|
Our Approach to Dance
Education
At The Center, we teach more than just dance
technique. Our teachers
(all of whom are mature, industry professionals) serve as
mentors, taking students on an exciting and creative journey to
discover their individual voice in the dance arts. The Center is a
multi-dimensional place where students can explore a variety of
dance classes and specialty programs that connect them to an
artistic intention and purpose. Whether taking classes for
enjoyment or for professional development, students at The Center see themselves as Artists with
something important to share.
All classes at The Center are taught in accordance
with the National Standards for Dance Education. This allows us to provide a
consistently high quality education to each and every student. During each class, students
receive detailed feedback in order to gain an understanding of
strengths and weaknesses—ultimately, this empowers the student to
take control over his/her progress as a dancer and Artist. Never will a student at The
Center execute movement for movement’s sake—at The Center, dance is
presented as an artistic medium through which to actively explore
one’s personal stories, emotions and concepts. This is what allows the
Artist to emerge.
We hope you’ll consider joining the other student
Artists at The Center, who eagerly welcome newcomers and always make
them feel at home.
Come, discover the dance!
 
Our Teachers
Dario
J. Moore is
an educator, humanitarian, and passionate artist. Mr. Moore holds an M.A.
degree in Dance Education from American University and has
taught dance of all disciplines at various colleges throughout
Central Florida. As
Artistic Director of The Center, Mr.
Moore oversees the dance program, performance
companies and directs U-Turn Dance Company and
UTD2. Mr.
Moore teaches contemporary/lyrical, Afro-Caribbean, Dance Basics, Master
Classes and several classes in the Pre-Professional
Program.
Linda
Eve Elchak is a dancer, choreographer, and educator. Linda has trained with
teachers from the Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance, the
Mark Morris Dance Group, the American Ballet Theatre, and the New
York City Ballet. She
also performed for 2 years with Ailey II. Linda is the Artistic
Director of her own dance company Nao Dance, one
of The
Center’s resident dance
companies. Ms. Elchak is teaching Master
Classes and classes in the Pre-Professional Program.
Jeré
James
has been dancing for the past 20 years. She trained under the
direction of Joan Miller with the Palm Beach Ballet Center. Ms. James attended Alvin
Ailey American Dance Theatre’s summer intensive program and was
asked to join Ailey II.
She received a B.A. from the University of Central
Florida in International Business with a minor in Dance. In addition to her role as
The
Center’s
Rehearsal Director, Ms. James teaches Master
Classes, ballet, modern, creative
movement and classes
in the Pre-Professional
Program.
Volanté
Jones is
a mother, dancer and choreographer. Ms. Jones is a member of one
of The Center’s
founding dance companies, UTD2
and serves as director of The Center’s Creative
Movement Academy. Before joining The Center for Contemporary
Dance, Ms. Jones taught at the Corinth Dance Academy in
Corinth, MS. Ms. Jones
is also a certified personal trainer, flautist and 2nd
Degree Black Belt in martial arts. She teaches jazz, modern,
creative movement, and classes in The Center’s Master
Classes.
Nikki
Peña is an artist and educator. She has trained with
professors at Florida
International
University
and Valencia
Community
College.
Ms. Peña has also
attended various dance festivals, including the American College
Dance Festival in San
Francisco,
CA. Her goal as an educator is
to present her students with the tools to grow both as dancers and
human beings. Ms. Peña
teaches Adult Ballet and classes in The Center's Creative
Movement Academy. She
is also a company member and Associate Artistic Director for Nao
Dance, operating out of The Center.
Sherrie
Flack is a mother, wife and dedicated arts supporter with a
passion for dance.
Prior to joining The
Center for Contemporary Dance, Ms. Flack worked in the public
school system as a Behavior Assistant, managing students with autism
and related disabilities. In addition to
overseeing The
Center’s volunteer program, Ms. Flack is a certified Nia
instructor and teaches this fluid blend of dance, yoga and
marital arts (learn more about Nia) to both
non-dancers and dancers.
Janice
Stieber Rous is the founder of Body Dialogue™, a teacher/trainer of the Alexander Technique,
and a graduate of the BodySoul
Rhythm®
Leadership Program with
Marion Woodman. With
more than 30 years of experience in her field, she has taught
mind-body workshops both nationally and internationally. Ms. Rous has brought her
body-centering work to internationally recognized dance
organizations, including the Joffrey Ballet and, now, The Center. She teaches Nia, breathing and yoga and works privately with
The Center’s dance companies.
Larissa
Humiston is a dancer, choreographer and educator. She
has trained with choreographers from the
Bennett
Conservatory
for the Arts, Broadway
Dance
Center,
Arthur Murray and other talented teachers in
New
York
and Florida.
With more than 20 years of industry experience, Ms. Humiston brings
to each class a focus on technique, emotion and artistic expression.
Ms. Humiston teaches Master
Classes in technique. She is a member of Nao
Dance and is also the Artistic Director of her own
company, Emotions Dance Company. Both
companies operate out of The Center.
Jessica
Mariko (a.k.a. ‘Mariko’) is
a dancer, choreographer, multi-media artist, director, innovator and
educator. Mariko is the recipient of two NYC Broadway Dance
Center scholarships and a United Arts Professional Development
grant. She has danced and choreographed for several companies,
including Riverman Film Productions, Moving Current, Voci Dance,
Cinedance Jazz Dance, and BlueStar Productions. Mariko also serves as
Marketing Director for the Arts & Cultural
Alliance.
She teaches Master Classes and is also the
Artistic Director of her own company, DRIP.
|
