The Hip-Hop Dance Conservatory in New York

The Hip-Hop Dance Conservatory in New York founded by educator, choreographer and philanthropist Safi A. Thomas, is a world renowned institution for professional hip-hop dance education. It is the only institution of its kind in the United States.

The Conservatory is incomparable to a college or university, by size, structure, and model. It was founded to preserve the 40 plus year legacy and foundation of hip-hop dance through the students they educate. Their institution is by far more physically rigorous and intellectually demanding than any other dance program within a higher institution for learning, because they concentrate in-depth upon hip-hop dance as an art form.

From Teaching Kathie Lee on The Today show, to Good Day NY, to NY1 to MTV to BET to The French Embassy to Lincoln Center,The Hip-Hop Dance Conservatory is spreading the knowledge of true hip-hop to the masses without straying from it’s authenticity.

List of Upcoming Events:
1) The Hip-Hop Dance Conservatory Repertory Company
Spring 2011 Season | 2nd Installation
“The BLAME Game”
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Seating @ 7:30PM | Curtains @ 8:00PM
The Theater at Dance New Amsterdam

repertorycompany@hdcny.org

Artistic Director, Safi A. Thomas
Curator of Works, Yvonne H. Chow

The Hip-Hop Dance Conservatory Repertory Company (HDCRC) opened up their Spring 2011 Season at The Lovinger Theater for an evening of their premiere works. From there the company traveled all around NYC for a series of pro-bono performances in festivals and public schools.

For the second installation, HDCRC presents their newest work by renowned Artistic Director Safi A. Thomas, “The BLAME Game” at The Theater at Dance New Amsterdam. Curated in a more intimate setting, this installation aims to provide audience members with a full immersion into the environmental context of the piece.

Focusing solely on one piece, the Curator of Works will open with a brief talk about the developmental process of this work since its inception in the Fall of 2010. The Artistic Director will close with a Q&A in which audience members will be provided with a space to intellectually traverse the theme and motif through dialogue with the characters witnessed in the psych ward.

“The BLAME Game”
Set in a mental institution, we bear witness to the final breakdown of a man in an estranged relationship with the woman he loves. A gripping tale of anger, loss and betrayal unfold before our eyes as she has him committed to an institution.

Ticket information coming soon.
**There is limited seating for this engagement.
Contact: repertorycompany@hdcny.org | 800.697.4698

2) The Hip-Hop Dance Conservatory SUMMER INTENSIVE 2011
Friday, June 24th – Saturday, August 27th
summer@hdcny.org

NO AUDITIONS REQUIRED | NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY | AGES 16 AND UP

DESCRIPTION
To enable dancers of varying levels to develop basic to advanced knowledge and skills in hip-hop dance through acquisition of The BLADE Dance Technique®, choreographic skill, aesthetic awareness, and performance quality within a cultural, historical and practical context. Dancers of all skill levels from all over the world travel to this hip-hop dance intensive every year!

COURSES
The classes will include, but not be limited to, the following:

* technical skills in hip-hop dance styles (Popping, Locking, Boogaloo, Breaking, Hip-Hop Social Dance, Newstyle and their integration into technical choreography)
* hip-hop dance movement terminology
* solo and ensemble performance
* BLADE Dance Technique® choreographic principles and processes
* historical and cultural perspectives of hip-hop dance
* performance analysis
* connections between hip-hop dance and healthy living
* connections between hip-hop dance and other subject areas
* practical application of dance theory for music videos and concerts
* NYC Outings (trips, projects and the sort)
* End of intensive performance (Summer Intensive Class of 2009 featured at Lincoln Center and Summer Intensive Class of 2010 featured at The Theater at Dance New Amsterdam)

DANCE LAB @ our Midtown Campus
The Joyce Theater Foundation DANY Studios
305 W. 38th St. (between 8th and 9th Ave.) New York, NY 10018
Monday: 5:00pm-10:00pm
Wednesday: 5:00pm-10:00pm
Friday: 7:00pm-10:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am -1:00pm

CONTEXTUAL CLASS @ our Chelsea Annex
The Support Center for Nonprofit Management
305 7th Ave. between 27th St. and 28th St. (11th Floor) New York, NY 10001
Tuesday and Thursday: 6:00pm-11:00pm

TUITION DEADLINES
Regular Registration: Monday, June 6, 2011 @ $1300.00
Late Registration: Monday, June 20, 2011 @ $1350.00
*Does not include the $150.00 Books & Supplies Fee

REGISTRATION
1) Please complete and fax back the attached HDC Summer Intensive 2011 Application to 800.697.4698. Please use the appropriate application in regards to your age.
2) Upon receipt of the application, the Finance Department (finance@hdcny.org) will send you an invoice with payment information.
3) Upon receipt of the payment, the Admissions Department (admissions@hdcny.org) will send you a Welcome Packet with program details.

