CLASS INFORMATION

KYL/D has two dance class offerings for pre-professional and professional dance artists: the Summer Workshop Series and Open Company Classes. The Summer Workshop Series runs from mid or late July-August to mid-August. Open Company Classes run mid-August to mid-March or mid-April. PAYMENT POLICY: Class payments do not expire. Unused class payments are provided class credit, refunds will be given on a case by case basis. We encourage you to observe a class before purchasing one if you are unsure about if the class is the right fit for you. Questions? Contact Exec. Director, Katie Moore-Derkits: katie@kyld.org.

The company also rents its space for classes run by external artists and organizations. Public class details are listed below. If interested in renting the space for a class, please visit our Space Rental page.

Horton-based Contemporary Modern Class with Justin Viernes
Tuesdays 10-11:30am (Starting Sept 2)

CHI Awareness Practice Contemporary Dance with Kun-Yang Lin

Wednesdays 10-11:30am (Starting Sept 3)

Lin’s signature CHI Awareness Practice is the foundational technique for Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers (KYL/D). It explores the spaces where Western dance forms including ballet, modern, post-modern and hip-hop meet the impulses of Eastern philosophies, including Taoism and Zen Buddhism. The class focuses on how, through modulation of breath (or “chi” in Mandarin), weight and weightlessness co-exist simultaneously and energy seamlessly transitions among explosive bursts of rapid, expansive phrase work, and absolute stillness. Class begins quietly and gradually builds in complexity, culminating in dynamic phrase work. CHI Awareness Technique expands the perimeter of Western dance practices through an Eastern perspective that reflects Lin’s conception of dance as the ultimate integration of body, spirit and mind. 

KUN-YANG LIN (Founding Artistic Director ) has been widely recognized in the United States for his dancing, teaching and choreography. Lin has been called “an extraordinary dancer” (New York Times), a “theatrical visionary…outstanding choreographer and a compelling performer.” (Philadelphia Inquirer). Lin’s devotion to artistic excellence, movement research, education and community building inspired him to found the CHI Movement Arts Center (CHI MAC), described by former Gov. Rendell as “a place where the entire Philadelphia community can experience the art of multicultural creative dance expression.” In 2009, Lin was named an “Artist of the City'' for his outstanding contributions to the arts and culture of Philadelphia by the Painted Bride Art Center. In 2010, the Mayor of Hsin-Chu, Kun-Yang’s hometown, honored him as a “son of the City'' for his cultivation of artistic excellence at the international level and in 2011, he was named a “Creative Connector'' through a nomination process coordinated by Leadership Philadelphia. As well, in 2017 Lin was selected by NBC News as one of 30 LGBTQ “changemakers, innovators and rising stars” for it’s inaugural Pride Month list of leaders nationwide. Recently Lin was selected by Metro Philadelphia as one of the “AAPI Power Players 2024” and Quoted by the Broad Street Review in 2005 as “ Philadelphia treasure”
Lin’s choreography, described as “deeply spiritual, remarkable” (Dance Magazine), has been presented throughout the United States as well as in Asia, London, Vienna and Mexico. Lin’s choreography has been commissioned by numerous companies including Dance Ensemble Singapore, Ballet Nacional de México, Ballet Philippines and Cleo Parker Robinson Dance.
Highly sought as a teacher, Lin is regularly invited to offer master classes and workshops throughout the U.S. and abroad.  Lin served as Full Professor at Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance in Philadelphia from 2003-2022. visit: kyld.org/kun-yang-lin

Ballet with Fang-Ju Chou Gant
Fridays 10-11:30am (Starting Sept 19)

Fang Ju’s classes are taught with an open mind and open class format. Whether a beginner or a professional, there is something to gain from her classes. Ms. Chou’s 20+ years dancing with a contemporary modern company, her multiple guest appearances as a classical ballet dancer, as well as her vast array of teachers she has taken class with have taught her movement is the primary element to dance. She approaches her class preparation with this in mind. You will not do a 32 count balance in Fang’s class, instead you will warm up the body and become technically stronger through movement and combinations based on a blend of classical ballet techniques.

Fang-Ju was born and raised in Taiwan and came to the United States to further her study of dance. She earned an Associate Degree of Dance in Australia from Queensland University of Technology Academy of Arts/Dance, and received her BFA in Dance Education from the University of the Arts. She’s trained in a wide variety of dance styles and stagecraft. She has performed many classical and neo classical roles including Cinderella, The sugar plum fairy and the snow queen in the “Nutcracker”, Belle in “Beauty and the Beast”, “The Sleeping Beauty”, “Coppelia”, and multiple leading roles in David Kloss’ “A Christmas Carol” to name a few. Fang-Ju joined Koresh Dance Company in 1998, retiring from performing in 2019. Ms Chou continues and has expanded her teaching and mentoring, sharing her 2 decades of stage experience with not only up and coming younger dancers, but also adults ranging from beginners to professionals. Fang-Ju has taught and performed across the U.S. and internationally.

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