Artistic Director, Kenda Newbury

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Updates

2008-2009 Season - Cave Creek Classes?

Come back for more information.

Recap 2007-2008 Season:

Movement E-Motion (MEM) had an incredible fall and spring semester - the year started late due to funding but with a bang as the group was invited to perform for the Arizona Department of Education conference in September. From there they embrased classes and performances that ranged from USAA to the New River Senior Center to AZDance Group's professional productions including Christmas Dance Concert and Celebration Dance Concert. Performances took them from Anthem to Black Canyon City to Fountain Hills and into Downtown Phoenix (Herberger Theater Center).

Patty Kaufman again photographed these wonderous individuals both in a photo shoot as well as during the major company's performances. Another photographer who assisted the company and MEM was Steve Watson, photographing our first performance at the Herberger Theater Center this past May. Fish Eye Productions, owned by Matt Harrington, produced two wonderful season DVD's as well as promo DVD's of the company and the MEM program.

Instructors included: Kenda Newbury, lead; Katherine McDonnell; and demonstrators Chelsea Neiss, Mikayla Skogen and MEM Performance Manager, Ashley Troxel.  Classes were held in two different studios (rented spaced) both in North Phoenix (Dynamic Motion Dance Academy) and Cave Creek (Desert Foothills Dance).

Semester II: Spring 2008 - February Class Filled! 

New semester starting February 2008 - limited space

All classes taught by professionals in the field, under the direction of Kenda Newbury.

Performances already being booked!

Recap the beginning of the 2007-2008 Season

Anthem Classes: Thursdays, beginning September 20th, 2:45-3:45 pm, classes held at Dynamic Motion Dance Academy

Cave Creek Classes: Wednesdays, beginning September 26th, 2:30-3:30 pm*, classes held at Desert Foothills Dance Studio

Hold your space NOW (there is a class size minimum AND MAXIMUM).

Young Adults age 13 AND UP with Down Syndrome, Autism and Physically Challenged

The Wednesday class is open to age 8 and up with Down Syndrome (restricted requirement) and open to those with D.S., Autism and physical challenges age 13 and up

Click here to contact the Director of this Program!

MORE NEWS

Semester II: February 12-May 10, 2007 A HUGE success!

We have participants arriving at our doorstep from throughout Arizona! We thank the parents for believing in this program and knowing just how special and important it has become in your child's life. Our aim is to bring artistic and POSITIVE physical activity, movement, expression and dance to your child's life and to bring them experiences otherwise never exposed to.

Performances to date with incredible dance routines highlighting the MEM participants: Excerpts from Serenade with the company of AZDance Group - choreographed by G. Balanchine of the New York City Ballet; Excerpts of Run for Life, highlighted in Angels, an entire ballet for and about Cancer survivors and their family members; Fosse; and Get Your Head in the Game, a crowd pleasing dance highlighting each dancer!

NEW SEMESTER TWO classes begin FEBRUARY 12th, 2007

Currently we are working with Young Adult Individuals (13 & up) with Down Syndrome, Autism and Physically Challenged*... This semester we are welcoming Children age 8 and up with Down Syndrome to join this wonderful experience.

Thanks to DMDA and other studios helping us out since we began! We'd like to thank Desert Foothills Dance for also opening their doors to us!

ROTARY CLUB OF ANTHEM

(Ironwood meetings) - Bring further support to Ms. Newbury's Movement E-Motion dance program.

Many thanks to the Rotarians and especially Larry Evans, President, for this generous contribution and show of support. Friday, January 19th at 8:00 a.m. Kenda Newbury gave a presentation with the assistance of Hiroko and Michael and his family. 

Season 2006-2007: SEMESTER I, OCTOBER 5, 2006-JANUARY 18, 2007

Participants from MEM's Semester I,  perform in AZDance Group's professional production "Christmas Dance Concert", Nov. 30-December 2, 2006. Thanks to Patty Kaufman, our photographer for the great photographs to hold these memories close to our hearts. Look at the joy and the pride in these faces while performing!  More standing ovations! This semester didn't begin until October 5th, 2007! Great job for all with JUST 5 classes of choreography, 7 classes total before performance time - a quick time to perform two routines, learning strong dance technique in the process.

MEM has had wonderful opportunities to perform in other environments and venues too gaining exposure for the dance program and valuable educational components along the way. These smaller but no less important performances include: Autism Speaks at Lake Pleasant November 4th, Daisy Mountain Veteran's Parade & Picnic in Anthem November 11th, Black Canyon City Veteran's Festival November 11th, and at the Festival of Fine Art at Anthem, January 12th, 2007. We are all looking forward to Semester II, beginning February 12th!

17 Participants from throughout the Valley have had the opportunity to gain muscle tone, interaction with company members, further dance technique and training and experiences and exposure they never would have received anywhere else - This season (2006-2007) the Molly Lawson Foundation and the Arizona Community Foundation not only approved another grant but also scholarships were offered to cover the participation fees (for those needing financial assistance). Without their support this program would not be possible - we thank them each day, especially after a positive and rewarding class or when we see one of our individuals look up or give us a high-five or straighten their leg when before there was little to nothing. Tremendous!  Thank you Molly Lawson Foundation and Arizona Community Foundation for your support!

SUMMER 'MEM' CLASSES AVAILABLE THROUGH MS. NEWBURY'S "STAI"

Summer 2006 - July 24 to August 5 2006- Movement E-Motion dance classes are being offered July 24-August 5, 2006, Tuesday/Thursday and Saturday mornings (9:30 to 11:25 am) through the Summer Theatre Arts Intensive (STAI). Summer MEM program is for all ages and levels.  Caretakers MUST participate in classes.  Also participants will perform in the Informal Student Showcase August 5th at 5:30 p.m.  See Summer Theatre Arts Intensive for full details, email the DIRECTOR or call for information!

FIRST SEASON - 2005-2006 - NEWS

Movement E-Motion second semester participants (February to May 06) performed with professional dance members of the AZDance Group on May 5 and 6, 2006 at BCHS Performing Art Center. The production was not only a success but the MEM participants were greeted with standing ovations for all three dance numbers!  They did an amazing job performing and working with the company.  A very successful season!   "After only nine one-hour dance classes, these two dance classes of Movement E-Motion performed in front of cheering audiences .... how they moved each one of us through their movement, spirit and joy! ... Amazing, incredible and inspirational... what a dance program this has become! ... Bravos to Ms. Newbury and AZDance Group..."

This dance program for Semester II more than DOUBLED in size - the second semester is a success!!  Thanks to a grant extension from the Molly Lawson Foundation and the Arizona Community Foundation, AZDance Group is able to continue to bring the art, history and education of dance to individuals with different abilities! 

 

Directed and created by Kenda Newbury, Movement E-Motion classes are being held currently in Anthem at Dynamic Motion Dance Academy where the company, AZDance Group, also rehearses.  With the MEM dance program expanding, so has the instructional staff: Kenda Newbury, director; Jennifer Weinberg, Brandi Summers, Chelsea Summers, instructors; Brittanie Chisum, demonstrator/teacher's assistant.

THE BEGINNING: FIRST SEMESTER, September 2005

September 2005 - Semester I, Movement E-Motion - The pilot-dance-program, "Movement E-Motion", designed by Kenda Newbury, Artistic Director of AZDance Group, was made possible through a grant from the Molly Lawson Foundation, with help from the Arizona Community Foundation.  "Movement E-Motion" is designed to provide individuals with different abilities an introduction to artistic physical activity, movement and dance. 

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Photograph credits: Patty Kaufman, ItsUPhoto, Phoenix & Steve Watson, Phoenix