a professional dancer here in the early- and mid-eighties, what her recommendations were from her time in the City. Other than a few prolific instructors who have been teaching dance since the eighties and are legendary for it now, her one recommendation was Peridance. Peridance was always her favorite. She cited the excellent faculty and selection of classes, and she was particularly pleased with how non-competitive and nurturing the atmosphere was in spite of the high caliber of dancers. So, I tried it out, and she was right. In fact, it's amazing that now, almost thirty years later, Peridance still exhibits these same qualities, and more, to make it an exceptional place to be. I continued to come to Peridance to satisfy my dancerly whims each summer through grad school, and, when I moved out to New York last fall, I quickly made Peridance my home as well.
I've been extremely fortunate to serve as a work-study and, now, as an administrative intern at Peridance. I've also been asked to work with a faculty member's company after being seen in classes and workshops. Amazing things happen every day here both on and off the dance floor, and I am so excited that I am a part of it.

--
Leigh Schanfein, M.S., Professional Dancer.

PERIDANCE HAS MOVED!

Peridance has finally moved to it's new. state of the art facility!

The new building is located at
126 E 13th Street
(between 3rd & 4th Aves.)
New York, NY 10003

It's only a short walk from 890 Broadway
Click on this link to see a map.

The NEW CLASS SCHEDULE begins January 4th!
check out the Peridance website for more details.

Diego Funes- New Stretch Class Added!

In addition to Diego's current JAZZ class Tuesday's and Thursdays, 2:30-4:00 and STRETCH class Tuesdays 1:30-2:30, there will now be a New Thursday STRETCH class from 1:30-2:30 (Beginning Aug 6).

Class Description: Jazz
Diego Funes’ class starts with a warm-up designed to reinforce body alignment, balance, strength, stretching and technique. Following the warm-up is a series of across the floor exercises consisting of turns and jumps in combination. Finally, original choreography is taught in which musicality and expression are emphasized along with good technique. Diego's style is formed through a combination of different techniques of ballet, jazz, and contemporary dance. He calls his musical theatre work “Contemporary Theatre” and his lyrical work “Urban Lyrical". Diego believes in a holistic, individualized approach to teaching. Each student is evaluated individually and held to his or her own standard regardless of body type. A student can have all the potential in the world but without the eagerness to learn and expand, the potential never reaches the kinetic. As a teacher, Diego motivates each student to become the best dancer possible.

Class Description: Stretch
This active and deep stretch class is excellent for gaining flexibility and body alignment. Throughout a series of interacting exercises students will focus on lengthening the hip flexers, spine, and hamstrings so as to develop healthy body awareness. This class also focuses on the importance of breathing, relaxation and the relation between mind & body.

BAILA Society (BASo) instructs NY Salsa at Peridance Center

BAILA Society (BASo) instructs NY Salsa at Peridance Center every Friday and Saturday. Teaching absolute beginners and professional dancers!!

Come and see what elegant Baila Society's Salsa classes are all about.

Go here to see some great footage of Baila Society instructors and Miss USA 2009, Kristen Dalton!! http://www.bailasociety.com/journal/

NEW promotions* for Salsa classes at Peridance Center -
Expires August 31st

New students special! Take a Salsa class at Peridance and receive your first class for $10!!

Introduce a friend to Salsa: Bring a friend for their first Salsa class at Peridance and receive your salsa class for $10! Peridance Student and friend must both be present to receive discount.

*promotions cannot be combined

Baila Society Classes at Peridance:

Fridays, 7p - 9p Performance and Spinning technique All levels
This class is offered for both men and women. Training exercises used in every class will utilize fundamental dance techniques from ballet, jazz, ballroom, hip hop and salsa in order to present a clear and effective process for achieving total body control. The class covers variations in head, arm, and body movement that can be used to enhance simple salsa footwork. Isolation exercises and training routines will be drawn from other dance disciplines to encourage flexibility, body control, and rhythm.

Saturdays, 3:30p - 5:30p New York Salsa for Beginners
This course is an introduction to "New York" style salsa for both members and non-members of BAILA Society (no partner required). Students will learn the fundamental footwork and partnerwork figures of salsa social dancing. Students will progressively build on these basics to form figure combinations that can be improvised on the dance floor.

Peridance New Student Promotion

New Students, after taking their first class at Peridance Center, receive a free class when they purchase a 10 class card, and 2 free classes when they purchase a 20 class card.

*Offer valid for a month only, from the day of registration.

Valid for New Students Only. 10 Class Cards valid for 14 days- NO EXTENSION. 20 Class Cards valid for 60 Days and may be extended for additional $10 fee. Cards will not be replaced if lost or stolen. Cards are Non-Refundable and Non-Transferable.