MODERN DANCE CINCINNATI
Summer Modern Dance Workshop/Intensive
July 19 – 23, 2021
in Cincinnati, Ohio
000 days 00 hours 00 minutes 00 seconds
until the EARLY BIRD registration discount ends!
REGISTER EARLY FOR A DISCOUNT
An immersive week of Modern Dance studies
AFFORDABLE AND IMMERSIVE
An immersive week of Modern Dance studies with Cincinnati's Mutual Dance Theatre (formerly known as MamLuft&Co. Dance) and esteemed guests from notable companies.
16
courses
40
class meetings
13
faculty members
1
amazing week
Plus, full-time students will receive a photoshoot with headshot and dance photo!
2021
In-person this July
We take COVID-19 very seriously here. Thanks to our care and precautions, we have not had one transmission in-house and have been having modified in-person programming since September 2020.
We are ready to have summer intensives and welcome you to join us with the following measures in place.
COVID Precautions
The health and safety of students are our first concern!
For this reason, we will enforce the following policies.
Entry
All students will be assessed upon entry: any student exhibiting symptoms (including a temperature of 100.4º+) will be asked to go home.
Masks
All persons in the building must wear a mask at all times, over the nose and mouth. This includes while dancing.
Distancing
Students will be asked to remain 6' apart unless they live in the same household.
Eating
Lunch breaks will take place outside on our beautiful 1.25 acre-lot.
BYO Bottles
Water fountains are disabled. Students should bring their own reusable water bottle.
Surfaces
Staff will frequently disinfect floors and high-touch surfaces.
Contact Tracing
Parents will be communicated with promptly if potential exposure has occurred.
On-Staff Physician
One of our instructors is a Tri-Health Medical Doctor and advises us regularly.
Proven Track Record
Our staff and programs have an excellent track record with zero in-facility transmissions this past year. We are confident that our diligence is backed by science and a genuine concern for every person who would be affected.
MEET THE FACULTY
Plus, COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
CLAIRE DIERINGER
Company Member of Mutual Dance Theatre
Claire Dieringer is a 2016 graduate of Kent State University, from which she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Magna Cum Laude. Claire has worked professionally as the director of the dance program at Lake Bryn Mawr Camp in Pennsylvania, and as a dance educator at several studios. In 2017, Claire joined both MamLuft&Co. Dance and Seven Dance Company. She is now MamLuft&Co. Dance’s Education and Outreach Coordinator, as well. As a student, Dieringer was a member of the Kent Dance Ensemble and performed in faculty-choreographed concerts. In 2014, she performed at American College Dance Association and also studied at American Dance Festival in Durham, North Carolina, studying with numerous teachers in multiple styles from all over the world. Dieringer previously served as the President of the Student Dance Education Organization of Kent State. Claire was recognized on the Dean’s List every semester of her college career while also receiving many accolades such as the Dance Faculty Award for Service to the dance division and Outstanding Achievement Award as an Emerging Artist Award.
Course: Inversion Skills Workshop Series
Let’s get comfortable going upside down! We will approach inversions first through basic principles, then learning new skills each day. Over the 4 days, we will learn a few movement phrases that will incorporate everything we learn in class. If going upside down makes you nervous, don’t fret! There will be variations and modifications available. The goal of this 4-day workshop is to have every student feeling considerably more comfortable being upside down!
STEVEN P. EVANS
Company Director of Mutual Dance Theatre
STEVEN P. EVANS hails originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance and Choreography at Ohio University, as well as a Master of Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University. Evans apprenticed with the Sean Curran Company in New York City in 2012. Evans joined MūDa when it was MamLuft&Co. Dance in 2014. He has performed lead roles since his very first season in the original productions and canon of works, /SHIFT/, The Tragedy of Time, Maps, and Memoriam. He starred in The Double, an evening-length work based on the eponymous Dostoyevsky novella. Evans has premiered work at Contemporary Dance Theater’s Area Choreographer’s Festival in 2014 and 2015, and regularly contributed sections of choreography for MūDa’s aforementioned stage works. In 2016, he was tapped to create an evening-length work with Elena Rodriguez Moore, titled Double|Sided, which became one of the Company’s most successful productions selling at 138% capacity, standing-room only. He returned to the company in 2020 as Company Co-Director. While at Ohio University, he was the recipient of the Undergraduate Student Enhancement Award and the College of Fine Arts Creative Research Award for his project “Improvisational Dance: Performance Development, Exploration, and Movement Stylization.” Evans is also a Certified Professional with the Society for Human Resources Management.
