Dance Informa has been keeping you up to date on all the online dance classes. If you haven’t already, see our updates on Steps on Broadway, Broadway Dance Center, and other online opportunities. How often do you get the chance to with the pros? While there’s nothing like being in the studio, digital dancing has given us the push to look beyond our own backyard, artistically speaking. Not only do you have the chance to work with the local bests, but artists from all around the world! Taking time to explore the global dance scene could lead to finding styles you’d like to explore. And when travel becomes an option again you’ll have an idea of what else is out there, as well as some base training if you’d like to go try it in person.
Dance Informa has gathered a list of staple studios from dance hotspots around the world who are offering online training during the pandemic, and who offer open classes when the world is right-side-up. Some are donation based, while others run on a subscription. Some are hosting livestream classes through Zoom or Instagram, some have built entirely new digital platforms of their own for you to explore.
USA
Concert and commercial dance like to pretend they’re opposites, but some of the most interesting work coming out right now mixes the two. East and west coast, try swapping styles and see what everyone on the other side of the country is on about.
IAMFORCE (IAF) Prime (North Hollywood)
“IAF Prime is an online portal for dancers to instantly connect with the best in the industry. Not only does it offer the highest quality of virtual training with online classes, lectures, fitness, and career consultation, but it also provides the opportunity to book private sessions and receive feedback from world-renowned choreographers like Tyce Diorio, Brian Friedman, Tricia Miranda, Marguerite Derricks, Desmond Richardson, Adam Shankman and Nigel Lythgoe.”
Gibney Online Studio (NYC)
The contemporary dancer’s New York haven is keeping its community together through Zoom, with classes taught by regulars like Gabrielle Lamb, Yin Yue, Nicole von Arx and members of the Gibney Dance Company. Also look for discussions on topics like Making Your Reel, Making a Living in Dance and Artists as Agents of Change. No better time to work on career development than right now, right?
Peridance Connect (NYC)
If you’re serious about exploring styles from around the world, Peridance Capezio Center is running an International Guest Series. Take ballet from Wayne Byars (Paris), learn Feldenkrais with Nathan Gardah (Tel Aviv), and keep an eye out for other specialists from all over.
Get your heels, hip hop and jazz funk fixes from Millennium Dance Complex, which is live-streaming three to four classes every day from teachers who are at the top of their game.
TMilly TV (LA)
TMilly TV has online dance classes in a variety of styles and levels, including hip hop, contemporary, jazz funk, heels, as well as fundamentals. Take class with some of the biggest names in the industry like Brian Friedman, Tricia Miranda, Tyce Diorio, Marguerite Derricks, Talia Favia, Jake Kodish and many more. Use special discount code “danceinforma” to get 50 percent off your first two months!
CANADA
With a booming commercial and film business in Vancouver (welcome to Hollywood North), the classical and contemporary concert opportunities in Montreal, and a mix of both with an added musical theater scene in Toronto, Canadian training covers it all.
Harbour Dance Center Live (Vancouver)
Try any and every style on Harbour Dance Center Live. Ballet? Check. Contemporary? Yes. jazz funk, sexy street and grooving? Those, too. Check out heels class taught by Malia McMullen, featured in our March edition’s Things that dancers are good at article talking about her career in choreographing for TV.
Undergound On Demand (Toronto)
The Underground Dance Center is also launching its own virtual class platform. Underground On Demand, described as “Netflix for online dance classes,” is offering free access for healthcare workers, and will be available not only on your computer, phone or tablet but will also be available through Roku, Chromecast, Apple TV and Nexus Player.
Studio 303 (Montreal)
Studio 303, usually a meeting place for the contemporary and post-modern movers of Montreal, is hosting online programming complete with classes, workshops and events.
GERMANY
The current experimental movement world capital, Berlin, is a hotbed of creative collaboration. If you want to tune in to tomorrow’s movement styles, check out Berlin-based artists.
As the yearly home for Berlin’s B12 Festival, Dock 11 & Eden Studios is used to hosting contemporary dancers of the highest caliber, and is the home to creativity and ingenuity. When you’re delving into the artistic process, it’s hard to worry about much else.
Get your improv and floorwork fix here, as well as a little bit of Butoh. Tanzfabrik encourages dancers to keep their audio and video on throughout class, to replicate the sense of community and togetherness that dance classes bring.
Try taking floor barre, yoga, gyrokinesis or Pilates with Marameo studios online before one of its ballet, contemporary or improv classes to warm up and get the most out of your movement. “Dancing is an art of interaction, of relationships…to create training experiences in which social interaction feeds artistic thinking and outstanding professional quality. We are an international centre for exchange, communication and shared passion.” And that’s not just lockdown talk; that’s the studio’s full-time philosophy.
ENGLAND
If you’re looking to perfect traditional classical technique, London’s history has it. Some of the oldest ballet institutions are on top of the times and providing online training, too.
In its 100th year, the Royal Academy of Dance has a lot to share. Its Silver Swans ballet exercise classes offer tips and technique to older generations looking to move to music at home. Children’s online classes are also available, something to keep the kids busy, active and learning.
Renowned venue Sadler’s Wells is offering similar programs for children and elders.
English National Ballet at Home
Take class with ENB Artistic Director Tamaro Rojo. Also be sure to tune in for events like post-show talks with choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, and Wednesday Watch parties to see works like Akram Khan’s Dust.
Take a pointe class with Kim White, founder of DanceWorks Ballet Academy. Focusing on turns and adagio, White targets the tricky stuff. “We believe that you can master valuable skills during this time in self-isolation.”
By Holly LaRoche of Dance Informa.
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