Arts Elevated (FAC)

As a choreographer, the weakest skillset I often see when dancers enter a creative process is improvisation and the ability to generate material. How can we begin introducing these skills to dancers at a younger age in order to propel the form forward? This lecture will explore two essential avenues of training: developing critical thinking (or “dance IQ”) and cultivating physical specificity. We’ll begin with physical training focused on enhancing range, power, and functional capacity in key muscles and joints, using approaches drawn from various contemporary dance methods. In the second half, we’ll shift to improvisation techniques aimed at developing specificity in movement choices and generating clear choreographic material for creative processes.

This session provides an immersive exploration of the Red River Jig and the music of Métis people. Participants will move beyond passive listening to examine the intricate fusion of Indigenous drum rhythms and European fiddle traditions. By blending physical movement, rhythmic accompaniment, and traditional regalia, educators will learn how to bring the vibrant history of the Métis into their classrooms through kinesthetic learning.