UDMA offers dance seminars at fall shows

This fall, United Dance Merchants of America (UDMA) will present new dance seminars during the organization’s Dance Resource and Costume Shows, coming to Atlanta, Ga, Meadowlands, NJ and Chicago, IL.

UDMA’s 20th Anniversary Dance Resource and Costume Show, which is free and open to all dance teachers and studio owners, will visit these three cities in October. The show first comes to Atlanta on October 5-6, then Meadowlands on October 12-13 and lastly Chicago on October 19-20. UDMA show hours will be Saturday from 12–6 p.m. in Meadowlands and Chicago, and 3-6 p.m. in Atlanta; plus Sunday from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. in all locations.

UDMA’s dance seminars aim to provide an extra opportunity for attendees to gain new knowledge and skills for teaching techniques to students. The past seminars and master classes have proven to be immensely popular and totally unique in the industry – and this year will be no exception. The classes will feature new information as well as engaging dance techniques, all distilled into one 90-minute class.

The seminars are entitled “Celebrate Teaching: Exploring Ways to Teach Technique.” Master teachers will share their knowledge on using ballet and contemporary dance as the basic building blocks for student’s training. While material will focus mostly on ages 6–13, it will still underline nearly every level and dance style.

The class will also breakdown, trouble shoot and problem solve basic issues, such as turnout, extension, placement, alignment, jumps, turns, moving through space and more. The class will combine fun and easy demonstrations, discussions and practice exercises. Ultimately, teachers will walk away with new ways to inspire students to dance.

All class participants should wear dance clothes (or loose clothing) and be prepared to try out teaching techniques. The class fee is $25 for advance registration and $30 onsite.

In Atlanta, the seminar will be offered at the costume show on Saturday, October 5 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. It will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on October 12 in Meadowlands and October 19 in Chicago.

There will be a different master teacher in each city. In Atlanta, Patricia Dickinson will teach the class. In Meadowlands, the instructor will be Roni Mahler, and in Chicago, it will be Mme. Peff Modelski. For more information and to register, visit www.UDMA.org.

Photo: UDMA teachers, from left, include Roni Mahler, Patricia Dickinson and Madame Peff Modelski. Photos courtesy of UDMA.