"DeAnna has made me understand that I can truly transform my body in whatever way I want, and I've stunned myself at my own capabilities in only a semester of studying with her. As a theatre major I've seen tremendous benefits in my acting." -Olivia Obidah, Sophmore Boston University, CFA
"DeAnna's class generates the largest crowd we have each semester. We love having her teach for dance theater group!" -Natalie Stefano, President, Dance Theater Group, Boston University
"I hadn't danced in many years, though it was my entire life in high school and college, and DeAnna’s class made the transition back into dancing so rewarding. I love her choreographic style - it was new and challenging but the supportive environment made it approachable. An accessible and lively class…it was so good for my soul." -Danielle Oaks, St. Paul's Dance Series Student
"Every one of DeAnna's classes is a challenge, forcing me to push not only my dancing ability, but also my physical strength to new levels." -Kira Klapper, Boston University "Simply the best -- she exposes her students to a wide variety of styles, as well as trains students to connect the entire body. She pushes students as much as possible, and places a strong emphasis on upper-body strengthening." -Student, Boston University
Headline
CREDIT COURSES: • Jazz / Funk Beginner (PDP DA 180) Mon & Wed 2-3:30 pm • Jazz / Funk Intermediate (PDP DA 280) Tues & Thurs 12:30 - 2 pm • Jazz / Funk Advanced (PDP DA 380) Mon & Wed 3:30 - 5 pm
CLASS DESCRIPTION: Jazz dance is influenced by other dance styles such as ballet, contemporary, African, tap, and hip-hop. Therefore contemporary jazz dance, meaning jazz dance of today, is the blending of many different dance forms and styles. Technique is the foundation for all dance movement. Establishing a strong technical foundation enables a dancer to focus on the stylistic and performance aspects of dance. A jazz dancers' strong and sharp movements are greatly aided by a good background in ballet technique.
DeAnna has resided on dance faculty at Boston University since 2002. Her high-energy class, grounded in orientation, emphasizes athleticism, strength and fluidity. Her choreography is strongly influenced by her extensive studies in contemporary dance, martial arts, jazz technique and hip-hop. All of DeAnna’s class begins with an isolation warm-up and a full-body conditioning and flexibility workout. Each class also includes...
center work including exercises from traditional ballet training – plie’, tendues, ronds de jambe, grand battements, etc…
basic turns across the floor including chaines, piques, pirouettes, etc...
Leaps across the floor including grande jetes, turning jumps, tour jetes, etc….
Center phrase focused on learning / performing choreography
* IMPORTANT NOTE FROM DEANNA*: My credited Jazz/Funk classes are not conceived, prepared or taught as workout classes. I expect that students registered for one of my PDP DA classes are dedicated, focused dance students who are ready to work hard throughout the duration of the semester to improve their dance / performance techniques - not students just in search of a “good workout”. If you are interested in taking a workout class with me I offer both a conditioning class and a jazz workout class. Please enroll in one of those classes (please scroll down for details).
APPROPRIATE LEVELS: ALL LEVELS FOCUS ON CORRECT ANATOMICAL ALIGNMENT. MY NUMBER ONE GOAL IS FOR YOU TO HAVE A DEEPER, MORE COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING OF YOUR BODY'S ANATOMICAL STRUCTURE WHEN YOU LEAVE THIS CLASS.
1. BEGINNER – you do not need to have any prior dance experience. We start from scratch. Of course if you do have SOME experience and want a refresher on basics this is the class for you also. Each semester the pace of the class is very much determined by the level of the individuals in the class.
2. INTERMEDIATE – you have been exposed to the basics before…tendu, plie, turns, etc….we will work on deepening your understanding of these things. Intermediate level gets deeper into choreography than beginner…nuance/dynamics of movement, initiation of movement, etc…
3. ADVANCED – I prefer advanced students to take at least one semester of intermediate with me. If you have not, then consider the first class of the semester your audition. The advanced class is just that…ADVANCED. It is fast paced with a focus on learning choreography quickly and then taking your dancing/performing to the next level…focus, intent, etc….if you are in this class you should have an extremely solid understanding of the basics.
*if you have any questions about what level you belong in, please come to the first class you are registered for, take the class and see me after, we can assess your status then. If I do not believe you are in the appropriate level, I will initiate a conversation with you directly following your first class.
POLICIES: •FOOTWEAR: I request you do the entire warm-up in BARE FEET. For across the floor combinations and center phrases you can use jazz shoes if you want (although I don’t recommend it) or jazz sneakers (which I think are better, I wear jazz sneakers myself sometimes). ›NO SOCKS. (unless you’d like to use them for turns across the floor) ›NO OUTSIDE SHOES / SNEAKERS IN THE STUDIO. I mean it – don’t take off your shoes and bring them into the studio, leave them in the cubbies outside. It is gross and dangerous to dance bare foot on a dirty floor, so seriously, please leave all outside shoes outside the studio. • ATTIRE: FITTED clothing. I need to see your body alignment so please nothing too baggy. Dance pants, dance shorts, tights, tank tops, etc…I don’t really care as long as I can see your body. PULL YOUR HAIR OUT OF YOUR FACE. • OTHER STUFF: ›NO GUM!!!!! ›CELL PHONES OFF OR ON SILENT
GRADING / ATTENDANCE: • Students receive a pass or fail grade based on attendance. Students are allowed THREE EXCUSED ABSENCES...meaning excused for ANYTHING - religious holiday, beanpot game, sickness, injury, etc... Any additional absences must be made-up in order for you to pass the class.
• Students taking one of my classes for credit toward your DANCE MINOR - you receive a letter grade. This letter grade is based on how hard you work and how much YOU improve from the beginning of the semster to the end. If you are taking my class for a letter grade you are allowed TWO absences before it affects your grade.
MAKING-UP CLASSES: • You are allowed to make-up 1 class with a BU performance and 1 class with a non-BU performance. • You are allowed to make-up 1 class with a dance class of your choice either at BU or at an independent dance studio (options listed below). • Any additional make-ups must be made-up WITH ME either at BU (credit or non-credit classes) or at my tuesday night classes "Downstairs at the Cathedral".
ATTEND A PERFORMANCE: ---> Attend a performance at Boston University - show me your program and ticket stub.
---> Attend a performance at a theater in Boston - please approve the performance with me first - show me your program and ticket stub.
---> Attend a performance / event specified by me - there will be several I will mention thorughout the course of the semester - show me your program and ticket stub.
TAKE A CLASS: ---> Drop-in to any of my credit classes (that you are NOT registered for). Sign-up to take one of my non-credit classes as make-up (see policy below, under non-credit courses)
---> Take a dance class (of any kind), yoga or pilates class at Boston University. IMPORTANT - teachers are not required to allow you to drop into any class! Please ask permission of the teacher to take his/her class! Bring a "make-up slip" and have he/she sign it and then turn the slip into me. ALSO - fitness classes other than yoga and pliates can not be used for make-up, neither can "working out" in the gym. DON'T ASK.
---> Take class with me "Downstairs at the Cathedral" Tuesday Nights. CLICK HERE for details. BU students enrolled in one of my courses at BU can take cathedral classes for a flat rate of $10 per class.
CLICK HERE for class descriptions, dates, times and registration details.
Students who want to attend one of my non-credit classes as make-up must first e-mail Ramelle Adams at rfadams@bu.edu and ask permission to take the class 48 hours in advance.
