Teaching
Contemporary
Artistic Directors Anya and Mitsuko lead a dynamically physical and cerebral Contemporary class rooting from their expertise in contemporary dance, performance and visual art. They begin with an anatomically mindful warm-up inspired by Pilates and Yoga practices. Warm-up bleeds into improvisational research, both individually and collectively. MICHIYAYA Dance repertoire is fused into class providing rich material for one's investigation; students are encouraged to make the choreography their own. Anya and Mitsuko Clarke-Verdery establish context, build dialogues, and encourage the embrace of individuality.
“Class with MICHIYAYA dance is revolutionary for the contemporary mover, engaging physical virtuosity, creative making, and connective practices in a space activated with physical materials. Together, Anya and Mitsuko build a space for simultaneous anatomical attention, serious phrase work, and communal play. Class does not feel like “class.” Rather, class transforms into a limitless playground, where individuals meet, envision, and practice a crucial dance future in MICHIYAYA’s highly innovative “now.””
IMPROVISATION
Our Improvisation Classes are experimental and inclusive movement sessions guided by the Artistic Directors. They start with anatomical and imagery-driven prompts to center and warm-up participants. They then build with conceptual themes, prompting practices of: embodiment, theatricality, partnering/collective communication, dynamics, and more. These sessions serve as a safe space for risk-taking, finding comfort in discomfort, and exploration.
Panel Discussions
We offer a close look into how we’ve developed our artistry; built our company structure; and sustained ourselves through COVID-19 both financially and creatively.
Let’s connect
For information on our offerings, please email info@michiyayadance.org.
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