Black Swan Challenge: WORK

Now that I am past the half-way point of the challenge, I am feeling fabulous. My body has transitioned from the all over, deep muscle soreness and joint stiffness to the more transitory aches and pains that just seem to come from daily studio exuberance. The latter feels good. It's the kind of soreness that reminds you that you are working, that your body is being constantly challenged.

At the beginning of this challenge, I told one of my instructors I felt as though I was going from safe, dry land to the decks of ship being tossed about on the ocean, thus struggling to get my sea legs back. I stand by that assessment. (I'm on a boat!)

Now, I'm feeling more like a pirate! (I'm on a boat, MFers!) I'm feeling stronger, leaner, and I have more energy. And, well, I'm happier. The studio has become my sanctuary. I get a warm welcome when I come through the door, and a cozy feeling from the atmosphere. I get to put the rest of the day away for a little while, leave my cell phone in the dressing room and focus on myself and my body. I get to feel the music, feel the floor, feel the space around me. I just get to be right where I am.

And, even though this challenge is physicality turned up to 11, I know that even spending a fraction of the time in the studio would make some difference in my body and my physical and mental well being. Also, for what it's worth, aside from being more mindful about foods that might be good dance fuel/good dance recovery, I haven't made any major changes to my diet or anything. I think the main thing here is to simply GET MOVING.

My experience with many studios is that they are very youth/student centric, which is wonderful, but it can leave many of us with work schedules and other obligations feeling left out, especially adults who are just beginning to dance. I had not danced at all at Studio Pulse before this challenge, and I quickly found that the best thing about their class offerings is that they are accessible, doable, and fun; grown-up friendly schedules and instruction for a range of skill levels. That means that you just have to show up and get out there! Your progress will be directly proportional to the amount of work you put in--you only have yourself to answer to! For myself, I have a long way to go still, but I'm feeling good about how far I've come.

I feel some New Years resolutions coming on...

- Britt

Last week's theme song: Roar - Katy Perry

This week's theme song: Work, B**ch - Britney Spears

See Brit - wearing red - dancing across the floor HERE!

The Black Swan Challenge Week II

We're Gonna Need a Bigger Dance Bag...

Let me just say that the word "challenge" is no joke here, friends. This has been an uphill battle, both physically and logistically.

My joints? Stiff. My extremities? Bruised. My feet? Callusing. My muscles? Oh, so very sore. Earlier this week it was as if I was driving, trying desperately to reach the next exit on a gas tank that has nothing but fumes left. I was pulling every last ounce of energy that I possibly could from my fatigued muscles, commanding them to fire and getting a minimal response in return.

So far, I have taken different ballet classes, modern classes and a Pilate's class. While dancing, sometimes I feel as though I am getting reacquainted with an old, dear friend. Other times, it's more like bumping into an annoying relative at the store. You know, the one who always has on way too much cologne or perfume and makes the food nobody eats at family gatherings? They greet you with an awkward hug and proceed to talk at a feverish pace. You try to politely end the conversation, but they don't let you leave, asking you why you're still single and how come they never hear from you. Yeah. Like that. Concepts that were once familiar need deciphering. Positions that once required minimal effort take every bit of strength I can muster. Things that I was once working on perfecting, I am now starting back at square one just trying to execute. Why can't I just get my knee to passe??? Talk about a reality check.

Then, since I am working full time during the day and dancing in the evenings, I am having to get creative with my errands and household chores... I can wear this shirt again, right? It totally passed The Sniff Test... I know that we are all busy--I'm sure that there are parents out there wondering what I could possibly have to say about being short on time--but, when we make dramatic changes in our lives to accommodate whatever new demand, be it kids, pets, or a physical endeavor, it can be very tricky indeed.

I am adjusting to a lot of little things, as well. Like packing enough snacks for a long day and figuring out what to wear to classes everyday, i.e.: determining what still fits after all these years... and getting it all packed and mobile. Plus, as the holiday season continues to add another dimension to the demands on my time, I am working hard to stay ahead of the game.

