Announcing…Music House Dance Company!
Music House Dance Company
We are so excited to announce that this summer, Music House is forming a Youth Dance Company! For years we have been dreaming of a way to provide our dance students with more opportunities to explore their own artistic voice through community and thoughtful observation. We feel we need community now more than ever. A Dance Company may provide students this outlet to be inspired to use dance as a means to reflect. We believe there is a power in community especially when you can create something together.
The Music House Dance Company (MHDC) invites all students in Beginning Ballet and up to audition for our youth company. While all will be accepted, we believe that auditioning is a valuable life experience. The audition process is empowering and establishes trust and respect between student and teacher. Stay tuned for a very special edition of Beyond the Studio packed with audition hints and tips.
Want to learn more? Keep reading to meet our company directors and to find out how you can get involved!
Our Principles
The Music House Dance Company will create a safe, thoughtful and considerate environment to inspire the love of dance, provide a solid technical foundation, build self-confidence and encourage the freedom to be creative. We will as a team:
Recognize the Value and Importance of Equality in an Ensemble Music House Dance Company will create a supportive, safe and encouraging environment where all dancers are heard and valued. We aim to empower our students to inspire themselves and each other through the language of movement.
Applaud Mistakes Some of the best lessons learned are the result of a mistake. Mistakes happen and are an integral part of the learning process and life. When we make mistakes in dance, we can more fully understand our ability to use the mistake to ignite our creative brain!
Understand the Past to Inform the Present While technical development and performance quality are very important to a dancer's training, together we will learn about the rich historical context of dance styles! Company dancers will dive deep into the history of dance, understanding its origins, culture, and legends that have revolutionized performance and movement!
Understand Creativity and Collaboration Go Hand in Hand Company dancers will play an important role in the creation of dances and the choreographic process, allowing them the opportunity to expand their personal movement vocabulary and work collaboratively with other dancers and with directors.
Meet the Directors
Ms. Kathleen Alvarado, co-director
Ms. Kathleen has been teaching at Music House Inc. since 2014. She is a native Chicagoan and has danced since she was 6 years old. Ms. Kathleen is trained in Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary and Hip Hop. As a teenager she volunteered in the YMCA Youth Intervention program where she was given the opportunity to teach youth. Her passion for teaching was sparked through this program; she saw firsthand how her passion for dance can inspire others. She received her BA in Dance from Columbia College where she had the privilege of performing works by Emma Draves, Stephanie Martinez, and Darrell Grand Moultrie.
Above all Ms. Kathleen believes that dance has the ability to bring people together no matter where they’re from. Dance can strengthen bonds and build an inclusive diverse community that learns how to communicate and work together. Ms. Kathleen is excited and eager to start this new journey with Music House and cannot wait to see the beautiful community that will come from this dance company.
Ms. Rachel Vassar, co director
Ms. Rachel is a dance instructor with Music House, and she is eager to work with the Music House Dance Company. She previously studied Dance Theory and Performance at Middle Tennessee State University and moved to Chicago to pursue teaching and performance opportunities. Rachel enjoys exploring new challenges, learning new techniques, and working with Music House students who inspire her to move!
Why Should I Join?
Although there are MANY wonderful reasons to join a dance company, here are our top 5:
1. Be a part of something great and fun
2. Build confidence and respect for self and others
3. Expand your current dance vocabulary and knowledge
4. More opportunities to perform
5. Build friendships that will last a lifetime!
How Can I Join?
All dancers who wish to join Music House Dance Company must attend an audition. Auditions will be held over Zoom during the last two weeks of June and will be available by appointment. Dancers should be prepared to learn a short dance combination, engage in a collaborative activity, and answer interview questions.
If your dancer is enrolled in Beginning Ballet or any level above that, there will be a brief informational session during your next dance class where you may ask any questions and learn more about this unique opportunity!
