ADF 2023 Immersion / 90-Minute Class Descriptions & Prerequisites
IMMERSIONS: WEEK A: July 31 – August 4, 2023. Meet everyday from 9 am – noon, Monday-Friday.
TRAPEZE WITCHCRAFT: Intermediate or Int/Adv with Jenn Bruyer
Ages 15+ or with instructor approval. $350. FFP Studio 1.
Prerequisites: Ability to pull over onto an eye level bar without assistance, invert in the ropes, and be on the apparatus for up to two minutes. Some experience with working “in the ropes” is suggested -OR- experience with aerial fabric.
It’s still magic, even if you know how it’s done… Structure and freedom, simplicity and complexity, frame and space. The many aspects of the trapeze yields infinite opportunities to craft stories through our movement and connection. In this immersion we will dive deeply into various topics as it relates to this apparatus’s unique construction: moving through and around, wrapping, creating shelves, dynamics and geometry – taught in short thoughtful frameworks that can be reimagined in infinite ways.
Fabric Sequencing 101: A Guide to Aerial Act Creation – Intermediate with Veronica Blair
Ages 13+. $350. FFP Studio 2.
Prerequisites: Participants must be able to safely invert off the ground. must be similar with foundational skills; catchers/ frog pose, foot locks/ keys, hip key and s-wraps.
In this workshop students will learn the theory behind basic aerial silks techniques to create seamless transitions. Through technique drills, games and music driven play, students will explore how to link tricks together and create their first aerial act.
Co-sensing: Relationality in Aerial Practices and Performances – (Fabric) Intermediate – Professional with Danielle Garrison
Ages: 16+. $350. Dairy Gordon.
Prerequisites: Geared toward intermediate to professional artists curious and desiring a research ecology to challenge their practice and assumptions. Willingness to improvise, tap into deep movement unknowns and practice awareness with sensation as a challenge to primarily aesthetic-based work.
Merging ideas from dance, circus, interactive installation, sonic media, body politics, performance art, ritual, and somatic awareness: we will awaken our ignored senses. With an intention to cultivate an ecology of care, this experimental research unearths a non-conventional approach to aerial work through a peculiar, sensational lens, and striking fabric configurations, spanning vertical, tangential, and horizontal (non-rigged) ever-evolving structures. We will attempt to co-sense how our nervous systems respond to layers of contact ranging from the internal to external, amplifying the affective resonations within our embodied/virtual networks, honing a practice to notice our habits, reflexes, inhibitions, and disorientations. Guided by pleasure, we will explore where our individual desires collide with and then alchemize aesthetic expectations within aerial encounters. This emergent research will scaffold entanglements between bodies, space and materials, while seriously questioning and tending to the concerns of touch, consent, agency, economics and choice in our aerial practices. The process asks us to be present with unfolding complications, while honoring expressive differences in relationality. This immersion resists a coherent identity by dwelling in the periphery of performance research, and will offer a complex interplay of rigorous movement, somatic propositions, and texts/concepts/poetics shared prior to the immersion.
IMMERSIONS: WEEK B: August 7 – August 11, 2023. Meet everyday from 9 am – noon, Monday-Friday.
Bungee Dance & Build – All Levels with Danielle Hendricks
Ages 15+ or with instructor permission. $360 (includes $10 equipment fee). FFP Studio 1.
Prerequisites: This class is open to anyone, but please realize that some bruising around the pelvic area from the harness is almost inevitable. To minimize this, be prepared with layers of clothing to wear around the hips, inner thighs, and waist. Padded cycling shorts or neoprene shorts with sweatpants/shorts over top are excellent choices. The harnesses we use do have some padding, but because you will be in the harness 5 days in a row, extra protection starting day one can make the week far more pleasant!