So... Why am I doing this again? Well, at the end of the day, after all of the above is said and done, the feeling I am taking away is a wonderful one. I'm not sure how far I've come yet, but every day is a small accomplishment, and I am meeting wonderful people in the process. People that share my passion for dance, as well as the challenges of life and dancing/dancing and life. And, to all those dancers out there that sometimes find themselves pondering the whys and hows of their dancing as I have been, remember that warm, fuzzy, wonderful feeling you get from it, in whatever way it comes to you. Put THAT in your dance bag and... carry it.

- Brittany

P.S.:

Last week's theme song: Ready, Steady, Go - Paul Oakenfold

This week's theme song: Let's Dance - Billy Idol

Pointe Taken

Turning an epilogue of dance into a new story's beginning

My name is Brittany Petry. I was born and raised here in Anchorage, Alaska. I do accounting work for a small business, I just moved to south Anchorage with my boyfriend, and I own two Welsh corgis who may be the coolest dogs on the planet. What else? Well, I love camping and fishing... I'm a Gemini. Oh, and I'm a dancer. Well, that is to say, I dance. Uhhh, I dance... in front of the bedroom mirror when Gaga comes on. And I drop it like it's HOT in my kitchen on occasion. I've done a pas de deux with my vacuum cleaner in the living room... and I've certainly done my share of spirit-induced dance floor moves. Heck, I've even lead the Electric Slide AND the Cupid Shuffle at a few weddings! Huh... I really do LOVE to dance. Really! It's just that my dancing is now limited to the aforementioned instances... and I've been trying so hard in the past few months to figure out why. Why did my story become "I used to be a dancer"?

Don't get me wrong, I firmly believe that ANYONE can dance. I think of it as a universal language that we can all speak at some level; that's what makes dance so special. And while I wouldn't deny that some one's at-home twerking session is their avenue to dance, for me, I feel like I can't presently call myself a dancer. It's been past-tense for me, personally, because the scope and the frequency of my dancing plummeted, with no good excuse at all for the change. 

I started dancing at 4 years old; a little pre-ballet blur, all in pink, then pink and blue, learning to leap over carpet squares at Alaska Dance Theatre. As I grew, so did my love of moving. I dabbled in gymnastics and figure skating, but stayed dancing all the while. I essentially grew up at Alaska Dance Theatre, taking ballet, then jazz, then modern. I started with the company at 13, letting most all other activities outside of school play second fiddle to my love of dance. My schedule through junior high and high school was full of rehearsals, classes and performances with some of the most amazing resident and guest teachers and choreographers from around the world. In short, I ate, slept, and breathed dance. It was a core part of my being.

At age 19, I stopped taking dance classes. I had intentions of being with the company another year, but decided against it. I think it's accurate to say that I let frustrations I was having in life and in the studio get to me, and instead of rising to the challenge, I walked away. While I know I had my reasons at the time, I can't put them together in hindsight. And, really, how lame is that?!?

Honestly, I can't count the number of times that I thought to myself over the years "I should take a ballet class, I miss it". I feel like the absence of dance in my life created a little hole in me that was getting progressively bigger over time, but for some inexplicable reason, I wasn't moved to fill it. Perhaps I was in denial, or, maybe, once I let enough time pass, I was too scared of the daunting task of getting back into it. But I don't think dance was ever done with me, and over the past few months, that hole of dancelessness (new word--write it down) seemed too big to ignore. About that time, some opportunities to dance started cropping up. I danced in a flash mob downtown, and at a hip-hop birthday party of a good friend's 13 year old daughter. The following day, while appreciating/lamenting my sore muscles, I pondered that the universe might really be telling me something... "Get out there and DANCE, dummy!" And who am I to argue with the universe?

Having taken the universe's hint, I made the decision to drop by Studio Pulse and check out class card prices. I had heard all about the studio opening and was pretty excited that an awesome company had given way to what was sure to be an awesome dance studio. My visit, by all accounts, proved my theory. Then, in the midst of leading the universe on a little, reallocating my fun money to accommodate the purchase of a class card, it happened... There, in my Facebook newsfeed, Studio Pulse posted the Black Swan Challenge. That was it. If I considered what was happening before to be the universe giving me hints, I might consider this to be the universe hitting me in the face with a pillow, like, "This sign couldn't be any bigger, tag you are SO it". And let me tell you: I am not one to back down from a pillow fight.

