DECIDEDLY JAZZ DANCEWORKS ~ PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM

PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM


		Decidedly Jazz Danceworks is thrilled to announce the second year of our new, daytime, Pre-Professional Training Program (PPTP). The program is designed for hard-working, self-motivated, talented and dedicated dancers who feel a passion for both jazz and the work of DJD. Dancers in the program attend 11 hours of morning classes at the DJD studios (schedule TBA) in jazz, tap, West African, jazz history and DJD repertoire, and are welcome (with consent from DJD’s Artistic Director) in all DJD Company technique classes. Students in the program are also welcome to attend evening classes at the School of Decidedly Jazz. In leiu of payment for participation in evening classes, students must fulfill a volunteer commitment to the company and society (assisting with fundraising events, etc.) and must complete a set amount of shifts at the company's fundraising bingos before the end of the season. DJD’s Pre-Professional Training Program also provides performance and choreographic opportunities with its Pre-Professional show, Footprints. Presented each May, Footprints is performed and choreographed by PPTP students under the Artistic Direction of Jamie Freeman Cormack, the PPTP Director. Members of PPTP also have an opportunity to audition for our school tour, a 4 - 6 week paid contract position that provides performance exposure to the most open and honest audience members we have - children from 5 to 12 years. Cost of the PPTP is $2600 + GST (program is 32 weeks) Auditions for the 1-year Pre-Professional Training Program will be held each spring. For the 2008/09 Season, auditions will be held in 4 Canadian cities, Vancouver, Regina, Winnipeg and Toronto. (Please see our website for full audition details www.decidedlyjazz.com) Students auditioning for the Pre-Professional program who are not from the Calgary area should note that accommodations are not provided, however assistance will be provided (within reason) to students in finding rental properties in the areas surrounding the DJD studios. Please contact Jamie Freeman-Cormack, Pre-Professional Director for more information. AUDITION NOTICE: Pre-Professional Program Dancers interested in the Pre-Professional Program must be at least 18 years of age, and interested in furthering their knowledge of jazz dance and the work of DJD. Pre-Professional Program provides 11 hours of instruction/week along with evening classes at the DJD school, performance/choreographic opportunities, and personalized feedback. The program runs for 32 weeks beginning in September 2008. Cost: $2600 Spring 2008 Audition Schedule: Friday March 7 Harbour Dance Centre 3rd Floor 927 Granville St. Vancouver, BC 10:00-12:00 Saturday March 15 Youth Ballet of Saskatchewan 1106 McNiven Avenue Regina, SK 11:00-1:00 Sunday March 16 NAfro Dance 2nd Floor-109 Pulford St. Winnipeg, MB Time: 10am-12pm Monday, March 17 Toronto, ON Location: George Brown College - Studio C, room C129 Time: 3:00-6:00 Saturday, April 12 Calgary, AB Decidedly Jazz Danceworks 1514 4 St SW Time: 2:00-6:00 Sunday, April 13 Edmonton, AB Edmonton School of Ballet 8205 90 Ave Time: 1:30-4:00 BRING: Jazz Shoes, 8X10 Headshot with resume (photo will not be returned) Please email Joanne Baker prior to audition date to register your intent to audition (please indicate location in subject line and state if you are auditioning for either the Company or the Pre-professional program) VIDEO APPLICATIONS Due: July 14, 2008 The video should showcase technical abilities, but more importantly, we want to see you move and groove. Class work or stage performances are fine. Send to: Decidedly Jazz Danceworks Attn: Jamie Freeman Cormack 1514 4th St SW Calgary, AB T2R 0Y4 For details call: 403-228-8177 or e-mail Jamie Freeman Cormack We also encourage that video application attend our Jazz Immersion Program. Pre-Professional Program begins September 2008 Decidedly Jazz Danceworks 1514 4 street SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada – Tel: 403-245-3533 – Fax: 403-245-3584 www.decidedlyjazz.com

Proud sponsor of this section ~


Footprints: May 9 & 10			DJD Pre-Professionals Add Their Footprints to Calgary’s Jazz Scene Join the dancers in Decidedly Jazz Danceworks’ pre-professional program for a performance of short dance pieces ranging from character solos to Blues, Tap, Modern Jazz, Hip Hop and classic DJD Jazz. The 3rd annual presentation of Footprints will be held this May. The show will be approximately one hour in length with no intermission and will feature the 2007/2008 pre-professional dancers. Most of the choreography is by the pre-professional dancers, with artistic direction by Jamie Freeman Cormack. WHO: DJD pre-professional dancers WHAT: Footprints - a series of short dance pieces exploring a wide range of styles WHERE: Calgary Opera Centre WHEN: May 9 8pm / May 10 4pm & 8pm TICKETS: $10/ticket available at DJD or call 245-3533 Due to limited seating, we recommend that you arrive early!

