Joel Hall Dancers & Center

Adult Winterim Session Classes

Erin — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:46:24 +0000

Adult Winterim Session Classes
JHDC will be closed for the Christmas holiday from Friday, December 23rd to Sunday, December 25th. During the week of December 26th, JHDC will run a modified schedule of classes for adults and teens. The Winterim schedule is as follows:

Monday, December 26th
Ballet III – Betsy Herskind – 9:30-11:00 a.m.
Modern II (Horton) – Will Gill – 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Hip Hop All Levels (Funk) – Will Gill – 8:00-9:30 p.m.

Tuesday, December 27th
Ballet II – Betsy Herskind – 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Modern III (Horton-based) – Will Gill – 6:00-8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, December 28th
Ballet II – Joan Oberndorf – 9:30-11:00 a.m. ($12 for teens)

Thursday, December 29th
Ballet II – Betsy Herskind – 9:30-11:00 a.m.
Jazz II – Will Gill – 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Hip Hop (All Levels) – Will Gill – 8:00-9:30 p.m.
Ballet Fundamentals – Mandy Olson – 8:00-9:30 p.m. (special price – $12)

Closed Friday, December 30th

Saturday, December 31st
Ballet I – Joan Oberndorf – 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm ($12 for teens)

All adult and teen Winterim classes are $15 each, unless otherwise indicated. Only cash will be accepted for Winterim classes (no checks, credit cards, or class cards).

Winterim Session Dance Camp!

Erin — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 18:37:52 +0000

Register now for our Winterim Session Dance Camp for kids ages 7-11! Every day from 12/27 to 12/30, JHDC will host a full day of dance which will include classes in jazz, ballet, Zumbatomic (Zumba for kids), and hip-hop. The daily schedule will be as follows:

Ballet – 10:00-11:00
Jazz – 11:00-12:00
Lunch break – 12:00-12:30
Hip-Hop – 12:30-1:30
Zumbatomic (Zumba for kids) – 1:30-2:30

The camp will cost $45 per day, or $40 per day if you register in advance by 12/20. Call us today at (773) 293-0900 to sign up!

Dance Lessons and their Benefits for Children

Bill — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 05:05:59 +0000

Dancing can Help Your Child Succeed in Life

Dancing will help your child with self-esteem. Their success in learning to dance can turn to success in school and success in life! Children need early wins when it comes to education, and music and dance just comes naturally to them. It’s a lot easier than learning to read or do math. And they are starting to do reading and math in Kindergarten now!

They don’t have to be a Fred Astaire or a Joel Hall to have a feeling of accomplishment, just learning a few steps will start them on the road to realizing that they can do it. With a little push from you, the parent, they can realize that if they can learn to dance, they can learn anything.

When Should My Children Start?

Don’t be worried that your children are too young. Our classes range from very un-structured for the youngest children (look at the photo to the right), to more structured for somewhat older students (the next photograph down) and finally full-blown classes with the master’s themselves when the children are ready for them.

Your children will get in better shape. They will be moving a lot, even in the beginner classes. And as they move up in skills, they will begin to work even harder.

Dance is a form of art, and your children will start to become more creative and have more control after just a few lessons. You can encourage the creativity by having them make up their own dances when they are at home.

The Discipline of Dance

Dance discipline is attendance, attire, respect, puctuality and class etiquette! We are proud of the fact that we not only train students to dance, but many of our young dancers become Teachers, Assistants, and use that experience for community service and College resumes.

JHDC – Transformational Leadership

Bill — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 21:21:37 +0000

During this year of 2010, I have thought seriously about leadership: leadership as a choreographer, director, teacher, and in personal relationships. I have looked back in discovery and realization about my own family rules, myths and beliefs. During this process, I have discovered how to become a more informed and effective leader. It is through these revelations that I have been able to work through the process of understanding some of the reasons of success and failure in my work. I have learned that we repeat and constantly review who we are through our parents, teachers and other important influences. Not all of that information is good stuff and we end up with stinky thoughts and unfinished business with people, relationships and business.

Transformational Leadership is a re-evaluation of these family rules, myths and beliefs so that we can achieve clarity in ourselves. Our relationships with our dancers, students, parents, friends, family, vendors, stakeholders can change once we, as individuals, change. In doing my own personal work this year, I am realizing that by challenging that which has traditionally been matrixed into behavior is changing it to a positive outcome. We as leaders have the responsibility to teach others to be leaders so that we may continue to develop young artists that are differentiated and individuated. We can do this by learning to have meaningful conversations with them about the importance of the work they do and how to lead by example. My commitment to myself and my community is to be a transformational leader. This has been a great year for my personal growth: the Joel Hall Dancers & Center will continue to provide innovation, differentiation, individuation through dance education. More to come.

The Beat Goes On-Happy Holidays!

Bill — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 21:14:00 +0000

Dear Friends,

Dance! I have always said: “It begins with a beat. Everyone has a heart beat; therefore, everyone is dancing without knowing they are dancing.” The Joel Hall Dancers and Center is the heart of Chicago dance. Help us keep this heart beating by making a year-end donation now.

The energy and momentum cultivated through dance is truly part of life itself: your life, your children’s lives and the lives of everyone who has been touched by the dynamic diversity of the Joel Hall Dancers and Center. For over 36 years, you have been there for us. For the next 36 years, we would like to continue to be here for you. Thanks to your support, we provide ongoing professional dance classes and performances for the Chicago community. Your generosity affords otherwise unavailable opportunities for children and young adults to experience dance in an environment also populated with some of Chicago’s most diverse and talented professional dance companies.

