Less than a month away and everything falling into place.  The outreach classes are going very well and the master classes are filling up.  The mood of this year's festival is much different than last year's.  I think the stress of the 'five year mark' was mostly self generated, so this year is more of an exhale...and it shows in the work that has been curated.  (Last year was definitely more of an inhale.)  I'm excited to presenting all of my artists....in particular Bennyroyce Royon...who is a hometown boy with a big New York career yet he has never presented here, Josh Beamish, who's work is so detailed yet fluid like mercury, an artistic premier of sorts for Vincent Lopez,  who's emotional and beautiful work will close the show, and, of course, Spectrum Dance Theater with the incomparable Donald Byrd at the helm.  How unbelievably lucky am I to be surround by such gifted and  authentic artists?!  And the master classes....an amazing opportunity to dance and learn and experience...www.chopshopdance.org. for class fees and reservations.

Master Class Schedule:  

Saturday February 16th:

11:00 - 12:30     Int/Adv Ballet    Shayla Bott, Choreographer, Asst. Professor at BYU (Utah)

1:00 - 2:30         Int/Adv Contemporary     Vincent Lopez, Choreographer, Princlpal dancer

                                                                         at Spectrum Dance Theater, Seattle

3:00 - 4:30         Int/Adv Contemporary      Heather Dotto, Choreographer, Vancouver, B.C.

Sunday, February 17th:

10:00 - 11:30     Int/Adv Contemporary     Josh Beamish, Choreographer, New York
11:30 - 1:00       Int/Adv Contemporary      Bennyroyce Royon, Choreographer, New York
1:00 - 2:00         Reading Dance Lec/Dem  Eva Stone and Guests (Free!)