This class will cover the main uses for aerial bungee dancing in harness. We will begin each day with a Pilates Mat inspired warm up, in order to prepare the body for the rigors of being in a bungee harness. On day one, we will practice in the style “high bungee”; dancers will load in from the scaffold and will be unable to touch the ground. With attachments at R/L hip and two points in the ceiling, we can work on maximizing bounce and forward/backward rotations. Each dancer will have a partner and both groups will learn some choreography sequences to perform with each other. As the week progresses, we will lower the dancers so that they are able to touch the ground and use the floor to create additional bounce and control; then we will change to one ceiling attachment with a swivel and explore spinning and more directional changes, while still able to touch the ground. On day five, dancers will get to try the “back-pick” attachment, where they are on a single point at the ceiling and on their harness, in the style of many bungee-fitness classes. Each day we will conclude with the bungee building section of the class. This final hour of each morning will cover the safety and inspection of harnesses as well as bungee and crimps, and where/how to purchase these items. As the week goes on, dancers will do some “hands on” training with the tools and materials necessary to build their own bungee sets in the future. By the end of the week, dancers should feel confident in how to select, build, inspect and maintain safety with bungee and harness equipment.
Fabric Theory – Intermediate with Anastasia Timina
Age 13+. $350. FFP Studio 2.
Prerequisites: This is an intermediate level workshop. Students should be comfortable spending several minutes in the air, inverting to straddle, opposite and same side knee hooks, and hipkey in the air.
This silks theory immersion focuses on connecting drops, skills, and sequences on silks. We will learn how to effectively and smoothly stack drops and transition from wrap to wrap. We will learn how to navigate “dead end” skills and wraps and begin to understand the foundational connections between all aerial silks supports. We will cover some sequences exemplifying these concepts in theory and in practice! This Immersion is perfect for anyone who is interested in improving and understanding transitioning on silks or anyone who wants to build more confidence with their wraps in the air.
Lyra Authentic Exploration with Gena DuBose
Ages 13+. $350. Dairy Gordon.
Prerequisites: Clean, unassisted inversions, comfort with spinning, and an understanding of body awareness are required. Must have a basic comprehension of intermediate lyra skills that can be executed without jumping.
In this creative aerial hoop immersion, you’ll work on how to create your own movement choreography by immersing yourself in hoop theory, movement quality, authentic movement, and artistic development. Gena will help you with ways to explore skills and variations as well as unique transitions that are authentic to you as an artist. Each day we will delve into how to do your own creative research, develop your own unique movement pathways, and refine ways to move that are a custom fit for your body and your style. We’ll focus on a variety of on- and off-hoop creative pathways as well as hoop manipulation: how to push, pull, swing, dance, and connect with the hoop as an extension of yourself rather than just as a prop. You’ll give your full attention to how your body feels in motion with the apparatus, how to maximize the look and feel of every skill you perform, and how to make adjustments for your own needs and anatomy. You’ll come away with ownership and autonomy of your personal movement style and techniques for continuing to develop it as you train. This immersion allows you to research and explore your own movement in, on, and above the bar.
Note-taking is encouraged; bring a notebook, iPad, or your phone. Socks and clothing that cover the midriff are recommended.
90-MINUTE CLASSES: WEEK A: Meet everyday Monday July 31 – Friday August 4, 2023
Dynamic Sling Theory and Skills – Intermediate / Advanced with Anastasia Timina
1:00-2:30 PM. Week A.
Ages 12+. $175. FFP Studio 1.
Prerequisites: Must be able to do a full straddle up in the air (straight arm straddle up not required), must have some basic sling vocabulary: seated straddle, back straddle, single knee hang, single knee crucifix (half seated straddle), standing arabesque, crossback straddle, gazelle, front balance, hollowbody, half hip-key, ribhang.
This class will focus on the pathways of dynamic movement and transitioning that movement around the sling. We will be learning different beats and beat sequences, drops, and rotations (such as elbow circles) and the sling theory behind why different transitions work and how to connect them into your existing vocabulary. Great for helping anyone interested in learning beats and momentum on rope or fabric, for anyone wanting to add more dynamic movement into their sling vocabulary, or anyone interested in improving their sling theory understanding.
Rope and Harness: Tethered Dancing (All Levels) with Valerie Morris
1:00-2:30 PM. Week A.
Ages 14+. $175. FFP Studio 2.
Prerequisites: Comfort in a climbing harness over extended time and inverting in a harness. No previous aerial experience is necessary, other than: be prepared to have fun and create!
This exhilarating immersion will be structured around learning basic rope and harness dance techniques (not against a wall), as well as the rigging to take this dance form anywhere. We will be working both close to the ground and higher in the air, with ascenders and descenders. The vocabulary taught will be combined with guided solo and group improvisations as part of the exploration process. This is an amazing core workout and is not as intense on the arms for those taking other aerial classes at the Festival. Please wear multiple snug layers around your hips and waist for your comfort. If you have a harness, please bring it with you, otherwise, one will be
Lyra Authentic Movement – Adv. Beginner – Intermediate with Gena DuBose
1:00-2:30 PM. Week A.