We again ask our friends to provide financial support to ensure that we can maintain our current services and thrive in the future. Please know that financial gifts at all levels are greatly appreciated – whether you are able to contribute $1 or $1,000, it means the world to all of us at JHDC. Gifts can be made here by clicking on the “Donate Now” button or by mailing a check to our address above.

The entire Joel Hall Dancers and Center family wishes each of you a joyous holiday season. We look forward to continuing in our efforts towards awakening the dancer in everyone’s soul!

Happy Holidays!

Joel Hall, Founder and Artistic Director

Thanks For Giving

Bill — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 21:12:07 +0000

The dancer has so much to be thankful for. What have we been given? The knowledge of the art form: plies, tendue en coix, degage, frappe, ronde jambe en dehors and en dedan, retire, develope, grand battement, petite and grand allegro, pirouettes. We can also be grateful for contractions, along with fall release, pencil turns, laterals, fortifications. We must always mention kick ball changes, jazz squares, improvisation, jazz hands, runs and turns. Alvin Ailey, Lester Horton, Donald McKayle, Talley Beatty, Paul Sanasardo, Martha Graham, Beverly Blossom, Lynne Bloom, Pepsi Bethel, Gus Giordano, Thelma Hill, Lester Goodman, Nana Shineflug, Betsy Herskind, Nat Horne, Shirley Mordine, Lucille Ellis, Stone and Cameron, Joseph Holmes, Mario Rico Fuentes, Sir Kenneth Mc Millan, Maria Tallchief, Anna Sokolov, Judith Jamison, Anna Czajun, Diane McIntyre, Fred Alexson, Jose Limon, Manuel Alum, Alicia Alonzo, Gus Solomon, Alyo Tolbert, Katherine Dunham, John Cranko, Betty Taylor, Gerald Arpino, Robert Joffrey, Poonie Dobson, Cleo Parker Robinson, Rudolph Nureyev, Maya Plisetskaya, Ulyses Dove, Alonzo King, Eleo Pomare, Natalia Makarova, Elisa Monte and I have been privileged to have been given the love of dance. As you know there are only a few artists mentioned here. Thanks For Giving.

One Meaningful Conversation Per Day

Bill — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 21:08:25 +0000

At least once a day I will have a meaningful conversation in which I am fully engaged and focused. I find it so rewarding in that I have thoroughly invested time and attention into what someone else has to say. Oftentimes, I can work through conflicts and my own personal biases by engaging in meaningful conversations. People like to be noticed and feel appreciated. When conversing, stay relaxed, listen to what the other person is saying and then respond.

Meaningful conversations are personally beneficial, too. I feel appreciated just by listening. You can learn so much about the other person and yourself. I find that sitting or standing and maintaining direct eye contact is essential for your success in such a conversation. Find out what it is the other person wants to talk about and have fun participating in a meaningful conversation. How’s your day? That’s a good start. See what unfolds. A great way to start is to engage spouses , friends, parents, children, relatives and co-workers. I always come away energized and feeling good. Go on, try it. You will be delightfully surprised by the outcome!

The Stinky Thinker Dancer?

Bill — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 21:07:18 +0000

What is a Stinky Thinker Dancer? The person that cannot make up their mind to dance. The person who is consistently late for class. The person who always stinky thinks of a question, to draw focus. The person who comes in with a stinky thinking reason for missing class. The person who stinky thinks the look during a correction. The person who says to the choreographer, I thought it was. The person who feels that the correction given was stinky thinking. The person who neglects the appreciation of an eduction in a demonstrative art form. The person that leaves when a substitute is teaching. The person who does not dress appropriately for class. The person who walks out of class stinky thinking, feeling they were not noticed. The stinky thinking person who neglects personal hygiene before class. The person who stinky thinks they know more than the teacher. The person that is stinky thinking about proper dance etiquette. The person who was late for the call. The person who missed the last but was not prepared for the next rehearsal. The person that stinky thinks they are the worst dancer in class. The person that lacks the yearning. The stinky thinker I was, once upon a time.

And the beat goes on

Bill — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 21:06:22 +0000

We are so fortunate to have dance in our lives. It begins with the heartbeat–the rhythm given to us in the womb. The beat goes on and on and on. As long as we are on the planet we have the beat. To me, this is the dance that continues throughout our lives. A world without the beat is a world with no one on it. Though we may not know it, we dance. Innate rhythm lies within you and that rhythm is your dance. The rhythm crosses cultural, geographical, language, social, political and generational boundaries. Born and raised in America? No Matter. You can dance in Mongolia or Argentina. And while languages across cultures may not be understood, rhythm is universal. So dance, children dance, until you drop!

Hello Dance World!

Bill — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 20:44:24 +0000

This is the beginning of a new brand of global marketing in celebration of concert jazz dance! Joel Hall Dancers & Center will create the way by “Awakening the dancer in everyone’s soul!” We will take you on a journey of movement, music, physical empowerment and truth. Let your self awareness grow. Share with us the dancer you are or ever wanted to be. It’s all here for you, inherent in the discipline, growth and passion. Let’s share together a different approach to physical and spiritual fulfillment.

We are a space where everyone is free to discover the passion within the movement, without judgement, criticism or fear. Our staff, faculty and I are the conduit and you the wires that transfer the movement from inside your soul to the outside for all to enjoy. More than at any other time, today needs to be about you. Join in a journey that leads to where you discover the champion within. We are here for you regardless of your shape, color, height, size or security. No matter who you are, you will see yourself at the Joel Hall Dancers & Center. Classes are presented seven days per week, ages 3 through adult professional. The time for CHANGE is NOW!