YOUNG DANCER MENTORSHIP
Karar Dance Company believes in choreographers and their ability to enhance the community in which they live. They work hard to shape and mold dances that provide cultural enrichment and offer a home and network for artists of multiple disciplines which is crucial to the artistic growth of all creators involved. This value has led to the development of the Young Dancer Mentorship where Karar Dance Company encourages and uplifts the development of young dance artists.
APPLICATIONS CLOSED
The Young Dancer Mentorship exists to:
•Provide young dance artists and aspiring choreographers one-on-one guidance to explore their ideas, grow their artistic voice, and cultivate leadership and teamwork skills.
•Act as an incubator for participants to initiate their choreographic journey. Choreographers will exit the program with a "choreographic toolbox" to continue creating work in their communities and throughout their dance career.
•Build a platform for choreographers to present their work in a professional environment alongside the professional company in the Fall of 2023 on October 7 for the company's INFORMAL concert for two performances at the Gottwald Playhouse at Dominion Energy Center in Downtown Richmond. Choreographers will receive video footage of their work from INFORMAL as well as audience feedback following the informal showing.
The Homegrown Choreographers Young Dancer Mentorship program is the first of its kind in Virginia, born from the absence of choreographic development programs extended to young, aspiring modern dance creators in the state. The program serves two novice modern dance choreographers aged 14-18 through direct mentorship by Karar’s Artistic Director Kara Robertson and Associate Artistic Director Corin Illsley Gonzalez. The two selected choreographers will be mentored free of charge as the mentees create one original choreographed dance each. Both choreographers will select four dancers from their peers who will learn choreography.
The Young Dancer Mentorship is a scholarship program awarded to 2 young choreographers age 14-18 who reside in the state of Virginia. Applicants must be age 14-18 at the time applications are due (March 24). The program kicks off July 12 in Richmond with a choreographic intensive day followed by the Karar Dance Company Summer Workshop July 13-15. Choreographers and their dancers receive full tuition scholarships to participate in the choreography intensive and Summer Workshop. Participants will be responsible for travel, lodging, and meals to and from all events. Participation in these events in mandatory for all choreographers and their dancers.
Selected choreographers will each select 4 dancers from their community/peers to learn their choreography and attend program events. Choreographers can not be in their own piece. Choreographers' primary focus in dance should reflect modern and contemporary dance techniques. Work created should be 4-6 minutes in length.
Download Choreographer Waiver HERE.
Download Dancer Waivers HERE.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Young Dancer Mentorship...
1. Who are the mentors? Company Artistic Director Kara Robertson and Associate Artistic Director Corin Illsley Gonzalez. Read their bios at karardancecompany.org/artists.
2. If I am selected, how often do I rehearse? Approximately once a week. You must hold at least 10 rehearsals following the Summer Workshop.
3. If I am selected, how often do I talk to/update my mentor(s)? At least once a week! Updates will be held via email and Zoom.
4. If selected, can I be in my own dance? No. The choreographer can not be in their own dance.
5. How old should the dancers learning my choreography be? 14-18 years of age that will be enrolled in high school in the Fall of 2023.
6. How do I pick my 4 dancers? Ask dancers you are friends with. Ask dancers you dance with at your local studio. Ask your dance teacher(s) to send an email to your studio.
7. Who picks the music and all other elements of the dance I create? You! Music selection and piece elements are selected by the choreographer with advice from mentors.
8. When submitting my sample choreography, can I submit a solo I choreographed on myself? Yes! Solos, duets, trios, etc. welcome as long as it is choreographed by the dancer applying for the mentorship. You do not need to make a new dance. Sample work can be something you created in the past.
9. Do my dancers need to attend the Choreography Intensive on July 12 and the Workshop July 13-15? Yes! Attendance for all events listed under this program are mandatory for choreographers and dancers.
Have any other questions? Email us at info@karardancecompany.org!