Course: Modern Dance Technique
Course: Repertory
SUSAN HONER, MFA
Associate Curator of Mutual Dance Theatre (former Company Member and Choreographer)
Susan Honer hails from Virginia and has been performing and choreographing in Southwest Ohio since 2008. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Hollins University in 2004 and her Master of Fine Arts in Dance from Hollins University/American Dance Festival in 2008. She has studied with renowned teachers and artists such as Donna Faye Burchfield, David Dorfman, Jennifer Nugent, Gerri Houlihan, Douglas Becker, Miguel Gutierrez, and Pamela Pietro. Susan worked with Mutual Dance Theatre (then MamLuft&Co. Dance) from 2010-2019 as a dancer, choreographer, and company director. She has set her own work on regional ballet schools including Northwest Florida Ballet and Southwest Virginia Ballet. She has travelled to universities to set Müda repertory on universities such as Kent State and Northern Kentucky University. Susan regularly collaborates with sound and multimedia artist Sean Simon to create original music for her work. Susan’s work Iceman 3000 received an NEA grant through Müda which premiered at the Cincinnati Art Center in 2018. Her work has been seen at festivals in North Carolina for the Merge Records’ 20th Anniversary Performance, Connecticut College’s Art and Technology Symposium, Cincinnati’s Area Choreographer’s Festival, at the WUK in Vienna, Austria, and in Virginia and New York City. Susan is owner of Present Body Pilates in Dayton, Ohio where she teaches Pilates, Roll Model Method® self myofascial release, and SmartSpine© Therapeutic Bodywork. She also currently serves as Mutual Dance Theatre’s Associate Curator for its Jefferson James Contemporary Dance Theater Series.
Course: Roll Model Method®
The Roll Model Method® is a soft-tissue conditioning, self-care fitness format that uses the various massage balls for self-myofascial release, aka self-massage. Class includes connecting to breath, comparing how a body part feels before and after the massage work, experiential anatomy and alignment, and mental awareness (such as conscious relaxation).
Course: Modern Dance Masterclass
Susan’s modern dance class begins with an embodied warm up based in somatics, moving from the floor to standing. The material is athletic and inspired by Limon, release, and improvisation. Honer will use biomechanical alignment cues. Class will culminate with phrase work from Susan’s most recent choreography project.
JEANNE MAM-LUFT
Artistic and Executive Director of Mutual Dance Theatre and Arts Center
Jeanne Mam-Luft is the Artistic and Executive Director of Mutual Dance Theatre and Arts Center, founded as MamLuft&Co. Dance. She holds Master of Fine Arts in Dance from Texas Woman’s University and a Bachelor of Architecture from Carnegie Mellon University. Mam-Luft is certified in Labanotation from the Dance Notation Bureau (NY).
As an artist-producer, Mam-Luft has worked with numerous Cincinnati organizations, including Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, Contemporary Arts Center, and Clifton Cultural Arts Center, producing 18 evening length works and 61 shorter works (35 of which were her own works). She was the first and only dance artist to be named a Cincinnati Arts Ambassador Fellow in support of an original dance-for-camera she choreographed, filmed, and edited in 2014-2015. Most of her works are spurred by her personal history as an immigrant and a refugee of the Cambodian genocide, which led to the death and continued impoverishment of many of her family members. As a choreographer, her interests lie in human connections and energy created by spatial relationships.
She served on the board of OhioDance (the state-wide organization for dance) for 6 years, was Assistant Director of Contemporary Dance Theater for 4 years, and is a founding member of Greater Cincinnati Dance Alliance. Mam-Luft has served on the governance committee of the local chapter of Ohio Alliance for Arts Education.
She has guest-taught and/or set work on university students at Texas Woman’s University, University of Cincinnati, University of Kentucky, Wittenberg University, Northern Kentucky University, Tarrant County College, and Kent State, where she was an artist-in-residence in 2016.
Mam-Luft has also worked for several architectural design firms and is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional. She is also a professional designer and photographer, a hobby baker, and a mother.
Course: Dance Photography Workshop Series
Jeanne will reveal many foundational principles to successfully photography Modern Dancers. Over the course of four 45-minute sessions, students will: (1) learn about gear and the basics behind shooting in manual mode [aperture, shutter speed, and ISO], (2) have hands-on practice in natural light, (3) have hands-on practice and an introduction to studio, artificial lighting in the organization’s fully-equipped photography studio, (4) learn basic photo-editing principles, and (5) have an opportunity to practice their newfound skills by photographing their peers.
