Master Classes
The goal of the PYDF Master Classes is to expose students to genres of dance from across the world. This will further enhance their knowledge and appreciation of dance culture. PYDF hires Philadelphia based teachers, building a relationship with the younger generation of dancers. All of the teachers are connected with a Professional Company and /or University exposing the young dancers to the professional world of Philadelphia Dance. This, in turn, creates support on a professional level and builds a younger generation of audience members for the dance community.
PYDF 2021 Virtual Classes- April 18
Contemporary, Hip Hop, Composition, Body Align
Time: 12-4pm
VIRTUAL CLASS SCHEDULE CLICK HERE
PYDF 2021 In Person Outdoor Classes- April 24 & 25
Caribbean & Musical Theater
IN-PERSON CLASS SCHEDULE CLICK HERE
IN PERSON CLASS LOCATIONS
Abington Art Center:
515 Meetinghouse Rd
Jenkintown, PA 19046
St. Michael's
1013 Fox Chase Rd,
Jenkintown, PA 19046
The church is on Fox Chase Road, between Meetinghouse and Forrest Ave with stone walls.
The outdoor stage will be on your right as you enter.
Metropolitan Ballet Academy
700 N Cedar Rd
Jenkintown, PA 19046
We will have class on in their field on Saturday for Caribbean.
PERFORMING DANCERS
All Master Classes, virtual and in person, for performing dancers included in
the participation fee.
Virtual Classes will be provided via Zoom directly to your dance studio.
NON- PERFORMING DANCERS
Non-performing dancers are invited to participate in the Virtual Class
Options Only for a $20.00 fee.
Non- Performing Dancers may Register for Virtual Classes on April 18th
below.
2021 Guest Teachers-
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Contemporary (Virtual Class)- Melissa Rector
Originally from West Virginia, Melissa started dancing at a young age with Monica Folio. She graduated from the University of the Arts in 1993. Melissa has been dancing with Koresh Dance Company since its inception in 1991 and is the company’s Assistant Artistic Director. She is also an instructor at the Koresh School of Dance, where she teaches her unique style that blends modern jazz and Luigi technique. Her work has been performed locally at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, the Annenberg Center, Drexel University, the Grier School and Brandywine Ballet. She frequently travels around the country to perform, teach master classes and set choreography on students. In 2008, Melissa helped to establish the Koresh Youth Ensemble and serves as their artistic director, setting both original choreography and company repertory on the group.
Photo by: Gabriel Bienczycki
Photo by: Gabriel Bienczycki
Caribbean ( In Person) - Whedai Sheriff
Nai-Whedai Sheriff, founder of Dancing Heals Project, LLC, has been performing, teaching and choreographing dances for over 20 years. She started her training in NY in Modern dance and Afro-Caribbean movement. During her dance training, Nai-whedai received her Bachelors in Business from Baruch College, City University of New York and her Masters in Dance Education from Temple University. Professionally, her talents include teaching Hip Hop, Street funk, liturgical movement, Afro-Caribbean movement and competitive dance. While living in Pennsylvania, she has written dance curriculum and choreographed for many dance studios, after school programs and pre-professional dance programs including University of the Arts and Neumann University. Nai-whedai Sheriff has danced with companies such as Something Positive in NY and Kariamu & Company in Philadelphia. Her mission is to create opportunities for individuals that do not have access to quality art instruction and to continue to educate about African Slave history in the Americas.
Hip Hop ( Virtual Class)- Aaron Mitchell
Born and raised here in Philadelphia, Aaron is a senior undergraduate student at Temple University currently working toward his B.F.A. in dance. A late bloomer, Aaron began his classical training at the age of 19 here at Boyer. During his time here he trained intensely in the Vaganova technique, Horton, Jazz, African, and the Umfundalai technique. he has worked in many companies including Eleone Connection, Grace 2, and Philadanco 2. He has had the privilege to work and learn from artists such as Kip Martin, Dara Meredith, Troy Powell, Kun-Yang Lin, and Dr Kariamu Welsh. At 21, Aaron developed a love for Hip Hop. He is currently apart of the Hip Hop community and competes regularly around the East Coast. He has worked and trained with the likes of legendary icons such as Kyle and Dinita Clark, Rennie Harris, Brian Green, and Kim Holmes to name a few. Aaron has been working with JUNK since this Summer of 2018.
Musical Theater ( In Person)- Jenn Gruener
Jennifer Gruener most recently made her Broadway Debut in Ivo Van Hove’s new West Side Story as Pauline and understudy for Anybodys. Other credits include I Married An Angel at NY City Center and Trip of Love off broadway. She has also danced on Saturday NIght Live, Jimmy Fallon, and on the I heart Radio Awards with Camilla Cabello. Training: Philadelphia Dance Theatre and Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.