So, here I am. Scared, excited, nervous, and ready. Maybe "ready"... Well, there's no time like the present, is there? I am very thankful for this opportunity; I'm looking to turn what was once my epilogue into a new story's beginning. This is my moment and perhaps your moment as well. Because if I can dust myself off, get back out there and put myself to the test (and PASS), maybe you'll be inspired to do the same. So, stick with me. Pull for me. Keep reading my posts through this very blog-worthy challenge. I assure you, there is a pointe to this.

-Brittany

Brittany doing great on her second day, second class. 

Embarking on a New Journey

For the past 10 years dance has been a major part of my life. My name is Christina Roper Gorlick and I proudly call myself a dancer. I am often asked "what style of dance do you do?", when I spew off my long list of jazz, musical theater, pep, modern, etc I often leave out one crucial genre: ballet.

Dancing without a strong foundation in ballet is like floating in water without knowing how to swim. You can see all the beauty of the water and feel the waves carrying you, but eventually you must swim to fully embrace the ocean. Ballet is that way, it is the core of structured dance. Learning your alignments, drilling the structure and discipline, and really feeling how a dancer's body is supposed to feel can be applied to all other forms of dance.

Today I partner with Studio Pulse to start The Black Swan Challenge. As a seasoned dancer this challenge means so much more to me than just completing a challenge. It means growing and maturing into the dancer that I am meant to be.

Let me start by giving some background about who I am. I grew up in Chugiak, Alaska and started dancing when I was 14 years old by joining the Chugiak Chaparral Dance/Drill Team. With no prior dance experience I had to learn how to dance and how to keep up with fast paced routines quickly. While dancing with the Chaparrals the fire started to burn deep inside me and dance became a passion. I worked my tail off and my last year I earned the role of Team Captain. That same year I led my fellow dancers to a 2nd place victory at a national dance competition in California.

After high school I wasn't finished with dance and looked for other outlets for me to hone in on my passion and start learning core fundamentals. I started taking dance classes at Dance Dynamics in Eagle River, Alaska. This dance studio had an instructor named Shari that I loved dearly and looked up to as a dancer. I took any and all classes that I could get my hands on and was apart of their competition team. I took jazz, ballet, modern, etc as well as competed at an international competition in Vancouver, Canada. 

I competed in Miss Alaska Pageants dancing as my talent, and showed anyone who was interested how much I loved to dance. I took many dance classes through UAA's Theater and Dance Department including modern, jazz, musical theater, and dance appreciation. Performing always seems to put a smile on my face and lets my expression through dance shine. It seems only fitting that I sign up to be a dancer in Alaska's production of Cabaret at the Wildberry Theater. It was performing in Cabaret that I really tapped into some wonderful experienced dancers in Anchorage's dance scene. 

I graduated from college, got a "big girl job", married the love of my life, and started to think of dance as a pastime, a time that I look back at and smile. Wrong! Dance was not done with me yet. I was presented with an opportunity to be a dancer on Alaska's new semi-pro basketball team The Alaska Quake. This was a great time for me to put those performing skills to the test. As the second season started I was given the position as Director and Lead Choreographer. This took every skill that I had ever learned about dance and put it to the test. 

Now I am ready to embark on a brand new journey in my forever dance lifestyle: The Black Swan Challenge. This challenge is going to break down everything that I thought I knew about dance and start a brand new foundation. I truly feel this is going to take me to a brand new level as a dancer. For the next 30 days I am taking the Natalie Portman approach to dancing like a ballerina. I will attend classes at Studio Pulse everyday until I have reached my goal of completion. I want to make it perfectly clear that this is so much more than just a challenge for me, it is shaping and sculpting me into the well rounded dancer that I want to be. 

There are some things I am VERY excited about.

• Being in Anchorage's hottest new dance studio!
• Training under some of the best instructors in the business
• Improving my technique
• Stretching (yes I said it, I like that stuff)
• Building stronger ankles
• Meeting new dancers
• Reaching a goal of getting on pointe
• Having the achievement of finishing something I committed to

There are also some things I am NOT excited about.

