Join us for a master class with Celia Benvenutti in recognition of Black History Month!

About Celia Benvenutti:

Celia Benvenutti (b.1988) is an Afro-Puerto Rican dance artist, native Detroiter, Howard University alumna and certified Dunham technique instructor. She has been studying dance for 30 years under the tutelage of master teacher and certified Dunham technique instructor Penny Godboldo, former head of the department of dance at Marygrove College in Detroit, MI. Benvenutti’s background includes extensive training in the Dunham Technique, classical ballet, modern (Horton and Graham), jazz, traditional African, Afro-Cuban, Haitian and Puerto Rican Folklore. Celia was principal dancer in Taurus Broadhurst Dance: A Contemporary African Company located in Washington D.C. from 2012-2016. In 2020, she was awarded a local choreographic residency by Collective Sweat Detroit and the Gilda Snowden Emerging Artist Award for dance and choreography through the Kresge Foundation. She is currently a member of Ozzie Rivera’s RicanStruction, a Detroit Puerto Rican folkloric dance troupe. She is also part time dance faculty at Wayne State University and a teaching artist for Living Arts, a non profit arts organization located in the heart of Southwest Detroit. Her artistic goals focus on facilitating and encouraging liberation of the mind, body , and spirit through dance.

Join us for a virtual conversation with New York City Ballet’s India Bradley in celebration of Black History Month. Ms. Bradley recently made history with her historic debut as Dewdrop in George Balanchine's The Nutcracker, making her the first Black ballerina to dance this major role.

EVENT DETAILS:
Monday, February 26, 2024 | 7:00-7:30pm
Virtual attendance via Zoom
Donation-based admission (Suggested donation $5)

Join us for a master class with Christopher Huggins!

About Christopher Huggins:

Christopher L. Huggins is a visionary, dance innovator. He is an Alvin Ailey disciple, and historian; developing multilayered, storytelling through dance. Christopher attended Purchase University, the Julliard School and was a merit scholar at the Ailey School. He’s a former soloist of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Aterballetto of Reggio Emilia, Italy. His work is rooted in research that memorialize our darkest history. This is found in his ballet THE LIST, a story about the systemic genocide of a Jewish family and those in concentration camps. His ballet NEW FRUIT, inspired by Nina Simone’s music, documents terror lynching.

Through his dance initiative, he provides access to emerging dancers and choreographers to study abroad with him. He works around the globe and held residencies at over 25 universities and colleges.

Christopher is a multi-award winner including: two Alvin Ailey Awards from Black Theater Alliance, a Walt Disney Diversity award, a Critics Choice award and silver medalist of the International Dance Competition in Seoul, Korea. He holds the distinction of being “repetiteur” of Mr. Ailey’s ballets. Learn more about Christopher’s artistry here. As he continues his dance legacy, Christopher wants his work to heal, entertain and inspire mankind.

Join us for the 2023 edition of See & Be Seen on Sunday, October 8, 2023! This event is for high school juniors and seniors interested in pursuing dance at the collegiate level. Audition for and learn about college dance programs throughout Michigan in ONE LOCATION!

Join us at Dream, Dance, Discover, and meet EDD’s professional company and the EDD Youth Ensemble!

We are excited to see everyone at the first day of class!

Is your dancer looking to deepen their dance training, additional performance opportunities and having a fun 2023-2024 dance season? Becoming an EDDYE member could be for you!  This unique opportunity provides unlimited technique classes, pre-show performances prior to the professional company’s mainstage performances and, Dance Mosaics, a repertory performance just for youth ensemble members. Auditions are open to all EDD dancers 8 years or older by September 9, 2023.  

*Please note, if your dancer is already an EDDYE member, this audition is still required to continue in the 2023-2024 season.

Audition for EDD Youth Ensemble’s production of The Nutcracker!