Ages 13+. $175. Dairy Gordon.
Prerequisites: Clean, unassisted inversions, comfort with spinning, and an understanding of fundamental poses on the bar (mermaid, hip hang, dragonfly, straddle back, etc.) are required.
In this lyra intensive, you’ll discover and refine ways to move that are a custom fit for your body and your style. We’ll focus on a variety of on- and off-hoop creative pathways as well as hoop manipulation: how to push, pull, swing, dance, and connect with the hoop as an extension of yourself rather than just as a prop. You’ll give your full attention to how your body feels in motion with the apparatus, how to maximize the look and feel of every skill you perform, and how to make adjustments for your own needs and anatomy. You’ll come away with ownership and autonomy of your personal movement style and techniques for continuing to develop it as you train. Note-taking is encouraged; bring a notebook, iPad, or your phone.
Fundamentals of Contortion with Janelle Peters
1:00-2:30 PM. Week A.
Ages 12+. $175. Dairy Boulder Ballet
Prerequisites: This is not a general flexibility series. Students must have the following: Flat or nearly flat front/back splits on both sides. Able to comfortably hold a bridge with straight arms. 45 second hollow body hold. Comfort kicking into a handstand on the wall. Students also should have most of the following: Down from standing to bridge. Stand up from bridge. Flat or nearly flat straddle. Oversplit. Comfort with handstanding in the center of the room (straight, or straddle). Forearm bridge. If a student is uncertain whether they meet the prerequisites, they are invited to email a video of themselves demonstrating all the prerequisites they DO have to janelle.b.peters@gmail.com for assessment. Emails received later than 10 days before ADF may not be considered.
Over the 5-days, students will have the opportunity to explore key concepts in contortion. We will build upon students’ existing stability, extension, flexibility, balance, strength, and fluidity. The workshop will include deep dives into specific families of skills, and will include building contortion phrases or sequences to music. Attention will be paid to developing thorough, effective, and structured warm-up and cool-down practices to promote longevity in contortion, as well as support injury prevention.
Please bring (if you have them): 2 yoga blocks, 1 foam roller, 1 peanut, 1 strap/stretchy band, Notebook and pen or pencil. Please dress in warm layers that allow full range of motion, and wear/bring socks.
Aerial Choreography – Intermediate with Jayne Bernasconi
3:00-4:30 PM. Week A.
Ages 14+. $175. FFP Studio 1.
Prerequisites: Strong curiosity for creating original movements and thinking outside of the box (or apparatus). Being fearless with failure. Must have a minimum of one to two years of aerial dance experience on single point or circus trapeze, silks, lyra, sling or hammock. Improvisation skills are a plus.
Exploring and understanding the creative process through choreographic tools and techniques both on the ground and in the air. Emphasis on improvisation, self-exploration, group interaction, relating musical tones, theme and variation and abstract invention. Participants will develop a strong sense of spontaneity, imagination and creativity as well as strengthen their kinesthetic sensitivities to both individual and group movement experiences on and off of the apparatus. Participants will create and build on their own composition or work as a duet throughout the week for feedback and ideas with fellow classmates.
Traveling Rings All Levels with Sam Tribble
3:00-4:30 PM. Week A.
Ages 12+. $175. FFP Studio 2.
Students will begin by experiencing 3 primary body positions: Hang, Peach basket and Inverted Hang. Aerialists will then learn primary movement patterns on the Traveling rings essential for timing and coordinating with others: conning, pendulum swing from ground to aerial. Next we will learn techniques for mastering basic travel from one ring to the next in the pendulum. As students advance, we will incorporate alternative body positions and skill utilizing circular and oval swings. Creative partnering and tandem swinging will also be explored on this aerial apparatus.Conditioning, flexibility and safety are continually implemented throughout the course. Gymnastics ring grips are recommended but not necessary.
Lyra Sequencing – Intermediate with Gena DuBose
3:00-4:30 PM. Week A.
Ages 13+. $175. Dairy Gordon.