• Sore muscles
• Aching feet
• Being made fun of when I go to get a pedicure and beg the workers not to take off my calluses because I need them (I know a lot of dancers can attest to that)
• Working on my posture every waking moment
•  The process of building stronger ankles (I want the strong ankles but the process....)
• Getting my butt kicked, repeatedly

Take this journey with me by following my blog posts throughout this new endeavor. I will be posting pictures and describing in detail my new experiences. When I have completed the challenge celebrate it with me!

Stay on your tippy toes until my next blog post. 

Christina Roper Gorlick

Black Swan Challenge: Engage

Greetings Pulse fans and dance lovers!

Much has happened over the past several months, including the grand opening of our own center for dance! Studio Pulse is dedicated to providing local dancers with a safe haven in which to further their growth as artists, and we're delighted to continue doing so by introducing the Black Swan Challenge. The deets? One hardcore dance enthusiast, selected through an application process, channels their inner Natalie Portman by training at our studio for several hours daily for one month straight.

The Black Swan Challenge is graciously sponsored by Alaska Dancer Emporium who provided a shopping spree including Russian pointe shoes (and a knowledgeable fitting), tights, toe pads, a stitch kit, and flex bands for strength-building exercises.

Our first ever dancer to accept the challenge is Christina Gorlick, a local dancer and former Alaska Quake cheerleader who has trained in jazz, hip hop, musical theatre, modern, and ballet. We're very excited for her to begin her journey to a better, stronger version of her dancer self in our studio.

Follow Christina at this blog, or on our studio's Facebook page to experience breakthroughs right along with her.

Take it away, Christina!

Cheers,
Stephanie Wonchala
Studio Pulse Owner
Pulse Dance Co. Director

Alaska Dancer Emporium's wall full of pointe shoes!  <3

Selecting the right liners for Christina. Final choice: Ouch Pouches.

Christina takes a small bend in parallel for Michelle to test weight distribution in the shoe's box.

First position smiles.  :)

                                 

Squeeze those thighs: an update

I'm going on 10 days in Fairbanks, nine of those spent dancing.

I've become more comfortable in Krenly's modern class and confident in the execution of phrases during technique classes. Distal initiation is a keyword I'll be utilizing.

As for ballet, I've been making little breakthroughs daily. These include revisiting exactly what my inner thigh muscles are doing whether in fifth position or first - squeeze, squeeze, squeeezing together - and ensuring that my ankles are 100% crossed in sous sous. These are some of the essentials dancers learn from early on, but it's the act of doing, of being present, and repetition that makes them second nature. I'm feeling wonderfully on my legs in class and have been extra solid in relevé, heels coming forward, forward, forward.

If anything, this trip has reaffirmed the importance of taking technique classes regularly. No amount of past dance experience or current dance video ogling will refine your craft like getting into a class. Any level of talent is nothing without hard work.

Classes have begun to focus more on this weekend's performance. The orchestra's conductor attended rehearsal today, and all three dance levels finally connected their Appalachian Spring sections and movements. I can't wait to actually perform.

In addition to the Appalachian Spring sections and jazz pieces, I've been in the process of setting new work on a duet. The instructors attended my rehearsal to provide feedback today, and some of the words Krenly used to described the work included "luscious, rich, impressive... use of space was brilliant." I still have to finish the piece and hone the performer's intentions, but receiving positive feedback from such a knowledgeable national adjudicator feels really satisfying. I'm more confident that I'm on the right track.

Working on a solo under Alice has been a great experience. Something about her - as I'm sure anyone who has had the pleasure of taking class from her - makes you want to work extra hard, and to get it just right. She is, hands down, one of the best instructors I've ever had. Her assertive feedback has opened my eyes to small details in her choreography that make a big difference (yes, it's ok to drop my shoulder blade when reaching up or open my whole chest to the side when twisting!).

I'm eager to get on the stage and bring all of these works to life with the sweet souls I've met at the festival. Until then, I'll be attempting to get a full night's sleep - morning core class comes too quickly!

xoxo
SW

In rehearsal with Alice

Appalachian Spring: Movement 6

Abberant chimera rehearsal with Emma and Heather

Read the first week of classes blog here.
Read the first blog in the series here.

