PTP Interview Series: Program Director, Jamie Freeman-Cormack
To start off our Professional Training Program Interview Series, we spoke with Program Director Jamie Freeman Cormack about facilitating the program, maintaining rigorous training standards, and supporting student development.
“As you know, dance does wonders for the soul. We are all so extremely grateful to be able to come together and train in person.”
How is the program structured to support dancer growth?
We structure the program to cover a broad spectrum of technique, with core instruction in Jazz, Tap, and Conditioning. DJD faculty member Ingrid Diaz Gamboa teaches Cuban modern, Afro-Cuban, and Jazz, wearing many hats to enrich the curriculum. Instruction from DJD Founder in Residence Vicki Willis is—and has always been—a crucial component of PTP training, bringing invaluable expertise in improvisation and jazz history to the dancers.
Training in DJD company repertoire is a core standard in the Professional Training Program curriculum, allowing dancers to work with authentic choreography and build performance readiness.
Looking forward to the future of PTP
It is constant navigation to keep the flow of the program while taking into account the well-being of the dancers. We have a really talented group of dancers in the program, and I am always inspired by their dedication to the art form and their growth throughout the year.
Our program continues to evolve, using studio space and state-of-the-art A/V equipment to ensure classes uphold the golden DJD standard, maintaining the foundation dancers need to finish off their year strong and launch their professional careers.
About the DJD Professional Training Program
Directed by Jamie Freeman Cormack, the Professional Training Program at Decidedly Jazz Danceworks is an eight-month intensive dedicated to developing skilled, knowledgeable, and expressive jazz dance artists.
Interested in studying with DJD? Learn more about PTP requirements and application details or explore Adult Dance Classes.
