Dance and Movement classes
UW Liberal Studies and the Arts offers noncredit classes in a broad range of dance styles and movement arts. Our qualified instructors bring a wealth of knowledge to these energizing, personal and non-competitive classes. In general, the fall session begins a week after Labor Day, the winter session begins in the last week of January, and the eight-week summer session starts in mid-June.
Descriptions of dance and movement classes
All courses welcome teens and adults.
Download the winter/spring dance class list
(Browse upcoming dance and movement classes descriptions in the continuing education catalog.)
African dance
This class begins with a series of warmups, isolations, and strengthening exercises designed to prepare the body for African dance. Learn choreography and new dances that explore the diversity in movement and music of Guinea and Mali, West Africa. Live music by Madison-area drummers creates an invigorating and uplifting atmosphere. Students of all experience levels are welcome.
Ballet
The study of ballet technique can give you an appreciation for dance, music, and art through developing grace, coordination, strength, and discipline. Please wear leotard, tights, and ballet shoes. Level placement is by instructor’s consent; please e-mail Vivian Tomlinson, vtomlinson@education.wisc.edu, for more information.
Guest Artist Series:
Jack Bray—dancing qi’gong
Join former Broadway dancer Jack
Bray for this special master class,
geared toward senior learners but
open to all. Bray guides you through
this “dance of life” via a unique
combination of tai chi, qi’gong and
dance exercises. Reservationsrequired; for information contact
Maureen Janson, 608-263-8927.
Hip-hop dance
In this high-energy class, hip-hop dancers of all levels focus on basic style and technique and using this technique in a variety of routines. We devote several classes to learning the choreography, with plenty of time for you to develop your own personal style and enhance the quality of your performance.
Irish step dance
This class introduces you to the basics of solo Irish dancing, including jigs, reels, and hornpipes. Focus on rhythm and posture as you explore energetic light/hop and heavy/percussive dances in modern and more traditional styles.
Latin Dance/Salsa
Learn energetic, exciting, and passionate Latin dances like the rumba, cha cha, and salsa. In this class, perfect for beginners and experienced dancers alike, we cover turns, spins, style, and basic patterns for several Latin dances as well as challenges in balance, speed, flexibility, body awareness, and expression for the more advanced dancer. No dance experience required or expected; no partner necessary.
Middle Eastern dance: Raks Sharki
Raks Sharki, Arabic for “dance of the East,” is the classical solo woman’s dance of the Middle East. Classes begin with warmup stretches, then progress to hip articulation, body isolations, and dance combinations. Some folkloric dances are also included. Finger cymbals are required; bare feet.
Modern dance
This class explores the Erick Hawkins technique to deepen and broaden your physical skills. You focus on generating movement from the center of the body, learning and practicing appropriate-level dance movements and longer phrases. We take time for each student to explore their own physical patterns, with the goal of transcending boundaries. Bare feet.
Modern dance theatre through structured improvisation
This course familiarizes you with various structures for developing modern dance theater. Become more comfortable with initiating, sharing, following, merging, joining, and leaving. Experience the joy of your own authentic dance movements. Personal growth and exciting dance emerge in this process. Recommended: (1) one year of modern dance experience or consultation with instructor (Lynne Rothermel Novotnak, 608-249-2714), and (2) concurrent modern dance technique class.
Pilates conditioning
In this introductory class you learn the body conditioning technique that focuses on strength, flexibility, breath, and postural alignment through emphasis on kinesthetic (mind/body) awareness, uniform development of the body, and using core abdominal strength to support movement. Please bring your own towel or mat.
Strength and flexibility
Enhance your flexibility and increase your range of motion. In this class you’re introduced to stretches from yoga, t’ai chi, qi’gong, and martial arts. Newer techniques such as facilitated stretching (PNF/CRAC) and active isolated stretching supplement the traditional stretches. Also learn exercises for strengthening the core and legs derived from dance, yoga, Pilates, the Nickolaus technique, and martial arts.
T'ai chi: beginning
T’ai chi ch’uan is an ancient form of Chinese exercise. Quiet, supple movements are performed in a calm and peaceful manner that cultivates the spirit and body. In this introductory class you learn the principles of t’ai chi movement and form, and exercises that apply the discipline. The class features work on the 24-forms t’ai chi sequence.
Tap rhythms
Tap classes focus on learning and executing technique and on developing rhythm, timing, and tempo in an upbeat atmosphere. Beginning level introduces form, with emphasis on rhythm and movement combinations. Intermediate level improves technique while building improvisational skills. Wear soft shoes that lace or tap shoes. First-time Intermediate registrants: please call Donna Peckett, 608-244-2938.
Yoga: introduction
Take a break from work with this midday class. Learn basic yoga postures, breathing and relaxation methods, and return to work revitalized!
Online
Movement explorations dance
This Web-based course demonstrates how to use dance in the classroom and includes practical materials providing varied dance experiences for students and teachers. It includes four lessons: Me and What’s Around Me, Basic Ways of Traveling and Resting, Ways My Body Can Move, and In Time with Myself and Others.
Master classes
This series of workshops, lectures and master classes highlight diverse dance styles taught by acclaimed artists. Opportunities to work closely with dance masters are limited in the Madison area. This series provides opportunity, experience, and education for local dancers and dance enthusiasts of all levels. All events and classes are open to the public. When a program is coming up, details will be posted on the guest artist and master dance class page.
Instructor descriptions
Erika Bozinovski (BFA, UW-Madison) has studied and taught hip hop dance in Madison for the past seven years.
Georgia Corner (Modern dance) was a soloist with the Erick Hawkins Dance Company from 1996-2000. She is a founder of NYC-based The Wellspring Project and has also danced with Douglas Dunn and Dancers, Dura Mater, Lise Brenner and Beverly Brown.
D. Francis Dieringer (Latin dance) began ballroom dancing in college and hasn't stopped since. He is teacher and co-owner of the Art of Dance Studio in downtown Madison.
Heidi Hakseth (Irish dance) is an Irish music and dance enthusiast. She has taught Irish dances to adult students, for over 10 years.
Maya Kadakia (African dance) recently returned to the US after spending a year studying traditional dance in Guinea and Mali, West Africa. She is excited to share her new material and love of African Dance with the Madison community.
Joan Mills (Movement Explorations Dance/Online) has been a dance specialist for many years, Joan was named Wisconsin Dance Educator of the Year in 1988 by the National Dance Association.
Paul Novak (Tai chi, Stretch and Strengthen, Qi Gong) has studied yoga and hard and soft martial arts for many years.
Donna Peckett, (Tap Rhythms) producing artistic director of TAPIT/new works, is a tap dancer, actor, educator and award-winning choreographer. She has a BA in Art History, and is a specialist in creative dance and drama for young children.
Vivian Tomlinson (Ballet) trained at the University of Cape Town Ballet School, South Africa, before he became a principal dancer with Wisconsin Ballet Company.
What students say about our dance classes
"Our instructor is extremely friendly and easy to talk to. It definitely makes me look forward to the class."
"I took the class so I could be more active and healthy. I can already see results."
"I like how the class not only teaches dance moves and concepts, it also teaches confidence and where the 'art' comes from."
"I enjoyed learning a routine throughout the semester; additional on it it each week. I also really enjoyed ab work part of the warmup at the beginning of class."
"I enjoyed having an outlet such as the continuing education classes to select a class from a variety of classes and a reasonable price."
Class locations
State Street Center 3rd Floor Studio
122 State St.
Madison, WI 53703
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Tapit/New Works
1957 Winnebago St.
Madison, WI 53704
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