Meet Maddie McPhail PCDC Member

It's exactly 10 days until Peridance Contemporary Dance Company goes on International Tour (Italy & Israel July 13-25). Meet one of the lovely lady PCDC members:

Maddie McPhail

List of favorite things:
-Dancing
-camping
-Traveling
-Exploring
-Rock n Roll
-Old movies
-Childhood memories
-Performing
-Creating
-Water sports
-The cold side of the pillow
-Laying in bed during thunderstorms
-Waking up in the middle of the night and realizing you have so much more time to sleep.

First memory performing:
I must have been 5 or 6. I was a little sugarplum in Oregon Ballet's Nutcracker. My group went on stage and some of my peers weren't in their correct spots so I bossed them all around on stage. I'm glad people thought it was cute because looking back on it I'm super embarrassed and feel really bad.

Favorite snack:
Bananas with peanut butter

What is the song most played on your iPod?
I don't think I have one most played song- most played artist would probably be Led Zepplin though. Then Guns N Roses and Van Halen.

Where do you go/what do you do in New York when you have the day off?
When the weather is nice, I absolutely love being by the water. You can spend years walking around the city and never see all there is to see, so I like to go exploring. I like going to weird places, quiet little cafes, jazz clubs, etc.

Do you have any quotes/words that you live by?
"People will kill you over time, and how they'll kill you is with tiny, harmless phrases, like: "be realistic.""

"The work you do while you procrastinate is probably the work you should be doing for the rest of your life."

"Wherever and whenever you go, leave a gift."

What is your favorite thing about PCDC?
My favorite thing about the company is the true sense of family we have with each other. Coming into the studio everyday, having to be so raw and vulnerable, you get the chance to really see who those people are. Sharing such a deep passion for the same thing and getting to do it amongst these incredible people, you create a bond. I have so much love and respect for each of them and I'll be forever grateful and humbled by them.

What are you most excited for with PCDC this summer?
The tour to Italy and Israel, of course! Firstly, I've never been to either place so that's very exciting. I also can't wait to perform in new venues, with new people and new experiences.

For Tour Highlights & Ticket Information, visit the Peridance Contemporary Dance Company event on Facebook.

Quick Tips from Workshop Instructors Elisa Monte and Shannon Gillen

Next week July 8-12, 2013, we've got two great workshops lined up, including Modern Technique with Elisa Monte Dance (11:30am-1pm) and Contemporary Movement with Shannon Gillen (4-6pm).

Learn more about the workshops, and the artist instructors!
Elisa Monte

Elisa Monte Dance (EMD) was founded in 1981, and for each new work Artistic Director Elisa Monte creates entirely new and unique works. We asked what is the greatest challenge in her creative process and how to stay creative.

"The greatest challenge is accessing the essential in oneself. When is the moment one is creating most alive? Having the life force energy available and flowing, being present and not self- conscious. Creating an authentic moment.

Keeping those juices flowing is a constant effort, it's like staying in shape for living life. Every moment one chooses adds up to who and what you are. You become what you spend your time doing, so make choices, don't let everyday life just push you mindlessly in an undefined direction."

Register and draw upon Elisa's expansive range of movement in this workshop. You definitely want to catch her before she vacations to Crete, and several other beaches this summer!

by Joanna McClure for Brooklyn Magazine

Shannon Gillen
Shannon Gillen is a new faculty member at Peridance. The workshop, uncovering techniques from her company Shannon Gillen + Guests (SGG), will have you working up a sweat! We asked Shannon about her daily practice of care, and here's her advice.

"Conditioning is an essential and core part of my classes and daily practice. It goes beyond alignment training and core stabilization into aerobic/ athletic territory that is missing from most dancers' experience. Too many of us get winded far, far too soon when we dance. This comes from a lack of efficiency and from inadequate cardiovascular exercise. It also stems from the inability to properly utilize momentum. Too often, technique inhibits personal velocity and keeps the dancer from engaging in the flow of a phrase. It's surprising how much bigger and more vital the body can be when it is truly free to move. Technique needs to be accessed in motion, not in stasis. This makes it important that we investigate how to call upon our resources not out of neutral conditions, but rather from the dynamic moment. What are the habits that conflict with this practice?…Chances are that by addressing these, dancers will find they can take greater risks in their dancing."

Sign up for Shannon's workshop and give yourself a little push this summer, and stay tuned in November when her dance company SGG presents a new work for Peridance's inaugural year of presenting.

See the full list of Peridance Summer Workshops for 2013.

NYC Dance Week feat. Jazz & More! Meet Faculty Shelly Hutchinson

"These last couple of years, what's inspired me most as a choreographer and instructor, are classic comeback stories and the human spirit. These tales of tenacity and resilience consistently renew my creativity." - Shelly Hutchinson

Shelly and son, who's already learning to dance ;)

With her 18-month old son in her lap and students from Wednesday's Adult Beginner Jazz class exiting the room and showering her with compliments on a fun learning experience, Shelly Hutchinson is an energetic artist who clearly has also mastered the art of multitasking. Shelly teaches Jazz at Peridance, and is one of the all-encompassing dance studio's roster of talented faculty.

"I began choreographing when I was four years old!" she beamed, trying to put into words how important dance is to her. Shelly explained how she loves teaching beginner's classes and instilling students with the basics and fundamentals of movement. It was almost as if it was her way of bringing sunshine into the world, "I just love putting that out there!" Shelly said.

When considering which dance class is right for you, she advised, "You can never go wrong with a basic or slower-paced class. Though, at the same time, you shouldn't be afraid to push yourself to the next level."

