EACH YEAR, DDCF PROUDLY PRESENTS A SERIES OF MASTER CLASSES, TAUGHT BY ACCOMPLISHED LOCAL, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL PRACTITIONERS IN DIVERSE FIELDS OF DANCE. MANY OF OUR CLASSES ARE LED BY THE SAME EXCEPTIONAL INSTRUCTORS, ARTISTS, AND CHOREOGRAPHERS WHO PERFORM AND PRESENT THEIR WORK THROUGHOUT THE FESTIVAL WEEKEND. FOR ALL DANCERS AGES 13 AND UP, OUR MASTER CLASS SERIES PROVIDES A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR DANCERS TO LEARN FROM THE BEST IN THE INDUSTRY FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE!
Read about our 2023 Master Class Instructors!
James Sofranko
James assumed the position of Artistic Director of Grand Rapids Ballet in 2018 after an 18-year career as a soloist with the San Francisco Ballet. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, he holds a BFA in dance from The Juilliard School in New York City.
At San Francisco Ballet, he danced in numerous works and world premieres by world renowned choreographers, such as Helgi Tomasson, William Forsythe, Justin Peck, Alexi Ratmansky, Lar Lubovitch, Wayne Macgregor, Mark Morris, Yuri Possokhov, Christopher Wheeldon, Paul Taylor, Jiri Kylian, Annabelle Lopez-Ochoa, George Balanchine, and Jerome Robbins.
James also starred in the principal role of Eddie in the Broadway touring company of Movin’ Out, a musical choreographed by Twyla Tharp to the songs of Billy Joel.
Since 2018, Sofranko has created 11 original works for Grand Rapids Ballet, including a full-length production of Romeo and Juliet which premiered in February 2023 at DeVos Performance Hall with the Grand Rapids Symphony.
Under his directorship, the company’s repertoire has grown to include classical and contemporary works by some of the most sought after choreographers working today. The dancers have come from across the United States and around the world.
He instituted a program entitled Jumpstart which allows new choreographic talent to emerge from within the ranks of the dancers, and the company collaborates frequently with other cultural organizations in the area, including with the Grand Rapids Symphony, Grand Rapids Opera, and the Grand Rapids Art Museum.
Since 2019 the company has performed annually at the amphitheater at the Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park.
Jeremy Blair
Assistant Professor Jeremy Blair earned a B.A. degree in theatre from Millikin University and will receive his M.F.A. degree from the University of Iowa in August 2014 where he was a graduate teaching assistant and Iowa Arts Fellow. During his time at Millikin, he began his formal dance training and spent a summer performing with Friches Theatre Urbaine in Paris as a stilt-walker and aerial artist. Upon moving to Chicago, he was a company member with Thodos Dance Chicago for five years. He also performed with Aerial Dance Chicago, Khecari Dance Theatre, Chicago Moving Company and Lucky Plush Productions. His choreography has been featured at Jacob’s Pillow, NY City Center, the Harris Theatre in Chicago and other notable venues. In addition to performing, choreographing and teaching dance, he is a 500-hour registered yoga instructor through Yoga Alliance.
Steve Rooks
Steven Rooks was a principal dancer for the Martha Graham Dance Company from 1981-1991 and, has choreographed many works including “Cool River” which premiered at the Lincoln Center in NYC, 1996. This piece later became a part of the Graham Company repertoire.
Mr. Rooks is currently the Chair of the Dance Department and Resident Choreographer at Vassar College in New York. He also serves as guest teaching faculty with the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater and School, Martha Graham Dance Company/Academy and, New York Academy of Ballet. In addition, Mr. Rooks is honored to serve as a Board Member and Artistic Advisor to the Ark Initiative Ballet, the professional arm for The Link School of the Arts.
Ballet | 9:30-10:45 a.m.
James Sofranko
Jazz | 10:45-12:00 p.m.
Jeremy Blair
Modern | 12:00-1:15 p.m.
