This is a workshop series for young artists ages 13-18 interested in performance art of any kind (dance, acting, poetry, music, etc). Learn how to expand your perspective, skillset, and artistic voice through the teaching and mentorship of our rotating faculty of professional dancers, actors, and musicians. This is an opportunity
to gather artmaking tools from a variety of experiences and meet other young artists interested in interdisciplinary collaboration.
ALSO, IT’S FREE!
FALL 2024 TEACHING ARTISTS
ONEBEAT
FIRST GENERATION
TRISTAN KEOPKE
LAUREN HORN
SAKINA IBRAHIM
to gather artmaking tools from a variety of experiences and meet other young artists interested in interdisciplinary collaboration.
ALSO, IT’S FREE!
FALL 2024 TEACHING ARTISTS
ONEBEAT
FIRST GENERATION
TRISTAN KEOPKE
LAUREN HORN
SAKINA IBRAHIM
The School for Contemporary Dance and Thought
presents
EXCHANGE
The Young Artist Performance Project
An ongoing project bringing young artists together to collaborate, connect and create!
"teens who think on their feet" hampshire gazette
DANCE- MUSIC- THEATER- VIDEO
LIVE ART LIVE ART LIVE ART LIVE ART
Together- we create something greater than ourselves
YOUNG ARTISTS- NEW NARRATIVES!
Join SCDT in celebrating innovation in the performing arts through performance and creation, inspiring generations through compelling arts education, and using performance art as a salve for current social issues, thus elevating the vibrancy, diversity and health of our communities!
EXCHANGE makes spaces for young artists to share their stories, and develop their creative voices and collaborative skills. Organized by The School for Contemporary Dance & Thought, EXCHANGE will engage western Ma teens over an 18 month project that will develop lasting creative collaborative relationships, offer workshops on skill building around all aspects of performance art, foster diversity, and most importantly; platform the teen creative voice. Check out more about future programming here!
This project is funded in part by ARPA, The Massachusetts Cultural Council. The New England Foundation for the Arts, The Northampton Arts council and many generous donors. Interested in supporting this project and our wonderful teen artists? WE NEED YOU! DONATE HERE!
CELEBRATING and SPOTLIGHTING the inspiring and essential voices of our TEENS
PHASE TWO:
January-July, 2024- CHECK OUT THE PLAYGROUND!
PHASE THREE:
December 2024- GRAND FINALE OF EXCHANGE- More coming soon!
PHASE ONE: completed in May 2023!
BIG TIME
Thursday May 25, 7:30 PM
New works by HATCHERY , SCDT's PRE PROFESSIONAL DANCE COMPANY
Featuring works by BILL T JONES/ARNIE ZANE, Kati Payne, Chloe London, Maya LaLiberté, Jen Polins and the Hatchery Artists: Aurelius Millspaugh-Robbins, Arin Andrews, Rhiannon Campbell, Tovah Boucher, Yelena Caldanaro, Maisie Tuck, Milo Forest, Alaya Smith and Edy Savage.
SCDT'S EXCHANGE TEEN PERFORMANCE FESTIVAL
Friday May 26, 7:30 PM
Featuring works created by an amazing array of teen artists from around the Pioneer Valley:
WOFA WEST AFRICAN DRUM AND DANCE
The Performance Project's FIRST GENERATION
SCDT's HATCHERY
The MAPS Project
Williston Dance Ensemble
and work by BILL T JONES/ARNIE ZANE!
PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
THE PERFORMANCE PROJECT- FIRST GENERATION
First Generation brings together young adults ages 15-22 who self-identify as "first generation,” for artistic training, leadership development, and inter-generational mentoring. Forming an artistic ensemble, members create original multi-lingual physical theater performances based on their life experiences, conversations and discoveries with a focus on social justice.
First Generation members may be the first in their family to grow up in the United States, the first to speak English, to graduate high school, go to college, to be openly LGBT+, be an activist, a feminist, or many other firsts. Participants include youth recently arrived in this country and youth who are court-involved. First Generation youth train with professional artists and are mentored by college students, graduate students and community elders. In First Generation, we talk about the complexity of embracing individuality while honoring one’s family and community cultures. The Ensemble creates powerful, high-quality performances that engage the public in dialog about social, cultural, and generational issues. Our performances also invite audiences to celebrate our humanity and our connection through the arts.
First Generation brings together young adults ages 15-22 who self-identify as "first generation,” for artistic training, leadership development, and inter-generational mentoring. Forming an artistic ensemble, members create original multi-lingual physical theater performances based on their life experiences, conversations and discoveries with a focus on social justice.
First Generation members may be the first in their family to grow up in the United States, the first to speak English, to graduate high school, go to college, to be openly LGBT+, be an activist, a feminist, or many other firsts. Participants include youth recently arrived in this country and youth who are court-involved. First Generation youth train with professional artists and are mentored by college students, graduate students and community elders. In First Generation, we talk about the complexity of embracing individuality while honoring one’s family and community cultures. The Ensemble creates powerful, high-quality performances that engage the public in dialog about social, cultural, and generational issues. Our performances also invite audiences to celebrate our humanity and our connection through the arts.
MAPS MUSIC AND POETRY SYNCHRONIZED
Music and Poetry Synchronized (MAPS) teaches middle and high school students of differing race, class, culture and gender to write music and poetry and create visual art in preparation for a public concert at the end of the program spring term. Each MAPS class takes place through a partnership with two different schools in two different states and runs throughout a full year. In the fall semester, English students from one school create poetry from their life stories. In the winter/spring, those poems are then sent to the partner school, where music students spend the semester turning them into heartfelt original pieces of music. Both schools participate in creating visual art throughout the year inspired by the poetry and music.
