We warmly invite all families to join our FREE workshop!
This special event is designed for children and pre- teens accompanied by their parents. It offers a fun and creative space to explore movement, utilizing the principles of Martha Graham’s revolutionary vocabulary as a catalyst for artistic expression.
As we approach the centenary of this pioneering female choreographer, we warmly invite you to join us to explore and embody the potential of her work together. These workshops will feature Afro Cuban music and sketch artists, adding an extra layer of excitement! It’s the perfect opportunity to have fun, express yourself, and connect with others in a super creative and inclusive environment. Don't miss out!
These are open, supportive spaces where mothers, fathers, and siblings can all come together to share and connect. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are more than welcome and encouraged to participate, but please note, this class is not designed specifically for pregnant mothers. We look forward to welcoming you and your family!
Why This is Perfect for Young Children and Pre-Teens:
For children, attending with their parents, this is a playful introduction to movement and creativity, making it a memorable bonding experience. The focus will be on simple yet impactful principles of the Graham technique, allowing young children to explore their creativity within a safe and fun environment.
For pre-teens, attending with their parents, this workshop is an exciting opportunity to dive deeper into improvisation and creative input, key tools for their personal artistic development. The Martha Graham Technique is a perfect foundation for enhancing body awareness, strength, and emotional expression.
Workshop Focus:
Graham Technique: Celebrated for its focus on breath, contraction, release, and spiralling movement, this technique teaches dancers to connect emotion with physicality. It provides a solid foundation for both experienced movers and those new to dance.
Creative Improvisation: Improvisation helps participants express their unique ideas and emotions, making it especially valuable for young people developing their sense of self. In this workshop, we will explore how improvisation can be a powerful tool for creative input and personal expression.
Music: Incorporating Afro-Cuban elements introduces rhythmic complexity and cultural depth, encouraging children and young teens to explore dynamic movement patterns while connecting with the rich traditions of African and Caribbean dance forms. This fusion enhances both creativity and body awareness.
Visual Art: A visual artist sketching a dance class creates a unique, real-time artistic interpretation of the movements, emotions, and connections happening in the space, offering a lasting visual narrative that celebrates the diverse participants—pregnant mothers, breastfeeding mothers, fathers, children, and families—while fostering a deeper appreciation of both dance and visual art.
We look forward to sharing this inspiring and energetic experience with you!
The Dance Artists:
Aleth Berenice (she/her) is an artist working in dance, choreography and dance pedagogy. A graduate of the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance (2020), the Ailey School (2018), and the Royal Academy of Dance (2017). She received the Pearl Lang Award for excellence and talent in Choreography in 2019. Followed by the Davis Projects for Peace Award grant to commence her first dance on screen work: iuSui in 2021. iuSui has since won six additional awards. Berenice is inspired by the power of creative thought, and the importance of our physicality in understanding the world around us. Her work is multifaceted exploring a variety of different mediums and ways of shaping, encapsulating, and creating movement in live and digital works.
Sarah Sulemanji is a multifaceted dance artist and educator with a passion for movement and community engagement. Trained at The Martha Graham School in NYC, her work incorporates improvisational methods with Graham-based dance technique. Sarah is a former Lecturer in Dance at Middlesex University (2010-2023), where she nurtured aspiring artists, whilst founding Our Moving Stories, a community-focused company in Southall. Her approach welcomes individuals of all ages and abilities to experience the expressive and transformative potential of dance. With performance and teaching engagements nationally and internationally, she continues to share her passion for movement, creativity and inclusivity. Sarah is a mum of two daughters, holds an MA in professional practice, BA in dance performance, a PGCHE, fellowship of the HEA and is a professional member of the Foundation for Community Dance.
The Visual Artists:
Sally McKay : https://sallymckay.co.uk
Caroline Hands: https://www.carolinehands.art