ADRIENNE MCDADE TAYLOR
Senior Development Officer for the Women’s Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Adrienne McDade Taylor, CFRE, is the Sr. Development Officer for the Women’s Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation. She is responsible for elevating the organization fundraising processes and sharing its impact. She joined the Women’s Fund after spending 5 years with the University of Cincinnati Foundation.
Adrienne is a 2013 graduate from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music’s Arts Administration Graduate Program along with receiving her MBA from the Lindner College of Business.
Prior to entering the field of fundraising, Adrienne spent 3.5 years as a full-time registered stock broker and part-time dance teacher. Adrienne also received her bachelor’s degree in Finance with a Dance minor from Millikin University.
Adrienne started her career path in fundraising through the Association of Fundraising Professionals-Greater Cincinnati Chapter’s diversity program, New Faces of Fundraising, which she is now serving as the program’s co-chair and involved in the national expansion of this program. Her commitment to Diversity & Inclusion efforts extends beyond her role within AFP and in to her current role at the Women’s Fund. Adrienne believes in the efforts towards evolving inclusive philanthropy and is excited about being a part of the movement!
Adrienne has served in numerous roles with AFP Global including, co-chairing the New Faces of Fundraising program, is a Collegiate Chapter Advisor with the University of Cincinnati, serves on the Membership Services Committee, the WII Taskforce, the Committee on Directorship and Leadership Academy Committee.
Course: Introduction to Non-Profit Fundraising
ELENA RODRIGUEZ MOORE
Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant, Certified in Myofascial Taping, and former member of MamLuft&Co. Dance/Mutual Dance Theatre
Elena danced for eight seasons with MamLuft&Co. Dance (now Mutual Dance Theatre and Arts Center) and served both as the company’s Repertory Rehearsal Director and a choreographer.
Elena has assisted in choreographing several shows for the company, including Double|Sided, a full-length work created in collaboration with Steven P. Evans, which premiered at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center during the 2015-2016 season.
Born in Queens, New York, Elena received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance Cum Laude with a concentration in choreography from Goucher College in Towson, Maryland. While at Goucher, Elena performed and studied under such esteemed artists as Gabriel Masson, Alan Hineline, Roger Jeffrey, Heather McArdle, Anne Hutchinson Guest, Mino Nicholas, and Janice Garret. After graduating, she moved to Dayton, Ohio and danced for SMAG Dance Collective under the direction of Michael Groomes, and Dayton Contemporary Dance Company 2 under the direction of Shonna Hickman-Matlock. Elena holds a Physical Therapist Assistant degree and is a Physical Therapist Assistant at a skilled nursing facility.
Course: Myofascial Taping
Taught by Physical Therapist Assistant Elena Rodriguez, certified in myofascial movement taping, this class will explore some of the beginning concepts of myofascial taping and how they can be utilized by dancers. Dancers will explore the benefits and theories behind the process of taping, as well as perform some hands on activities to use myofascial tape on areas that are commonly injured by dancers. A roll of tape will be provided for participants.
MINDY NAGEL, PT, DPT, OCS
Doctor of Physical Therapy, Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist, and former company member of MamLuft&Co. Dance/Mutual Dance Theatre
Course: Injury Prevention for Modern Dancers
ROBERT PULIDO
Company Member of Dayton Contemporary Dance Company
Robert Pulido is a CSU Fullerton Alumni (2015) with his Bachelor of Arts in Dance and is currently dancing with the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC) in his 6th season. He has performed and taught throughout the United States and abroad such as: Russia, China, and Kazakhstan. He dances many various styles or whatever type of movement is asked (from the head of the room) and he loves to teach hip hop, modern and contemporary. He hopes you enjoy the combo(s) and movement and take away at least one thing from the class whilst having fun.
Course: Modern Dance Masterclass
Get ready to channel your warrior with some fast technical and grounded movement. Be ready for hints of fluidity and contrast of attack that will challenge your stamina. Look up Malhari Bajirao Mastani to see and hear what’s in store.
