ULSTER BOCES ARTS IN EDUCATION CO-SERVICE

DANCE

	DEF DANCE JAM   www.defdancejam.org 212.694.0477 info@defdancejam.org Def Dance Jam Workshop, founded in 1994 by performer and choreographer Aziza, is an inter-generational company of deaf, hearing and physically or developmentally challenged artists committed to strengthening the relationship between the “differently able” and “traditionally able” communities. Combining dance poetry, song, storytelling and American Sign Language in its original work, DDJW seeks to inspire, edify and empower audiences, fostering inclusiveness in the arts where exclusiveness is often perceived. In addition to assembly performances, DDJW offers instruction in African dance, Modern dance, Tap, Hip-Hop, drumming, drama and voice. American Sign Language (ASL), storytelling, poetry, journal-writing also play an important role in the artistic program. The emphasis, however, is on respect, learning, cooperation and community service. Def Dance Jam Workshop has performed for corporations and organizations such as SONY, the Anti-Defamation League, the United Nations, Bell Atlantic, First Night, the Bronx Lebanon Hospital, Symphony Space, Dance Theater of Harlem, the Office of the Comptroller of the City of New York, J.H.S. 47 for the Deaf and the Black Deaf Advocates Association, among others. In addition, DDJW has been named New Yorker of the Week by NY1 and has been featured on NBC-TV.

	FIGURES IN FLIGHT DANCE COMPANY Susan Slotnick, Choreographer Contact:  Ingrid Yankowski, Booking Agent 845-657-3370 The Figures in Flight modern dance company is made up of Ulster County youth, ages 8 to 18, offers powerful, originally choreographed performances.  These are interactive assemblies for Grades K-12.    Ms. Slotnick also specializes in using dance as a medium to transform middle and high school students with behavioral problems.  Her work creates break throughs in self esteem, personal expression, concentration, and self discipline.

	ROBERT "LITTLE HAWK" MARTIN Native American Dance (914) 923-9687 mwindancer@aol.com Bob "Little Hawk" Martin is a member of the Native American Intertribal Dancers.  Little Hawk demonstrates many interactive dances for schools, that he performs both at local Native American events and at the Mohawk reservation where his relatives live.  Interwoven with his dancing are teachings about the history of the Iroquois Confederacy and proper ways to say hello in several Native American languages.  He also has worked with students to set up real, functioning teepees.

	MINDS IN MOTION - Kinesthetic Learning   Susan Griss, Choreographer & Educator   www.mindsinmotion.org Contact:    SusanGriss@mindsinmotion.org    Susan Griss has been moving with students through the curriculum for over twenty years. Her school residencies integrate dance and movement with subjects as diverse as math, history, science and English language arts. In addition to working directly with children, Susan focuses on professional development workshops for pre-service and classroom teachers, and is co-director of the Arts and Curriculum Institute at Skidmore. She is a faculty member of Bank Street College of Education in New York, Lesley University in Massachusetts, and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., as well as a guest lecturer for colleges, school districts, teacher centers and art centers around the country.

	NEGO GATO   Brazilian Dance & Music   www.negogato.org 412-201-4546 ARTS EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMS - Central to the mission of Nego Gato is our work to empower and enrich the community. Towards this end we have three core programs: residencies, school & community performances and youth employment training. Nego Gato is proud to announce that we are the 2005 receipient of Gateway to the Arts' Hardie Award for making the greatest contribution to local schools because of our time commitment, energy and enthusiasm!  Residencies for students age 5-11 include integrated learning about brazilian culture, history, and geography. As a young boy Jose Sena performed the beautiful art forms of Capoeira, Orixa dance and Afro-Brazilian music throughout Salvador da Bahia, Brazil and in time, his reputation grew and he earned the name Nego Gato for his acrobatic springs and jumps. Mestre Gato performed throughout Brazil, Latin America and Europe with groups Tenda dos Milagres and Viva Bahia. As his reputation grew so did his travel and he soon found himself teaching and performing throughout the United States.  Mestre Gato believes that it was only because his ancestors left for him these cultural treasures that he did not succumb to the dangers of the streets of Salvador, Brazil. Because of Nego Gato's history our mission is centered in enrichment and empowerment.  Our performances are designed to share the beauty, variety and dynamic power of Afro-Brazilian culture. He continues to perform with his band the Nego Gato Music and Dance ensemble in venues such as The Kennedy Center with such artists as Oludum and Daniella Mercury.

	Ulster Ballet Company   http://www.ulsterballet.com/   Contact: Scarlett Fiero (845) 246-4316 The Ulster Ballet Company has been bringing area residents innovative and creative dance entertainment since 1977.  Founded by Fred Douglas Demayo, its original purpose was to give area dancers, both professional and aspiring, a platform to utilize their talents.The group has grown, however, to include the talents of many area residents, not only dancers but artists, choreographers, stage professionals, actors, writers and publicists.  Strong community support and the enormous amount of talent located in the Hudson Valley has made this group a strong, highly-regarded force within the artistic community. A special winter production with a holiday theme.  For more than 10 years, this has been a continually developing full-length ballet version of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." With a cast of some 65 dancers, actors, and stage professionals this show is just what you'll need to put you in the mood for the holidays! The Spring "Festival of Dance," in which the Ulster Ballet Company hosts dancers and dance companies performing a variety of styles of dance from Classical Ballet to modern to ethnic to jazz to hip hop.  A terrific show for those who like to see a sampling of what the dance world has to offer! In schools The Ulster Ballet Company provides lecture-demonstrations and a charming version of "Peter and the Wolf" that is particularly suitable for students.

	UNIQUE FITNESS   www.uniquefitness-dance.com (845) 338-7664 (845) 616-1197 The mission of the Unique Fitness Drum and Dance Academy is to nurture creativity as a means of personal and communal transformation. Their commitment extends deeply into the local community while programs reach out to the world, building bridges of understanding between people through the arts. While training in different techniques (hip hop, reggae, modern), students learn discipline and self-confidence as well as respect towards their peers, themselves, and their bodies. Students condition their mind and bodies while having fun. All body types are encouraged to study dance not just for the health benefits, but for the love of dance itself. These lessons encourage a healthy attitude that extends to school, work, family, and life in general. Bryant ‘Drew’ Andrews, Unique Fitness DaDA Program Director, has over 20 years of experience working with youth. He has trained in New York City as well as in California (Debbie Allen Dance Academy) where he studied and taught with some of the most renowned choreographers in the business. Drew has been teaching choreography and performing hip-hop dance in the tri-state and Hudson Valley area for several years. He is known for his high energy dance style and his rich, hard hitting choreography. Drawing from his knowledge as a certified personal trainer and medical technician, Drew has created a comprehensive program which combines health and fitness awareness with artistic growth and development.

	VANAVER CARAVAN   www.vanavercaravan.org (845) 256-9300 VANAVERC@aol.com.  Bill and Livia Vanaver are the founders, artistic directors and primary choreographers of this company of dancers and musicians.  Exciting and experiential multicultural dance workshops for elementary through high schools are directly related to social studies and language arts curriculum. They are also know for the dynamism and artistry of their music and dance concerts performed by the Full Company, Ensemble, or Chamber Group.