All Young Audiences artists are highly skilled professional teaching artists that have completed a rigorous interview and audition process. They are evaluated and selected annually based on their artistic excellence and ability to connect with young people.
* - Artists with this symbol are MSAC approved! MSAC funding may be available!
‡ - Artists with this symbol have arts integration training through YA’s Teaching Artist Institute!
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* ‡ BALLET THEATRE OF MARYLAND (BTM)
Classical and Contemporary Ballet
BTM, Maryland’s only professional classical and
contemporary ballet company, is housed at the
Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts in Annapolis.
In addition to performances, BTM provides a
fully comprehensive training program in classical
and contemporary dance, including an apprentice
program that draws students from across the
United States and abroad.
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* ‡ DISHIBEM TRADITIONAL CONTEMPORARY DANCE GROUP
West African Dance
Kwame Densu Opare, the leader of DishiBem
(pronounced dee-shee-bem//translation: writing
peace), began studying West African dance with
traditional masters at the age of 13. At 14, he
became a principal dancer with Kankouran West
African Dance Company. Kwame moved to New
York and established himself as a sought after
instructor and choreographer. In 1998, Kwame
began touring with the off-Broadway hit show
“STOMP.” Kwame founded DishiBem in 2003 in
an effort to bridge the gap between traditional
West African and contemporary dance and music.
Jump to: Assemblies | Residencies |
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* ‡ Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble
Dance Company
Footworks has toured nationally and internationally since 1979, including taking part in a Smithsonian Institution tour of Japan, and performing as guest artists with “Riverdance” in London. The company has performed and taught in schools with YA since 1980. Founder and Artistic Director Eileen Carson Schatz is an NEA Choreography Fellow, a recipient of the “Annie” Award from the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County, and the 2006 Young Audiences of Maryland’s Artist of the Year. The Washington Post declares, “The eruptive joy of Footworks dancers is as contagious as laughter.”
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* ANNA MENENDEZ
Classical Spanish Dancer
Anna Menendez is an experienced Flamenco dancer and choreographer who has studied extensively in Spain. She was the 2003 recipient of the Artists’ Fellowship award from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities for excellence in Flamenco dance. She has held dancing roles in many operas, and also performed with the “La Truco Flamenco” dance company in Madrid, Spain. Other credits include appearances with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and performances with Carmela Greco (daughter of late, great Jose Greco) in Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and Chicago.
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* NRITYA
Classical Indian Dancing
Lakshmi Swaminathan and Lavanya Thamire
are the dancers forming NRITYA. Lakshmi’s
passion for dance led her to establish Natananjali
School of Dance, where she trains students in
Bharatanatyam. Natananjali was awarded a citation
by the Governor of the State of Maryland in 2008
for dedication in promoting Asian culture through
dance in the United States. Lavanya Thamire has
been studying Kuchipudi with Guru Anuradha
Nehru, artistic director and founder of Kuchipudi
Kalanidhi since 2005. As a company dancer,
she has performed at venues such as Wolf Trap
and the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
Lavanya currently teaches Kalanidhi students
at Kuchipudi Kalanidhi’s new branch in
Ashburn, VA.
Jump to: Assemblies | Residencies
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Illstyle & Peace Productions
Hip-Hop Dance
Brandon “Peace” Albright and Forrest Webb founded Illstyle & Peace Productions in 2002. Their affiliations and performing credits include Crew Scanner Boyz, Boys II Men, Will Smith, LL Cool J, and Renee Harris Pure Movement. The company, based in Philadelphia, PA, is a multicultural, mixed-gender dance company whose work focuses on the movement and spirit of hip-hop with a variety of performance disciplines such as ballet, jazz, and tap. The company delivers a positive message of individual expression to worldwide audiences young and old.
Jump to: Assemblies
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NEW! * ‡ SANKOFA DAnce THEATeR
African Dance Company
Sankofa Dance Theater is a national
non-profit arts organization devoted to
presenting world-class, authentic African
art in the form of dance, music, and folkways.
The word “Sankofa” means to learn from the
past in an effort to build for the future. Sankofa
reaches back into the rich legacy of African
culture and history to move forward into
greater awareness for the community-at-large.
In addition to annual concerts, master classes,
workshops, residencies, and youth arts programs;
Sankofa has performed throughout the
United States and internationally – from
Japan to West Africa!
Jump to: Assemblies
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Key
* - Artists with this symbol are MSAC approved! MSAC funding may be available!
‡ - Artists with this symbol have arts integration training through YA’s Teaching Artist Institute! |
MEET
MORE ARTISTS! Go to page Music | Dance | Theatre | Visual
Young Audiences/Arts for Learning Maryland | 2601 North Howard Street, Suite 320, Baltimore, MD 21218
| p: 410.837.7577 | f: 410.837.7579 | info@yamd.org |