ROWAN SALEM, MFA
Company Member of Mutual Dance Theatre
Rowan Salem is a choreographer, performer, and teacher originally from Massachusetts. As an artist, her interests lie in compositional improvisation and philosophy’s links to movement. Her teaching is influenced by Humphrey/Limon technique, contact improvisation, and contemporary forms. Rowan earned a Masters of Fine Arts in Choreography and Performance as a Teaching Fellow/Gretchen Moran Scholar at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. Her teaching affiliations include Amherst College, Smith College, and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Rowan recently relocated from Denver, Colorado, where she held faculty positions at Colorado Ballet Academy (the official school of the Colorado Ballet), Aspen Academy, Colorado Academy, and Metropolitan State University of Denver. She has recently collaborated on and performed in the work of Chris Aiken, Angie Hauser, Kate Speer, and Tara Rynders. Rowan’s work has been presented at Redline Contemporary Arts Center, Counterpath Exhibition Space, Green Street Studios, and Art Gym, Denver where she was the 2017 recipient of the Create Award Residency.
Course: Improvisational Performance Workshop
In this two-day workshop, dancers will explore improvisation through a compositional lens. We will work as soloists and as an ensemble. We will dance with rigor and subtlety, we will witness each other, and we will create together.
Led Discussion: Should I Go to Graduate School?
The choice to pursue a graduate degree in dance is not always simple. Rowan Salem will share perspectives and resources for those who may be considering this step in their career.
Course: After-Hours Dance Theory Discussions
45-minute guided discussions on current and historical issues in dance. Films and readings will be assigned to spark critical thinking and conversation.
JASMINE SNELLEN
Company Director of Mutual Dance Theatre
Course: Modern Dance Workshop
RODNEY VEAL, MFA
Faculty Member of Sinclair College and host of The Art Show (Graduate, The Ohio State University)
Rodney Veal, an independent choreographer and multi-disciplinary artist, serves as adjunct faculty Sinclair Community College and In addition, he currently serves as a Career Community Coordinator for Sinclair Community College as well. He is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University with a B.S in Political Science and Visual Arts. He received his Master of Fine Arts in Choreography from The Ohio State University. Rodney currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Ohio Dance as President and on the boards of Levitt Pavilions Dayton, HomeFull, Dayton Live! and WYSO.
Mr. Veal is the recipient of several Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District grants and fellowships, including a MCACD Fellowship for 2010-2011. He was one of five artists chosen nationwide to participate in the Blue Sky Dayton Project Artist in Residency Program held in collaboration with the University of Dayton in the summer of 2009. Mr. Veal has choreographed and presented performance installations all over the Miami Valley; recent notable projects being Reveal: Five Zones of Beauty presented at the Springfield Museum of Art in 2011 and the GHETTO installation at the University of Dayton’s ArtStreet in 2015. Rodney can currently be seen as the Host of the Emmy© Award winningTelevision series THE ART SHOW on Think TV Channel 16 which is currently in production for its 12th season.
HANNAH WILLIAMSON
Rehearsal Director of Mutual Dance Theatre
Hannah Williamson, a 4-year performing member of Mutual Dance Theatre (formerly MamLuft&Co. Dance), also functions as the company’s Rehearsal Director and the Academy’s senior ensemble. She is a 2017 graduate of Wright State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance – Magna Cum Laude. In college she performed numerous dance concerts and musical theater productions including The Great Gatsby and No, No, Nanette as well as a work entitled “Testament” choreographed and set by Dwight Rhoden and Clifford Williams of Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Upon graduation, Hannah apprenticed with Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre in Carmel, IN and performed in the 2017 Bollywood production of A Night In India.
In addition to her work as a professional dancer, Hannah also has a passion for choreography. Through her art she strives to communicate eternal truths where mere words come up short. And she did that in her piece entitled “White Shores” which was chosen from among the entire 2017 graduating class’ works to be performed in the annual faculty concert. The piece was later selected through an adjudication process to the Columbus Modern Dance Company’s January 2018 Emerging Choreographer Residency and was selected to be performed at the 2018 Area Choreographers Festival in Cincinnati. As a member of Mutual Dance Theatre, Hannah choreographed a piece for the 2019 spring production. This work went on to be chosen for performance at the YES! Dance Festival in Richmond, Virginia and at the 2020 Area Choreographers Festival in Cincinnati.
Course: Assistant and Demonstrator for Repertory
Early Bird Rate
$300
Register before May 15 to receive this discounted rate
Regular Tuition
$325
Register between May 16 and June 13 to receive this rate
Late Rate
$350
This rate applies when registering June 14 or later
Each full-time student will receive a mini-photoshoot with a high-resolution headshot and a dance photo, as well as a roll of kinesiotape for the Myofascial Taping Workshop.