3) The Hip-Hop Dance Conservatory FALL 2011 AUDITIONS
Saturday, July 23, 2011
10:00am – 1:00pm
The Joyce Theater Foundation DANY Studios
305 W.38th St. (between 8th and 9th Ave.) New York, NY

admissions@hdcny.org

As seen on The Today Show, MTV and BET, The Hip-Hop Dance Conservatory is the only conservatory for hip-hop dance in the country. You receive a quality education in hip-hop dance that will propel you into a successful career as a dance professional. What better place to develop your skill as a dancer than an institution centered around the most ubiquitous art-form…Hip-Hop? We accept dancers from all genres, so proficiency in hip-hop dance specifically is not required, yet some formal dance training (in any art-form) is a must. We will provide the skill needed, you provide the raw talent.

All prospective students are highly encouraged to participate in a BLADE Dance Technique (R) Open Class before applying.

Registration

• Admission at the door will be limited to space availability.

• YOU MUST RSVP TO GUARANTEE A PLACE AT THE AUDITION by emailing your contact information to admissions@hdcny.org

Please Bring

• $25.00 Application Fee (Cash, Money Order, or Cashier’s Check, NO Personal Checks)

• Completed HDC Application (Essay, 3 Letters of Recommendation)

• A Recent Photo

• A Résumé with your contact information

Attire: Come dressed ready to dance! We are not interested in how cute you can look. We want to see your focus, desire, discipline, determination and skill. Be ready to SWEAT!!

The Hip Hop Dance Conservatory will be offering FREE dance classes during National Dance Week-NYC Festival.

Capezio and NDW-NYC 2011 Contest

 

We invited our friends to enter a contest to win $250 Capezio Shopping Spree.  The most creative and heartfelt answer for their favorite places to dance and workout would win.

Meet Our Winner!
 
“When I inevitably stumble there’ s never a grumble.
If it’s calories I want to burn,
I can give hip-hop, house or break-dancing a turn.
I use the open sessions to practice my lessons,
for a five fee, it’s practically free!
A laid back studio where I can rent space, be in student showcase and meet a friendly face.
The director is the glue that keeps it all together, open for business through all types of weather.
The personalized attention also deserves a mention.
I’ve finally found the place that helped me to embrace,
that genre of moves that I cannot execute with grace.
I have much to learn, but I can genuinely say, I’m well on my way.
When I feel the need to unclench, I don’t leave it to chance,
I go straight to PMT House Of Dance.”
- Maryam W.

Congratulations, Maryam!  Have fun shopping at Capezio on 51st Street.

Thanks to all who participated.  Keep on dancing and staying fit!  See you at the studios.

The Other Entries:

“I would like to take a moment to express my love for the classes at the Ailey Studios. I came to New York as an international student and Alvin Ailey has been my home for the past 4 years. I’ve worked for the Ailey Extension and helped hundreds of people sign in for their first class. The Extension dance faculty is fantastic and definitely without prejudice. Some of them exclusively teach at Ailey and it’s great to see people of all ages find a dance family among their classmates. I’m a working dancer so I have made use of the professional division classes that are open to the public. The contacts that I made there, both personal and professional, have made a big difference in my life. I always feel welcome even as I run in the door ten minutes late, as usual! Besides, these are some of the best facilities in the States and their class cards don’t expire in a hot second. Thanks Ailey.”
- Oshi W.

“I want to celebrate Alvin Ailey Studios because of the classes they offer in Dunham technique. Dunham is a heroine of mine because of her intellect, her serious research in Afro-Caribbean dance, her activism, and, of course, her abilities as a performer and choreographer.”
- Naghma H.

“Ailey Extension!! ”
- Chloe P.

“My favorite studio is the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center. Ailey is my Alma Mater, in fact, three studios earlier. I began lessons at 44th and Broadway locations in 1978.
The new 4 story building is a temple to dance, especially to the Ailey style. The building and organization of the new studios reflect their high standards.
I love the Ailey Extension, where an adult dancer may choose from a wide variety of open classes, a broad array of techniques; some specialize in adult beginners. Many people could not afford to go to dance classes as a young person, yet they still have the love of movement and expression in them. Ailey is the perfect place to walk in and study. As Ailey Extension co-founder and Ailey dancer Judith Jamison said “if you can walk in the door, you can take a class!”
There are workshops in dance and movement techniques too, which keeps my interest due to the variety. I love studying traditional styles such as ballet, modern and jazz as well as Capoeria, African styles and Middle Eastern. All of which can be found at Alvin Ailey.
There is a program at Alvin Ailey called the “Kat Wildish Performing in NY Workshop” where an adult dancer of many levels and styles can study, and which culminates in a professional performance starring the students as well as professional companies in a professional theater,”The Alvin Ailey Citicorp Theater”. Many wonderful “in-studio” performances occur throughout the year too.
The instructors are all “A-list” movement professionals, movement therapy and exercise techniques.
It is an extremely well-run studio; very clean and extremely high standards. The staff is courteous and helpful. A very inspirational atmosphere for a dancer and dance admirers.
My personal dream is to one day be on staff as a teacher at Alvin Ailey.”
- Peg M.