Steve Rooks
Gloria Ahlijah
Gloria Ahlijah is a dancer and choreographer hailing from Ghana, West Africa. Currently, she is pursuing a Master's degree in Fine Arts in Dance at the esteemed University of Michigan. Prior to this, she accomplished her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the University of Ghana, School of Performing Arts. Gloria has undergone comprehensive training in various dance forms, including West African Traditional Dance, African Contemporary Dance, Kizomba, and Afrobeat. As a facilitator, she conducts workshops aimed at helping individuals connect with their bodies and minds through the art of movement. Her choreographies possess a unique essence as they strive to amplify the voices of the voiceless and share stories that resonate with people from all walks of life. Gloria's passion lies in exploring the evolution and assimilation of African dance in the Diaspora and how these dances play a vital role in forging a strong connection and identity for Black Americans with Africa. Recently, she has found immense pride and pleasure in delving into the study of the Germain Acogny technique and its profound impact on Contemporary African Dance. She aspires to become a Professor in dance and a choreographer, drawing inspiration from this technique to further enrich her artistic expression.
West African | 1:15-2:30
Gloria Ahlijah
Norberto Collazo
Norberto Collazo Ortiz– Aibonito, Puerto Rico. His interest in dance began at age 10 when he joined Ballet Jatibonuko in his hometown. Five years later he joined the Ballet Juvenil Puertorriqueño, receiving training in folk dance. His training includes various genres such as: street jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, modern, Afro-Caribbean, contact improvisation, fighting monkey, and improvisation. By 2003 Collazo joined Hincapié, being both dancer and choreographer directed by Petra Bravo. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Individualized Studies in Contemporary Dance and Body Expression in Pedagogy, from the University of Puerto Rico. Collazo joined the cast of Andanza Contemporary Dance Company in August 2009 where he also choreographed. In 2014 Collazo was the first resident artist of the Arts Residency Program of the Center Of Fine Arts Luis A. Ferré. He also worked as a guest soloist for Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico in productions like Carmina Burana (2014), Giselle (2008) and El Festival de Coreógrafos (2012). Norberto Collazo also has imparted workshops in various communities in Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Guatemala. Collazo have staged his work in international venues like Costa Rica, Guatemala, Chile, New Jersey, Orlando, New York, Spain, and Prague. Among the independent dance events he has directed and produced are: Inventario (2010), Físico Relativo (2011), Disparejas (2011), Físico Relativo 100 x 35 (2012) Warning on the move (Quadrennial in Prague), SóloDos en Danza Rumbo a Costa Rica (2015), Conocidos Pasajeros (2016). He completed a Dance MFA at Tisch School for the Performing Arts at NYU. Collazo is co-director and choreographer of NA2, where he works with contemporary dance and movement related arts.
Contemporary Fusion | 2:30-3:45
Norberto Collazo
Kyung Hwa Hong
Choreographer Hong Kyung-wha majored in Contemporary Dance at Kyunghee University and received a Ph.D. in Dance from Kyunghee University. Currently, she is active as a representative of a contemporary dance troupe, both at home and abroad. Hong Kyung-wha's early works mainly consisted of collaborative performances with other genres of art. She has since been selected as a budding choreographer (2nd AYAF), studied in Austria and London, and posted the piece "That's her room" in Vienna, Austria. With this piece she was invited to the 2012 INTERNATIONAL MODERN DANCE FESTIVAL, where she posted a "79m2" piece. In 2021, she was selected as a choreographer for the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture and is currently working as a choreographer and dance educator at home and abroad, producing her work “BODA”. She strives to find meaning and happiness in her life within the difficult task of communicating only through movement, in which her body becomes a tool. Since August 28, 2023, she has been honored by the University of Michigan's dance department as a research scalar. Also, she will participate in the DDCF Residency on September 8 this year and show " body rap" performance.
Partnering | 3:45-5:00
Kyung Hwa Hong and Kwangmin Kim
MASTER CLASS MEMORIES
DDCF 2022
DDCF 2021 (virtual)
Sidra Bell (Contemporary Systems), Shannon Gillen (Vim Vigor Physical Dance), James Wilton (Contemporary Floorwork), Kelsey Paschich (Contemporary Ballet), Joanne Zheng (Chinese Classical Dance), Wanjiru Kimuyu (Contemporary), Anuradha Murali (Classical Dance Styles of India: Bharathanatyam & Kuchipudi), BMBO Creations (Screen Dance Tutorial), Allen Xing (Modern), Queen Gabby (Detroit Jit), Denise Caston Clark (Tap).
