Courtney’s dynamic ballet classes combine the rigor, excitement, and athleticism of ballet technique with ample space for exploration, personal expression, and creating a ballet class that works for you. Join for all or part of class to stretch your brain, body, and artistry on Monday nights this summer!

This class will introduce and work with the principles of Safety Release (SR) technique, designed to expand one’s understanding and efficient use of the body. Through somatic experiences that progress into more complex movement patterns, students will be guided to align, ground, release, rebound, expand, and share in the joy of movement, all while expressing themselves through full-bodied physicality. The class progresses organically and cumulatively from a somatic awareness to rigorous physical expression. Starting on the floor, we make our way to standing, and quickly get back down again, building on patterns and pathways that move us in, out, and through space. The aim is to deepen our awareness and appreciation of ourselves and the possibilities of movement.

Dancers are encouraged to wear long sleeves and loose-fitting pants to allow for floor work and ease of movement; kneepads are optional.

More About Safety Release (SR)

Safety Release (SR) is a somatic movement approach and application developed by B.J. Sullivan. At its core, by considering the moving body from a skeletal perspective, SR focuses on the spine action and the major joints as initiators of action that assist in directing cyclical energy, finding freedom and availability for greater efficiency, and accessing active and grounding tension. Classes in SR begin with foundational exercises that cultivate kinesthetic awareness, fostering a deep connection between the body and the floor, that prepare dancers for a seamless transition to upright movement, emphasizing the harmonious relationship between different levels of motion. This evolution from horizontal to vertical engagement reflects a broader philosophical underpinning regarding its application: SR is both a dance technique and a personal somatic investigation.

In this class, we will look at basic movement fundamentals and explore modern dance technique through the lens of traditional concepts. The focus will be on building core strength, finding balance, developing correct alignment, and discovering ways to learn basic movement patterns. We will also explore how musicality can inform and enhance movement learning. The class will begin with floor barre exercises and progress to standing exercises followed by short phrases moving through space.

Because music and its relationship to movement is such an important focus for Gerri’s approach to dance, we are delighted to say that music for these classes will be provided by our wonderful long-time ADF musician, John Hanks.

This soulful modern jazz class draws on the techniques and philosophies of Tracey Durbin’s mentor, Eugene Louis Faccuito, “Luigi,” one of the most famous international jazz teachers of his generation. It equips dancers with a strong, technical foundation while focusing on lowering the center of gravity and syncopating movement with a blend of Latin, modern, ballet, and jazz. This fun fluid class emphasizes the relationship between music and movement and inspires dancers to feel movement from the inside out.

These classes are offered to dancers of intermediate/advanced skill levels to bring us together in an open and supportive way and connect us all to our love for dance and community. Grounded in the fundamentals of traditional modern technique, particularly the work of José Limón, the class focuses on concepts of alignment and core strength and the use of breath for efficiency of movement. The class will begin with simple floor exercises and develop into standing warm-up combinations and a center movement phrase.

Because music and its relationship to movement is such an important focus for Gerri’s approach to dance, we are delighted to say that music for these classes will be provided by our wonderful long-time ADF musician, John Hanks & Poah Portillo.