The School for Contemporary Dance and Thought (SCDT) is comprised of independent and internationally experienced performance artists/movement practitioners who are also innovative teachers. The goal of SCDT is to serve as a hub by maintaining space for the local community and curating performance art of the highest quality by connecting communities on an international scale. SCDT showcases contemporary movement training and performance practices that embrace multiplicity, arouse curiosity, and emphasize personal choice. Central to the school’s mission is an abiding respect for the tradition and history of re invention and a directive to continue challenging established ideals. SCDT offers adult and youth programming in dance training that includes modern, ballet, hip hop, contemporary Indian dance, and improvisational techniques. The school creates a space for the creative process by regularly curating performances and workshops with established international performance practitioners. SCDT works collaboratively with Stephanie Maher and the Ponderosa TanzLand Festival outside of Berlin, Kathleen Hermesdorf and Alternativa in SanFrancisco, Jared Williams and The New Movement Collaborative in Boston and the Northampton Community Arts Trust. SCDT is affiliated with the Northampton Community Arts Trust and is working to maintain the space at 25 Main in Northampton as a vibrant community arts space for the greater pioneer valley.
History
For over twenty-five years, the Northeast American School of Dance (NEA) has played a vital role in establishing our town and the broader Pioneer Valley as a beacon for the arts. Under the leadership of Anthony DiVecchi, generations of dancers have trained on the fourth floor of the historic Masonic Block building at 25 Main Street.
Even in recent years, as so many community-oriented arts centers have folded under financial pressure and increasing cuts to public arts funding, 25 Main, with its 4,000 square feet of original, sprung-hardwood floors, has persevered as a rehearsal and performance space for hundreds of people each week. It continues to program classes and events for countless creative entities, including SCDT, Dance Spree, Dance Spirit, Pollinate, Valley Improvisation Dance And Music (VIDAM), Duffy Academy of Irish Dance, West African Dance and Drum, and Lively Dance, among others.
The studio’s management recently transferred to the School of Contemporary Dance and Thought (SCDT), and entered an exciting new phase. In addition to preserving and defending its rich tradition, SCDT is revitalizing the studio’s mission with a host of new programs benefiting our community, including dance education for children and adults and professional training for performing artists. It has also embarked on a program of performances, lectures, classes, and panels featuring world renowned, top-caliber artists, with the aim of establishing 25 Main's importance internationally.
History
For over twenty-five years, the Northeast American School of Dance (NEA) has played a vital role in establishing our town and the broader Pioneer Valley as a beacon for the arts. Under the leadership of Anthony DiVecchi, generations of dancers have trained on the fourth floor of the historic Masonic Block building at 25 Main Street.
Even in recent years, as so many community-oriented arts centers have folded under financial pressure and increasing cuts to public arts funding, 25 Main, with its 4,000 square feet of original, sprung-hardwood floors, has persevered as a rehearsal and performance space for hundreds of people each week. It continues to program classes and events for countless creative entities, including SCDT, Dance Spree, Dance Spirit, Pollinate, Valley Improvisation Dance And Music (VIDAM), Duffy Academy of Irish Dance, West African Dance and Drum, and Lively Dance, among others.
The studio’s management recently transferred to the School of Contemporary Dance and Thought (SCDT), and entered an exciting new phase. In addition to preserving and defending its rich tradition, SCDT is revitalizing the studio’s mission with a host of new programs benefiting our community, including dance education for children and adults and professional training for performing artists. It has also embarked on a program of performances, lectures, classes, and panels featuring world renowned, top-caliber artists, with the aim of establishing 25 Main's importance internationally.
