Dance

Artist: Chris Yau Choy Young

The art of kung fu develops coordination, balance, stability, discipline, focus and awareness, all of which are required for the self-defense functionality of kung fu. Chris Yau Choy Young introduces the art of kung fu by emphasizing the health, fitness and code of ethics of the art form to build the physical and mental skills of students. Chris has trained for twenty years in martial arts and lion dance. He is a disciple of Master Zhang Yun of Yin Cheng Gong Fa, and his kung fu and lion dance school, Gong Lung (Steel Dragon), is located in Pittsburgh's Lawrenceville neighborhood.

Artist: John Meikle

John Meikle's Scottish Traditions residency incorporates storytelling, singing, tin whistle and bagpipe playing and Scottish ceili dancing to give students an active understanding of Scottish culture. Learning about the cultural traditions of other people helps students explore the cultural traditions in their own lives. Learning goals may include rhythm development, traditional ballad singing, and learning songs and tunes by ear. Born and raised in Scotland, John Meikle learned songs, dances and storytelling from his family and community before training at the Balmoral School of Piping.

Artist: Dr. Kimberly C. Ellis

Dr. Kimberly C. Ellis is a university educator and performer who tours nationally as Dr. Goddess. Her teaching interests comprise many areas of Africana arts. Dr. Ellis' enthusiasm and belief in the transformative power of the arts will set the stage for engaging and active learning experiences.
Residency offerings include:

• Celebrating Kwanzaa/The Kwanzaa Song - (K-12)
• August Wilson for Young Minds- (6-12)
• Word! Poetry, Prose and Performance- (9-12)
• Poetry in Motion (like Word!, but with a dance focus)- (6-12)

Full descriptions available upon request.

Artist: Attack Theater

Attack Theatre's workshops use a unique approach to integrating kinesthetic learning into the curriculum to stimulate students' creativity. Movement activities are carefully crafted to help students understand specific curriculum concepts, such as structure, sequencing, transitioning, literal vs. abstract, adding details and setting the tone or mood. Workshops may kick off with a performance program that provides an exciting glimpse into the world of dance and movement. Co-founders and Artistic Directors of Attack Theatre, Michele de la Reza and Peter Kope, choreograph and perform in Pittsburgh as well as in major cities around the world.

Artist: Dan Kamin

Dan Kamin created the physical comedy scenes for the films Benny and Joon and Chaplin, and trained Johnny Depp and Robert Downey, Jr. for their acclaimed performance. He also played the vengeful wooden Indian in the cult classic Creepshow 2, consulted on My Best Friend’s Wedding, and created the weird Martian movement for Tim Burton’s Mars Attacks!

Students love meeting someone involved with movies, and Dan Kamin uses the opportunity to draw them into the art of movement.  A gifted teacher and the author of two acclaimed books on Charlie Chaplin, he reveals the secrets behind his movement illusions in this entertaining, hands-on workshop.  Aside from being fun, the workshop teaches basic principles of expressive communication and offers participants ways to be more comfortable physically.  This workshop is most effective in conjunction with one of Dan’s assembly programs, The Pantomime Man (K-5) and The Illusionist (6-12).

A second option for elementary schools is Dan’s “classroom blitz”—ten minute post-show visits to every class in the school, in which the students learn some additional movement skills during their one-on-one visit with The Pantomime Man.