The Report

I am sore. Not so sore that I can't walk... but let's wait till I wake up in the morning.

The flight from Anchorage to Fairbanks was remarkably bearable and the weather wonderfully warm. The only downside to that is the studio's AC is broken; but full-time fans are working well.

For anyone interested in attending a future Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival dance intensive, please note that the Artisan's Courtyard is a 25-45 minute (with construction detours) walk from upper campus housing. You'll want to request lower campus housing, and I highly recommend a car or bike. One of the event organizers has lent me hers, and while the return to my dorm is all uphill, it's a heck of a lot better than schlepping a dance bag through the heat by flip flop.

Yesterday was placement class which served as an audition for class levels. I'm in advanced ballet and working with elite jazz and elite modern students. This year's festival is extra exciting, because as an intern, I'll be setting choreography for the final concert - and it's not just any concert.
The intensive culminates with a performance to Appalachian Spring, performed live by the festival's orchestral musicians and famous for choreography by Martha Graham. It's far from a regurgitation, but the piece's original themes - struggle, work, the female role, joy, wonder, worship - are still being utilized in the studio.

Thoughts from class:

8:00 a.m. - Core work & Cardio
Picture a female Adonis-meets-Britney instructor standing before a fan, her hair blowing back fiercely with every fast flex of her muscles. It's the first amped-up, plyometric-based aerobics class of the day. All I can think about is how I'm going to feel it later.

9:00 a.m. - Advanced Ballet Technique
I enjoy taking class from Alice Bassler Sullivan. She is clear, extremely knowledgeable, and can alter your entire carriage with the touch of a well-placed finger. I'm focusing on:

• dropping my shoulders away from my ears without lifting my sternum
• solid plié with heels pressing into the ground when finishing at the bar
• continued unfolding and expression during cambre - as though splaying out on an exercise ball without losing support of the head

10:30 a.m. - Ballet Performance
Ballet has always been like math for me. I tried to pretend I was a little computer remembering all of the phrases and directions and weight changes, with no human frustrations or forgetfulness. Let's just say when Balanchine asked me to dance for him, I politely declined.

1:00 p.m. - Elite Modern Technique

I have the pleasure of working under Krenly Guzman, a long-time performer, adjudicator, professor and independent artist who, dun dun dun... has worked with Brian Jeffery of X-SIGHT! in Chicago.
Much of his movement and methodology is similar to Brian's, and I can't help but wonder what their working relationship/mentorship was like. Krenly, however, is especially knowledgeable in anatomy and kinesiology; his keen eye and hands-on approach to addressing alignment and proper technique was refreshingly informative. Notes from class:

• I am an upper rectus abdominus fiend. I am always working on "deflating" on my chest during movement and can accomplish that by releasing tension under my sternum, dropping/lengthening my tailbone, and lowering my center of gravity toward the pelvis. As a modern dancer, I've always felt fairly grounded, but this was a precious gem that really did help with how I organized my body, and I look forward to using it across styles.
• When in releve, not only should I feel my weight pressing down through two distinct points in the balls of my feet, but I should also think about the cross points in the foot to support the ankle, properly engage the sartorius muscle, and avoid hyperextension of the legs.

2:00 p.m. - Modern Performance
We've begun working on the beginning section of Appalachian Spring. I like the beginning movement en masse and where the group sections are going. Krenly is a nice reminder that there is power in softness.

4:00 p.m. - Yoga for Dancers

It was nice to lay down and stretch out. Phew.

It's lovely to receive new information and refresh the old. Tomorrow starts with core work again but then heads into jazz technique and performance, followed by modern.

13 more days till performances; nine more full days of classes. Here we go!

xo
SW

The view en route to Fairbanks. Sigh. <3

My room for two weeks. The showers make me feel like I'm in The Shining.

Post-Sunday placement class

Hang me up to dryyyyyy

Read the first blog entry in this series here.

Big, New Things

Friends,

So much has happened these past few months, like a present that's continuously unfurling, the spectacular finish still approaching from under endless amounts of other beautiful gifts.

