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6 days ago

Danceworks, Inc.
Spring Break is almost here at Danceworks and we want to keep you moving through this break! Signup today for one, two, or three of our Maintenance classes and save! See you there. PRERECORDED Barre Workout Classes2 classes available for the price of 1, Purchase by Monday, March 25, and available through March 27CLASSES:Thursday, 3/28 Barre Workout at 9:15am VIRTUALFriday, 3/29 Barre Workout at 9:15am Friday, 3/29 Classical Ballet Barre at 10:30am VIRTUALSign up at the link in our bio! ... See MoreSee Less
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6 days ago

Danceworks, Inc.
Summer is right around the corner and camps are starting to fill up! Sign up today to secure a spot in one of our popular summer camps for your child!🎨💃🏽🎭Exploration, creativity, and play are needed now more than ever, and Danceworks’ Summer Creative Arts Camps are here to deliver! Our team of professional arts educators have provided high-quality arts programming for over 25 years, and are dedicated to helping students see the world through imagination and creativity. Join us for a fun-filled week of artistry in an environment where imagination thrives and lifelong passions are discovered.Sign up at the link in our bio today✨ ... See MoreSee Less
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1 week ago

Danceworks, Inc.
Announcing Danceworks Performance MKE’s third and final show of the 2023-24 season, "Dixit Dominus and Cantos"! We are so excited to be partnering with vocal early music ensemble, Aperi Animam, and working with guest choreographer, Maria Gillespie on this concert ! Description detailed below⬇️✨“Dixit Dominus and Cantos” runs May 17-19, 2024at Calvary Presbyterian Church935 W. Wisconsin AvenueMilwaukee, WI 53233Joining forces, Danceworks Performance MKE and APERI ANIMAM set out on a rhythmic journey with George Frideric Handel’s passionate rendition of ‘Dixit Dominus.’ Composed by the prodigious 22-year-old Handel in 1707 during his time in Italy, this earlier work presents a flamboyant tapestry of intricate vocal lines woven with a prominent rhythmic gusto. With its dynamic interplay between soloists and choir, ‘Dixit Dominus’ exudes a sense of dramatic fervor that reflects Handel’s profound ability to evoke both grandeur and intimacy while amplifying the sentiments of the war between heaven and hell. In juxtaposition to Handel’s baroque style, this concert features a world premiere “Cantos” by choreographer Maria Gillespie that carefully pairs sophisticated repertoire with her authentically raw movement aesthetic, highlighting secular works in the polyphonic style.Event Link: DPMKE presents: Dixit Dominus and Cantos with Aperi AnimamTickets are linked in our bio🎟✨ ... See MoreSee Less
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Danceworks Blog

“It was the best day of my life!” –MHBT Student

Posted on by 10Web Support

There are two beautiful bouquets sitting on our conference table. Energy snacks and drinks are in the refrigerator. Family and friends know this is a crazy week at Danceworks as we’re days away from the 7th annual Mad Hot Ballroom and Tap Competition at BMO Harris Bradley Center.

Entering the BMO Harris Bradley Center Bowl Photo credit: Mark Frohna

Entering the BMO Harris Bradley Center Bowl
Photo credit: Mark Frohna

They have sent these gifts to keep us smiling—and we are.

We have a lot of great memories… How about Debbie Payden volunteering to project manage the program our first year?! I honestly don’t know how we would have done it without her. Her church even sent along hams to feed the kids! Her daughter Rachel Payden is now our full-time Outreach Director.

We’re always looking for the perfect formula to give as many students as possible the opportunity to dance at BMO Harris Bradley Center every year. There was the time we let all those not chosen to compete dance in between the rounds of the competitors. These students were having so much fun that they would exit the bowl and run to find anyone they could grab to go out and dance with them again. It didn’t matter what school they were from—all that mattered was that they knew the dance.  When Liz Tesch, our project manager for many years, realized what was happening, she didn’t have the heart to stop them. “That’s what the program is all about,” she exclaimed.  Sheer chaos?  Possibly.  Sheer joy?  Absolutely!  Thank goodness for staff, faculty, volunteers and  community who understand this program is more about breaking down the barriers that divide people than learning perfect dance steps.  That was our longest competition in history.

Watching their team on the Jumbotron

Watching their team on the Jumbotron
Photo credit: Mark Frohna

We’ve made mistakes and learned from them, while many teachers, principals, families and friends who come to watch have supported us and cheered on the students. They understand that Mad Hot offers much more than dance instruction. It’s a beacon of hope for many students and for our community.

The health of urban youth is reaching a critical point. While we don’t claim to solve these challenges, we do offer young people a chance to find joy in movement. When the program ends, many are transformed and seek outlets to continue creative expression and physical activity.  Through our MPS Partnership funding, we are able to provide scholarships to our dance classes, creative arts camps and school day off workshops for students wanting to continue on. Danceworks Youth Performance Company provides an opportunity for serious students to perform.

If you need a little hope yourself, come experience this on May 18th. Let me know if you come. I’d love to say hi. Oops, gotta go—Debbie Payden just dropped off brownies!    —Deb Farris

trophy shot smaller (2)

Winning the trophy but really they are all winners!
Photo credit: Mark Frohna

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About Our Blog

Welcome to the Danceworks blog, where we're hoping to share a little bit more about the heart and soul behind Danceworks… what made us join the dance and keeps us dancing, what keeps us inspired, and where we can share some of the stories worth telling.