"Dance Up" Summer 2012 - The Newsletter of The Wooden Floor

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summer 2012 Providing Hope and Opportunity Through Dance, Academic, and Family Programs Thursday May 31- Saturday June 2 29th Annual Concert: Tuned In At the Irvine Barclay Theatre, experience a powerful collaboration between three nationally recognized experimental choreographers and our under-served youth, yielding work that is original, inventive, and distinctive. Get your tickets today at www.TheWoodenFloor.org/TunedIn. dance up MELANIE RíOS GLASER, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR In the First Person Rocio, Class of 2009 I didn’t notice until I went to college, but The Wooden Floor didn’t create just a dancer, it created an artist in me. I started at The Wooden Floor in 2002, when I was 11 years old. As I spent time here, dance became more than a hobby. I started to see it as more than someplace to be after school. Dance was something that was feeding me. It was a way in which I could transmit my thoughts and connect to people, because language was a barrier for me when I started at The Wooden Floor. I spent so much time here, everyone really helped me grow until I didn’t need help anymore. I was in six Annual Concerts at The Wooden Floor. I still remember working with choreographer Sally Silvers. It was the first time a choreographer gave me the opportunity to have a solo. She said, “You have the whole stage for you, now enjoy it!” She believed in me, and that stood out a lot in my life. Through dance, I learned to break out of my bubble, to not compare myself to others. I learned that I have my own voice. I don’t want to lose who I am or where I come from. When you get out into a bigger world, you can easily lose your voice. But what I learned here is that by being who I really am is how I will succeed. Friday, June 1 Arts Night Out! Irvine Barclay Theatre 6:45pm Explore the work in Tuned In with choreographers Chris Yon and Melanie Ríos Glaser at a free pre- performance chat followed by complimentary hors d’oeuvres and wine. RSVP by May 29 to Jenn at [email protected]. NONPROFIT US POSTAGE PAID SANTA ANA, CA PERMIT NO. 302 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED 1810 North Main Street Santa Ana, CA 92706-2727 714.541.8314 www.TheWoodenFloor.org Thursday, September 27 Keep the Promise Wine Tasting Benefit Newport Beach, CA Sample 12 exquisite highly rated wines artfully paired with gourmet hors d’oeuvres. Proceeds benefit the forward movement of our 375 youth. For early reservations or sponsorship opportunities contact Keegan at 714.541.8314 ext. 140 or visit www.TheWoodenFloor.org/Events THE WOODEN FLOOR After graduating from The Wooden Floor, Rocio attended Santa Ana College, where she earned her AA in Dance, Liberal Arts, and Psychology. She also earned admission as a transfer student to UC Irvine, CSU Long Beach, CSU San Jose, and CSU Fullerton. She recently committed to attending CSU Long Beach this fall, majoring in Dance. Complete information on events featuring the students of The Wooden Floor is available online at www.TheWoodenFloor.org.

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The Wooden Floor, founded in 1983, is a nonprofit organization in Santa Ana, California that annually gives 375 low‐income youth the tools to live fuller, healthier lives through a unique approach grounded in dance. Dance education and performance are the core transformational elements through which youth change the way they think about themselves and aspire beyond the grip of the poverty cycle. Academic programs, pre‐collegiate mentoring, and college scholarships ensure that students succeed in school and are college‐ready. Since 2005, 100 percent of graduates from The Wooden Floor have enrolled in college, exceeding the national average for their socioeconomic peers by threefold. Family Services at The Wooden Floor, including counseling, crisis intervention, and social service referrals, help families overcome hardships and navigate challenges. Community support enables these year‐round programs to be offered free of charge

Transcript of "Dance Up" Summer 2012 - The Newsletter of The Wooden Floor

summer 2012providing Hope and Opportunity Through Dance, Academic, and Family programs

Thursday May 31-Saturday June 229th Annual Concert: Tuned In

At the Irvine Barclay Theatre, experience a powerful collaboration between three nationally recognized experimental choreographers and our under-served youth, yielding work that is original, inventive, and distinctive. Get your tickets today at www.TheWoodenFloor.org/TunedIn.

danceupmelAnIe ríOs GlAser,

ArTIsTIc DIrecTOr

In the First PersonRocio, Class of 2009I didn’t notice until I went to college, but The Wooden Floor didn’t create just a dancer, it created an artist in me.

