3 Week Dance Intensive

Woezo Africa Music & Dance Theatre Inc. has created a space for African, Caribbean, and Black members in our community to tell their stories through various artistic disciplines. The Black Arts Development (BAD) Program’s 3 Week Dance Intensive was created and designed with Black artists in mind by providing emerging, pre/professional artists the tools and practical knowledge to take the next step in their artistic journey.

This free three-week dance intensive will be held in Calgary and invite five guest dance instructors to lead workshops and intensives for 40 African, Caribbean and Black participants ranging from five years of age to adults over three weeks from July 11 – 30, 2022.

The instructors will be traveling from Africa (South Africa), USA (Denver, Chicago and Washington), and Vancouver bringing over their 20+ years of experience in African diasporic dance forms.

This dance intensive will focus on creating spaces for African, Caribbean, and Black community members by supporting 40 emerging artists to learn and grow. No prior dance experience is required; however we are only accepting serious participants who are passionate about learning and growing as a professional artist.

Guest Instructors:

• Tap – Star Dixon (Chicago, Illinois)
• Hip Hop & Ndombolo (Congo) –  Enock “Brotha E” Kadima (Denver, Colorado)
• Gbegbe (Ivory Coast) – Akosua Akoto (Washington, D.C)
• Pantsula (South Africa) – Teboho “Tebza” Diphehlo (Soweto, South Africa)
• Dancehall (Jamaica) – Mikhail “Venom” Morris (Vancouver, B.C)

The benefits for this free program include:

• Imparting the value and traditions of African dance forms to students through classes and workshops.
• Build physical and mental wellbeing from exposure to dance.
• Learn about the relationship of dancer and musician in a cultural context.
• Deepen their understanding of the art form’s movement and music.
• Successful applicants will be paid for the 3 Week Dance Intensive.
• Empowered to share experiences with others and build personal networks.
• Small class learning.
• Practical and applied skills.
• Provide exposure to dance forms that parents or grandparents were raised with, but have since ceased to find a place in the Calgary landscape.
• Enhance your professional dance career.

Woezo Africa Music and Dance Theatre Inc. extends an invitation to the community, pre/professional members regardless of their level of arts training into our programs. Applications are open now to participate in the dance program starting on July 11, 2022.

A $100.00 commitment fee will be required from successful candidates at the beginning of the workshop. This will be refunded upon successful completion of the workshop.

An additional $50 (Youth) and $200 (Adults) will be awarded to all candidates upon successful completion of the program.

Please consider applying or sharing the information below with your colleagues.

Duration: Three weeks

Important Dates:

• Application opens: April 11, 2021
• Application closes: May 19, 2022
• Letter of admission for successful applicants: June 6, 2022
• 3-week Dance Intensive begins: July 11, 2022
• 3-week Dance Intensive ends: July 30, 2022

For more information and application form to apply, visit woezoafrica.com/badp.