Prerequisites: Students should have a clean, unassisted inversion, comfort with spinning, familiarity with getting to the top of the lyra, and the ability to move continuously on the hoop for at least one minute.
In this workshop, Gena will cover spin theory and guide you through unique transitions on and around single-point lyra. Using a unique concept that Gena calls “lyra threading,” you’ll focus on maintaining a strong connection with the hoop while flowing from move to move with engagement and technique throughout. Gena’s creative sequences offer the opportunity to move below, inside, and above the hoop and transition seamlessly from one point to the next. You’ll come away with a full movement sequence that you can use as a starting point for further work of your own.
Depth and Texture: Movement quality and musicality: Inroads to act development – Int/Adv with Janelle Peters
5:30-7:00 PM. Week A.
Ages 15+. $175. FFP Studio 1.
Prerequisites: This workshop is for aerialists who are able to safely choreograph and execute a sequence of up to 2 minutes in length on their apparatus of choice (lyra, silks, sling, single-point trapeze). Students must be willing to make mistakes, and offer and receive artistic feedback in a supportive manner (ways to do so will be covered in the workshop). This workshop is ideal for aerialists who perform regularly and professionally, or who are developing their professional portfolio. Please bring a notebook and pen or pencil.
Over the 5 days, students will play with movement quality, musicality, and gesture to bring nuance, depth, and texture to their choreography. We will highlight the importance of transitions between skills, moments of stillness, tempo, and more while setting choreography to different music, characters, and mood. This workshop will be a container for silliness, and emotion. Students will leave with tools to bring intention and meaning into their work throughout their careers. Students will select from dance trap, sling, or fabric prior to arriving at the Festival.
Cyr Wheel- Int/Adv with Sam Tribble
5:30-7:00 PM. Week A.
Ages 13+. $175. FFP Studio 2.
For students 4’ 9” in height and above, Cyr apparatus will be provided. If you are shorter than this, you must provide your own cyr wheel. Prerequisites: Manipulation: Students must have basic control of apparatus in roll, spin and paddling the Cyr in hybrid. In Spin: Students should have a moderate to firm control of the waltz/Basic step with either a single point or two point stance. Helpful: Cartwheels and Plank rolls are a plus but not mandatory. To consider: Appropriate protective gear. Knee, elbow pads etc. are encouraged depending on skills of interest. Knee pads for learning cartwheels are encouraged but not mandatory.
Each session will begin with a basic warm up incorporating stretches and body movement that will facilitate learning specific to Cyr. Progressive Axis Training (PAT) technique will be explained and students will learn how to manipulate the Wheel in all three planes of movement in addition to understanding how to perpetuate momentum in the apparatus. All levels will be taught progression and safety considerations for the art of Cyr Wheel in addition to ground based acrobatics that are essential to the art of Cyr. Students who have proficient control of the waltz will learn tools for mastering more advanced skills such as spirals, one legged coin spin, hangs, and jump to support. Advanced students will also be able to spend time working specific areas of their interest in addition to complex wheel manipulations.
90-MINUTE CLASSES: WEEK B: Meet everyday Monday Aug. 7 – Friday Aug. 11, 2023
The Aesthetics & History of Low-Flying Trapeze- Intermediate with Jayne Bernasconi
1:00-2:30pm. Week B.
Ages 14+. $175. FFP Studio 1.
Prerequisites: 1 year experience on either horizontal (trapeze, lyra) or vertical (fabric, rope, sling)
What were the inspirations and aesthetic choices of aerial pioneers, Terry Sendgraff, Robert Davidson, Stephanie Evanitsky and Alwin Nikolais? This class is part aerial technique (single point trapeze, sling, silks) and part history to learn what inspired their creativity helping students gain access to a variety of aesthetic approaches for creating aerial dance. We will look at videos of these pioneers to examine their aesthetic approaches and then incorporate these methods as we move through the air exploring: theme and variation, improvisation, modes of movement, low/high and underworld scores, duets, and the aesthetic of blending movements from ground to air.
Cyr Wheel- Int/Adv with Sam Tribble
1:00-2:30 PM. Week. B.
Ages 13+. $175. FFP Studio 2.
