April Action!

Greetings from PULSE!

It's April, and we have our toes in all sorts of goodness. Following last month's performances at the Bear Tooth Theatre and a succesful "Dance Day Getaway" community dance retreat, we now have even more events that can include you or someone you know. The company is excited that spring has sprung, and we'd love to have you dancing right along with us.

April Events:

DANCE DAYS:  Pulse is thrilled to be offering Anchorage's youth FREE dance classes at the Fairview Recreation Center. Anyone between the ages of 9-15 is welcome to come experience the joy of dance every Monday & Wednesday of this month, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.







MOVEMENT STRATEGIES: Pulse directors are teaming up with Convenant House Alaska to bring movement into the lives of Anchorage's homeless youth. In addition to the food, shelter and care provided by the Covenant House, Pulse will share mind/body awareness strategies while creating an environment of trust, respect, and FUN. April 12, 7:00 p.m.

THODOS DANCE CHICAGO WORKSHOP WITH PULSE: Take advantage of your chance to dance with TWO dance companies under ONE roof! Thodos Dance Chicago is touring AK and will offer an athletic master class alongside Pulse at Alaska Dance Theatre on Sunday, April 15, 5:00-6:30 p.m. $15
Find more class details and RSVP on facebook here.

PRIDE PROM: Pride Prom is an opportunity for LGBT teens to enjoy a non-judgemental prom in a safe environement. PDC premieres new works for Pride Prom attendees at Out North Contemporary Art House Saturday, April 21, 8:00 p.m.

Hair2O: In celebration of Earth Month, Pulse joins forces with Halo Salon to host Hair2O, a celebration of hair artistry, makeup, and a fundraiser for Alaska Water Ways. This nature-inspired event will appeal to all of your senses with live music, Aveda scents, performance art by PULSE Dance Company, spoken word, hair by Halo and MUCH more! Tickets will be available at the door; arrive early to secure seats. At Taproot on Wednesday, Apr 25, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
RSVP on facebook here.





Announcements:

Pulse is currently accepting applications for "Big Feat, Little Feet," our first annual talent & dance challenge. For a cash prize of $300 and a fantastic gift basket, Anchorage creators are encouraged to develop provocative work within the confines of a 7' x 7' performance area.
An esteemed panel of judges will determine the best use of space. Email pulsedancecompany@gmail.com for details and to enroll.
Works will be presented at the Anchorage Museum on Saturday, May 26 at 6:00 p.m.
View details and RSVP on facebook here.

Call For Board Members!
Pulse is searching for motivated individuals to wear the strapping title of Board Member. As we boldly jet into our third season, we need people as determined to make big, beautiful things happen in performance art as we are.
Please share with anyone who may be ideal for or interested in this position.







Thank you for taking the time to catch up with us. We certainly hope you're able to take advantage of some of the dance opportunites and performances we'll be hosting. 2012 is going to be a fantastic year - we appreciate your unwavering support!

If you like what we're doing and would like to be a patron of our endeavors, please consider giving to the company. Even small gifts help make a big difference, and donations can be made here.


Viva la danse!

Stephanie Wonchala
Company Director
pulsedancecompany@gmail.com

PULSE Dance Co. Seeks Treasurer

Hello friends, fans, acquaintances and supporters of the arts,

PULSE Dance Company is currently searching for a motivated, accounting-minded individual to wear the strapping title of Treasurer.

As we boldly jet into our third season - leaving standing ovations and packed houses in our wake - we need someone as determined to make big, beautiful things happen in performance art as we are.

Please share with anyone who may be ideal for or interested in this position. Details on the company, as well as past and upcoming events can be found at www.pulsedancecompany.com.

Viva la danse!
Stephanie Wonchala
Company Director
pulsedancecompany@gmail.com

Dance Day Getaway!

Spring has sprung and PULSE Dance Company brings you our annual Dance Day Getaway yet again!

DDG is a refuge for movers and shakers designed to challenge, train, and relax the body in a rejuvenating movement retreat. Pulse Dance Company members and accomplished guest instructors unite to provide the Anchorage community with a reinvigorating, day-long dance escape.