REFUND POLICY
$50 of your registration fee is a non-refundable deposit and will not be returned for any reason, including withdrawal.
In the case of withdrawals, a written request must be submitted no later than 14 days prior to the start of the intensive, sent to hello@mutualarts.org.
Refunds cannot be provided due to absenteeism, injury, illness, doctor’s appointments, or other reasons.
Join us at our home, Mutual Arts Center!
8222 Monon Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45216
Convenient to I-75, Kroger (just a block away!), Country Fresh Market, charming small business district of Wyoming, and more conveniences. Located in a somewhat secluded area with pine trees and large yards on 1.25 acres, with plenty of free parking. Doors are locked at all times with video surveillance.
hello@mutualarts.org
513.464.6526
We also accept text messages
FAQs and OTHER POLICIES
Please scroll up for the refund policy.
This workshop/intensive is best suited for adults with prior dance experience. Many of the classes will move very quickly; however, we will never shame any dancer for having less experience. Most of the students are currently dance majors, recent graduates, or professionals.
Dancers with a foundation in Ballet or Jazz will also do well in our workshop! We highly encourage it for dancers who do not specialize in Modern: it is great cross-training.
There are no auditions! Like American Dance Festival or Bates Dance Festival, we do not audition students.
As an organization, we do not have a strict dress code, per se, for adult dancers. Individual instructors may vary in their opinions. In general, we encourage Modern Dancers to wear movement that assists in their flow and does not impede footwork. We ask for mid-driffs and full bottom coverage. We ask dancers not to wear shorts other than “bike shorts” due to the amount of open-leg floor and inversion work we do. Chinese kneepads are encouraged. Floor work is extensive: please have coverage for backs, arms, and legs available at all times.
We are unable to provide housing. However, we have some trusted families in the area who may be able to host a student. Please email hello@mutualarts.org for an introduction. Be aware that we advise that students keep to certain hours and bring absolutely no guests to hosts’ homes.
We would be happy to set-up a payment plan for you. It will require a debit or credit card. Please contact us at hello@mutualarts.org or 513.494.6526 to set this up.
For the summer of 2021, we are unfortunately unable to provide scholarships, as we have allocated our aid dollars. Please contact us for extenuating circumstances.
Many people reside in Cincinnati without a car and use the public bus system. It will add considerable travel time to many areas of town; we thus highly recommend staying as close as possible to 8222 Monon Ave, 45216.
Our company’s 21-22 season will begin the week of the intensive; therefore, it may be late to be introduced to potential new company members. If you are interested in auditioning for us, please consult mutualdance.org/company/audition. We do often extend invitations to join the company when we see exceptional dancers.
We ask that you do not arrive at the Center earlier than 15 minutes before the first class of the day, as the doors may not yet be opened.
We advise you bring the following:
- Lunch if you don’t want to leave the Center campus. We have a microwave, fridge, how water kettle, and stove available. However, within walking distance are: Kroger, Wendy’s, UDF, and Gold Star. Within driving distance are: Dragon City, La Casita, Penn Station, Country Fresh Market, Wyoming Community Coffee, Half Day Cafe, Wyoming Pastry Shop, Station Family + BBQ, Pollo Shaddai, Amma’s Kitchen (all-vegetarian Indian), We do BBQ, Song Long (Vietnamese), and more.
- Reusable water bottle. The drinking fountains are out of commission due to COVID. We will have filtered water coolers available.
- Layered clothing. The studio may get warm, but we recommend items to cover legs, arms, and backs for floor work. All of our floors are Marley. The lower level studio is cushioned Marley.
- Chinese knee pads. You may find these helpful.
- Note-taking materials. Our seminars will contain great information. Writing it down helps you remember!
- For those participating in the Photography Workshop Series: a DSLR or Mirrorless SLR camera and a device to download and edit your images. What is a DSLR camera? We will be working with Lightroom to edit images. There is a free trial for computers (don’t install until the week of the workshop!) or a free mobile app. Jeanne has two cameras to loan out for those who do not have their own cameras.
Due to COVID-19, we will inform all instructors that dancers are not to do any partnering work and should remain 6′ apart. We also as a policy will inform instructors that touch/tactile aid is not allowed this summer.