|
|
||||||
| Home | Who we are | Whats happening | What they say | What we teach | Who supports us | What weve done |
|
We can be reached at 928-774-3937, 5680 E. Sunset Drive, Flagstaff, AZ 86004 email: cmcgina at aol dot com  Recent Achievements:
 ARCHIVES OF PAST EVENTS Previous Educational activities/workshops/performances: In August 2007, we conducted a workshop for the Flynn Foundation Scholars in Williams, AZ. Canyon Movement Company has performed for the Peak School in conjunction with the winter performances. In 2004, we performed "Waltz of the Snowflakes" from the Nutcracker Suite in Modern Bare Feet. In 2005 and 2006, we performed the "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy," and the Dancing Dolls from the Party Scene, 2007 is the Pas de Deux. Lecture/demonstration for Flagstaff elementary schools -- The Quilting performances in 2000, were very successful within the schools. The company was commissioned by the Arizona Community Foundation to create a lecture/demonstration that incorporated the Arizona Arts Standards. We took the show the " The Quiltings " and added overhead projections of the quilt photos, and included explanations about the quilts histories. This lecture/demonstration was performed for 10 schools in Northern Arizona. We would be happy to provide names of the schools if you would like to contact them. Other Workshops, Residencies, and performances: Ireland residency -- In April of 2006, we worked again with dancers and students in Wexford Ireland and Myriad Dance. We taught numerous workshops in conjunction with a Choreographic Collaboration Tuba City - in 2004, we traveled to Tuba City and performed for the schools and community. This project involved a collaboration with Grand Canyon Ballet. Canyon Movement Company has been a guest artist for the Flagstaff Leadership Program for five years. CMC Director, Gina Darlington conducted a movement workshop for Flynn Foundation Scholars in August 2007. Workshops for NAU -- These two hour workshops included improvisational ideas led into choreographic ideas. The company took the students movement and created a short performance piece for them. Grand Canyon Schools (1999)-- This two week residency focused on a theme of Peace in the New Millennium facilitated through teaching an inspiring story about hope in the post W.W.II era. Classes included improvisational exercises in which the children choreographed their own dances. Special guest, Scott McBride taught drumming and Capoeira, a Brazilian martial art form. The residency was concluded with a community show including the children's creations and the Company's performance. 1996-This residency taught children from K-12 grades in both private and public schools in Wexford County, Ireland. Residency work included dance performances, lecture/demonstrations on choreography and movement, and creative movement participation. Highlights included working with children of "travelers", families that have a gypsy lifestyle, and introducing American modern dance to the small communities in the Southeast Region of Ireland. THE QUILTINGS 2001 (photo by Norm Shrewsbury) Canyon Movement Company, Inc., a Flagstaff based modern dance company, presents THE QUILTINGS lecture/demonstration A 45-60 minute series of dances based on the quilts and stories of 19th century pioneering women. The presentation includes a brief spoken history about each section and quilt pattern. Additionally, the children will be included by "creating" their own quilt dance with their hands. During the lecture-demonstration, the students will be exposed to all three Art Standards included in Dance: Creating Arts-we will discuss how we create the dances performed and the students will have a chance to create their own short phrase while in the audience (with their hands) Art in Context-the dances will demonstrate how interrelated conditions of the women pioneers can be reflected in the movement. Art as Inquiry-universal themes will be explored and discussed in the program, as well as our process in developing the ideas. If you are interested in booking this wonderful program for your school, or if you have questions, please contact CMC's director, Gina Darlington, by phone at 928-526-9403 or by email at cmcgina@aol.com  Bravura Dance Company dancing the "Cotton Eyed Joe" with Canyon Movement Company and Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra, July 3, 2007  Dancers waiting in the theater to rehearse with the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra, June 2007 
 Miss Gina D. improvising with dancer, True, while waiting for the FSO rehearsal. July 2007 Students from Canyon Dance Academy traveled to The Hague, Netherlands in  Canyon Dance Academy's Spring show,"Mountain Dance" was performed in June at the CHS auditorium. Audience members were moved to tears as dancers demonstrated their technical, creative, and performing skills.  What makes Canyon Dance Academy different? We focus on the development of the whole person by presenting dance as an art form, thus spawning creative and independent thinking, leadership skills, self-control both physically and emotionally, working cooperatively in groups, and confidence building in activities such as choreography and performances. We advocate the philosophy of Virginia Tanner, a pioneer in the field of creative movement for children: "The motivating force behind my work is not only developing excellent dancers, but more importantly, developing young people who are useful, imaginative, worthwhile human beings." * We offer performance opportunities, not competitions.* We offer excellent technical training by college graduates with professional experience. * We offer a variety of classes while staying true to our mission of teaching dance as an art form. * We offer specialized workshops, AZ Jazz Dance Festival attendance, travel opportunities, and company training for our teens. * We also offer scholarships, reduced prices on costumes, discounts on dancewear for our students, and many other family-friendly resources for our students. * Our Bravura! teen company performs monthly at various community events. Call for times and days. 774-3937 Studio is located at 2812 N. Izabel across the street from Coconino High School. Check the CDA website for the current schedule From the director, Miss Gina: I was observing some classes last week and was amazed and thrilled with what I saw. Each of the dancers was creating their OWN dance! One class in particular, a 7-8 year old class, was fascinating to watch. Their teacher had them working on their dances individually. She and I both observed them from the lobby. The span of creativity that was demonstrated was exciting to behold. My college kids did not come up with such interesting phrases as these little ones. Then to top it off, they showed their dances to each other as a solo. To them, I'm sure it seemed natural, but for me who was terrified at 15 to show solo work, I was impressed! And their classmates were so supportive. It is times like this that reinforce my concepts and beliefs about art and dance, and the individual and collective contributions it makes in people's lives. Sometimes I wish we had a measurable system like karate or gymnastics, but I have concluded that if anyone wants to know if our dancers are learning and growing and advancing in their skills, all they need to do is watch the class. Sometimes the technical skills are developed at different speeds, so everyone in the class might not be able to skip on both feet, for instance, or keep perfect rhythm. But the ability to think on their own, control their bodies, express their thoughts and feelings through movement, and become more aware and sensitive to the community around them is aptly demonstrated in class and performance. Thank you, teachers, for taking the time to prepare and execute such fabulous lessons! Thank you, parents, for trusting us to teach your children to be great dancers and human beings! Thank you, dancers, for coming to class, taking the material seriously, and sharing your spirit with each of us!
|
