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?

Moments

It is hard to pick just one favourite moment in my career, but I wanted to share with you one of the moments in the past year that ranks as one of the top 3 for me. This year that Kinetic Elements performed at FAT: Fashion Alternative week in Toronto. The atmosphere was incredible. The crowd was packed, the music was blaring – you could feel the vibration in your bones and I got to walk down the runway! It was an amazing experience!

Thank you to FAT for having us and a huge thank you to all the dancers that brought their wonderful talent to this event.

 

Stay Tuned For Upcoming News….

Stay tuned for upcoming news!!

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 !

Kinetic Elements @ 8:08

reSURGEnce

We are happy to announce that Kinetic Elements is going to be a part of Series 8:08 this Saturday night! It is a Choreographic Performance Workshop where YOU get to be right in the middle of the creative process. Choreographers and companies come to this Series to show a work in progress, then you as the audience get to write down your comments; good or bad and hand them in. Then the choreographer gets all the comments at the end – So you get to be a part of the process as well!

How cool is that? Plus, you will be the first among a few to see the latest works by some great choreographers and dancers. Amazing!

Where: Scotiabank Studio Theatre
Pia Bouman School
6 Noble St, Toronto

When: Saturday September 25
8:08pm

Cost: $10

You can also visit www.series808.ca for more information on the shows, they also have classes and much more. Hope to see you there this Saturday!

Meet The Dancers Of Kinetic Elements: Elizabeth

Elizabeth Vecchio

Elizabeth Vecchio has had the passion of dance for over 15 years. Her roots formed through recreational classes, where she moved forward to dance competitively, attended Arts High School ESA, and has recently graduated from the York University Dance Program. Elizabeth has been blessed to have studied & performed varying forms of dance in Canada and abroad. Performance highlights include working with Sure Jazz Korea, City Dance Corps, fFIDA, Canopy Theatre & Thrive Entertainment! She has also had the pleasure of working with industry leaders such as Shawn Byfield, Linda Garneau, Annie Wood & So You Think You Can Dance Canada Judge Luther Brown.

Photo by Tim Bermingham

Q & A

What would your perfect day consist of?

Laying in the sunshine with a fantastic book by the ocean

Who is your biggest inspiration?

Others around me who have achieved Self-Happiness

How did you get into dance?

My Mom put me in recreational dance when I was clumsy and had 2 left feet! I haven’t stopped since!

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?

When I am just genuinely happy about even the smallest thing, laughter makes me feel ready to rule the world

What turns you off?

Unjust Criticism

You can see Elizabeth with Kinetic Elements at the last Bazaar – Night at the movies! Check it out here:

Poster Design for Eternal Eclipse

Kinetic Elements is happy to present our poster for the 2010 Toronto Fringe Festival!! It is now only 4 weeks  away tonight and we can’t wait to show you what we have been working on. Interviews, articles and more coming up so keep checking back for the details!

Design by Jordan Teichmann  : theSparrow.ca

Photography by Ryan Joyce: http://www.ryanjoyce.com

Meet The Dancers Of Kinetic Elements: Matt

Matt Marr

A native of Saint John, Matthew has walked the runways of Toronto Alternative Fashion, and has danced for Shawn Desman, Jesse Labelle and Barry Szeto. Matthew is currently studying under the Cadence Mentorship Program.  Past mentors include Linda Garneau, Eryn Waltman, Faye Raux, Lisa Collins, Luther Brown, Leon Blackwood, Tuch and Heather Leslie. Matthew is the winner of Jr.Mr.Dancer at Dancer’s Inc., was a finalist at 5,6,7,8 Worlds, and is the recipient of scholarships to Monsters of Hip Hop, L.A.’s Be Discovered and Dance Magic. Matthew is excited to be working with Kinetic Elements and can’t wait to see you at the Fringe Festival!

Q&A

What is your Favourite Movie?

Donny Darko, LOTR, Beautiful Mind.

Why did you start dancing?

I was put into dancing when I was 3 by my parents. I quickly fell in love with performing, and I loved the challenge of overcoming steps, combinations and tricks that I wasn’t able to take.

What keeps you dancing?

The art and the challenge of dance is a lifelong commitment that would hurt me much more than it would benefit me to give up on. I have come so far, doing something that I love, that I could never stop now.

What has been one great moment in life?

My first dance competition. What a rush! I’ve been chasing that high ever since.

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?

Music. Dancers. Speakers. The world around me and the world within me.

Another Look!!

Last weekend was so much fun! Even though we lost an hour Kinetic Elements was getting ready for the Fringe Promotional deadline!!! Pictures were taken, videos were made and this is only the beginning!

Here is a quick image of things to come!

Kinetic Elements at The Bazaar-Latin Fever

Last month Kinetic Elements performed a duet at The Bazaar- Latin Fever! It was a great night.

 

 This piece is titled Heartbeat:

 

This weekend we are working on promotional photos and videos, so come back soon and check them out!