Prerequisites: Manipulation: Students must have basic control of apparatus in roll, spin and paddling the Cyr in hybrid. In Spin: Students should have a moderate to firm control of the waltz/Basic step with either a single point or two point stance. Helpful: Cartwheels and Plank rolls are a plus but not mandatory. To consider: Appropriate protective gear. Knee, elbow pads etc. are encouraged depending on skills of interest. Knee pads for learning cartwheels are encouraged but not mandatory. Students 4’ 9” in height and above, Cyr apparatus will be provided. If you are shorter than this, you must provide your own cyr wheel.
Each session will begin with a basic warm up incorporating stretches and body movement that will facilitate learning specific to Cyr. Progressive Axis Training (PAT) technique will be explained and students will learn how to manipulate the Wheel in all three planes of movement in addition to understanding how to perpetuate momentum in the apparatus. All levels will be taught progression and safety considerations for the art of Cyr Wheel in addition to ground based acrobatics that are essential to the art of Cyr. Students who have proficient control of the waltz will learn tools for mastering more advanced skills such as spirals, one legged coin spin, hangs, and jump to support. Advanced students will also be able to spend time working specific areas of their interest in addition to complex wheel manipulations.
Straddle Up! The Breakdown – Beginner thru Advanced with Veronica Blair
1:00-2:30 pm. Week B.
Ages 13+. $175. Dairy Gordon.
The ever-elusive straddle-up inversion slowing down your progression? Are you a beginner struggling to get into an inversion without jumping from the ground? Or have you been training in aerial arts for months or even years but still struggle with doing two or three straddle-ups in a row? Then this workshop is for you! This workshop will familiarize students with the major muscle groups needed to safely invert, exercises to condition them and drills to develop straddle up proficiency. Participants will learn how to identify common pitfalls and to safely and effectively perform inversions. Crossback straddle will also be covered in this class.
Twisted Trapeze – Intermediate with Jenn Bruyer
3:00-4:30 pm. Week B.
Minimum age 15+. $175. FFP Studio 1.
Prerequisites: Ability to pull over onto an eye level bar without assistance, invert in the ropes, and be on the apparatus for up to two minutes. Comfort working with both front balance and back balance and “arm breaker” (perfection is NOT required). A strong interest in complexity and asymmetry is suggested.
Warp your perception of ‘two ropes and a bar’ with all the twisting, turning, rolling, and spiraling ideas that can move you inside and outside of the frame. In this workshop we will explore shapes and transitions that are “twisted” or “spiraling” in nature.
Cyr Wheel – Beginning with Sam Tribble
3:00-4:30 PM. Week B.
Ages 13+. $175. FFP Studio 2.
For students 4’ 9” in height and above, Cyr apparatus will be provided. If you are shorter than this, you must provide your own cyr wheel.
Prerequisite: This level is appropriate for any child 13 years of age or adult. This class will give the foundations for learning and understanding for how to progress safely and independently. Appropriate athletic shoes are recommended for beginners.
Each session will begin with a basic warm up incorporating stretches and body movement that will facilitate learning specific to Cyr. Progressive Axis Training (PAT) technique will be explained and students will learn how to manipulate the Wheel in all three planes of movement in addition to understanding how to perpetuate momentum in the apparatus. All levels will be taught progression and safety considerations for the art of Cyr Wheel in addition to ground based acrobatics that are essential to the art of Cyr. After the initial warm-up, students will spend 20 minutes learning basic wheel manipulation for safety with the focus of finding control and predictability of their apparatus. The remainder of the class will be spent in and out of the wheel learning two basic techniques for “spinning” inside the wheel. An emphasis will be placed on learning various techniques for initiating the “waltz.” Creative movement and individual styles of expression with the Cyr wheel will also be explored.
Depth and Texture: Movement quality and musicality: Inroads to act development – Int/Adv with Janelle Peters
3:00-4:30 PM. Week B.
Ages 15+. $175. Dairy Gordon.
Prerequisites: This workshop is for aerialists who are able to safely choreograph and execute a sequence of up to 2 minutes in length on their apparatus of choice (lyra and silks only). Students must be willing to make mistakes, and offer and receive artistic feedback in a supportive manner (ways to do so will be covered in the workshop). This workshop is ideal for aerialists who perform regularly and professionally, or who are developing their professional portfolio. Please bring a notebook and pen or pencil.
