Choreo-CoLab:
Movements of the Diaspora
September 19 - October 12, 2023
Hi-ARTS
215 E99th St.
New York, NY
This exceptional series will feature five masterclasses taught by professional dance instructors of various disciplines, all of whom embody the vibrant spirit and diversity of the Black and Latinx Diasporas and the East Harlem artistic community.
These free classes invite you to explore and celebrate the rich tapestry of African and African-influenced movements while also gaining a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural contexts that have influenced each dance style. From Afro-Cuban Folkloric to Funkadelic, Afro-Brazilian to Freestyle, and Hip-Hop to Contemporary, these classes offer dancers a unique opportunity to journey through the rhythms and expressions that have shaped the cultural landscape.
Note: All Masterclasses must be registered for separately.
Free & Open to all.
All levels welcome.
EXPLORE OUR MASTERCLASSES
Technically known as “Samba no Pé” or “Passista Style Samba”, Brazilian Samba for Carnival is not a class to miss! Instructor Régine Bellinger trained for five years in Rio de Janeiro under the direction of George Louzada and Alex Coutinho in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
September 19, 2023, 6-8 pm
Teaching Artist: Régine Bellinger
Brazilian Samba for Carnival
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Régine Bellinger is an International Dancer, Choreographer, Actress and Curator. Born and raised in New York City is where she technically trained in Traditional West African, Jazz, Ballet and Modern. She later advanced and took a love for other world dances such as: Samba, Afrobeats and more. Bellinger saw herself being overly typed casted compared to her colleagues and was encouraged to create an outlet for herself and many others alike struggling in the Industry. In 2015, she founded Conkrete Jungle Productions Incorporated. She also started an annual Choreographers Showcase showcasing emerging artists within the Tri-state area well up until 2021. Régine has also found hidden talent within Film. She starred in an Indie Docu-Series “Hidden Kingdom” by Sacred Pact. This film highlighted her love for Dance Travel & Dance Research within the diaspora and the continent of Africa. She is a solo woman traveler Bridging the Gap between the Diaspora and the continent of Africa through dance. Régine has lived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where she not only trained Passista Style Samba and paraded in Carnival 2019, but she became a dance member of two notable samba schools in Brazil: Unidos de Padre Miguel and G.R.E.S Acadêmicos do Salgueiro where she annually participates in the Rio de Janeiro Carnaval. Bellinger is consistently striving to make more opportunities for herself— creating a legacy.
Focuses on using all parts of your body when freestyling using Levels, Spacing & Musicality of various styles of Dance.
September 26, 2023, 6-8 PM
Teaching Artist: Desire X
All Styles Fusion
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Desire X,
Desire X, the Born & Raised Nuyorican Performing Artist. An all styles fusion dancer represents all ranges and cultures of dance. Started diving into dance at the age of three. She began with a classical background that eventually led into Studio, Street Styles and even Party Culture. As she broadened her horizons of the arts, she transitioned into Musical Theatre at age 12. This opened her up to Singing, Acting and Creating her own performances. She expanded her work into Creative Directing, Song Writing, Modeling and in June 2023 graduated from Culinary School.
September 28, 2023, 6-8 pm
Teaching Artists: Juan Garcia and Isabel Estrada Jamison
Afro-Cuban Folkloric
Afro-Cuban Dance can be described as the plethora of dances that stem from the product of the transformation on Cuban soil of the dances of various African ethnic groups that arrived in Cuba through the tragedy of the transatlantic slave trade. The dances can be religious or secular but are always inextricably linked to music and song and are characterized by a deep connection to the ancestors. We will begin by warming up the body in preparation for an intense class. Then we will move across the floor building up movement phrases based on some of the many traditional Afro-Cuban Dance styles.