DDG boasts a smorgasbord of classes to choose from, tailored to suit every level dancer. Too good to be true? $75 registration also includes chair massage opportunities, a healthy lunch, bottled water, and your very own Pulse Dance Company t-shirt.

When: Saturday, March 17th, 10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Where: Fairview Community Rec Center @ 1121 E. 10th Avenue

Registration: $75

($15 to drop in for one class)

Call (907) 301-3208 or email pulsedancecompany@gmail.com now to reserve your spot in this Spring Break splurge! You will leave transformed!


DANCE DAY GETAWAY SCHEDULE:
(two course offerings per time slot; arrive early to craft your own schedule!)

10:15 - 10:55           Walk-In registration & chair massage opportunities
11:00 - 12:00           Yoga  or  Pilates
12:05 - 1:05             Beginning Ballet  or  Improv
1:05 - 1:40               Lunch & chair massage oportunities
1:45 - 2:45               Cunningham  or  Hip-Hop
2:50 - 3:50               Belly Dance  or  Broadway Dance
3:55 - 4:55               Ballet Fusion  or  Pan-African
5:00 - 5:30               Chair massage opportunities



CLASS DESCRIPTORS:
(in offering order)

Find Your Flow, Find Freedom: A vinyasa flow style yoga class connecting breath with movement. Focuses on postures and expressions to breathe supple, malleable life into the spine. Be prepared to let go of control, color outside the lines and find freedom in flow. Led by dancer and Laughing Lotus instructor Marta Buist.

Pilates: Pilates is a holistic form of exercise and postural therapy that emphasizes the development of deep abdominal, or “core,” muscles. You'll work to flatten the stomach, shape and tone the entire body, and provide support for the spine. Led by Ana Kokaurova of Studio One Pilates.

Beginning/Intermediate Ballet: This class will expand beyond the basic fundamentals into brief, rhythmic and flowing combinations to help dancers move efficiently and apply natural coordination to their movements. Instructed by Alice Bassler Sullivan of DanceArts Alaska, the founding artistic director of Alaska Dance Theatre and current director of Eagle River Ballet.

Improv Improvement: A guided escape into your imagination coaxing concepts into movement. Ease into this course with a body-awakening warm-up, light partner interaction, and movement opportunites loaded with choreographic tools. Instructed by Stephanie Wonchala, PULSE Dance Co. founder and artistic director.

Cunningham Technique: This class focuses on the spine in its relation to the legs and challenges a dancer’s ability to change direction within the body and space. Dancers will move through combinations of turns, adagios and phrases across the floor. Instructed by Walter Barillas, PULSE Dance Co. associate artistic director.

Beginning Hip-Hop: It's all about getting your groove on and showing off some attitude. This class blends different styles of hip-hop in an upbeat atmosphere to funky pop music. It’s meant to help everyone let go of their worries and have some fun! Led by choreographer Michelle Wilkins, professional company member with Underground Dance Company.

4 Secrets of Belly Dance for the American Dancer: This class focuses on what 16 years of research and personal experience have taught instructor Melissa Wanamaker of Barefoot Muse Productions are the four greatest stumbling blocks for trained dancers in interpreting this supple, serpentine style. Build or boost your belly dance foundation here.

Broadway Dance: Step into the spotlight with great moves and music! This class is for the dancer and musical theater lover in us all. Led by beloved local instructor Kristen Vierthaler, you'll delight in a theatrical, provocative approach to performing that incorporates the pep and pizzaz of Broadway dance numbers.

Ballet Fusion: This class melds the grounded ideas of modern dance with the lifted grace of ballet. Integrating contraction and release with proper ballet technique and alignment, this course offering is ideal for the well-rounded dancer. Led by Corbin Frazier, PULSE Dance Company member and danseur.

Pan-African: Learn Pan-African movements, relating collectively to the nations of Africa. This open-level class is accompanied by live drumming and includes warm-ups, specific dance steps and Pan-African dance combinations. Taught by Johnnie Wright III, Our Hands Together master dancer and choreographer.

Pulse Director nominated local "Hottie"

In this week's issue of the Anchorage Press you'll find PULSE company director, Stephanie Wonchala, highlighted as one of Anchorage's hottest personalities. You can access the full article here.