Composition ( Virtual Class)- Tara Madsen
Tara Madsen Robbins earned her MFA in Performance and Choreography from Smith College and her BA in Dance from Slippery Rock University. She performed/toured nationally with the Modern Company Tania Isaac Dance, based in Philadelphia. Tara has presented her original work internationally throughout Italy, Spain, Guatemala, Greece, and in Scotland at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe where her work received critical acclaim. Tara taught in the dance department at DeSales University from 2006-2016 as an adjunct dance professor. She has been invited to many colleges as a guest artist including Bucknell University, College of Charleston, Pace University, DeSales University, Slippery Rock University, West Chester University, Kutztown University, Montgomery County Community College, State University of New York at Buffalo, University of Delaware, Northampton County College, Lafayette College, Cedar Crest College and Tarrant County College. She’s been invited as a master teacher, choreographer and adjudicator to numerous colleges, universities, performing arts high school, conferences, regional and national festivals, conventions, dance camps, conservatories and many private studios along the east coast. She is on the Board of Directors for the Delaware Dance Education Organization (state affiliate of NDEO) where she serves as the Vice President of Communications. This is Tara’s second time teaching for the PYDF and she’s thrilled to be back!
Body Align (Virtual Class)- Alyson Pray Ward
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I'm Alyson Pray, founder of Align. Creating this virtual self care space has been a dream of mine for 10 years. I am so excited and honored to share this vision with you in 2020. I have spent a decade developing my AlignMethod for health and healing, and I am sincerely thrilled to see it change your life.I am a former professional ballet dancer. I enjoyed a fifteen year career performing with the Sarasota Ballet of Florida and the Pennsylvania Ballet. In addition, I had the privilege of guesting with the Tulsa Ballet, Washington Ballet and the Royal Ballet of London.
I have always had a passion for movement and transitioned into the fitness world twelve years ago. Since then, I have been teaching Barre, Pilates and Kickboxing. I hold a degree in Alternative Medicine and Natural Health. I believe in the power of nourishment, lifestyle and mindset. I love educating and empowering others to care for their body, mind and spirit. |
Philadelphia Youth Dance Fest 2019 Master Class Highlights
Philadelphia Youth Dance Fest 2018 Master Class Highlights
Philadelphia Youth Dance Fest 2017 Master Class Highlights
Philadelphia Youth Dance Fest 2016 Master Class Highlights
Philadelphia Youth Dance Fest 2015 Master Class Highlights
2019 Guest Teachers
Scholarship Class-Marie Brown
Afro Cuban Dance- Leilani Chirino
Patricia "Peaches" Jones
Yoga- Alex Holmes
Contemporary Technique- KC Chun
Contemporary Technique- Beau Hancock
House/Street Dance- Gary W. Jeeter II
House/Street Dance- Aaron Mitchell
2018 Guest Teachers
Scholarship Class-Marie Brown
Contemporary- Megan Mazarick & Tara Madsen-Robbins
African- Shaness Kemp & Jeannine Osayande
Pilates- Jennifer Morley
Indian- Anwesha Dutta
Contact Improvisation- Curt Haworth, Brandi & Vuthy Ou, Shannon Murphy
2017 Guest Teachers
Contemporary- Daniel Mayo
Caribbean- Adanna Jones & Sanchel Brown
Hip Hop- Clyde Evans Jr.
Dance Injury Prevention- Shannon Murphy
2016 Guest Teachers:
Contemporary- Shannon Murphy
Eclectifunk- Charles Tyson Jr.
Flamenco- Elba Hevia y Vaca
2015 Guest Teachers:
African Dance: Jeannine Osayande
Ballroom Dance: Kate Rast
Contemporary: Colby Damon
2014 Guest Teacher:
Contemporary- Chloe Felesina
Scholarship Class-Marie Brown
Afro Cuban Dance- Leilani Chirino
Patricia "Peaches" Jones
Yoga- Alex Holmes
Contemporary Technique- KC Chun
Contemporary Technique- Beau Hancock
House/Street Dance- Gary W. Jeeter II
House/Street Dance- Aaron Mitchell
2018 Guest Teachers
Scholarship Class-Marie Brown
Contemporary- Megan Mazarick & Tara Madsen-Robbins
African- Shaness Kemp & Jeannine Osayande
Pilates- Jennifer Morley
Indian- Anwesha Dutta
Contact Improvisation- Curt Haworth, Brandi & Vuthy Ou, Shannon Murphy
2017 Guest Teachers
Contemporary- Daniel Mayo
Caribbean- Adanna Jones & Sanchel Brown
Hip Hop- Clyde Evans Jr.
Dance Injury Prevention- Shannon Murphy
2016 Guest Teachers:
Contemporary- Shannon Murphy
Eclectifunk- Charles Tyson Jr.
Flamenco- Elba Hevia y Vaca
2015 Guest Teachers:
African Dance: Jeannine Osayande
Ballroom Dance: Kate Rast
Contemporary: Colby Damon
2014 Guest Teacher:
Contemporary- Chloe Felesina
