EastWest Somatics Zion Conference

I'm on my way to EastWest Somatics' winter conference this weekend.  I can't wait to learn from the variety of international dance and somatic scholars presenting.  My presentation, How big can small be?, focuses on the importance of developing awareness of nuanced movement in the body as it relates to advancing dance technique.  I'm looking forward to connecting with these wonderful people and soaking in the natural beauty of Zion Canyon.

NDEO 2015 was fabulous

NDEO 2015 in Phoeniz, AZ was the best yet.  I learned so much from my fellow dance educators, and I really enjoyed presenting about my work in Guatemala.  I'm looking at an August trip to Guatemala next year.  I want to take students from several universities, so if you have a group of students who you think will love teaching little ones, please contact me at denisepurvis@suu.edu.  Hope to hear from you soon!

Just got back from yet another FABULOUS Bill Evans Teachers' Intensive.  9 hours a day of dance, somatics, introspection and personal growth.  This is my tribe.  I love re-membering how much my body knows.  And the sheer joy of dancing makes every sore muscle worth it.

I really enjoyed working with Claire Porter in her new dance, Electrical Shorts.  Her process is a wild ride, and I certainly learned a lot about myself and about dance making through working with her and the other members of our wonderful cast.

Can't wait until next year!

Another great trip to Guatemala

On May 8, I traveled to the Guatemalan Highlands with 5 SUU students and one former Cedar City resident to teach arts integrated lessons in the public schools.  Our team worked with students at La Cumbre and Sector Dos, teaching dance, music, visual art, theatre, English, math and social studies.  We designed lessons around the current curriculum at each school, and had a blast creating and learning together.  My personal favorite experience was teaching students at Sector Dos about West Africa and seeing them perform Funga Alafia, a West African welcome dance.  Because welcoming people to your village through dance is still a common practice for the children, they understood the importance of such a dance in a way that many children in the States are unable to fathom.  We had a blast dancing together.  If you want to see the kids in action, check them out in this video:

The Guatemala project continues to grow.  I am already planning for next year.  Check out the organization that makes this possible at http://www.highlandsupportproject.org/.