In an effort to literally eat/sleep/breathe my passion for dance and my love of spearheading grand schemes, I left my position at the university to become a full time studio owner, in addition to my role as Pulse's artistic director. This is a massive leap of faith, but it's because I so firmly believe in the need for an adult dance studio in town that I trust it will be successful.

On top of a performing company bursting at the seams with talent and a studio in the works, I just learned that I've been accepted as an intern at the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival's dance intensive. I'll be taking rigorous classes from morning till night for two weeks, and working alongside Krenly Guzman to create a new modern dance work for the intensive's final concert.

It's all quite thrilling and daunting and exhilarating and demanding, but I know it's going to make me stronger, and that is exactly what I'm looking for. Push me. Make me uncomfortable. Force me to grow. I will become a better dancer, leader, instructor and choreographer by taking advantage of these opportunities.

I attended FSAF many years ago, for only one week, with some of my high school dance team. It was there I had the delightful chance to first meet Striding Lion's Annie Arnoult-Bessera, but mostly I remember the soreness and my very, very red face. I return now with a sense of purpose, a new and important role, and a fiery desire to squeeze every drop of sweaty leotard knowledge out of it.

Working as a dance company director is more mentally stimulating than physically demanding. While I work hard in developing choreography, leading rehearsals and warm ups, and occasionally perform alongside the company, I have taken a more artistically satisfying back seat in the performative aspect of things. This provides me with the distance I need to see and assess my work from the best perspective, but it has also allowed my own firecracker-on-the-dance-floor, learn-and-execute capabilities to stagnate.

I am ready to move. I am ready to be given movement, to learn it, and to own it. I am ready to take it all, turn it around, and continue charging forward in new and exciting ways.

Ever wonder what a dance intensive is like, or just want to know exactly how many cups of Bengay I'm using? I'll be blogging my experience from here. Feel free to ask questions or even leave advice!

Here's to doing what you love, darlings.
Stephanie
PDC Director

Play with Pulse: Anchorage Press Feedback

Like no one is watching

Daniella Cortez | Posted: Thursday, March 21, 2013 10:09 am

My natural habitat is in front of a computer screen. This is the plight of the writer; we live a primarily sedentary lifestyle that, while filled with information and beauty in its own way, can often be devoid of physical activity. As a group we aren’t known for our dancing ability.

I’ve been to a handful of dance performances this year, including two shows by Pulse Dance Company in the last few months. So when Pulse announced their “Play with Pulse” dance series, I thought it would be a good opportunity for me to unearth those mad movement skills I assumed had just been laying dormant my entire adult life. If nothing else, it would get me out from behind the computer screen for a few hours.

The series takes place once a year and, according to Pulse founder and creative director Stephanie Wonchala, it’s become a way for the company’s dancers to interact with the community.

“I really liked the idea of creating a safe place to explore movement at an extremely affordable rate. No judging, and no intimidating financial prerequisites,” said Wonchala.

In addition to my mostly sedentary lifestyle, I’m also only known for my one signature dance move — The Awkward Squid. It’s all loose shoulders, waggling arms and a slight but always out of sync hip swivel (I’m very popular at dance parties, obviously). However, when I was a kid the dream was either to be a best selling author or one of Janet Jackson’s back-up dancers. A class with Pulse could be my ticket into the dance scene. With a suggested donation of $5 and an affirmed judgment-free atmosphere, there appeared to be no downside to trying it out.

The class I attended, “Shaka-la-ka with Wonchala,” was a basic modern dance class that focused on movement and simple choreography.

“Honestly, this class [Shaka-la-ka with Wonchala] is to just feel good. It’s going to be a pretty broad scope of experience levels, and I want everyone to feel comfortable participating. Two goals: no one is allowed to feel self conscious, and everyone should just have fun,” Wonchala said.

Class participants came from a variety of backgrounds, from zero dance experience to performing members of Pulse’s company. Wonchala opened up the class with a brief introduction and a few rules: do the best you can and if you can’t do a move just “boogie through it.”  Wonchala is an engaging and encouraging instructor. She started the class out with some stretches and warm ups set to some popular dance music, accompanied by Wonchala’s energetic cheerleading.

