Dance Workshop honors tradition, looks to the future | ULM Forum 7-20-12

For most students, summertime is a chance for a break. But for others, it’s a chance to expand their horizons. For more than 35 years, dancers have had a chance to pursue the dream of dance in Monroe at the University of Louisiana at Monroe Dance Intensive Workshop held for two weeks each summer with the Twin City Ballet Company. 

Dancers travel from around the area for a full two weeks of dance from 9 to 5 each day with teachers from around the country. Intermediate and advanced level participants took instructive dance classes in ballet, modern, jazz, hip hop, tap and body conditioning.

Young dancers, ages nine and older with their dance instructor’s recommendation, were invited to attend and experience phenomenal dance education in Monroe.

An evening performance to show off the dancer’s progress was held in Brown Auditorium on the ULM campus, Thursday, July 29.

ULM Dance faculty Gretchen Jones and New York-based dancer and choreographer Kelly Barclay say that the intensive workshops expose dancers to influences they might never encounter in their home studios.