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Juan Garcia studied ethnology & folklore at the Institute of Ethnology and Folklore, Cuban Academy of Sciences He has worked as: Soloist, Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba, where he entered in 1966 Professor of Folklore, Professor of Fokloric Dance, Escuela Media Superior. Asesor de Folklore in the Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba, Conjunto Folklorico de la Universidad de la Havana, Conjunto Foklorico de Oriente (Santiago de Cuba, Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, Afro-Cuba de Matanzas
The Asesor de Foklore advises on what is authentic in folklore. Choreographer and Artistic Director of Afro-Cuba de Matanzas and Los Muñequitos de Matanzas Conferences given:Poland, England, Perú, Guyana, Havana (University of Havana), and the Dominican Republic (University of Santo Domingo) Juan Garcia has traversed the different artistic levels as dancer, singer, and actor, accumulating the experience needed to interpret the various roles in the major classical works and in the repertory of the Conjunto Folklorico Nacional.
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Born and raised in San Francisco, California, Isabel began her journey with Afro-Cuban dance at age 11 when she witnessed a performance by Conjunto Folclórico Raíces Profundas while traveling with her mother in La Habana, Cuba. She would soon begin taking classes with Raíces Profundas whenever she and her mother would return to La Habana. Back in San Francisco she began to study consistently with master teacher Susana Arenas Pedroso and began performing with Arenas Dance Company in 2000. When she moved to New York she began studying with master teacher Danys “La Mora” Pérez and soon joined her company, Oyu Oro Experimental Dance Ensemble. Isabel also had the honor of spending two years performing with Raíces Profundas in La Habana under the direction of Ildolidia Ramos. She has performed throughout the United States and Cuba.
Contemporary Movement & Choreography
We will explore movement through the embodiment of realism, sound, connection, and joy. The time spent together will include individual improvisational play, communal play, modern-based forms to support mobility and expansion, and a movement combination that will integrate my foundational passions - musicality, texture, mechanics, isolation, pathways, and storytelling. As an educator and class leader, my hope is to also evoke senses of physical and somatic freedom by prioritizing clear direction, and positive reinforcement!
October 12, 2023, 6 - 8 PM
Teaching Artist: Gabriella Sibeko
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Originating from Montreal, Canada, Gabriella Sibeko (she/her) is a freelance dance artist, performer, educator, choreographer and alumna of The Ailey School Scholarship and Certificate programs. Now based in New York City, Gabriella can be credited in Netflix's Making Malinche documentary and Nowness Digital’s Top Picks for her work in Still. Her artistry has been shaped profoundly by the choreographers she has worked with including Al Blackstone, Dolly Sfeir, Omar Román De Jesús, Jakob Karr, Katherine Maxwell, Ellenore Scott, Akira Uchida, and Jon Rua to name a few. She has danced for musical artists Phish, Alison Sudol, Sondre Lerche and ELENI, and has performed in major venues like Lincoln Center, Madison Square Garden, The Joyce Theater, The Apollo Theater, and Los Angeles’ The Montàlban. Combining her love for concert, commercial and theatrical work.
Gabriella has had the privilege of dancing for a wide range of dance companies including Hivewild, Bocatuya, Stewart/Owen Dance, MICHIYAYA, Abarukas, BARE Dance and TedTed Performance Group, and is represented by New York’s Clear Talent Agency. As a dance educator and choreographer, Gabriella teaches and sets choreographic work throughout North America and is a faculty member of Luminous Tour Dance Convention. Along with performing and educating, Gabriella is also pursuing a degree in psychology and interdisciplinary studies.
Focuses on using all parts of your body when freestyling using Levels, Spacing & Musicality of various styles of Dance.
October 5, 2023, 6-8 pm
Teaching Artist: Desire X
Freestyle Fusion Technique
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Desire X, the Born & Raised Nuyorican Performing Artist. An all styles fusion dancer represents all ranges and cultures of dance. Started diving into dance at the age of three. She began with a classical background that eventually led into Studio, Street Styles and even Party Culture. As she broadened her horizons of the arts, she transitioned into Musical Theatre at age 12. This opened her up to Singing, Acting and Creating her own performances. She expanded her work into Creative Directing, Song Writing, Modeling and in June 2023 graduated from Culinary School.