Not only has Shelly pushed herself to new heights, she's working hard to mold, shape and mentor young dancers. Her workshops "Uncovered Choreographers" aims at helping 13-25 year-old dancers discover their unique artistic voices and choreographic styles. The program is also open to established professionals and offers to help them channel and reconnect to "sources of creativity," she adds.

As we wrapped up our brief conversation, Shelly insisted, "The best teacher is the best student." So whether barely beginning or very advanced, the classroom is productive place for all!

Interested in trying a new style? Peridance has several to choose from, see our NYC Dance Week promotions to get started.

We have two more free classes today, Friday June 28th!

Advanced Beginner Ballet with Jamie Salmon 5:30-7:00pm
Open Zumba Workshop with Sifa 6:30-8:00pm

Be sure to register to take advantage of the NYC Dance Week offer:
http://nycdanceweek2013.eventbrite.com/

Interview by Judi Huck

Ballet: Good for the Mind, Good for the Body - Instructor Kathy Sullivan

"Rely on what you know already--music, yoga, Hip Hop… Ballet is just a different language of moving to music." -- Kathy Sullivan

Peridance Capezio Center has a world-renowned faculty of nearly 100 instructors. We sat down with ballet instructor Kathy Sullivan, leading one of our popular Adult Beginner classes, now on promotion with NYC Dance Week.

Photos by Judi Huck, PR + Design at Peridance Capezio Center

For students who come to my class after years of being away from dance or ballet, they usually find themselves pleasantly surprised as to how quickly it comes back to them!  Muscle memory is amazing! One student, for instance, had not taken ballet in quite a while, but once in the class, their reaction was "Omg, there it is!"

For others who are just beginning, I notice a lot of folks who have been curious about taking ballet or dance for some time. They just never had to the opportunity to take a class. This applies to guys, especially! I have a great deal of respect for absolute beginner students, for trying something new and stepping outside of their comfort zone. That takes a lot of guts!!

Regardless of whether a student is getting back in the swing of things or trying ballet for the first time, I always put myself in their shoes and am as patient and understanding as I can be. Honestly, I really like teaching the “foundation” level classes, where you truly have to *teach* and break down the technique. I find that aspect immensely rewarding.

 

Kathy helping a beginning ballet student with a "retire"

No one should feel awkward from any lack of experience. All of us have to start somewhere. You can't give birth to a perfect pirouette, it takes time to develop and requires practice and persistence. The adult students I work with are always hardworking and intelligent; they also learn very quickly.

We address beginner anxiety and shyness by keeping the class atmosphere fun and light-hearted. To help students feel comfortable with their body image, I say that the mirror is a visual tool to help see the ballet form and line, not for criticizing ourselves.

Ballet Attire for Newbies

In terms of what to wear, ballet slippers are ideal but socks are OK to start. In general, it's best to dress in comfortable exercise clothing (but no exposed midriffs) to allow the teacher to see your alignment and posture.

I find with adults dancers, it becomes more than a classroom experience. Like yoga, ballet has a calming, centering effect, and provides a very satisfying feeling after you finish class. It is a great way to start the day and carries over to your entire life!

NYC Dance Week students in "cambre de cote"

Kathy currently teaches: 

Ballet
 Beginner Level

Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8:45-10:00am

In addition to teaching at Peridance and other studios, she is the creator of The Ballet Glider: www.balletglider.com.

Have a question for Kathy? Tell us in the comments!

Things You Should Know: Peridance's 30-Year History

photo Karli Cadel

PERIDANCE HISTORY

1983: Peridance Center, now Peridance Capezio Center, opens its doors on 18th Street, downtown New York.

1984: Peridance Ensemble is founded, now known as Peridance Contemporary Dance Company (PCDC).

1983‐1984: Peridance acquires the Carnegie Hall based International Dance School. Peridance establishes an International Student Program and a Scholarship Program.

1984: Peridance launches a Studio Theater Series, now known as Faculty and Student Showcases.

1985: Children’s Program’s first semester – then called the PeriChild Program, now The School at Peridance. PCDC receives its first New York Times review.


1986: PCDC debuts performances at The Joyce Theater in New York.


1985‐1995: PCDC tours to Korea, Alaska and Italy.


1991: Peridance Center relocates to a new home on 4th Avenue and 13th Street.


Early 1990’s: Peridance pioneers the offering of open Hip Hop and Street Dance classes.

1992: Peridance establishes a Summer Intensive program, featuring an international roster of master teachers and choreographers.

1993: First year-­end recital of the PeriChild Program at the Pace University theater.

2000: Peridance pioneers a full Bournonville Intensive with master teachers from the Royal Danish Ballet.

2004‐2005: The Limon School finds a home at Peridance Center.

2006‐2007: Peridance establishes a unique partnership with Capezio/Ballet Makers, and construction begins for a new home.

2009: Peridance begins hosting a full New York Style Salsa program, together with Baila Society.

2009: Djoniba Dance Centre finds a home at Peridance.

2010: Peridance Capezio Center celebrates the Grand Opening of its new location, a landmark building on 13th Street.

2011: The Salvatore Capezio Theater is established, and the Certificate Program is launched.

2012: Grand opening of the Salvatore Capezio Theater, and launch of APAP Showcases at Salvatore Capezio Theater. Blueprint Summer Intensive is launched.

Peridance Capezio Center's rich history and 30th Anniversary Gala Celebration live on in its Facebook fan page.

Don't miss out on your last chance to receive 30% off ALL Peridance Capezio Center Merchandise, in honor of the 30-year milestone. Visit the Cafe now through June 30, 2013, while supplies last!