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Dance at CPS
Hello,
I am Stefani Berger, Director of the Dance Department. I'd like to tell you about our program. First of all, I want you to know that we have an incredible dance department! Anyone who wants to learn how to dance can find an opportunity to do so. We have 3 levels of classes: beginning, intermediate, and advanced, plus an after-school audition-based performing dance group called PDG.
We perform all year long in every possible venue available: at CPS; at other schools; at senior centers; and in theatres.
The focus of the program is 20th century modern dance with a particular emphasis on African American choreographers. The techniques that I teach are those of Lester Horton, Jose Limon, Martha Graham, Katherine Dunham, and Alvin Ailey. My personal goal is to incorporate diversity in dance styles, techniques, cultures, and music styles; and to work collaboratively with students and teachers alike.
I'd like to give you some examples of what we are doing this year. I have been teaching my beginning students a dance warm-up using the original music from Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre's historic dance "Revelations." We studied the dance on video in class, performed the warm-up at two senior centers (as part of our service learning program here at CPS), and went to see the Ailey Company perform at Zellerbach Hall at U.C. Berkeley. My advanced class has learned a specially created "Etude" from Donald McKayle's classic 1959 "Rainbow Round my Shoulder". We have studied the documentary video which includes performances and interviews with the choreographer, musicians, and dancers who created and performed the original masterpiece. Our dancers will be performing this in the spring. Through this course of study, dancers develop an in-depth understanding of classic American Modern Dance and its choreographers.
I believe that engaging
in dance is a deeply humanizing experience. It is the "perfection of
the imperfect moment." It is fun, immensely challenging, and pushes us
to discover our inner creative selves.
I invite you to come participate in our dance program. I look forward to meeting you and answering any questions that you may have. Call me at school (510) 652-0111 x249.
Student Comments:
I've grown so much as a dancer just in the past two years. I look forward to class every day. Dance completes my day and my spirit. Diana L.Dance is my time to free myself from my struggles and let my inner self speak. Dance is the only time I truly feel alive. Siena C.
Please Join us at
this years Dance Showcase Performance:
May 2nd and 3rd at 7:30 p.m in the Butner
Auditorium.
