Our Educational Project
A culturally informed pedagogy
As guests in black culture, our reflective practice has led us to develop an educational approach based on our understanding and exposure to Jazz and Blues dances as African-American art forms rooted in Black culture and communities.
JAZZ AS FOUNDATIONS - SANKOFA
“Go back and get it”: The foundations of Jazz are rooted in the living legacy of the ones that came before us, and paved the way for the next generations of dancers. The ABCs of jazz are moving history, telling stories of people and keeping them alive. We honour them by passing on their memory.
We believe that swing dances are rooted in the rhythms of jazz music. Born to the sound of jazz, swing is inextricably bound to rhythm and, by extension, to improvisation and individuality. As a partner dance, swing dances are the synergy between the music and the partnership. This means that our students connect with the rhythm of the dance as individuals first and with each other second, and this, in the very first class, and continue to develop this dual relationship, without either aspect gaining in supremacy over the other.
In short, individual rhythm, and the improvisations inherent in it, are as important as partnering
Elements of improvisation are introduced as early as beginner classes, and continue to provide opportunities for improvising (leaving sequences open, playing with rhythms etc).
JAZZ AS LIBERATION
Self expression and authenticity being core values, we believe in letting learners experience themselves as dancers, authentic and free, not bound by too many rules and prescriptions as they explore the music and rhythms of jazz.
Teachers are encouraged to favour experiential learning, in which learners have enough time to try things and to practice. Experiential learning (or learning by doing) also limits the amount of talk and explanation given by teachers, in favour of repetition and trial.
A learner-centered approach places the dancer at the center of their dance experience. This allows us to adapt to each group of individuals and focus on their specific needs. Learners are guided to develop their self-awareness and autonomy.
JAZZ AS COMMUNITY - UBUNTU
“I am because we are”. Dance is a shared, collective experience. In our classrooms, on social dance nights, during our festivals, people learn together, dance together and support each other. Each with our own ways of contributing to the whole, we participate in generating and sustaining the energy required for creativity.
Spiral learning frames our programming. This means that skills are honed and complexified over time. Learners of varied experience can come together in a classroom setting to learn what they need. It’s not about what we do, or even how we do it, but about our journey as a whole.
The circle of the dance is a major educational and cultural tool used to share space, knowledge, experimentations, joy: to learn, support, share, transcend, witness, empower, overcome, …
We regularly invite artists from other Black social dance communities to share their practices, methods and technique and to enable a continuous stream of collaboration and partnership.