“I think Steps on Broadway takes the cake. The best teachers and dancers for the best price. Where else in NYC can you take open class with principal dancers in the top companies and get corrections from ballet masters like David Howard, William Burmann, and the list goes on and on.”
- B M

“The American Tap Dance Foundation (ATDF) deserves top praise as a dance school because it has become my joy, my therapy, my life. I danced tap and jazz as a youth and stopped at the age of 13. Throughout college and years following, I never took any dance lessons. I instead lifted weights in a gym. Once I moved outside NYC, I knew that I wanted to get back into dance, preferably tap.

Upon finding a dance school, I did excessive research on where to take classes. I contacted a few schools in NJ local to me, and three tap schools in NYC. One of the schools in NJ took so long to get back to me and two of the schools in NYC had some schedules that were challenging to get to with a full time job. The second I reached out to American Tap Dance Foundation, I knew this was the school for me. I immediately was welcomed via phone and email. Not having adult tap shoes, I was quickly sent over a list of reccomended shoes and where to get them. I know that sounds like it should be an easy task- sending a potential student a list of where to get shoes, but there was a school in NJ who frankly had no idea.

Right off the bat I knew I could trust the staff and appreciated the welcoming environment. Upon my first step into ATDF, I felt a sense of peace. Every student that walked out of the class had a smile on their face. Even more importantly, so did the staff and instructors. As I slipped my tap shoes on for the first time in over 10 years, I felt intimidated. As a student with heart disease and a pacemaker, I was fearful that I wouldnt be able to keep up, or that my decade plus of taking time off from dance would make me look horrible. Still, I walked through the door of my first class. The instructor was so pleasant. I knew she was there to be a mentor, not just a teacher, and I let her be just that. My first few classes were slow, and designed to really understand shifting body weight, while also re-learning the basic tap steps. As frustrating as it is to not be good or perform well, I just kept praticing.

One night after class, I was randomly chatting with one of the staff about a tap event featuring amazing tap dancers Michelle Dorrance and Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards. I had never been to a tap event, but thought it would be interesting. The staff member invited me along with her. Mind you, we had never spoken in a personal way like that prior. When I met up with her, she introduced me to other tap dancers in the scene, who were all different level dancers. It was a world that I was so excited to be in. We are still great friends!

When I returned to the studio that next week, I had tap pumping through my veins. I dont know if it was just seeing such utter talent, or being around such amazing people, but my inspiration to dance to follow my goals was sky high. I met with the instructor who was the first person to speak to me at ATDF, and also my first tap instructor there, to discuss me branching out. She reccomended I could move up a level and try classes with two very different instructors, as well as dance with her. I was excited, yet intimidated again to try a new level. What if I couldnt balance or stroke my foot the right way, or I fell? I now am dancing with an instructor who can hear every single under tone and bass note in any song. Being a drummer, I count in 4′s. Counting while dancing, while using counts in 4-8-16th, or even in trios, well that was a humongous challenge. However, I wasnt alone, and practice made a huge improvement. Following an instructor with such a love and passion for music, I took another class with an instructor who doesnt use music, AT ALL. You all are wondering, ” How do you dance without music?” Well, your feet become the music. They become the loud beats, the soft beats, the slides, the moments of silence. Tap offers something that no other style of dance does. It shows a performance and a story, but it in itself can be the story and the soundtrack as well.

Dancing 3 days a week at ATDF has not only made me a much better dancer, but it has become a place of happiness. So many people don’t realize that dancers have a passion, a love, stronger than human love, and that is what I feel there. I have an injured foot, but I still dance every single day whether in class or at home. I am confident that if I hadnt found ATDF, that I wouldnt be where I am at today. I met some seriously amazing people, involved myself in a community that gives back to one of the great, yet shadowed arts- dance, and I have found a place where my medical condition isnt limited nor am I limited as a student. The instructors and staff are great mentors, the school is a great place to perform, and the joy of creating/performing to music is wonderful.

I would defintely choose ATDF as the school that deserves the most praise. They are involved with National Dance Week- and their school location is a block away from a pretty view along the Hudson River.”
- Lauren M.

