Inspiring Young Students

Metamorphosis Dance Youth Program (MDYP) was created in 2019 with the opening of TEN31 Productions’ 18ft by 40ft Marley dance space. In conjunction with Metamorphosis Dance Company directed by Alicia Wilder, MDYP aims to facilitate artistic development and exploration in dance for ages 3 to 18, with our current program including students ages 3 to 14. 
​MDYP’s mission is to provide healthy and functional technical training in partnership with student choreography and composition. 

MDYP classes have a strong focus on technique, creativity, and individuality. We are currently offering classes in
Creative Movement, Modern/Composition, Ballet, and Musical Theater. Creative Movement classes are
designed for ages 3-6 as an introduction to movement, imagination, and music.
In Creative Movement, students learn foundational dance concepts through guided imagination and movement exercises. Students are encouraged to think “outside of the box” through positivity and exploration. MDYP ballet classes are designed for students to build strength and flexibility while experiencing the joy of movement and music. Modern/composition classes consist of modern and postmodern technique exercises to build skills and knowledge in the use of gravity, musicality, spacial awareness, and anatomy. Modern/composition classes allow students to design and create their own phrase work and choreography both in the studio and in site-specific locations. Classes include regular lessons in dance history and guest classes in additional techniques.
Each MDYP session concludes in a small showing, with a larger final performance at the end of each school year.

Our current faculty include Gisela Creus, Nick D’Amico, Ellen Oliver, and Holly Taylor.

Metamorphosis Dance Youth Program Scholarship Program
MDYP is offering 2 full year long scholarships for any BIPOC student with a strong passion and potential in dance, choreography, or performance. The scholarship applicants should be under the age of 18, and interested in studying dance with MDYP/TEN31. This scholarship will cover the cost of tuition, shoes, tights, any dress code dance wear the student does not have access to, and costume costs. The audition requirement is a one minute video of dance improvisation and a 3 paragraph artist statement on the theme "what does being an artist mean to you?". If the applicant is unable to send a recorded video improvisation, please contact MDYP for an in person improvisation at the studio. Contact dance@wemakepretend.com to apply.

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

class registration

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Meet the Metamorphosis Dance Youth Program Instructors

Alicia Wilder, Director, Choreographer & Instructor

Alicia founded Metamorphosis Dance Company (MDC) in 2015. An active member of the New England arts community, Alicia is the choreographer for the Johnson and Wales University Dance Team and St. George’s School, a company member of the Elm City Dance Collective, and guest teaches throughout. Alicia is a graduate of Rhode Island College where she studied dance and theater. She believes that dance is for all, and is grateful to share its spiritual, cultural and community building aspects with those she dances with and teaches.

Ellen Oliver, Youth Program Director & Instructor

Ellen spearheads the MDC Youth Program. She is an interdisciplinary artist, most recently performing with Lorraine Chapman the Company and MDC, and creating as the White Mountain National Forest Artist in Residence 2020. She co-founded ProviDANCE Project and 3 Spice Dance, and her dance and film work has been presented worldwide. She studied dance at UNC School of the Arts and Hampshire College, with semester research at Universidad de las Artes in Havana.

Alexander Crespo-Roasario, Instructor

 Alexander is Native Arawak, Born in Puerto Rico. Crespo has worked with guest artists such as Alexandra Beller, Teena Marie, Billy Siegenfeld, Rennie Harris, Marta Renzi, and 10 Hairy Legs, to name a few. Crespo has been offered a full scholarship to study dance at RIC, and he has also received the Miranda Scholarship for artists of color “who have exhibited exceptional passion, drive, and unique points of view in various artistic mediums.” Crespo’s goal is to become the best human and performer that can be – to help himself and others laugh, cry, celebrate – and just feel, through the connections that theatre and dance can bring.

Holly Taylor, Instructor

Holly's background includes modern, ballet, gaga, and postmodern dance. She has trained with Trisha Brown Dance Company and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, performed in original works by Matthew Rushing and Saar Harar, and is published in PAJ: A Journal of Performance and Art (MIT Press), and the Yale Dance Theater Journal. Holly has exhibited at AS220’s Resident Gallery and received her B.A. in American Studies from Yale University.

Nick D’Amico, Instructor

Nick teaches Musical Theater with Metamorphosis Youth Dance Program and is a member of Metamorphosis Dance Company. He is a local dancer and director and also performs with TEN31 Productions. Nick received his B.A. in Musical Theatre from Rhode Island College where he also studied Dance.

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