Master classes provide students with unique opportunities to interact directly with world-renowned master artists representing a variety of artistic mediums. As visiting artists perform at the Arts Center, we connect these masters with local students for an exchange of knowledge, inspiration, and hands-on learning experiences. By working closely with these master artists, students are encouraged to investigate their own creative potential and develop a life-long appreciation of the arts.
Presented by the Arts Center’s Education Through the Arts program, previous master classes have included renowned hip-hop artist Rennie Harris for a student dance class with Sonoma State University and Santa Rosa Junior College; Carlotta Santana for a Flamenco class with the Santa Rosa Recreation & Parks Department and the Santa Rosa Senior Center; and The Birdhouse Factory’s renowned jugglers Steven Ragetz and Fritz Grobe providing a juggling clinic for Sonoma County youth.
For questions, please contact Tracy Sawyer, Arts and Outreach Programs Manager, at 707.527.7006, x154.
Classes
Momix: Botanica
November 2011
Santa Rosa Junior College
Momix style is natural choreography based on a gardening philosophy. Artistic Director Moses Pendleton plants his ideas in artists and cultivates them into dance pieces that are a combination of movement, music and lighting. The master class is a movement-based exploration of the Momix style of dance. Class will include a warm up, structured improvisation, choreography, show and tell, cool down and questions. Featuring members of the troop, the master class is appropriate for dancers at an intermediate to advanced level.
Rennie Harris Puremovement
20th Anniversary Repertoire
March 9, 2012
Santa Rosa Junior College
Core members of RHPM have been teaching workshops and classes at universities around the country speaking of the significance of “street” origins in any dance style. In this master class led by Dinita Askew, students will be led through exercises to develop muscle strength, flexibility, and stamina. The basic movement and techniques are defined, practiced and developed into combinations. Dancers will explore Hip-Hop styles as sources for inspiration and vocabulary for choreography. The movement is technically tied to complex and often driving rhythms, making it challenging, invigorating, and uplifting. The hour and 15 minute master class is open to dancers of all levels.
Rhythmic Circus, Feet Don’t Fail Me Now
April 2012
The Dance Center, Santa Rosa
Dancers in the master class will get a taste of the high-energy and hard-hitting style of Rhythmic Circus when the company comes to Santa Rosa in April. Led by Executive Director Nick Bowman or Artistic Director Ricci Milan, the class will leave participants with a deeper understanding of tap philosophy. The class will focus on timing and control through exercises designed to train dancers’ ears to listen to the empty space between sounds. The hour long session is appropriate for intermediate dancers. Tap shoes required.
