What is your first memory of dance?

Every time I walk into a studio to take a dance class, or teach, or to rehearse. My senses are overwhelmed. Though I have little memory of my first dance class (ballet and I was 3), one of my strongest first memories of dance when I returned many years later was buying my first shoes. I was taking modern dance, so they were half-soles. They looked very different from what contemporary dancers wear today. They looked like this:

You can still purchase this style today!

I still can remember how they smelled and the feel of them on my feet when I would dance.

Tell us…..What is your first memory of dance?

reSURGEnce Trailer #1

Here is the first of many trailers of our production reSURGEnce presented this summer as a part of the 2011 Toronto Fringe Festival. Don’t miss it!

Kinetic Elements Presents reSURGEnce

reSURGEnce is a collection of dances takes a look at society and examines the way that we view authority, power and beauty. Through contemporary dance Kinetic Elements deconstructs and transcends the boundaries of the labels put on us. Come join Kinetic Elements in their second year at the Toronto Fringe Festival.

Warning: Mature Themes

Factory Mainspace Theatre
125 Bathurst St, Toronto

Saturday July 9 @ 9:15pm

Sunday July 10 @ 1:15pm

Monday July 11 @ 8:30pm

Wednesday July 13 @ 3:30pm

Thursday July 14 @ 11:00pm

Friday July 15 @ 4:00pm

Saturday July 16 @ 2:15pm

All tickets $10 at the door, or book in advance by calling the Fringe Hotline at 416.966.1062 or online at www.fringetoronto.com.

For show info please visit www.kineticelementsdance.com

Media Contact:
Kinetic Elements representative: Kendra Hughes;  kendra@kendrahughes.com

Video Introduction To Kendra Hughes

Thanks to our amazing friend Ru, here is a video introduction of our artistic director and choreographer Kendra Hughes. For more information please visit www.itsru.com!

Stay tuned for dates and times to upcoming performances!

The Benefits To Taking An 8 Week Dance Session

8 Week Beginner Classes

Often I get the question, “Why should I take one of your sessions, when there are drop in classes available?”

I think it is a really great question and it depends on each person and their schedule. With changing schedules and how fast life moves, drop in classes can be a great option. It gives dance students a certain freedom to come and as they please.

For beginner dance students that do have a fairly constant schedule there can be a lot of benefits to come to a regular session. Here are some the pros:

1) Together! A major benefit for beginners a part of an 8 week session. Everyone can move together at the same pace. It really gives students a chance to learn movements together, so if you attend sessions there is less of a chance for new students to feel left behind. which leads me to the next benefit…

2) Accountability! When you sign up for a session, it can really motivate you! Let’s be honest-life happens! Sometimes we don’t make time for ourselves in the long list of things to do each week, but when you sign up for a session, it gives a chance to say, “Sorry I can’t – I have class.”

3) New people! New friends that you know you will see every week! Not only do you meet new people, but it really gives you a chance to build a relationship with the instructor. So you are not just another dancer in a class, the instructor knows YOU, uniquely! You are a part of a whole new community and have a chance to connect with people that you would not normally meet in your daily schedule.

When deciding whether or not to take a dance session or a drop in dance class, it really depends on what your needs are!! So if you have always wanted to dance, get out there and try some different classes and try some new ways to work out and have a great time.

Hope to see you there!
Sincerely,
Kendra

Audition Class – January 23, 2011

Kinetic Elements is holding an audition for their 2011 season! We are adding dancers to the company for upcoming performance opportunities such as; The Toronto Fringe Festival, The Bazaar, etc. The audition will take place in a class format with a combination to learn at the end. If you have ever auditioned for us, we have your information and will contact those who are right for the project.

Audition Class Information

When: Sunday January 23, 2011, 1pm – 2:30pm *Please come early to sign in*

Where: George Brown College Casa Loma Campus- 160 Kendal Ave. Studio C

Cost: $12

We are looking for:

-         Mature male and female dancers with a strong background in ballet, jazz, or hip hop that are dedicated and team focused

-         Dancers must be available to rehearse on Sundays between 10 -1pm starting in February

-         Dancers must be over 19 years of age

For more information or to RSVP please email a headshot and resume to kendra@kendrahughes.com.

About Kinetic Elements

Kinetic Elements is a new and fresh contemporary modern dance company committed to exploring modern dance and fusing it with other dance forms. Our mission is to make modern dance more accessible to the public by performing in various settings and by casting light on the essence of the dance form.

Kinetic Elements has performed throughout Toronto and vicinity at such events as Nuit Blanche, Choreographer’s Snow Ball, The Bazaar, What’s Going On Down There Festival and Dance Ontario’s International Dance Day at Pearson International Airport. In the future Kinetic Elements will continue to produce shows in the community and to bring contemporary/modern dance to the public. You can find out more about us at www.kineticelementsdance.com.

The T-Shirts Are Here!

Now you can own your very own Kinetic Elements T-Shirt!! T-shirts are $15 and they come in all sizes! We have t-shirt for men and women!! So order today at kendra@kendrahughes.com!

Plus!! Don’t forget to register for the beginner contemporary session coming up on Sunday January 16, 2011! Another fun 8 week session is in store. Kendra always provides a comfortable atmosphere for beginner students. We work on technique, flexibility and we learn a combination at the end of each class. To find out more visit our classes section! Is trying a dance class one of your resolutions? Now is the time!! Don’t miss out – register today!! kendra@kendrahughes.com

What do you want to see from us in the New Year?

Please take a moment and tell us what you would like to see from Kinetic Elements in 2011!

How to make the most of your dance classes!

Welcome!

Contemporary Sessions have started up again and we are having so much fun.  All the students that registered were entered into a draw to receive the eight week session for FREE! Dayna was a our lucky winner this session. Congrats Dayna!

I teach dance classes to all ages around the city and I wanted to dedicate a post to making the most out of your dance classes. Here are some tips that I find helpful:

1) Arrive in enough time to stretch before class. Especially if you have an injury or sore muscles, you want to make sure that you prepare your body for the class by stretching and warming it up. As well, I find just being there early, I am not frazzled or worried about getting to the class on time and I can bring my mind to the here and now! It makes it easier for me to focus in the class.

2) Dress and hair!! You want to come appropriately dressed in comfortable clothes that you can move in. As well you want your hair out of your face, so you can concentrate on working on those turns and jumps and not have to worry about your hair getting in your eyes. Depending on the class some teachers would prefer you wear your hair in a bun or a ponytail. If your hair is too short or if you have bangs, bobby pins and hair bands are a great way to keep the hair out of your eyes.

3) Set a goal. It helps if you have a goal in mind for the class. Do you always stand at the back? Do you want to work on emulating the teacher? In a dance class you want to have a specific goal in mind that you are going to work on for that class. You might decide that today is the day that you are going to stand in the front row of the class. Or you are going to take more risks when dancing, put more feeling into the moves. It is important to give your mind something to focus on during the class so you can push yourself to new heights and get the most out of class.

4) Have fun! Remember this is your time to get out the stresses of the day, to just focus on yourself and have some me time. So coming prepared and on time makes it easier for you to enjoy the class. Once you are there claim your space and get ready to sweat. Remember to push yourself and set goals. You will get more results and quicker! Most importantly – have fun!!

Happy dancing !

Thank You!

Thank you to all our supporters and fans! July was our busiest month with the most visits to our website. This post is dedicated to you~!!

We have been taking a rest since our run at the 2010 Toronto Fringe Festival, but August is a new month. With new classes, auditions and more shows. Check out all the information on our website and don’t miss out on a thing!

Thank you for your continued support ~ Kinetic Elements fans are the best!!