Despite coming prepared in my super cute dance outfit, complete with hot pink mini skirt and coordinating sports bra, I was not fully able to master all the moves.

Dance of any kind, but especially the “shake your booty and throw yourself on to the floor” kind, is not for shrinking violets. The stragglers (myself, the poor friend I forced to come with me and a few others who didn’t have a lot of dance experience) tended to stay toward the back of the room. We watched the more experienced dancers move through the steps a few times before attempting it ourselves, with mixed success.

My attempts to fade into the crowd did not go unnoticed, and Wonchala made me join her at the front of the room to practice one of the more complicated bits of choreography. I think we both learned our lesson after that and I was allowed to return to the back after I massacred the moves.

I did pick up a few basic dance terms like “turn out”— to move the hips or leg and foot outward instead of facing forward. Then there were more complicated and French-sounding dance terms like chaines, which is really just a simple twirling motion, elbows up and out, that moves you across the floor. This was one of the few moves I mastered during the class. I can twirl like a champion.

Individually the motions were simple, but the real magic seemed to be in remembering how to put them all together into a seamless bit of choreography. The better dancers did this easily, connecting the movements beautifully and moving together through them. By the time my row’s turn came up, however, we did a lot of flopping around on the floor trying to keep our spandex covering the important bits while remembering when to chaines and when to turn, turn, step.

Pulse has been doing the dance classes since 2010, making this the fourth Play with Pulse series. According to Wonchala, year’s series was the most successful so far, with packed classes during all four sessions.

After the class I asked some of the other “back of the room” students why they came. They each echoed similar sentiments as mine; they’ve always been interested in dance but didn’t know how to start. One student told me that she’d always wanted to dance, since she was a little girl. “This is like a four day dream come true,” she said.

In addition to getting a pretty complete work out — a day later my entire body still felt sore—the class netted me a few new moves for the next time I’m letting loose on a barroom dance floor. There’s a really fun booty shake I can do now and a super sassy variation on the jazz hands: one hand on the hip, the other rotating from the elbow in front of your face like a window opening and closing. Those, I think, I’ll definitely employ in the future.

While I have put to bed any dance-related delusions of grandeur (I don’t think Janet Jackson will be calling on me to back her up any time soon) it certainly strengthened my resolve to move more and expand my repertoire beyond the awkward squid.

For more information about Pulse Dance Company, including when they will be offering classes in the future, check them out online at pulsedancecompany.com

Season III finale media coverage!

While season III came to a glorious close last January, my brain has been mulling and churning and bubbling with new ideas for season IV. I am currently choreographing and dancing in a couple pieces for UAA's New Dances, but Pulse has been invited to guest perform both at a Gala in April and for Anchorage Classical Ballet Academy in May, so company rehearsals are about to rack back up.

In the mean time, I wanted to share some great coverage Pulse got in the media prior to our January 2013 season finale concert, Ever After.

If you're hungry to learn more, or curious about what we've been doing, here you go:
---

PDC presents Ever After
Concept, Choreography, Costuming: Stephanie WonchalaTrio en pointe choreography: Cady Lynn O’Brien Jenkins

Inspired by folk lore, fairytales, and societal roles we often willingly or unconsciously play, this humanistic work strips us of preconceived notions of “happily ever after.” It begs a reassessment of both how we perceive ourselves and how we gauge fulfillment in this one all-too-short life. 

ADN preview article: http://www.adn.com/2013/01/19/2758685/pulses-new-piece-uses-modern-ballet.html

KSKA radio segment: http://www.alaskapublic.org/2013/01/23/rapunzel-snow-white-and-the-little-mermaid-dancing-to-dubstep/

907 Nite Life review: http://alturl.com/bfj6t

907 Nite Life review: http://alturl.com/bfj6t


API television interview: http://www.youralaskalink.com/politics/API-Stephanie-Wonchala-pulse-dance-186567031.html

Show promo: http://www.alaskapublic.org/2013/01/11/pulse-dance-company-ever-after/

All the best,
Stephanie Wonchala
Company & Artistic Director