#STAYATHOME MOVEMENT CLASSES by Alden Gagnon
(Dance Classes to Take While Sheltering in Place)
Broadway Actor Aaron Tveit (who recently tested positive for COVID-19) in the now-shuttered Broadway production of Moulin Rouge
Here on the East Coast, it’s been a few weeks now of adjusting to a new normal. With COVID-19 sweeping the nation, we have been taking precautions to not only stay safe ourselves, but also to #flattenthecurve and keep others safe by staying at home, practicing social distancing, and sheltering in place. If you’re an NYC baby, some of our favorite dance studios like Steps and Broadway Dance Center have been shuttered for safety purposes during this global pandemic. BROADWAY is even shut down, with its’ glittering lights dimmed indefinitely.
But...no matter how hard things may seem in the outside world right now--you can’t stop the beat! Many amazing movement & dance teachers/schools have been taking to Instagram Live, IGTV, Facebook Live, YouTube, and Zoom to make sure we are getting our sweat on, and getting down and dirty while keeping our dance technique nice and clean.
The 2007 film cast of the musical Hairspray dancing to “You Can’t Stop the Beat”
Staying active helps to take our mind off of everything going on in the world and allows us to be in a more heart-centered space. Also, now that the community has gone global, you no longer have to be in NYC or LA to learn from these amazing teachers! If there is anything that has resonated in my bones this week, it is to lead with love and kindness and get your body moving daily—and those come hand in hand.
That being said, here is a list I have compiled (with permission of those included): some of my favorite dance/movement teachers and their classes currently available online! It is a mix of platforms and most of the classes are totally FREE (some of them also have a suggested donation if you are able to give.) Artists are supporting each other during this time, and it is so great to see the whole dance community come together. You can follow these folx on instagram, facebook, and/or via their mailing lists to get updates on their schedules, which change from week to week. Make sure to bookmark this list for when you just gotta dance!
Gene Kelly in the 1952 featured film Singin’ in the Rain
THEATRE DANCE & JAZZ
Natalie Malotke
This fabulous and kind Broadway Dance Center teacher has been going live on her instagram weekly doing some theatre dance and jazz movement. Make sure to message her and get on her e-mail list so she can keep you updated.
Where to find her: IG @nataliemalotke
Morgan Rose-Johnson
Theatre dance classes for many different levels to get you moving and shaking in your living room. She has been teaching almost daily--shake it out with her!
Where to find her: IG @nycmoro
Sue Samuels
A dance legend taking her class virtual, with her great jazz warm up and combinations. The class schedule is SUPER consistent.
Where to find her: IG @jazzrootsdancecompany; classes are hosted via ZOOM
Just a little Fosse/Verdon gif for the soul.
MULTIPLE-STYLE OFFERINGS
Motivated Movers NYC
A wonderful community of artists who support movers and shakers of ALL LEVELS, hosting multiple virtual movement opportunities via zoom.
Where to find them: IG @motivatedmoversnyc
Debbie Allen
The Fame ICON has been teaching weekly instagram and facebook live classes in varying styles. Nuff said.
Where to find her: IG @therealdebbieallen & @officialdadance; FB @therealdebbieallen
Broadway Dance Center
My dance home (I did the Broadway Dance Center Training Program in 2018 and they are great people) has been taking to IGTV with #homeschoolwithbdc — IGTV quick tutorials with daily movement, barre warm ups, and choreo.
Where to find them: IG @bdcnyc
TAP
Syncopated Ladies
These fierce women trained with Debbie Allen and their YouTube Videos have gone viral many a time (check out “Beychella” and their Prince tribute). They are now teaching live classes and hosted the first ever Virtual Tap Festival!
Where to find them: IG @syncladies; FB Syncopated Ladies by Chloe Arnold @syncopatedladies
POP Tap NYC
Tap with pizza afterward? Yes, please. This fabulous group goes live on instagram and afterwards encourages you to enjoy some pizza from the comfort of your own home. Their combos are always really fun, too!
Where to find them: IG @poptapnyc
Jill Kenney
Jill holds a special place in my heart because she is my tap mentor! She is offering live tap classes on instagram, as well as private zoom lessons (at a very reasonable price).
Where to find her: IG @jillkenneydance
Danny Gardner
Danny has been teaching live zoom and instagram tap classes, and they are a HIT! His classes are pay what you can (and if that’s nothing, no pressure!) Message him to get on the zoom calls, or just get out your tap shoes and shuffle along to his instagram live. It is a safe space for all levels.
Where to find him: IG @dannyjgnyc
BALLET
(How I think I look while doing ballet)
(How I actually look while doing ballet)
Maine State Ballet
A fabulous place in my home state where THE Robyn Hurder trained as a youngin’. They have been offering daily classes for a wide range of ages and levels (I am going to hop on their barre warm up after I finish writing this article!)
Where to find them: IG @mainestateballet + FB @mainestateballet
Tiler Peck
This fabulous Principal Dancer from the New York City Ballet has been generous enough to share live ballet barre warm-ups and classes almost daily. Follow her as she *turns out* content. (Yes, that pun was intentional and I am not sorry!)
Where to find her: IG @tilerpeck
Now you have all the information—so it is time to get moving and shaking! See you all in class (but from HOME!)
ALDEN GAGNON is a Musical Theatre Performer, Body Positive Activist, rescue dog mom, and Certified Crystal Healer/Advanced Crystal Master. Most days you can find her tapping her feet away at Broadway Dance Center, walking Jasper (her aforementioned rescue dog!) along the Hudson River, or having authentic chats with her best girlfriends over some tasty kombucha and cheese. People often refer to her as a “crystal goddess,’ a “badass warrior,” or the “fierce, curvy girl next door.” @aldengagnon