Everyone that I’ve encountered is simply fabulous. I felt like I belonged and as a person that has gone through so much it matters to be included.
–2018 Summer Intensive Participant
AXIS Dance Company’s annual Summer Intensive invites disabled and non-disabled dancers from around the world to engage, share and learn from one another and the AXIS dancers and staff. Students learn new skills in three different modules derived from the company’s working ethos and repertoire that will enhance and develop their own practice in improvisation, choreography and performance, and dance education. Our teacher training module provides professional dance teachers and experienced artists the chance to enhance their skills and working methods in inclusive dance and translation for dancers with physical disabilities.
The 2022 Summer Intensive will take place virtually from August 1st – 5th, 2022.
Stay tuned for more information; applications will be open on June 6th.
Do you have any questions about our Summer Intensive? Please contact [email protected]
Module Information
Module 1: Improvisation
AXIS Dancers & Staff lead students through improvisation scores and structured exercises to develop partnering and listening skills in a trusting and safe environment. Students will respond to the environments around them as well as each other, learning how we can effect time and space through the choices we make as performers and the influences around us.
Module 2: Choreography and Performance
Choreography and Performance students will begin with a technique class learning material and dance sequences to develop technique, memory, coordination and movement qualities and dynamics. Students will use these skills to develop their own choreographic interests, investigate their own practice, and gain insight into the tasks and skills used to devise the work in the company’s current repertoire.
Module 3: Teacher Training for Dancers, Professionals & Educators
Our teacher-training course is designed for teachers of dance and experienced artists interested in developing their teaching skills in leading integrated dance in an inclusive and supportive environment. Drawing on AXIS Dance Company’s creative practice, expertise and methodology in teaching integrated dance, students will explore the following areas:
- Open door policy – Removing any physical and emotional barriers
that prevent people with disabilities from attending class - Universal language and communication
- Exploring a variety of dance techniques, disciplines and approaches to teaching dance
- Stripping away the myths of integrated dance for a realistic approach to teaching inclusivity
- To challenge and be challenged – a mutual dialogue of respect between teacher and student
- Body specificity – Working with different bodies to ensure all are challenged and learning
- Develop useful tools and skills to put into practice
- Ensuring best practice in integrated dance
- Build teachers’ confidence and set up a teachers’ network for future support
- Q&A time for discussion and feedback
What Students Are Saying
“The amount of awareness this brings to the small, subconscious prejudices I live in, around, and with outside of the dance studio is astounding. Now I’m looking for an apartment that is wheelchair accessible so that I can include all of my new friends in my life. I feel I was a bit asleep, and now, I am awake… or waking up. Always.”
“Thank you for making one of my dreams come true when I thought it wouldn’t be possible after becoming paralyzed, I truly appreciate it. I’m glad I was dedicated and coachable to your program, I’ve learned a lot and gained confidence and joy.”
“I faced my fears and I overcame them. I stayed, even when I felt uncomfortable because I knew the outcome would be good for me. And it was.”
“Elaborating the theoretical material/options/scores together and implementing them right away afterwards, was very helpful. It’s been a very good mix between theory and practice.”
“Witnessing other dancers/teachers model patience, care, risk and fun within the context of inclusive teaching and dancing was wonderful.”
“Not only is dance for ‘every body’, regarding disabled/nondisabled, but my body in the space is welcome to exist as is. I knew, and believed in my heart, that the ‘molds’ were mirages, but now I know there are places that embrace that.”
“I always say that I dance but not that I’m a dancer, but now I know that I am.”