 

“My name’s ____________ and I’m from California. I am now 24 years old, but I began dancing at the age of 6 and stopped when I was 18. When I was 13, my mother took me to see an Alvin Ailey dance performance in Los Angeles and I fell in love with the style & creativity of Alvin Ailey. They were so unlike any other “ballet” company I’d ever heard of or seen! When I was fourteen years old, I was asked by a friend of mine to join her on a few auditions for a number of New York dance companies. I went to an American Ballet Company audition, a Joffrey audition and an Alvin Ailey audition. I was accepted into both Joffrey and Alvin Ailey. It took a lot of financial planning with my parents, but they decided that it would be a great experience for me to go and be a part of a NYC dance company. I decided on Alvin Ailey based on their unique style. I went for their summer program when I was just a freshman in high school–I was living alone in a NYC apartment and walking 40 NYC blocks to the Alvin Ailey studio for class every day. Not only did I grow up that summer, but I truly got to experience dance for the first time in my dance career. The Alvin Ailey dance company experience was one that made me who I am today and set me up for great dance opportunities at that time. I could not exchange that experience for anything!”
- Michelle C.



“I don’t see this school on the list but Dancesport on 34th street is a wonderful school. Offering a variety of classes with fantastic teachers. I always feel good when I leave this studio. You can just sit and relax watch class or drink a glass of wine or eat a delicious sandwich. I nice change from most studios.”
- Georgette M.

“Jesse Hamilton’s Mambo Fanatics dance class has been at the Harlem YMCA for at least 17 years. That is when I and many others learned to dance Mambo/Salsa. The class is still going strong and has many loyal supporters. Not only that but several students have gone on to form their own classes in other locations. He also allows former students (now at teacher level) to teach segments of his two hour class. He has also organized salsa trips to dance around the world. We have gone to Havana, Paris, Montreal, Brazil, and more. Jesse encourages dance and also teaches at River Bank State Park and gives a big (free) Salsa Party each year. Students keep coming back to dance with the class because, we are family and Mambo Fanatics at the Harlem YMCA truly represents what dance is all about, fun, fitness, quality, motivation. Bravo!”
- Yvonne S.

“I had to write to tell you that you should be celebrating STEPS ON BROADWAY in New York City! This studio has changed my life! The atmosphere is great and the teachers are amazing! I am 100% addicted to JOYCE KING’s jazz classes! Her entire class is amazing and I live for her Tuesday and Thursday classes! From the warm up, to devs, to across the floor and the combo, I cannot tell you how amazing and how much better a dancer I am because I study with her! I look forward to being in her class for years and years to come!
I was also lucky enough to study with Zena Rommett and take her Floor Barre class. Every single teacher I have taken with has given me something to take with me. I am so lucky to have found Steps and plan on studying there forever!
Steps has become my main place to study dance and I hope you honor them during National Dance Week!”
- Danelle H.

“Of all of the (incredible) studios participating in National Dance Week, I am really looking forward to celebrating this week of community, companionship, and dancing my heart out with Dance New Amsterdam. Having grown up in a small town in Birmingham, Alabama, “DNA” was a foreign and revered idea at my studio back home. Now though, I am living my dreams in New York City, and I can’t believe I’ve actually been presented with such a golden opportunity to take classes at DNA. I’m so thankful that Dance New Amsterdam, as one of the larger studios in the city, has opened its doors to the public to get to share in the joy felt by its company members and class participants each and every class, and I cannot wait for National Dance Week to begin!”
- Katrina B.

“Peridance is hands down the best studio in NYC. Where else can you find a big studio where the director is also a dancer/teacher?! That alone impacts the culture of the studio and its a luxury many dancers have taken for granted. The teachers are dedicated at Peridance. There are amazing choreographers every summer, as well as major companies such as Limon and Evidence teaching classes on a regular basis. When Djoniba dance center closed I was happy to know that those classes would also be offered at Peridance. I have watched this studio transform into the state of the art facility that it is today. It was at Peridance that I received a phone call telling me that I had made it into the African American Dance Ensemble! Years later it still feels like home.”
- Erin H.

 

National Dance Week-NYC 2011 Culminating Performance

 

Sunday, June 26, 2011 

3pm

 The Salvatore Capezio Theater at Peridance

126 E 13^th St. between 3^rd & 4^th Avenues

New York, NY 10003

 

Early Bird Special $14

$20 at the Door

BUY HERE 

(After payment is made your name is automatically added to our RSVP list; no need to print confirmation.)

NDW-NYC culminates with winning performances by:

 American Tap Dance Foundation

`Avei`a Polynesian Dance

Creative Outlet Dance Theatre of Brooklyn

Flamenco con Magdalena

The Hip Hop Dance Conservatory Repertory Company

Marie-Christine Giordano Dance

with special performances by…

Billy Elliot the Musical (Billy)

and

COBU Japanese TAIKO Drum & TAP Dance Co.

 Cocktail reception, co-sponsored by Peridance Capezio Center, to follow immediately after the performance.

This event is proud to announce that proceeds will benefit Japan relief efforts to help those affected by the earthquake in Japan and tsunami throughout the Pacific.

 

Photos by: Martine Bisagni and Ruben Roncallo

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