Hip-Hop Fundamentals

This open-level class will focus on the foundational vocabulary and core techniques that are seen across a variety of hip-hop dance styles. Participants will learn skills in a way that is adaptive to alternative spaces (your living rooms!), which is consistent with the historical and ongoing practice of Hip-Hop forms. You will also gain contextual information about the origins of different styles and how they have evolved over time. The class will also deal with grooving and social dances. Open to all levels and experiences.

Artist BIo

David Ingram was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago, where he grew up as a self-taught hip-hop freestyler and battle dancer. The majority of David's training came from Columbia College, where he trained in ballet, modern, jazz, African, and contemporary. In addition to freelancing as both a teacher and film performer, David has performed with several hip-hop crew such as UDF (Urban Dance Force), Pure Renditionz, and T13 among others. Mr. Ingram debuted with Crash as a Company 2 Member in 2008 and was promoted to the full company in 2012. While being with the company David has had the opportunity to work with various choreographers such as Mikey Rioux, Lizzie Mackenzie, the late Paul Christiano as well as the late Ronn Stewart, and Jessica Deahr who aslo is his artistic director. Along with his dance background David has an extensive background in martial arts specifically the style of Ninjitsu. David aslo fell very fond of the hip-hop style of K.R.U.M.P. which he has fused with his contemporary background on several occasions.

West African Dance

This class will consist of a short warm-up and will involve teaching the fundamentals of dance techniques from Guinea, and Senegal West Africa.  The dances focused on in this class are Sorsornea & Sunu. Sorsornea gives thanks to protect the children and is initiation dance from the Boke village, in Guinea, West Africa. However, it became so popular that everyone is dancing Sorsornea in Guinea, West Africa. Sunu this dance is performed to celebrate the harvest and the girls demonstrate  their grace and beauty and the boys demonstrate their strength and vigor. This dance is from Mali, West Africa.

Artist Bio

NAJWA Dance Corps (NDC) is a company of professional dancers and musicians dedicated to the preservation of dance styles and techniques of different eras which reflect the African-American dance heritage and experience. The company performs dance within a historical context or from an historical perspective that is both educational and entertaining. NDC has grown over the years through presenting traditional and contemporary dances of Africa such as dances from the Old Mali Empire and the Caribbean, traditional (swing) and contemporary jazz, tap, nostalgic dances such as the Cakewalk (1900s), and the developing hip hop styles of the 21st century.

The company stages and performs dance styles and techniques that will survive the millennium. The company performs dances from the African-American Diaspora which is comprised of African dance, Caribbean dance, and African-American dance. African dances are from various countries such as Liberia, the Sene-Gambia region, and Guinea. Caribbean dances such as Fire Dance and Limbo are from Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad, and the Bahamas. The African-American dances include The Hoofers Club, Rent Party, and Duke Ellington Suite.