Jump Rhythm Jazz Project

   

Northwestern University Dance Program Presents:
Jump Rhythm Jazz Project

Summer Intensive in Jump Rhythm Technique^TM

JRJP's Summer Intensive in the theory and practice of Jump Rhythm Technique^TM is open to: all intermediate to advanced level dancers; dance teachers of diverse age groups and styles; and tap-dance, rhythm-dance, and movement artists who are interested in deepening their rhythmic approach to dancing. Minimum age: 18. The participants take two technique classes per day (one in jazz, one in tap), plus a selection of courses from JRJP repertory, rhythmic approaches to choreography, and the video-discussion course: American Rhythm Dancing and the African American Performance Aesthetic. All technique and repertory classes are taught to the swinging rhythms of jazz and the blues, and to the percussive rhythms of Latin jazz, blues-based funk, and hip-hop. Inspired by this soulful music, the Jump Rhythm Technique both honors and expands upon the tradition of the rhythm-driven singing and dancing featured in the work of rhythm greats like Bill Robinson, Fred Astaire, Jeni LeGon, John Bubbles, Fayard and Harold Nicholas, Michael Kidd, Carol Haney, Gwen Verdon, Bob Fosse, Chita Rivera, and Gregory Hines.

All JRJP Summer Intensive events will take place at Northwestern University's Marjorie Ward Marshall Dance Center located just north of Chicago on the beautiful lakefront campus in Evanston.

The value of this unique movement pedagogy is reflected in the following honors:

• the documentary on the approach, Jump Rhythm Jazz Project: Getting There, received four EmmyTM Awards this past year, including individual awards in the category of performer for all JRJP company members
• Billy Siegenfeld, the artistic director of JRJP and the creator of Jump Rhythm Technique, received Chicago’s highest dance honor, the Ruth Page Award, citing him for “his vibrant dance artistry”
• Dance Teacher placed Siegenfeld on its “Twentieth Century Timeline of Choreographers and Innovators in Jazz”
• Dancer magazine called the Jump Rhythm Technique “the first genuine jazz technique in forty years.”
  

  The intensive will be led by JRJP founder and Artistic Director Billy Siegenfeld, along with company members Amanda Benzin, Brandi Coleman (Associate Artistic Director), Jordan Kahl, Jodi M. Kurtze, Leo Lamontagne, Glenn Leslie, Heidi Malnar.

  Dates: June 23-27, 2008
  Intensive Final Performance: June 27, 2008, 7pm
  Tickets are $5 (yes, only five dollars!) and can be purchased through Northwestern's Theatre and Interpretation Center box office by calling 847-491-7282

  Place and Contact:
  10 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston, IL 60208
  847.491.3147
  nu-dance@northwestern.edu

  Tuition and Housing:
  Tuition for the week is $500 by June 1st, 2008.
  Early Registration Discount if you sign up by April 1st, 2008, pay only $450!
  Limited housing is available on campus for under $250 for the week.
  Please specify if you will need housing on campus on your application request.
  Applications are sent by mail or via email.
  For more information or to request an application, please contact the NU Dance Proram at the phone and email listed above..

  Dancers interested in dancing with JRJP are thus encouraged to attend our regularly scheduled classes in Chicago, and the various master classes and workshops held around the country throughout the year.

  Taking such classes and workshops has multiple benefits:

  • the dancer gets more familiar with what Jump Rhythm Jazz and Tap techniques involve
  • the dancer gets more familiar with who we are and how we operate
  • we get to know the dancer on a more personal and professional level than is possible at a single audition

  If you would like to be placed on our mailing list to receive notification of our Chicago auditions or regularly scheduled classes please write to info@jrjp.org or call 773.327.1808.