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?

Reviews are in!!

Here is what people are saying about reSURGEnce:

reSURGEnce by Kinetic Elements was like watching an extended episode of So You Think You Can Dance and I mean that as a compliment. I hope that TV shows like SYTYCD encourage people who wouldn’t normally see live dance to go and see shows like reSURGEncebecause it is wonderfully entertaining and performed by a very talented bunch of dancers.

The show is divided into short pieces and they all have something to say through their dance. This young company is a positive role model for their peers as they do not shy away from dancing about sexuality, the concept of beauty and the G2o. They commit to their dancing fully and you can see them sweating and hear them breathing which all adds to the power of the piece.

The music choices are perfect and some of them really evoked emotion within me. The ensemble worked exceptionally well together but I personally had a hard time looking at anybody else when Chelsea Lee was on stage, she is a fascinating dancer and has a very strong presence.

I also loved the two solo pieces by Elizabeth Vecchio and Sandra Clarke. Vecchio’s piece was extremely powerful and her costume choice added to the piece as well. Clarke’s piece was beautiful and her music choice was paired wonderfully with her choreography. In another piece these two performed together for a moment with just their backs to the audience and the lines they created were amazing.

The whole show was a wonderful way to pass an hour and anyone who loves dance should see this show and anyone who wants to be introduced to dance should see this show, the pieces are short so you get a real taste test of different styles and dances. I commend Kendra Hughes on creating this company and her excellent choreography.

To see the full review and reviews of other Toronto Fringe Shows please visit here!

Potential Performance- Guelph Contemporary Dance Festival

Youth Moves

June 5, 2011 | 2 pm
Co-operator’s Hall
River Run Centre

Symmetry takes a look at the concept of beauty, and transcending the conventional ideas of beauty posed by society. Together choreographer Kendra Hughes and the dancers have worked together to create Symmetry.

Stay Tuned For Upcoming News….

Stay tuned for upcoming news!!

Kinetic Elements Is Performing at FAT!

Kinetic Elements is a part of Toronto Alternative Fashion Week!

We are performing reSURGEnce on Friday April 29th as part of their theme Dress Codes: The theme explores work that is influenced by different cultural groups, subcultures, demographics, politics, sex and gender identities. The night will showcase designers and artists whose work looks at the social significance of clothing and who we are, defined by what we wear. It’s going to a fantastic evening with so many talented people. We go on stage at 7pm tomorrow night and we hope to see you there for a night of fashion and fun! For more information please visit www.getfat.ca

The Perfect Sunday

This week’s post is about YOUR idea of the perfect Sunday.

Sundays for me have always represented dance. Here is my idea of a perfect Sunday:

In the morning I would get up late and meet up with some of my closest friends for brunch. Following that I would go to rehearsal for Kinetic Elements and then teach classes to my students. After an afternoon of rehearsal and classes, I would drive with Adam and Parker to my mom’s house where we would have dinner with my family. Where we would have roast beef (not Adam of course) and strawberry shortcake for dessert! MMmMMMmmMMMmmMM

The End

What would your perfect Sunday look like?

First Impressions

It is a new year and a fresh start again at rehearsals with Kinetic Elements. There is a lot coming up for us on the horizon. It made me really sit back and remember what it was like to be a dancer coming into rehearsal for the first time. For me it was such an exciting time! I enjoyed meeting new people, learning new choreography and I was always interested to see what the music choice would be. I can’t wait to get started!

reSURGEnce

Kinetic Elements performed this year as part of the Take Two Program at Series 8:08. Here is a short excerpt of the second performance in November. Feel free to leave some of your feedback as well!

60 x 60

 

Kinetic Elements is proud to announce that they are a part of the 60 x 60 Festival! There is going to be 60 choreographers each presenting 60 seconds of choreography to tie it all in together in one big show! Find out more information here about the event.

Where: The Music Gallery, Toronto ON
When: Saturday November 20, 2010 8pm
Cost: $15

Check out Sandra Clarke, Anali Reizvikh, Stephanie Seaton and Chelsea Robin perform Kendra’s newest work to The Shape of a Shell. You can buy your tickets online here on ticketweb.

We hope to see you there!

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 !