Photo Credit: Beth Skabar

STEPHANIE PIA WONCHALA
The Dancer

Stephanie Pia Wonchala may have hit the big time first as Miss Alaska 2006, but you can check the pageant-girl stereotypes at the door. While she certainly knows how to rock an updo and evening gown, Wonchala is better known these days for founding PULSE, Anchorage's new modern dance company that just wrapped up a successful second season.

Wonchala started studying ballet at Balletschule Röhrig in Germany at age four, eventually minoring in modern dance at UAA. Feeling the Anchorage dance scene needed something new-something modern, visceral and volcanic-she decided to make that something happen.

Wonchala is a woman who likes to stay busy, which is good because she has a schedule that would challenge that of a heart surgeon moonlighting as an air traffic controller. In addition to working full time at an investment firm, Wonchala handles all the administrative work, outreach and event coordination for the dance company, and that's not including the time she spends in rehearsal and performing. Wonchala is definitely a woman who goes for what she wants-now just try to keep up.

Occupation: Executive assistant at an investment firm by day. The rest of the time, company and artistic director of PULSE modern dance company.

Sign: Virgo

Eye color: Hazel

Languages: Fluent in English and German (echt geil!)

Favorite joke: I'm kind of a "that's what she said" fanatic.

What gets Stephanie out on the dance floor: Songs that get my creative juices flowing include: "Cracks" (Flux Pavillion Remix) by Freestylers, "Lights" (Bassnectar Remix) by Ellie Goulding. And anything with creepy sounds and a driving beat.

On running a dance company: It's invigorating and all encompassing; it's a full time job on top of a full time job. I get off work and go to work-but that's when I come to life.

Stephanie's ideal date: I just want to laugh. I really appreciate a good beer and a clever boy. And if they can appreciate the arts-they don't need to love dance, or love going to the museum, they mostly just need to have an open mind and make whatever we're doing fun.

To learn more about Stephanie and PULSE dance company visit http://www.stephaniewonchala.com/ and http://www.pulsedancecompany.com/

Make it rain! (Dollars for PULSE)

Want to be the reason we can put on fantastic shows in great venues filled with beautiful lighting, awesome costuming and artistic fervor?! Consider becoming a PULSE Donor today!

There are several tiers available for you to make our 2012 dancing world go 'round:
PULSE Allies:  $300+
PULSE Patrons:  $100 - $299
PULSE Playmates:  $50 - $99

PULSE Pals:  $1 - $49

Donate via PayPal at http://www.pulsedancecompany.com/ or email us at pulsedancecompany@gmail.com!

With a killer second season behind us and an even better third season coming up (ready for Feb 25 auditions??), now is the time to shimmy and shake your loose change on over to PDC, the company that makes dance accessible to everyone.

xoxo

Company Member Playlist: Sophie Auburn

Ever wonder how PULSE company members get in the right mindset pre-performance? Featured Pulser Sophie Auburn shares her ipod playlist. Maybe you'll find just what you need to shake it, too.

SOPHIE, share your faves!
---


1. "Ungirthed" - Purity Ring// because it reminds me of our dance movie.  :)

2. "Polish Girl" - Neon Indian

3. "Wildfire"- SBTRKT

4. "Zebra"- Beach House

5. "Lights & Music" - Cut Copy

6. "Watching the Planets" - The Flaming Lips

7. "The Bells Sketch" - James Blake

8. "Hairy Candy" - TOBACCO

(I chose all of these songs because they pump me up and get me ready to go out on stage!!!!) :)))

Ahhh, and that's a wrap!

Yes. PULSE Dance Company just wrapped their second season with an exuberant, multi-faceted show at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts. Featuring eight PULSE works, the world premiere of PULSE's Dance-on-Film project Inner Motion, guest performers Anchorage Classical Ballet and Peninsula Artists in motion, hors d'oeuvres by Ginger and drinks by Alaska Distillery, PDC in Concert was a huge success bursting with joy, creativity, and passionate supporters.

Special thanks to everyone who attended. For a list of our amazing sponsors, donors, and volunteers, check out our website!

Season II ended in bliss. Season III, watch out. Much love to all.
xo
PULSE