Each year, LMU’s Dance program proudly welcomes a cohort of guest dancers and choreographers to instruct students in the 6th Week Workshop series. Students from jazz and modern dance classes participate in intensive week-long workshops, culminating in a presentation of their completed dances at the end of the week. Dancers were challenged to move out of their comfort zones as they assisted their choreographer in developing and refining their choreography in only one weeks’ time.
Students were given the opportunities to work with active professionals in the field; this year, Chris Dupre, Leo Moctezuma, Alexis Carra, Sheryl Murakami, Kent Boyd, Gina Starbuck, Robert Schultz, and Kevin Maher were invited to lead workshops. With experience in Broadway musicals, working with superstars like Nicki Minaj and Beyonce, appearances on “So You Think You Can Dance” and much, much more, this year’s choreographers brought immense experience not only in dance, but also in the entire breadth of the entertainment industry.
The 6th Week Workshop series uniquely enriched student’s dance education by exposing them to choreography from some of the biggest names in the industry, giving them a taste of the professional field, and what will be expected and required of them when they graduate and move into their careers as dancers. Aside from refining their techniques, students also gained connection through their face-to-face interactions with the active professionals.
Photos by Jason Muñoz