DDCF 2020 (virtual)
Lauren Anderson (Ballet), Caleb Mitchell (Ballet), Steven Rooks (Modern)
DDCF 2019
Contemporary with Alexander Dones, Improvisation with Amy Chavasse, Ballet/Laban MA with Seyong Kim, Contemporary with Carmelo Segura, Partnering with Dong-Won Lee, and Double Skin/Double Mind with Kelly Hirina.
ddcf 2018
Contemporary Jazz with Brandon Harneck, Contemporary with Biba Bell, Marcat Research/Guided Improvisation with Mario Bermdez Gil, Contemporary/Modern with Sylvia Suttle, Contemporary Improvisation with Kang Seok Lee, ModHop Jazz with Cat Manturuk, Contemporary movement & Improvisation with Alexander Dones, Breathing Attack with JaeDuck Kim Contemporary with Alexander Quetell, Contemporary with Jiyoung Hqang, and Contemporary Jazz with Tracy Halloran.
DDCF 2017
Indian Classical Dance with Anuradga Murali, Contemporary with Autumn Eckman, Zibolo with Chris Babingui, Modern with RE|dance group, Contemporary with Nick Neagle, ModHop Jazz with Cat Manturuk, Ballet with Valerie Alpert, Gaga with Amy Morrow, Contemporary with Amy Cova, Double Skin/Double Mind with Kelly Hirina, and JIT with Mikemansontht
DDCF 2016
Improvisation with Patty Solorzano, Breakdance with Keegan ‘Seoul’ Loye, African Fusion with Erika ‘Red’ Stowall, Contemporary with Alexander Dones, Contemporary with Bree McCormack, Lyrical with Jill Cassidy, Authentic Jazz with Paulette Brockington, Somatics Lab with Elizabeth Shea, Contemporary with Jessica Post, ModHop Jazz with Cat Manturuk, Musical dance with Adriel Ruben, Modern with White Wave, Contemporary with Joori Jung, Tap with Lisa Allai, Ballet with Kathy Cooke, Partnering with Darby Wilde, Contemporary with Tracy Halloran, Tap with Kelsey Rose, Ballet with Paul O. Campo, Contemporary with Kwang Min Kim, Partnering with Take Root, Physical Dance with Ferenc Feher, and Contemporary Jazz with Jodie Randolph
DDCF 2015
Social Dance with Camille A. Brown, Jazz with Michael Lemanski, Limon with Barbara Sellinger, Jazz with Jill Zmijewski, Partnering with Take Root, Modern with Teatr Tanca Zawiowania, Pro Bono with Hardcore Detroit, Contemporary Modern with Jennifer Harge, Partnering and Performance Skills with Young Soon Kim Dance Company, Ballet with Sheena Annalise, Contemporary with Stephanie Pizzo, Improvisation with Patty Solorzano Seward, African Dance with Erika ‘Red’ Wall, Contemporary with Rodney A. Brown, Ballet with Sergey Rayevskiy, Contemporary with Tracy Pearson, Improvisation with ArtLab J Dance, Contemporary Jazz with Jodie Randolph, Ballet with Issac Jones, Modern with R.se Dance, Contemporary Jazz with Teresa Muller, ModHopJazz with Cat Manturuk, and Hip Hop with Heidi Williams
DDCF2014
Adesola Akinleye, Adriel Ruben, Alicia Cutaia, Amy Chavasse, Barbara Selinger, Biba Bell, Carolyn Dorfman, Christa Smutek, Crystal Frazier, Denise Caston, Devon Campbell, Jodie Randolph, Joori Jung, Louie Marin, Marcus White, Christina Kammuller, Penny Godboldo, Rachel Ahn Harbert, Sean Hoskins, Sheena Annalise, Take Root (Ali Woerner and Thayer Jonutz), Tracy Pearson, Yessa
DDCF2013
Contemporary with Joori Jung, Ballet with Meg Paul, Modern with Sidra Bell, Contemporary Jazz with Liz Schmidt, Improvisation with Amy Chavasse, Modern Technique with Barbara Selinger, Tap with Denise Caston, Jit with Haleem, Central African (Congolese style) with Karen Prall