I started at The Wooden Floor in 2002, when I was 11 years old. As I spent time here, dance became more than a hobby. I started to see it as more than someplace to be after school. Dance was something that was feeding me. It was a way in which I could transmit my thoughts and connect to people, because language was a barrier for me when I started at The Wooden Floor. I spent so much time here, everyone really helped me grow until I didn’t need help anymore.

I was in six Annual concerts at The Wooden Floor. I still remember working with choreographer sally silvers. It was the first time a choreographer gave me the opportunity to have a solo. she said, “You have the whole stage for you, now enjoy it!” she believed in me, and that stood out a lot in my life.

Through dance, I learned to break out of my bubble, to not compare myself to others. I learned that I have my own voice. I don’t want to lose who I am or where I come from. When you get out into a bigger world, you can easily lose your voice. But what I learned here is that by being who I really am is how I will succeed.

Friday, June 1Arts Night Out!Irvine Barclay Theatre6:45pm

explore the work in Tuned In with choreographers chris Yon and melanie ríos Glaser at a free pre-performance chat followed by complimentary hors d’oeuvres and wine. rsVp by may 29 to Jenn at [email protected].

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Thursday, September 27Keep the Promise Wine Tasting Benefitnewport Beach, cA

sample 12 exquisite highly rated wines artfully paired with gourmet hors d’oeuvres. proceeds benefit the forward movement of our 375 youth. For early reservations or sponsorship opportunities contact Keegan at 714.541.8314 ext. 140 or visit www.TheWoodenFloor.org/events

THe WOODen FlOOr

After graduating from The Wooden Floor, rocio attended santa Ana college, where she earned her AA in Dance, liberal Arts, and psychology. she also earned admission as a transfer student to uc Irvine, csu long Beach, csu san Jose, and csu Fullerton. she recently committed to attending csu long Beach this fall, majoring in Dance.

complete information on events featuring the students of The Wooden Floor is available online at www.TheWoodenFloor.org.

2 The Wooden Floor | summer 2012

Cath MacIver & Jim SlaughterAt just about every Annual concert performance, our young artists can count on seeing the encouraging faces of cath macIver and Jim slaughter in the audience. cath and Jim also host an annual Artists’ Dinner and have made it into a tradition for the professional artists and designers that join The Wooden Floor at the Irvine Barclay Theatre each year. “The concert season only comes around once a year, so we have to drink it in while we can! It’s always such a joy to see the kids dance,” says Jim.

In fact, it is hard to find any tradition at The Wooden Floor that cath and Jim aren’t deeply a part of. The couple’s dedication to the organization spans almost the entire length of The Wooden Floor’s existence. cath joined the Board of Directors when the organization was only three years old, in 1986. Jim followed suit in 2005, and today serves as Vice-chair.

One of the couple’s fondest memories is working as volunteer stagehands at The Wooden Floor’s very first performance at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. “Back then, there was no money to pay for professional stagehands, so we were it! every night we were in the theater ‘till midnight and then we’d go to work every day at our “day jobs” too. We were ready to drop from exhaustion!” Jim says with a laugh. “We don’t work backstage so much anymore – now it’s more about bringing friends and spreading the word about The Wooden Floor.”

They have spread the word far and wide, including when they nominated The Wooden Floor and helped the organization win an international video contest sponsored by Ford motor company aimed at promoting exceptional nonprofits from around the world. cath, who works as a senior Vice president at Bank of America’s Insurance services Group, also advocated for The Wooden Floor to win the bank’s prestigious neighborhood Builder’s Award.

“Just the fact that for nearly 30 years, the organization has grown from nothing more than an idea to an institution serving so many underprivileged children is amazing,” Jim says with a smile. “At the Wooden Floor, kids are given the opportunity to learn dance, and encouraged to dream big about the future that they can make for themselves. That’s very satisfying.”

steve paxton looms large in the history of dance. He has contributed to the field through what he has observed and named, in addition to what he has invented. As an important influence in my life, I invited him to come work with the young people of The Wooden Floor. I sent him samples of our concert work and he responded by saying, “…you mentioned earlier that The Wooden Floor was not like other performing arts organizations for teens, and I agree. These are not the predictable

works. They are difficult works, challenging works, and they are new works. It isn’t well worn or well known repertory, and there is no video for the students to model upon. The educational implications of this are just sinking in. You are giving teens adult responsibilities. I begin to understand why this project is having such an impact in their lives.”

