About our 2010 Summer Dance Collective

Our 2009 Summer Dance Collective was a big hit with several Frederick area studios participating. Like last year, the Summer Dance Collective will be hosting Pushing Progress, a New York-based contemporary dance and workshop company.

This will be a unique opportunity to get the New York dance experience here in Maryland. Master teachers from across the country and Canada with expertise in a wide range of dance styles will help take you to the next level both technically and as a performer.

During the week of July 26 – 30 you are invited to attend a Summer Dance Collective for the more advanced dancer, sponsored by Elite Feet Dance Studio. The camp will be divided into Juniors (ages 10 – 12), Teens (ages 13 –15), Seniors (ages 16 & up) and College students. For the Juniors the camp will run from 9am to 2pm. For the Teens and Seniors the camp will run from 10am to 5pm. The College Students will have an evening session from 4pm to 9pm. Classes will be offered in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Musical Theater, Hip Hop, Modern, Contemporary, Jazz/Lyrical, Jumps and Turns, Improvisation, Contact Improv, Audition classes/prep and Pilates. With discussions in Body Awareness, Injury Prevention, Nutrition, Kinesiology and more.

About SDC Teachers

Calen Kurka

A native of British Columbia Canada, Calen commenced his training at the age of 7 in numerous disciplines including Jazz, Tap, Ballet, and Chinese Dance. He also danced competitively until starting his professional career and moving to New York to continue his studies. Currently on faculty at Broadway Dance Center in New York City, Calen is highly respected as an instructor for his intense classes founded upon strong dance discipline, core strength, technique, and ones mental awareness of self. Also on faculty with several dance conventions across the U.S., Calen has taught throughout Canada, Japan, more recently in Dublin Ireland, and is well recognized for his unique and innovative choreography. With many performing credits, including being an original member of the first national tour of the Jeff Amsden’s widely acclaimed “A Few Good Men Dancin’”, he can also be seen in "The Live! at Broadway Dance Center" video series "Turns and Turn Combos", dancing with choreographer Danny Herman, and "Floor Work with Calen Kurka and Chris Hale": A new addition to the "Live at BDC" collection. As founder and artistic director of contemporary dance based :pushing progress a company, Calen’s current journey continues as he explores his own artistry and those who continue to inspire him.

Chris Hale

Chris Hale currently on faculty at Broadway Dance Center is steadily establishing himself as one of the most sought after instructors of his time. Professional credits include KTU's miracle on 34th Street where he performed with such recording artists as Mary J. Blige, Deborah Cox, Tamia, Gloria Gaynor, and Michael Jackson. In 2002 he got the pleasure of performing with international singing sensation Anastasia at the FIFA World Cup Final Draw in Busan, Korea. Television credits include HBO's "Sex and the City" playing opposite Kim Catrall. He continues to teach and choreograph for many private studios and companies here and abroad. Most recently he along with fellow instructor Calen Kurka, released an instructional video for the Live At BDC series entitled, “Floorwork, with Calen Kurka and Chris Hale”. As a choreographer he continues to create work that pushes the boundaries of contemporary jazz dance and hopefully bring it to the mainstream in a way that is accessible to everyone.

Jeff Gatti

Originally from Edmonton, Canada, Jeff Gatti trained extensively in tap, jazz, lyrical and ballet. Jeff has taught, choreographed, adjudicated and performed across North America and Europe. His performance credits range from featured roles with Princess Cruise Lines and Celebrity Cruises to commercials and industrials. Jeff was a cast member of “A Few Good Men Dancin’” at the New Victory Theatre in New York and went on to workshop the show for the US National Tour, as well as being on tour with “Dancing On Common Ground.” Now based in New York City, he continues his performing career, as well as teaching and choreographing throughout the United States and Canada at several studios including Broadway Dance Center. He is also on faculty with several national dance conventions and competitions.

Maya Escueta

Maya Escueta, originally from Los Angeles, CA, trained in the Royal Academy of Dance Ballet tradition and discovered her jazz and modern roots at the age of 16. She soon thereafter moved to New York City to study at Columbia University and pursue a career in modern and contemporary jazz. In New York, she trained as a Richard Ellner Scholar at Broadway Dance Center has performed with various modern and jazz companies, including the Notario Dance Company, Donna Goffredo, and CollidE. At Columbia, Maya actively choreographed, producing the first full length theme-based night of original work through the Orchesis Dance Group, entitled the Alice Project. Since then, Maya’s work has been showcased at several venues throughout New York City, including Broadway Dance Center, the Williamsburg Art Nexus and the Dance Forum. Most recently, she traveled to Dublin to perform with Pushing Progress, a contemporary dance company. Maya looks forward to continuing to choreograph and create in the New York City dance community.

Brian & Scott Nicholson

Returning this year are hip hop teachers and twin brothers Brian and Scott Nicholson, who are accomplished dancers-singers-choreographers from Strongsville, Ohio. Receiving numerous awards in high school and college, their work ethic and passion for the arts has led them to national and world stages. Brian and Scott have performed on television in BET's 106 & Park, ESPN’s Rucker Park Tournaments in Harlem, NY, and also on Revamped Dance Competition on BET where Brian’s dance team took 2nd place in the nation. Brian also was selected to choreograph on Digital Dancers Worldwide Dance Battle of the Choreographers hosted by Shane Sparks. Brian Nicholson has choreographed for his dance group ILL’U’SYN which reached high profile status when they swept the competition and took First Place at BET’s national competition Blaze The Stage Talent Showcase in New York City. Brian and Scott are set apart from the rest because of their strong work ethic, presence, and their inspiring nature. Brian and Scott have dance degrees from the University of Akron and now live NYC and teach and perform there and in New Jersey.

Kathy VanDereedt

Kathy VanDereedt grew up in Annapolis, Maryland. She started her training at Kathleen's Dance Centre where she studied ballet, tap, jazz, and lyrical. Growing up she performed and competed around the Annapolis area achieving many awards and acknowledgments at the regional and national levels. At age fourteen she joined the Broadneck Dance Company under the direction of Pam Devenney, where she began her modern training, and later was selected as a member of the Anne Arundel County Dance Ensemble. Since moving to New York she has trained with and performed under the direction of some of today's top choreographers. She is currently a co-director and choreographer for Rohanna Dance Productions' Competition Company in Annapolis, Maryland and has taught at New York area studios as well. Kathy has also received numerous acknowledgments for her choreography with Rohanna Dance Productions and enjoys working with young dancers to challenge them with new ideas.