Twinkle, Fireflies and Happy from Spring Music Festival

Here is the first video from our Spring Music Festival. This one features Voices of Hope students under the direction of Josie Kost (1st - 3rd grades) and Anna Elder (4th - 6th grades). They are accompanied by teaching artists Devin Flynt (drums and bass) and Suzanne Polak (piano). 

The final song, Happy Doesn't Have to Have an Ending, includes an animated music video created by Hope Academy students with help from Squonk Opera's Michelle Carello. Unfortunately, the video didn't synch in this performance but you can watch the entire video here.

 

HAT Co Pearl Dancers - Inspired by Comedic Movement

A video playlist has been compiled, and we can add to it, of famous comedic dances and movement on film. From Charlie Chaplin (an inspiration to Michael Jackson), to Mr. Bean, Steve Martin, Carlton and Napolean Dynamite, this collection is laugh-out-loud funny. Watch them all to find out what tickles your funny bone and think about why. Then create your own moves for the Napolean Dynamite-inspired dance you are making. Watch Charlie Chaplin's famous dance from the film "Modern Times" below, and then click here to go to the entire playlist on Hope Academy's YouTube channel.

HAT Co. Pearl Dancers - Inspired by newMoves Choreographers

HAT Co. Pearl Dancers have been invited to an Artist's Lunch at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater on Saturday, May 15. The videos below are examples of the work of some of the newMoves Dance Festival choreographers you will meet there. Please watch these videos and think of any questions you might have for them.

Meredith Rainey - Thursday's newMoves choreographer

Camille Brown - Friday's newMoves choreographer

Luke Murphy - Saturday's newMoves choreographer

HA Teachers and Students in newMoves Contemporary Dance Festival This Weekend

Hope Academy students should plan to come to the newMoves Contemporary Dance Festival at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater this weekend. Not only will you be able to see wonderful dance, within walking distance of your classes here (right across the street, actually), but you will be able to see many of your favorite teaching artists in action. 

Michael Walsh (Musical Theater dance teacher, pictured left), Staycee Pearl (HAT Co. dance director) and Jamie Murphy (HAT Co. choreographer and substitute dance teacher) are all choreographing pieces for the performance on Saturday, May 15 at 7:30 pm. Kerra Alexander (PBT Creative Movement, Pre-Ballet and Ballet 1 teacher) will be dancing with Staycee Pearl's company. 

It is a festival of Hope Academy dance teachers... all for only $5 (for students).

And don't forget that Hope Academy students in HAT Co. Pearl Dance will be performing in youthMoves on Sunday, May 16 at 2 pm. 

ABOUT HAT Co. PEARL DANCE

HAT Co (Hope Academy Theater Company) Pearl Dance, is Hope Academy’s student dance workshop established by dancer and choreographer, Staycee Pearl (pictured right). Under her artistic direction, pre-teen and teenage dancers complete a broad curriculum of study in various dance techniques and styles. As they learn to think about and respect dance as an art form -- and themselves as artists and creators – they are encouraged to make their own work. The dancers participate in the larger theater company and receive additional classes and private lessons in singing, dancing, acting and instrumental music (depending on their area of concentration). This holistic and non-competitive approach to training values and respects the “giftedness” of each company member, helping them to gain the skills and confidence necessary to succeed in school and work, and to contribute in positive ways to our community.

Staycee Pearl’s residency with the company is supported by the generosity of The Heinz Endowments.

newMoves Contemporary Dance Festival

newMoves Contemporary Dance Festival

Thursday - Saturday, May 13-15, 2010 | 7:30PM

youthMoves

Sunday, May 16, 2010 | 2PM

Presented by Kelly-Strayhorn Theater

Voted best of 2009 by Pittsburgh Post Gazette and Pittsburgh City Paper, KST presents newMoves 2010: a contemporary dance festival that engages Pittsburgh audiences in supporting new talent with movement ideas that are fresh, challenging and fun.

Thursday, May 13 at 7:30 pm, the festival opens with Meredith Rainey (Philadelphia), Gwen Ritchie, and Megan Bridge (Philadelphia).

Friday, May 14 at 7:30 pm, features work by Nichole Canuso (Philadelphia) and Camille Brown (NYC).

Saturday, May 15 at 7:30 pm, includes work by Pearlann Porter, Staycee Pearl*, Michael Walsh*, Jamie Murphy* and Kaylin Horgan.

Sunday, May 16, at 2 pm, the festival concludes with youthMoves – a showcase of young dancers featuring performances by students from Hope Academy of Music and the Arts, Alumni Theater Company, Naka Entertainment and Bodiography .

Hope Academy students performing in youthMoves are Angelina Winbush, Dayna Rouse, Candace Burgess, Allie Brown and Mimi Thomas. They have been working together all year, under the direction of Staycee Pearl, as part of HAT Co. Pearl Dance, an artist residency supported by The Heinz Endowments.

2010 Emerging Choreographers are Andrew Blight, Jamie Murphy*, Renee Danielle Smith, Keila Cordova and Bailey Bretz.

* Hope Academy Teaching Artists

$15 Advance | $20 Door

$10 15206 Zip

$5 Student & Artist

A newMovesPass for $25 provides access to all newMoves Festival events.