Breakthrough Blues: October Edition 2016

Dates: October 3-October 30 Application Deadline: September 23 Are you ready to take your blues to the next level? In this four-week intensive with Megan Taylor Morrison and John Joven, you’ll dig into your dancing, learn new moves, gain an understanding of the blues aesthetic, hone your technique and build relationships with fellow dancers. The program is designed for dancers at or above an intermediate level. Breakthrough Blues uses a combination of video lessons, homework assignments, a private Facebook page and an in-person intensive in New York City to build the skills and habits that will help you reach your current and future goals. For the October Edition, the in-person intensive will be held in New York City, however we welcome dancers from everywhere! What you’ll receive: 1. Support defining and fulfilling your goals as a blues dancer 2. Accountability from Megan, John and your fellow participants 2. A three-hour intensive with John and Megan on October 30 in New York (come early for the Friday Night Blues Halloween party and Saturday night Halloween festivities!) 3. Daily support on the Breakthrough Blues Facebook page from John, Megan and your peers 4. Video, mini and macro assignments designed to improve your dancing 6. Feedback on videos of your dancing (based on assignments) 7. A secret bonus gift! What We Expect From Breakthrough Blues Dancers: Students in Breakthrough Blues are solid intermediate to advanced dancers and are ready to take their dancing to the next level. Students should expect to spend a minimum of six hours per week devoted to building their skills through the assignments provided. Of course, the more time you devote and the more you drill the exercises, the more results you will see. Students are expected to complete daily and weekly assignments, interact with their peers and instructors on the Facebook page and attend the in-person intensive workshop. Students should be ready to accept both peer and instructor feedback and bring a positive attitude to the group. How to apply: To apply to Breakthrough Blues, send us a video of you social dancing with one of your peers. This does not need to be fancy--feel free to capture footage with a smartphone at your weekly social dance (please make sure that there is enough light for us to see you!). In addition, send answers to the following questions to [email protected] and [email protected]: 1. What are the big-picture goals you want to accomplish through taking Breakthrough Blues? 2. What area of your dancing or skill set do you most want to improve? 3. What is your biggest strength as a dancer? 4. What workshops did you attend in 2015 and 2016 (specify level) and did you take any private lessons last year? If so, with who? Deadline for applications is September 23. Payment is due upon acceptance to the program, and we do not issue refunds unless there is a medical emergency or family tragedy. Program Cost is $400 and does not include travel to, lodging in, or meals in New York City. We accept payment by credit card (there will be an additional two percent processing fee), Paypal, check or cash. You will be charged $400 upon your acceptance to the program. This payment is nonrefundable. The number of participants is limited to 10. About John: John discovered dance during the neo-swing revival of the late 90s and has been hooked ever since. Over the years, he has expanded his interests to teaching, DJing, and competing. Before moving to New York, he regularly spun at many Chicago blues and swing events, and has brought his DJing talent to numerous events throughout the Midwest and East Coast most recently at Snowbound Blues, the Albany Lindy and Blues Exchange, and Lindy Focus. Dancing competitively since 2009, he has won and placed in many Jack & Jill and Strictly Blues competitions. His dancing and teaching are grounded in the blues aesthetic and an appreciation for the physical expression of the emotions of the music. He teaches his students to find their own style and ways of moving within the context of the fundamentals and encourages them to add their voice in the conversation of the dance. About Megan: Megan began teaching blues in Seattle, Washington in 2005 and worked as an organizer at Seattle’s first blues venue. Since then, she’s taught in many other cities and traveled to dance events across the country to hone her skills and compete. As a dancer, Megan is known for her athletic grace. As a teacher, she is known for her focus on Blues roots--especially African dance--and her playful spirit. Megan teaches three weekly classes at Joy of Movement Studios in Washington, DC, as well as teaches at dances and events around the country.