For two weeks in march, steve paxton was in residency at The Wooden Floor teaching our advanced dancers his work named material for the spine. Time seems to slow down around steve.

30 Hours with Steve Paxton

After nearly a decade at The Wooden Floor, we are proud to introduce the Class of 2012 graduates and the schools they will be attending:

Stephanie Aguilar Orange coast college

Jessica Alcocercsu Fullerton

Valeria Bahenasanta Ana college

Diana Betancourtcsu san Francisco

Erica CalderonOrange coast college

Kerlly CastellanoBoston university

Mariely Chavezsanta Ana college

Alejandra Colonsanta Ana college

Alfredo Contrerascsu Fullerton

Valeria Herreracsu sacramento

Jaimie Lopeznorthern Arizona university

Maritere LopezFullerton college

Francisco Lunacsu Fullerton

Gabriela Martinezsanta Ana college

Amairani Quezadacsu Fullerton

Jocelyn Solanosanta Ana college

Nenexi Zamoranouc riverside

SupporterSpotlight

Why our approach to dance?

•An embodied sense of community & learning

in a team environment

•safety to explore and express

•Increased sense of self through being witnessed by others

•Developing greater curiosity and attentiveness

•creative problem solving

•Discipline and self-awareness

•physical well-being

•presence

•A ready and adaptable mindset•encouraging of new paths of thought •learning to trust in oneself and others •An ability to engage in healthy play

•Access to the soul through the creative experience

KnOWleDGe AWAreness

sKIlls/sTrucTure

We are often asked why we choose our approach to dance. It is a commitment to a dance aesthetic that values exploration, discovery, and innovation, which leads to the success of our students in school and life.

PERFORMANCE OPPORTuNITIES

Annual concert, open houses, and other performance opportunities

CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT

exposure to guestchoreographers, master classes,

and company residencies

DANCE EDuCATION& TRAINING

classes in modern dance,ballet, and improvisation

THRIVE

AcTIOn =cHAnGe

www.TheWoodenFloor.org 3

The Wooden FloorNewsfeed

We started to take notice of things. noticing lead to presence, which in turn triggered insight. We gained knowledge about ourselves and about others. We became attuned to the moment before movement begins; in that space of time there is intent, there is the preparedness for action. We realize that the small movement can be more revealing than the big, and learn that the discipline of repetition leads to betterment.

What a gift he brought to the young people of The Wooden Floor! This commitment to bring

master teachers like steve paxton to work with our under-served youth shows that through the exposure to great opportunities progress is irreversible. Once you have felt a sense of accomplishment, of having gained insight, or of mastering something valuable, it becomes a feeling you look to repeat. That’s growth.

melanie ríos GlaserArtistic Director and co-ceO,

The Wooden Floor

The Wooden Floor performs

29th Annual Concert

Our studios are abuzz with rehearsals in preparation for our 29th Annual concert: Tuned In, opening may 31 at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. Three experimental choreographers who are shaping the world of contemporary dance are brought together with the under-served youth of The Wooden Floor, forming a unique and powerful collaboration. This intense art-making process yields work that is original, inventive, and distinctive.

Bring a friend, leave your expectations at the door, and experience contemporary dance that breaks down the stereotypes of who can ignite and create art. It’s a must-see performance that promises to be every bit as meaningful for the audience as it is for the dancers. “It practically takes your breath away,” notes the Orange county register.

Four Performances Only! May 31-June 2, 2012 8:00pm nightly, plus a 2:30pm saturday matinee General seating $20 Benefit seating $50* Half price discount for children under 13 and students *Includes $30 tax deductible contribution

Get Your Tickets Today! Online www.TheWoodenFloor.org/TunedIn

via Irvine Barclay Theatre Box Office949.854.46464242 campus Drive in Irvine(m-F: 10:00am-6:00pm, sat-sun: 12:00pm-4:00pm)

Plan Your Visit learn about the dances, meet the choreographers, find local eateries, and get directions to the Irvine Barclay Theatre—an easy-to-find location with close parking.www.TheWoodenFloor.org/TunedIn

*Arts Night Out! Friday, June 1 at 6:45pm

Attend a free pre-concert chat followed by complimentary hors d’oeuvres and wine. explore the creative process behind the work with choreographers chris Yon and melanie ríos Glaser. please rsVp to Jenn by may 29 at [email protected].

