education
Jump to our different types of educational programming:
“We move… We speak… From the beginning of time, people have defined themselves and their worlds through movement. From the stage to the street, we observe and come to understand others. In doing and creating, we shape ourselves and the world.” -Carolyn Dorfman
Carolyn Dorfman Dance teaches all levels providing carefully designed educational programs at the professional and pre-professional training programs, including university residencies and arts high schools, K–12 public, private and charter schools’ residencies and community programming. Master classes, lectures, and the company’s acclaimed “Back Stage Pass” lecture/ performance, help people connect dance to life, learn new skills, explore their potential and better understand our world and each other.
"Ms. Dorfman's multi-ethnic, multi-faceted, multi-talented company has brought a breadth of creative, historical, and theatrical knowledge to our school district." - James Deworken, Former Special Project Administrator, New Brunswick Schools
speaking through dance
Master artist/teacher Carolyn Dorfman and company members conduct choreographic and performance residency, exploring the expression of heritage and stories through movement and Dance. Supporting all of the NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards in the Visual and Performing Arts, a dynamic and integrated approach involves the viewing, making and understanding of dance and its elements.
Some residencies culminate with a company and student performance. This immersive, creative process provides students with first-hand knowledge of how to move and to speak, on and off the stage. Selected performances are endorsed by the NJ Commission on Holocaust Education.
In the end, students will:
- experience the art and thereby increase aesthetic awareness
- learn skills, materials, elements, and terminology of the art
- create art individually and collectively and express through their art
- critique and analyze their own and other works of art
- identify the social, political, cultural, and historical context of works of art, art forms, and styles within art forms and show how art helps us understand our world and each other
- apply their newly acquired knowledge and creative skills in other arenas of life
"Ms. Dorfman brought her knowledge, experience, technical application, and artistry...the students responded with respect and a desire to learn more. - Ronnie D. Carney, Dance Educator, Newark Arts High School
high school, university, professional
Dorfman is a multi-award winning choreographer, guest teacher, and lecturer at preprofessional (University and High School) and professional training centers nationally and internationally. Emphasizing center-driven movement, nuanced weight transfer, breath phrasing, intention, focus and performance, master classes expand the dancers’ technical, dramatic, and artistic range.
Dorfman believes “artistry is built on specificity and detail.” Classes explore the essence of solo and ensemble performance; partnering technique, where the individual exists in relation to the other, is followed by company repertory. Carolyn Dorfman Dance repertory is available to be set on professional and student companies.
"So much can be said about NJSummerDance... thank you for not just helping me along as a dancer but as a human and artist as well." -NJSummerDance student
Our multi-touch approach brings audiences closer to the art and artists both onstage and in the studio. Whether at home or on tour, Carolyn Dorfman Dance creates a true “in residence” feel in every community we touch.
Community engagement involves performances in theaters and alternative spaces, talk backs, preperformance discussions, master classes, dance intensives, and summer camp residencies. We teach all levels, from the novice to the seasoned professional.
The company offers an array of community classes and workshops that connect audiences to the company and its work.
nj summerdance intensive
Immerse yourself in the world of contemporary dance and the inspiring art, artists and processes of Carolyn Dorfman Dance. Our one-week summer intensive features a Pre-professional/ Professional track as well as an Open Level Community Track for ages 13–adult. Daily classes include modern/contemporary technique, repertory, Pilates, mentoring discussions with Carolyn, workshops with renowned guest artists and more. The week culminates with performance by the participants and the company.
Check back soon for more information.
local and national workshops
Carolyn Dorfman Dance serves as guest artists in summer programs throughout the tri-state area and nationally.
Check with us for details.
