Registration Open for STG's Seattle Youth Dance Collective at Velocity Dance Center, 2/9-5/11

Seattle Youth Dance Collective (SYDC), a new partnership between Seattle Theatre Group and Velocity Dance Center is starting back on February 9th, registration is still open.

The program, for high school dancers ages 15-18 with an interest in growing as choreographers, as well as dancers. Students will develop themselves as artists, learning dance, choreography and production skills through creative investigations and professional mentorship, and meets Saturdays at Velocity Dance Center. During the Spring session, participants will create performance works and learn to choreograph collaboratively under the guidance of mentors Amy O'Neal, Maya Soto and guest artists, culminating in a performance at Velocity Founders Theatre. Participants will also take a crash course in show production skills, taking ownership of aspects of production from design to marketing to lighting, and more. All dance backgrounds and styles of dance encouraged to apply.

"Seattle Youth Dance Collective was such a great experience," said Hannah Rae, a SYDC Participant. "I learned a lot about the creative process of making dance film, and how it differs from choreographing for live performance, and I know that the experience has made me a better choreographer," she added.

"There are plenty of opportunities out there for dancers to take dance classes," said Claire Connell, Education Programs Manager, STG. She added, "Seattle Youth Dance Collective is unique in that it focuses on the creative process, providing young artists with the mentorship and tools to choreograph and make their own work. STG and Velocity are investing in the next generation of choreographers in Seattle."

Four young choreographers (ages 15-19) created stunning original dance videos during the Fall session of Seattle Youth Dance Collective (SYDC). The dancers created the choreography, shot the films with the help of their classmates, and edited the footage, all under the guidance of mentors Amy O'Neal, Maya Soto and Corrie Beffort.

The Collective will meet February 9 - May 11, 2013, Saturdays, 2:00-5:00pm (Registration still open) at Velocity Dance Center, 1621 12th Ave, Seattle, Wash. (Capitol Hill). Cost: $200 per session (scholarships and work study available). Info & Registration:stgpresents.org/education/choreography

Former Mentors & Guest Artists include: DaVon Doane (Dance Theater of Harlem), Kettly Noël (Haiti/Mali), Nelisiwe Xaba (South Africa), Tonya Lockyer (Velocity Dance Center).

For more information, email Stefanie Karlin at Stefanie@velocitydancecenter.org or call 206.325.8773.

STG's mission is to make diverse performing arts and education an integral part of our region's cultural identity while keeping three historic venues, The Paramount, Moore and Neptune, alive and vibrant. STG presents a range of performances from Broadway, off-Broadway, dance and jazz, to comedy, concerts of all genres, speakers and family shows - at these three iconic theatres in Seattle and venues throughout the Puget Sound region and in Portland, Oregon.

Based on Pollstar, the Concert Hotwire Magazine's 2011 Mid-Year Worldwide Ticket Sales, STG ranked #43 of the Top 100 promoters and The Paramount (ranked #12) and The Moore (ranked #44) were placed very well among the Top 100 Theatre Venues. STG is the 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts organization that operates the historic Paramount, Moore and Neptune Theatres in Seattle, Washington.