Over the 5 days, students will play with movement quality, musicality, and gesture to bring nuance, depth, and texture to their choreography. We will highlight the importance of transitions between skills, moments of stillness, tempo, and more while setting choreography to different music, characters, and mood. This workshop will be a container for silliness, and emotion. Students will leave with tools to bring intention and meaning into their work throughout their careers. Students will select from dance trap, sling, or fabric prior to arriving at the Festival.
Sling Theory – Beginner through Professional with Jenn Bruyer
5:30-7:00 PM. Week B.
Ages 15+. $175. FFP Studio 1.
Prerequisites: Some experience on ANY aerial apparatus is required, but no previous experience with sling is needed for this workshop. Ability to do the following things without assistance: pull over into a hiphang on a sling that is at eye level, invert in the air (bent arms and legs is fine). Great tool for teachers and program directors, appropriate for anyone who wishes to explore this apparatus in more depth.
Aerial Sling has long been an underrated apparatus in aerial studios’ programming, often lacking a clearly defined, thoroughly explored curriculum. This weeklong series not only outlines the theory of and organization for the fundamental wraps, but also explores a system for creating transitions, variations, and sequences ad infinitum.
Roll-Up Clinic: Aerial Straps – Advanced with Veronica Blair
5:30-7:00pm. Week B.
Ages 16+. $175. FFP Studio 2.
Prerequisites: Participants must be able to do 3 leg lifts above 90 degrees.
Designed for students who are just starting out on their roll-up journey, or the more experienced student who desires consistent roll-ups. This workshop will introduce students to drills that lead to roll-up success! Angel roll-ups will also be covered.
Low Suspending: Alchemizing Pressure and Pleasure on Fabric – Int/Adv with Danielle Garrison
5:30-7:00 PM. Week B.
Ages: 16+. $175. Dairy Gordon.
Prerequisites: Intermediate/advanced artists interested in flowing, contemporary, somatic and experimental movement-based guiding and choreographic sequences. For artists wanting to explore how the body can feel integrated movement chains from the rigging point, through the fabric, into the body and ground.
We will unearth the magical balance of tension and suspension, levitating between the floor and air, guided by technical approaches to support us in hovering. We will learn a plurality of variations at different levels and orientations with the fabrics that enhances our dancing capabilities with vertical tissues from the ground using technique of gliding, suspending, levitating, wringing, and skimming. Honing our desire, sensation, practice and performativity of suspension. It will be a choreography-based, technique class. This awareness tries to support a relationship with the fabrics, shifting our perspective and engagement with “material.” Slithery, pleasurable choreography will unfold through a technique on knotted vertical fabrics promoting the sensation of touch with the material. The juxtaposition and balance between set choreography and individual expression allows a nuanced and subtle emergent alchemy between our bodies. Aerial transitions, unique sling movement, suspension and weight-transfer using the fabric as a partner will be mediated, asking what distribution of PRESSURE is good right now, and letting it mobilize and be ever-evolving.
Fundamentals of Contortion with Janelle Peters
5:30-7:00 PM. Week B.
Ages 12+. $175. Dairy Boulder Ballet.
Prerequisites: This is not a general flexibility series. Students must have the following: Flat or nearly flat front/back splits on both sides. Able to comfortably hold a bridge with straight arms. 45 second hollow body hold. Comfort kicking into a handstand on the wall. Students also should have most of the following: Down from standing to bridge. Stand up from bridge. Flat or nearly flat straddle. Oversplit. Comfort with handstanding in the center of the room (straight, or straddle). Forearm bridge. If a student is uncertain whether they meet the prerequisites, they are invited to email a video of themselves demonstrating all the prerequisites they DO have to janelle.b.peters@gmail.com for assessment. Emails received later than 10 days before ADF may not be considered.
Over the 5-days, students will have the opportunity to explore key concepts in contortion. We will build upon students’ existing stability, extension, flexibility, balance, strength, and fluidity. The workshop will include deep dives into specific families of skills, and will include building contortion phrases or sequences to music. Attention will be paid to developing thorough, effective, and structured warm-up and cool-down practices to promote longevity in contortion, as well as support injury prevention.
Please bring (if you have them): 2 yoga blocks, 1 foam roller, 1 peanut, 1 strap/stretchy band, Notebook and pen or pencil. Please dress in warm layers that allow full range of motion, and wear/bring socks.