Jazz Immersion 2007

Jazz Immersion 2008

Dates: July 26 - August 1, 2008

History of Decidedly Jazz Danceworks
Celebrating its 23rd anniversary in 2007, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks (DJD) is one of the few dance companies dedicated to preserving the roots of jazz dance through public performance by its professional company and through educational outreach in the community. As part of its educational mandate, DJD presents its summer jazz intensive for intermediate to advanced students, professional dancers and dance educators.

What is Jazz Immersion 2008?
DJD is dedicated to preserving the rich history of jazz dance while taking the form forward into the future. Jazz Immersion 2007 will provide participants a seven day opportunity to immerse themselves in the unique style that DJD has worked diligently to create. Participants will have to opportunity to take classes in Jazz, West African, Improvisation, DJD Repertoire, Swing, Latin Jazz, Funk Fusions and more from DJD’s cofounders, as well as past and present company members. Jazz Immersion 2007 is 5 full days of jazz dance that is steeped in history while keeping a keen eye on the future.

Taught by our founders, past Company performers and current senior DJD artists, Jazz Immersion is a stimulating week of everything jazz. Participants come to our studios in Calgary, Alberta from across Canada and the United States to feed their rhythmic, expressive and playful souls, dancing to nothing but jazz music and live drumming. Serious study has never been so much fun.

Tuition (in Canadian Funds)

$440 + GST for professionals and teachers

$480 + GST for all others

Download the 2008 Registration Form

Jennica Willis
Dance School Manager
Phone: 403-228-8177


Quotes from the 2007/2008 Pre-professional Students			"At DJD, not only have I tapped into my own personal groove, but the exploration and knowledge of music I've received has made me the dancer I am today. when I leave this program, I’ll take knowledge of not only the styles that make Jazz what it is, but an understanding of music that has allowed me to genuinely feel and move to a piece of music I can connect with. " "Coming from Toronto, not knowing what to expect, I was welcomed with open arms. Dancing at DJD with the pre-professional training program has been a great experience. From training with the most wonderful teachers who offer nothing but intelligence and wisdom to making great friends, I am honored to be a part of this program." "I like that this program only accepted a small number of dancers. This is very beneficial as all of the dancers receive a lot of individual attention. I have personally learned a lot about music and rhythm. I feel this has helped my dancing to become more dynamic. We also do a lot of improvisation and this has helped me to figure out my personal style and to listen to my body’s impulses. I have also enjoyed the variety of teachers that I’ve been able to train with. They all have different expertise and information to pass on. So far this program has made me more aware of the music that I am dancing to, the rhythms my body is making, the space I am moving in and the other dancers I’m dancing with. I find that I am more excited about dance than I’ve ever been." "DJD has taught me how important it is as dancer to connect to the music and understand how integral it is to the movement. We have listened to music, broken it down, and put it back together and I understand that by committing to it, I have become a more dynamic dancer. There is something very satisfying about connecting my emotions and movement together with a piece of music and I feel this process has taught me a lot about myself. The pre-professional training program has been an amazing experience and I think it is a great step towards dancing at a professional level." "This school and staff have completely changed the way I think about dance, the way I feel when I dance and how I listen to the music when I dance. This program has helped me to relax and move in ways that I never imagined. I have lost tension in my movement and have gained freedom instead. (I still have a long way to go, but it’s a start!) I’m getting trained in a one of a kind program that would be hard to find anywhere else. The company members and teachers are amazing role models that show where this training can take you in the future and the evening open classes are a great opportunity to work with other people in the city who love this style too. I honestly cannot say enough about the program and what it has done for me in the past year. I have barely even begun to scratch the surface of this style since it is so unique. I would highly recommend this program to any dancer who wants to challenge themselves artistically and as individuals."


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