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Dancers invited to Cranbrook workshop

November 1. 2012
This November, Stages School of Dance is bringing world-class dance experience to Cranbrook, B.C., with a European contemporary dance workshop. The workshop will be taught from Friday, November 16, to Sunday, November 18, at Stages School of Dance, #42-6th Avenue South, Cranbrook, BC, by dance professionals from international dance company SQx Danza.

The classes run from 4 to 8:45 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Participants will learn: Contemporary floor-work (in SQx’s own European contemporary style), partnerwork, improvisation, repertoire, vivencia studies (performance communication techniques), floor-work calisthenics, and Ashtanga yoga.

Participants will also learn new ways of improving their musicality and spatial awareness by moving in and out of the floor and will have the opportunity to interact with internationally recognized professional dancers -- in addition to studying repertoire from the critically acclaimed dance “36,” which the company performed at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in London, England earlier this year.

The instructors are Jorge Crecis, Nathan Johnston and Carmen Moreira.

Carmen is originally from the Slocan Valley in the West Kootenay region of British Columbia. She trained at the McKay School of Dance, School of Winnipeg Contemporary Dancers, School of Toronto Dance Theatre, and London Contemporary Dance School. She is also a registered instructor with the Yoga Alliance of North America. Carmen was appointed as a dance critic by the Society of London Theatre Awards for the 2010 Olivier Awards. In addition to her role as an SQx instructor, Carmen is also the Executive Director at SQx and has dedicated her life to the development and proliferation of the arts.

Jorge holds a degree in Exercise and Sport Sciences from the University of Madrid and a degree in Contemporary Dance from the Real Conservatorio Professional de Danza, Madrid. He has worked as a dancer with companies in the UK (CandoCo), Spain (Lanonima Imperial), and Belgium (Compagnie Thor and IOTA) among others. He has also created works in col-laboration with Athina Vahla and Freddie Opoku-Addaie. Jorge is co-director of somoSQuien and has produced work internationally.

He is also a part-time lecturer at London Contemporary Dance School and a guest instructor at the Conservatorio Superior de Madrid, Beijing Dance Academy, and University College Falmouth. In 2010, Jorge choreographed “36” for EDge, the Post-Graduate Performance Company of London Contemporary Dance School. “36” has toured seven countries and been revived by the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London. He currently acts as the Artistic Director for SQx.

Nathan also graduated from London Contemporary Dance School and went on to perform, choreograph, and create his own work. Highlights of his performing career: acting as Assistant Choreographer for EDge 2011 (Post-Graduate Performing Company at London Contemporary Dance School), performing with Punchdrunk Theatrical Experiences Ltd. in “The Red Shoes” in England, and in the opera “Petra Rocks” in Jordan. Nathan currently works as an Associate Artist for SQx acting as both a rehearsal director and instructor for the company.

Most local studios and instructors would prefer that participants have some previous dance experience, but will always accommodate aspiring dancers. Because of studio restrictions, class sizes are limited. Registration information, course fees class schedules, and other community events available online at sqxdanza.org and from http://www.stagesschoolofdance.com/.

SQx is an international not-for-profit dance company founded by Jorge Crecis and Carmen Moreira.

The mission of SQx is to use art and culture in general, and dance in particular, to contribute to collective public vibrancy. The company achieves this goal by providing educational and performances events to both local and global communities. SQx is dedicated to inspiring, encouraging, and developing existing and potential arts awareness and talent.

The workshop and subsequent showcase event at Stages School of Dance was only made possible with the continued dedication and support of Sheri Green from Stages School of Dance.
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