•An embodied sense of community & learning

in a team environment

•safety to explore and express

•Increased sense of self through being witnessed by others

•Developing greater curiosity and attentiveness

•creative problem solving

•Discipline and self-awareness

•physical well-being

•presence

•A ready and adaptable mindset

sKIlls/sTrucTure

July 12The first health fair will be held in partnership with fellow nonprofit latino Health Access and grocer northgate markets to raise family awareness on nutrition, diabetes, heart disease, and provide free medical screenings.

June 30Youth from The Wooden Floor will head off to sponsored summer camps for two weeks. many of these students have never been out of the city before.

June 18students will begin the summer reading program and summer learning Workshop to expand their vocabulary and hone their math and science skills.

May 31Our 132 “stars” will arrive for opening night of Tuned In and find their names on large silver stars hanging in their dressing rooms. Our young artists appreciate our Annual concert and star sponsors for helping create this unforgettable moment.

April 29The documentary The modern man, about alumnus Fernando and his journey while at The Wooden Floor, is accepted into and screened at the newport Beach Film Festival.

April 27The class of 2012 participates in “The power of Your Image” workshop, with new collaborator Working Wardrobes, learning about business etiquette and professional image in the workplace.

April 12Friends and supporters of The Wooden Floor gather at our campus for Inside the studio where they receive an in-depth look into the dance-making process behind the Annual concert.

March 16The class of 2014 (sophomores), excited to begin their college planning, meet with our college prep coordinator to get started identifying universities, learning about financial aid, and tackling the art of the entrance essay.

March 15students explore new career paths by attending a Technology career night featuring professionals from Broadcom, corent Technology, AltosmD, and medAssets.

March 8A small ensemble of alumni and current students perform at the Irvine Barclay Theatre with other well-known dance companies at a star-studded tribute in honor of The Wooden Floor Board member and distinguished choreographer Donald mcKayle.

stay up to date and join The Wooden Floor online community on:

experimental dancer and choreographer Steve Paxton (American, b. 1939) developed contact Improvisation in 1972, indelibly transforming the vocabulary of dance. He was one of the founders of the Judson Dance Theater, Grand union, contact Improvisation, and Touchdown Dance for the visually disabled (uK). He performed with the merce cunningham Dance company from 1961-65. paxton is widely regarded today as one of the most influential choreographers of his generation. His work will be showcased this fall at mOmA in new York.

4 The Wooden Floor | summer 2012

ERNESTO VASQuEZ, CHAIRAIA, Founding partner,mclarand Vasquez emsiek & partners

JIM SLAuGHTER, VICE CHAIRAttorney at law,slaughter & slaughter, llp

DAMIEN JORDAN, IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRGeneral manager, retired,American Funds/capital Group companies, Inc.

FRANK FOSTER, SECRETARYprincipal,residential strategies, llc

RICHARD C. HuNSAKER, TREASuRERpresident,Hunsaker management

GLENNDA ADAIRcommunity leader

JOAN BEALLcommunity leader

CATHERINE CHASEsenior Vice president,credit suisse private Bank

JIM DRISCOLLcommunity leader

FRANK HALLVice president resource Development, retired, st. Joseph Health system

SHARON HARTSHORNcommunity leader

VIRGINIA HuNSAKERcommunity leader

YVONNE M. JORDANcommunity leader

JuAN LAGuNA, parent representativeAttorney at law

CATHERINE MACIVERsenior Vice president,Bank of America Insurance services Group

DONALD MCKAYLEprofessor of Dance, emeritus,university of california, Irvine

DANNY MELITAcommunity leader

YVONNE R. O’NEILL certified public Accountant, O’neill Financial management

LuZ OROZCO, parent representativecommunity leader

CYRuS PARKER–JEANNETTEInterim Associate Dean of the college of the Arts, california state university, long Beach

