Explore Afro Latin Jazz with Sekou McMiller

CK Dance Studio and DIW welcome Sekou McMiller back for new Afro Latin Jazz workshops. ClaveKazi Dance Studio, The Dance Institute of Washington and the Washington, DC Dance Community welcome Sekou McMiller back for new workshops! At the forefront of a new movement in the dance world. Sekou’s melange of Afro Latin dance rich with Afro - Caribbean (Salsa/Mambo, Cha-cha-cha, Rumba, Yoruba) combined with urban dance, modern, jazz, and contemporary styles augmented by his explosive energy on and off stage, has earned Sekou broad recognition world-wide. Sekou has performed and choreographed for top latin artists including Gilberto Santa Rosa, Willie Colon, Cheo Feliciano, Johnny Pacheco, Tito Rojas, Tito Nieves, PitBull, and the pop icon Madonna. A recent recipient of a fellowship with The Alvin Ailey Foundation’s New Directions Choreography Lab for Winter/Spring 2017 and the City University of New York (CUNY) Dance Initiative winter/spring 2017, Sekou’s choreographic works have been featured thorough North America and abroad in over 30 countries. Sekou has received certificates of training from both the prestigious Danza Contemporanea de Cuba in Havana, Cuba and École des Sables in Toubab Dialaw, Senegal. Sekou can be seen in the Warner Bros theatrical feature "In the Heights" (2021) directed by Jon M. Chu and in the newly released documentary "Uprooted: The Journey of Jazz Dance". Currently Sekou is a faculty member at Marymount Manhattan College, The Ailey School, Joffrey Ballet School, Ballet Hispánico, Steps on Broadway and Broadway Dance Center. In addition, he is a Curator and Project Director at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem. Sekou will teach two workshops: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Afro Latin Jazz and Soul Experience with Sekou Sekou’s "Afro Latin Jazz and Soul Experience" takes a rhythmical journey through the African American, Afro Latino and other African cultures looking at varying similarities, past intersections and explore new and exciting fusions. Deeply rooted in the Caribbean dance and music culture (Salsa/Mambo, Cha-cha- cha, Rumba, etc...) while blending with African American Jazz, African modern dance as well as other traditional and social dances from West Africa, the Caribbean and the US. This class will explore the fundamental elements and movement principles of Embodied Africanist Aesthetics while recognizing the varying similarities, past intersections, current and future fusions with other cultures. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Afro Latin Fusion and Technique Structurally derived from traditional Afro Cuban /Jazz/ African classes and pilates practices, Sekou's warm-up guides the dancers through breathing and fluid movement exercises that strengthen technique, musicality and flexibility. All the while breaking down the intricacies of Afro Latin Dance rhythms, body movements and attitude. The across the floor combos gets the dancers moving with turns and jumps using authentic Afro Latin moves promoting spacial awareness, power and presence. Class choreography includes movements covered during class fused with various mainstream styles from urban to contemporary dance COVID-19 & Other Policies In keeping with the policies of our host, Dance Institute of Washington, the following are mandatory components of the event for COVID safety: -All workshop attendees must be fully vaccinated against COVID19. (Vaccination status will be checked upon arrival - no refund provided for any unvaccinated individuals) -All workshop attendees must wear a mask during the workshop and while inside the DIW premises. -Street shoes and heels are not permitted in the studio. Please bring dance shoes (jazz shoes, ballet slippers, etc.) or be prepared to dance barefoot or in socks.