DANCE IN SCHOOLS
Established in 2012, this program ran for 5 years and was created in response to an expressed need for dance instruction in Hong Kong schools. Through various PE and Arts programs, the workshops aimed to provide a means of access, education, and opportunity for students of all levels and abilities.
DANCE Kho created a dance curriculum for Chinese International School (CIS), which was designed and catered to their needs and existing PE program, conducted annual workshops for Beacon Hill School (BHS) in accordance with their curriculum, prepared flash mobs for French International School and CIS, choreographed musicals for Kennedy School (KS) and BHS, introduced creative movement and expression at Renaissance College and Glenealy School and incorporated dance to an existing program at the Child Development Center. In addition, workshops for adults and pre-professional dancers were offered through the Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation, teaching choreography and technique.
DANCE Kho has performed contemporary dance productions and lecture demonstrations at Bradbury School, KS and City University Hong Kong.
GET INVOLVED!
There are a few minimum requirements for schools that wish to host a Dance Kho workshop:
Schools must have a large, clean, well-lighted, unobstructed gym, activity room, or auditorium to conduct residency classes. A sound system must also be provided.
School principals and teachers are expected to actively support the program, designating a primary contact person for all communications.
Workshops can take 1 day to several weeks to complete and can be taught to small groups or multiple classes at the same time. Options include creative movement, chinese dance, hip hop, musical theatre, modern dance, contemporary dance, ballet, choreography, flash mobs and/or dance film.
LECTURE AND DEMONSTRATION
Lecture and Demonstration performances are catered for students of all ages. Children are encouraged to not only observe but also participate in the performance with dance movement demonstration and Questions and Answers. The performances are an hour in length with narration, video projections and dance.
QUALIFICATIONS & TEACHING EMPLOYMENT
Kirsten began her training with Mary Griffiths (co-founder of the HK Ballet) and then under the Junior Program at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (APA). She received her B.A. (Hons) degree in Theatre Dance (Contemporary Dance major) from London Studio Centre, University of the Arts London and furthered her education at The Ailey School in New York City.
Kirsten started teaching in 2005 leading company classes. While studying at Ailey she assisted Ballet classes with Brenda Neville for the Junior Division and in 2008 began to teach children's Ballet and Modern Dance classes at Chen Dance Center. For three years Kirsten led and taught company workshops for HT Chen and Dancers for both professional dancers and students. Workshops were held across the 5 boroughs of NYC including LaGuardia High School, M.S. 131 and P.S. 372. And across the US including Hillsborough Community College (FL) and Alys Stephens Center (AL).
Kirsten is also a certified Pilates Mat teacher and has taught at Broadway Dance Center, The Loft Dance and Fitness, The Yoga Room (HK) and for many private residencies.
In Hong Kong, Kirsten taught at the HKAPA- for the Gifted Young Dancer Programme and the Contemporary Dance Department. She also ran a private dance school for 200 students and conducted workshops for various schools across the city.
TESTIMONIALS
"Her natural warmth, intelligence, and ability to communicate with people from all walks of life, both young and old, make her an accessible and versatile teaching artist... Her students not only adored her, but flourished under her supervision."
- Dian Dong- Associate Director/ Chen Dance Center (2011)
"She has a wonderful rapport with students, parents and faculty alike. She is consistently well prepared, punctual and professional in every way. Kirsten is exceptionally encouraging and attentive to the needs of the students... As a trained dancer herself, she is extremely knowledgeable in proper classical ballet technique enabling her to provide expert corrections to students, as well as demonstrate excercises and combinations with ease and accuracy"
- Brenda R. Neville- Junior Division/ The Ailey School (2008)
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