DAWN S. REESEexecutive Director and co-ceO,The Wooden Floor

MELANIE RíOS GLASERArtistic Director and co-ceO,The Wooden Floor

KRISTY SANTIMYER-MELITAcommunity leader

LARRY STOFKOsenior Vice president, chief Information Officer, st. Joseph Health system

SuSAN WHITTAKERGovernance counsel,st. Joseph Health ministry

BARBARA YINGLINGcommunity leader

WILLIAM YINGLING IIIcommunity leader

BETH BuRNS, BOARD EMERITAFounder of The Wooden Floorand Artistic Director (’83-’05)

SOCORRO VASQuEZ, BOARD EMERITAcommunity leader

photography by: Kevin p. casey

Thank you to the major supporters who have come forward this

summer to support the students of The Wooden Floor, including:

Just like Nenexi, each and every Star should feel the reward of their hard work.As 132 students arrive for Opening night of The Wooden Floor’s 29th Annual concert: Tuned In, the children will see their names displayed on large silver stars next to the bright lights of their dressing room mirror. This moment represents months of rehearsals and tremendous dedication. On stage and witnessed by an audience, these students will learn that who they are and what they have to say matters—this they will never forget. please support this life-changing moment in the lives of under-served youth and sponsor a star today. stars start at just $25.

Join us in showing our students that they deserve to be celebrated by returning your Star Sponsorship in the enclosed envelope today.

8Or, make your gift online at www.TheWoodenFloor.org/Star

Where There’s a Will...We’ve all heard it, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” This is true in so many areas, including your estate plans. most importantly, through a will you protect your heirs by ensuring their financial needs are met after you are gone. plus, you have the opportunity to secure your legacy with one or more of your favorite charitable organizations like The Wooden Floor. such deferred gifts to The Wooden Floor will impact a lifetime of opportunities for future generations of young people looking to realize their full potential. Although a will can be as simple or detailed as you wish, we encourage you to seek the guidance of an attorney or financial advisor. For more information on including The Wooden Floor in your will or other estate plans, please contact Keegan Bell at 714.541.8314 ext. 140 or [email protected].

“I’ve been in seven of The Wooden Floor’s Annual concerts, and I keep my stars in my room on the wall. I have all of them,” dancer nenexi says with a smile. “They make me feel so proud of myself, just by looking at them. They bring back that sense of accomplishment.” —Nenexi, Class of 2012

Thursday, September 27, 2012 at 6:00pm

This fall, experience an evening of exquisite handpicked wines, including Oregon and california pinot noirs and chardonnays and French red and White Burgundies at this year’s Keep the promise Wine Tasting Benefit. Held at Big canyon country club in newport Beach, the benefit boasts an exploration of 12 of the most spectacular wines available, all rated 95 points and above by The Wine Advocate and Wine spectator magazines.

“One of the ideas I came up with to raise funds for The Wooden Floor was to host a wine tasting of very-high quality wines,” explained premier sponsor John markley in an interview with the Orange county register. John and his wife Janice, longtime supporters, have generously donated

each of the handpicked vintages showcased at this benefit, now in its 6th year.

Wine spectator’s #1-ranked wine of 2011, the 2009 Kosta Browne pinot noir from california’s sonoma coast, is the highlight of the evening. Other wines include the complex but elegant 2009 White rose Vineyard “Whole cluster” pinot noir from Dundee Hills, Oregon (rated 96 points); and the superb 2006 Kistler chardonnay from sonoma Valley, california (rated 96-98 points).

The markleys’ enthusiasm for The Wooden Floor and this event has garnered the attention of southern california’s biggest wine enthusiasts. last year, over 300 people attended the benefit, which netted $150,000 for The Wooden Floor, allowing the organization to propel its 375 under-served youth towards high school graduation and college enrollment.

To learn more about how you can get involved, or for sponsorship inquiries, please visit www.TheWoodenFloor.org/events or contact Keegan Bell at 714.541.8314 ext. 140.

THE CARL & ROBERTA DEuTSCH FOuNDATION

The Wooden FloorBoard of Directors2011-2012

Sponsor a Star

Your giftimpacts a lifetime.

A Wine Tasting Benefit for The Wooden Floor

PROMISE6th Annual