[What follows is] a list of Greater Hartford area organizations [as of 2014] who provide opportunities for Greater Hartford youth the opportunity to engage deeply in the art of dance as students, performers and/or dance makers. [This page is intended to serve as an archive of The Invisible City Project website. While this information is not up to date, it is my hope that its contents continue to provide a point of entry.]
The Artists Collective
Dolly McLean, Founding Executive Director
Where the World of Art is Making a Difference for the Children of Greater Hartford … The Artists Collective was founded in 1970 by world renowned alto-saxophonist, composer, educator Jackie McLean as an interdisciplinary arts and cultural institution serving the Greater Hartford area. It is the only multi-arts and cultural organization of its kind in Connecticut emphasizing the cultural and artistic contributions of the African Diaspora. Artists Collective programs expose students and the community at large to great and too often overlooked artists of the past and present. The Collective continues to offer the highest quality training in the performing arts-dance, theatre, music and visual arts. The Choreographer’s Workshop is comprised of selected advance dance students 9 to 17 years of age. The ensemble performs traditional African, modern, jazz and tap throughout Connecticut. Its members were featured in the Hartford Stage Company’s production of Oedipus The King By Sophocles, directed by Jonathan Wilson. The Choreographer’s Workshop performed for the Congressional Arts Breakfast, hosted by Americans for the Arts in Washington, DC.
Figments Youth Dance Ensemble
Heidi Klecak, Director
The Figments Youth Dance Ensemble is a non-profit organization which offers dancers between the ages of 10 -18 a chance to work with peers who share a love for creativity. The students are mentored during their choreography process, are encouraged to explore movement invention through improvisation, and are taught performance skills. The ensemble holds regular rehearsals in the dance studios of Trinity College in Hartford, where Figments enjoys and appreciates a supportive relationship with the Theatre and Dance Department. FYDE is organized into Trainee, Apprentice, Junior and Senior members. Each season a Senior member is chosen to assist the Directors in the role of Rehearsal Director. All company members participate in dance technique classes while performing with Figments. The ensemble holds auditions in September and rehearses through February, when an annual season concert of original choreography is produced. The ensemble looks favorably on touring possibilities during the spring and summer.
Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, Dance Department
Alexa Melonopoulos-Fleury, Department Chair
Students interested in the arts will find a professionally oriented, highly structured, and academically rigorous curriculum at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts. In addition to professional training in vocal and instrumental music, dance, theater, musical theater, creative writing, and interdisciplinary arts, high school students learn about the history and criticism of the arts and the arts as a mechanism for social justice. The mission of the Dance department is to create a climate of professionalism, which encourages all students to expand their technical knowledge and creative abilities as dancers; to create an environment that supports effort, hard work and risk-taking so that each student confidently uses his or her talents to reach his or her full and unique potential, and to foster respect for the art form and for the diversity and passions of the individuals within it. Rigorous daily technique classes are designed to develop versatile and knowledgeable dancers. Students study Ballet, Modern, Dance History, Dance Composition, Music for Dancers, Dance Improvisation, Jazz Dance and Dance Skills. Elective class offerings include Tap, Dance for the Camera, Pilates, Conditioning and Fitness, Intercultural Social Dance, and Yoga. In addition to the wide variety of performance opportunities afforded to students across disciplines, select dance students participate in Choreographers Showcase each fall which features Arts Academy students performing professional choreography alongside critically acclaimed professional choreographers.
Hartford City Ballet
Dartanion Reed, Artistic Director
Hartford City Ballet is a multi-ethnic group of professional and independently contracted troupe of artists representing country’s around the world. Artists from Japan, China, Russia, Germany, United States, Canada, Mexico, Cuba, Spain, France, England and Australia come to Connecticut to perform, to teach, to inspire and motivate. Hartford City Ballet began as a professional performing arts company in 2005. With the support of the City of Hartford and community partnerships programming was expanded to include a pre-professional training program, School of Hartford City Ballet during 2006.
STUDIO8sixty
Jolet Creary, Artistic Director
STUDIO8sixty was founded as the educational arm of EQuilibrium Dance Theatre in October 2011, offering programming in dance, fitness and music production and providing a much needed exploration of hip hop culture through an encouraging process that is suitable for artists on all levels. EQuilibrium Dance Theatre is a Hartford based Dance Company known for versatility in performance, crossing boundaries and educating new audiences on the culture of hip hop. EQuilibrium has performed in art galleries, local theaters, schools, main stage productions and in various films. Through STUDO8SIXTY, we deepen our roles as artists, educators and advocates of hip hop culture and foundation while providing training in other styles of dance. At STUDIO8SIXTY it is our goal to enlighten and educate adolescents and adults through urban art forms and performances; giving them a creative and positive outlet while building community relationships and promoting core values: Precision, Professionalism, Empowerment, Mentorship. Our classes provide opportunity to artists on all levels a means of artistic expression while educating them on the historical value of the arts around the world. STUDIO8SIXTY provides community enrichment by performing in schools to inspire and entertain future generations. Our program offers training opportunities in schools and in our own space thus offering the youth an opportunity to participate in one of our youth performing ensembles. Most recently STUDIO 860 has been a part of the High Hopes Program at Hartford Public High School where we provide dance training twice a week and student based performances throughout the school year.
Spectrum in Motion Dance Theatre
Olivia Ilano-Davis, Artistic Director
Spectrum in Motion is a dance theater ensemble dedicated to People of Color and the American experience. Spectrum in Motion was founded in 1982 in the Pioneer Valley/5 College Community of Western Massachusetts. Its premise is that dance should once again be part of everyday life. Dance should help us to tell and share the stories of our lives. Dance should embrace all peoples. The company’s director, Olivia Ilano-Davis, originally gathered people from all walks of life: those who danced professionally and have moved on to other things; students of dance; instructors of dance; those who supported dance; those who never danced. The second generation of dancers was launched in the fall of 2003 at Charter Oak Cultural Center and comes from Spectrum’s ensemble of student dancers called The Youth Dance Performance Project.
University of Hartford, Hartt Community Division
Carol Roderick, Director of the HCD Dance Department
Hartt Community Division (HCD) Dance Department classes are taught in beautiful, spacious studios. Our teachers are experienced, dedicated, and can truly impart the deep satisfactions of studying dance. HCD offers a wide range of classes for all levels, interests and ages, beginning at one year old. Studios are located in Hartford and Simsbury. For young children, we offer a Toddler and Pre-K program and a Children’s Program, including ballet and tap classes. The Pre-Professional Program is designed for students at more advanced levels of technique, artistry and etiquette. Serious pre-professional dancers can prepare themselves for further collegiate studies and/or a career and life in dance.
Formed in 2011, HarttWorks is an innovative dance company comprised of Hartt Community Division pre-professional trainees and professional guest artists. Under the artistic direction of founder Samantha Dunster, this select combination of performers brought their inaugural 2011-12 season to a close having received audience acclaim and adjudicated accolades. HarttWorks prides itself on presenting live classical ballet performances that inspire community audiences with both technical and artistic excellence. In addition to this important mission, HarttWorks is committed to further enriching audiences and company members by collaborating with various artists to debut original modern and jazz works. With its diverse repertoire, high training standards, artistic collaborations, and distinctive ensemble structure, HarttWorks is uniquely poised to build upon the success of their premiere season as one of Hartford’s newest professional quality performance companies.