Music and Poetry Synchronized (MAPS) teaches middle and high school students of differing race, class, culture and gender to write music and poetry and create visual art in preparation for a public concert at the end of the program spring term. Each MAPS class takes place through a partnership with two different schools in two different states and runs throughout a full year. In the fall semester, English students from one school create poetry from their life stories. In the winter/spring, those poems are then sent to the partner school, where music students spend the semester turning them into heartfelt original pieces of music. Both schools participate in creating visual art throughout the year inspired by the poetry and music.
WOFA DRUM & DANCE COMPANY of PVPA was founded in 2009 by Kabisko Kaba (Bisko) and continues to be a source of inspiration for PVPA students to learn about the rich culture and heritage of Guinea, West Africa. WOFA is a Sousou word which means, LETS GET TOGETHER which expresses our vision to reach out into the community to share our culture and art. Part of WOFA’s mission is to share their cultural knowledge with the larger community through performances and workshops at schools and other cultural organizations. WOFA has performed at many locations including the Gorse School, Monson High School, Westfield University and 10 Thousand Villages. This year WOFA is intending to travel to Guinea during Paideia for a cultural dance and drum intensive.
Bisko came to the U.S. in 1998 with his world renowned dance company Les Merveille de Guinea debuting in New York and touring throughout the U.S.A for over five years, during this time Bisko taught in numerous schools and community centers thrilling audiences with his boundless energy and skillful dancing, acting, drumming and singing. As a teacher Bisko is known for his passion for the arts and demonstrated commitment to excellency in his choreography and storytelling.
Bisko came to the U.S. in 1998 with his world renowned dance company Les Merveille de Guinea debuting in New York and touring throughout the U.S.A for over five years, during this time Bisko taught in numerous schools and community centers thrilling audiences with his boundless energy and skillful dancing, acting, drumming and singing. As a teacher Bisko is known for his passion for the arts and demonstrated commitment to excellency in his choreography and storytelling.
YOUTHFUL EXPRESSIONS
Dedicated to Dance, Youthful Expressions was founded in 2016 by Owner, Zena Murray. As a Springfield native, Zena has always had a passion for dance and sense of duty to her community. Youthful Expressions was designed to offer an affordable and dedicated program for the local youth to call home. Following Zena's vision, Youthful Expressions has made a commitment to dedicate our time to giving back to our community through volunteer efforts and local entertainment for all community events. Our mission is to teach the youth to aim high for their dreams, give back to their community, remain humble on their journey and let their hard work speak for itself.
Dedicated to Dance, Youthful Expressions was founded in 2016 by Owner, Zena Murray. As a Springfield native, Zena has always had a passion for dance and sense of duty to her community. Youthful Expressions was designed to offer an affordable and dedicated program for the local youth to call home. Following Zena's vision, Youthful Expressions has made a commitment to dedicate our time to giving back to our community through volunteer efforts and local entertainment for all community events. Our mission is to teach the youth to aim high for their dreams, give back to their community, remain humble on their journey and let their hard work speak for itself.
THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS!
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THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC:
ABOUT US:
THE SCHOOL FOR CONTEMPORARY DANCE & THOUGHT
THE SCHOOL FOR CONTEMPORARY DANCE & THOUGHT (SCDT) is a performance, research, and education platform for artists of all ages to engage in experimentation and continued learning through dance. The school maintains virtual and physical spaces to connect local, regional, and international artists through programming that emphasizes multiplicity, curiosity, and personal choice.
Central to SCDT's purpose is an abiding respect for the tradition and history of dance while continuing to challenge established concert dance ideals and contribute to the evolution of the field. Through artist talks, performances, classes, and workshops, SCDT engages artists and the public in thoughtful movement practices and experiences. SCDT prioritizes and is committed to programs that support the needs of independent artists at every stage in their careers and their creative processes, from research and development to production. The team at SCDT is comprised of working artists who support creators in their art-making, as well as connect the public, university communities, and local and regional organizations.
SCDT welcomes individuals regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, class, and ability. We believe that diversity creates a world we want to live in, and encourage you, whoever you are, to join us in creating a space for movement, thought, care, and intention.
LEARN MORE>>>
MAPS
WOFA
FIRST GENERATION
THE SCHOOL FOR CONTEMPORARY DANCE & THOUGHT (SCDT) is a performance, research, and education platform for artists of all ages to engage in experimentation and continued learning through dance. The school maintains virtual and physical spaces to connect local, regional, and international artists through programming that emphasizes multiplicity, curiosity, and personal choice.
Central to SCDT's purpose is an abiding respect for the tradition and history of dance while continuing to challenge established concert dance ideals and contribute to the evolution of the field. Through artist talks, performances, classes, and workshops, SCDT engages artists and the public in thoughtful movement practices and experiences. SCDT prioritizes and is committed to programs that support the needs of independent artists at every stage in their careers and their creative processes, from research and development to production. The team at SCDT is comprised of working artists who support creators in their art-making, as well as connect the public, university communities, and local and regional organizations.
SCDT welcomes individuals regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, class, and ability. We believe that diversity creates a world we want to live in, and encourage you, whoever you are, to join us in creating a space for movement, thought, care, and intention.
LEARN MORE>>>
MAPS
WOFA
FIRST GENERATION
