Beginner Contemporary Jazz with Ryan

Thursdays 7:30-9:00pm

Ryan’s contemporary jazz class combines classical line and the body’s natural movement patterns to develop technique, texture, efficiency, and body awareness. Ryan’s classes include a strong Horton base and work to develop strength, endurance, and flexibility. His classes are typically taught and choreographed to contemporary pop and house music.

Ryan earned his MFA in contemporary choreography and classical pedagogy from Temple University (2016) and his BFA in jazz/theatre dance from the University of the Arts (2005) in Philadelphia.  He has held faculty appointments at the Pennsylvania Academy of Ballet, Temple University’s Musical Theatre Department, Montgomery County Community College’s Dance Department, Rowan University’s Department of Theatre and Dance, The Ngoma School’s summer danceLab, and Circadium College for Circus Arts. In addition Ryan has been a guest lecturer at the University of Maryland for ACDA discussing topics such as Jazz studies and Queerness/representation in dance. He tours the United States as a Director and dance Adjudicator for Starbound National Talent Competition. Highlights from Ryan’s classical repertoire include performances of Grand Pas Classique, The Flower Festival of Genzzano, and excerpts from Raymonda and Giselle. Ryan specializes in the Vaganova method of classical pedagogy, Jazz and modern techniques, and Contemporary choreography.