Summer Partner Dance Program for Adults Begins August 2013 in Maine

PRLog (Press Release) - Mar. 10, 2013 - OAKLAND, Maine -- New York, New York

With the proliferation of shows like “Dancing with the Stars” and “So You Think You Can Dance”, dance has become an increasingly visible part of popular culture.  This has resulted in an explosion of new, and renewed, interest in dance training. Partner dance has become especially popular again, as it both a social and physical activity. However, much of the training is focused on younger dancers, and people who have busy work schedules or families, are often left with trying to squeeze a class in here or there after work.  

The International Partner Dance Intensive (TIPDI) was created to make it possible for older dancers to experience true conservatory-style dance training, but without the time commitment required for traditional dance programs.  70 dancers, ages eighteen and older, from around the world, will gather in Maine on the Belgrade Lakes for seven days of rigorous training in Salsa, Argentine Tango, West Coast Swing, Ballet, Modern, and Afro-Haitian dance.  The teaching staff is made up of world-class instructors from around the world, including Luis Bianchi and Daniela Pucci (Argentine Tango); Melissa Rosado and Marlon Mills (Salsa); Nick Jay and Joanna Meinl (West Coast Swing); Sasha Soreff (Modern); Adia Whitaker (Afro-Haitian); Elizabeth Douglas (Ballet).    

All classes are tracked.  Interested dancers must have danced socially, or taken class, in one of the partner-dance forms at least twice a week for three years, in order to secure a spot at the intensive. The schedule includes four technique classes a day, practice sessions, private lessons, and special workshops.  Each day ends with social dancing.

The importance of cross training with regards to partner dance has become increasingly clear.  The dancers that excel on programs like “So You Think You Can Dance” are those that have a broad movement background, and are able to adapt to multiple styles.  TIPDI’s goal is to make this kind of multi-dance training available to people who discovered a love of dance later in life.  Paula Wilson and Ken Kreshtool, both award-winning dancer/educators, organized TIPDI’s rigorous program with adult dancers in mind.  TIPDI will be held August 12-19, 2013 at Camp Eastwood, a performing arts camp on the Belgrade Lakes in Oakland, Maine.  For more information about the program, visit http://www.tipdi.com or http://youtu.be/hVkSU9ErKN8.  Inquiries about TIPDI can be made via email or phone.