Dirt Dancers

About me:

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"History explains to us why we are here now and points the way toward the future>" - Gay Cheney (Basic Concepts in Modern Dance)

Dirt - (noun) 1. Earth or soil; 2. a. A filthy or soiling substance, b. Excrement; 3. A squalid or filthy condition; 4. One that is mean, contemptible, or vile; 5. a. Obscene language or subject matter, b. Malicious or scandolous gossip, c. Information that embarasses or accuses; 6. Unethical behaviour or practice; corruption; 7.Material, such as gravel or slag, from which metal is extracted in mining.

Dirt Dancers is a contemporary company utilizing a diverse background of dancers. Our goal is to create movement dealing with the dark sides of reality. We continue to challenge ourselves mentally and physically to create art that can help motivate minds to create a better future.

Current pieces:
- "Beyond the Fingertips" (Holocaust inspired/ensemble)
- "Winter Wishing" (ensemble)
- "Lost" (ensemble)

Pieces in the works:
- "Windows" (ensemble)
- "Organic" (ensemble)
- "Today" (trio)
- "Midnight Cocktail" (duet)

Yoshio T. Chandler - Artistic Director - Yoshio trained at Keene State College, graduating with a degree in Dance, as well as training at Bates Dance Festival, where he worked with Lisa Race, Frances Craig, and Jacklyn Villamil. Since then he has worked with Pearson & Widrig and Sean Curran.

Bridget Moran - Dancer/Choreographer -Bridget discovered her passion for dance in 1989 at the Dancing Corner in Nashua, NH. She studied ballet, jazz, tap and modern under the direction of Cathy Bernard, Liz Crittenden, Donna Gagnon and Jackie Yarmo. Bridget went on to study dance at the University of Connecticut, where she received her BA in Economics. Bridget has choreographed and performed a number of works throughout New England. She is currently a dancer and choreographer for Dirt Dancers and is part of the faculty at the Dance Center. She has also performed throughout Connecticut in a number of shows for DFX Entertainment.

Adina Zimmerman - Dancer - Adina was first introduced to modern dance by her high school dance team coach, Angela Gallo, when asked to become a part of the Sapphire Moon Dance Company. Adina continued her training at Keene State College, graduating with a degree in both modern dance and elementary education. She ran the KSC dance team there for three years, creating various hip hop dances for about forty girls. Adina worked with inspriring young dancers at the Dublin Private School and was a special guest at their first annual competition. Adina also integrated dance into the schools through after school programs at Hinsdale Elementary School and Mercy High School. In 2001, she attended the Arts In Education Conference and assisted Liz Lerman in her seminar by performing "Sleepers Awake." Adina also worked closely with Paula Aarons in instruction at the Creative Arts At Keene.

Jennifer Micka - Dancer - Jen has been dancing for over 20 years, concentrating in ballet, jazz, and contemporary. She was captain of Ram Rhythm, Fordham University's dance team, where she received her undergraduate degree and competed in the Universal Dance Association National competition. She was a member of the Connecticut Pride Dance Team, performed at Radio Disney in Disney World, competed in the New York City Dance Alliance regional and national competitions, as well as being part of the ensemble of Dreams Do Travel, written and directed by Darren Henson. She is currently pursuing her graduate degree at The University of Hartford and is part of the faculty at The Dance Center.

Stefanie Pagano-Kor - Dancer - Stefanie has been dancing for over 18 years and has studied jazz, ballet, modern, lyrical, hip hop, flamenco, belly funk, African dance and Indian dance. She began training with Anita Deprey and continued studying in college. With a bachelor's degree in Spanish and French from Trinity College, Stefanie choreographed pieces and performed in all of Trinity's dance concerts. She worked and collaborated with choreographers such as Deborah Goffe, Lisa Niedermeyer, Leslie Farlow and Cheri Soule on innovative modern dance pieces and won the award for Distinction in Dance and Performance her senior year. She attended and performed at the American College Dance Festival twice, once with her own choreography. In addition, she performed as a guest artist for a Saint Joseph College Dance Concert as well as for the Ted Hershey Dance Marathon in Hartford. Recently she performed as a Belly Funk dancer for a REMAX Awards Banquet and for a Health and Wellness fair, both which took place at the Hartford Convention Center. Currently, she is furthering her dance education at the The Dance Center and is continuing her career as a high school Spanish teacher.

Jessica Alcantara - Dancer - Jessica has trained in a variety of dance styles such as ballet, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, modern, tap, belly-dance and belly-funk. She was a dancer for the UCONN Dance Team and Spectrum Performance Group in Storrs, CT, where they placed first in numerous UDA and NDA collegiate dance competitions in New England, ultimately earning a spot in the NDA Chick-fil-a Cheer & Dance Collegiate National Championship in Daytona Beach, FL. She also had the opportunity to act in "Dreams Do Travel," a Hip-Hop Musical written, directed, and choreographed by Darrin Henson, at the Alvin Ailey Theater in New York City, NY. She also danced in the "Urban Harem Belly Funk Performance" at Real Art Ways in Hartford, CT and also performed for a Timex Watches tradeshow at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT. Most recently, she was part of the entertainment as a Belly-Funk dancer for the REMAX Awards Banquet at the Connecticut Convention Center. In addition, she was a member of "And Then There Were Four" and "Rubyfruit," two all-women a cappella groups in the Hartford area and also had a chance to record a CD as part of these singing groups. Not only does she possess dancing, singing, and acting abilities, she also has 20 years of piano and 18 years of violin experience behind her. She is currently getting her MBA at the University of Connecticut.