Acclaimed instructors to help dancers excel during summer festival

This two-week summer program is geared at intermediate and advanced dancers, teachers, and students 16 and over. It offers classes in ballet, jazz, contemporary techniques, Pilates, and yoga and an opportunity to work with professional choreographers, Jay Kim and Mattew Farmer.

Kim has served as the artistic director for Metropolitan Ballet Academy & Theatre, and theatre director, artistic director and owner of the Art and Ballet Center. He received a Master's of Fine Arts degree from University of Utah and has performed throughout the country and internationally. Kim has earned nine gold prix medals from international competitions in ballet, contemporary, and Korean folk dance, and will be teaching ballet, repertory dance at the camp.

As the current head of dance at Anderson University, Farmer is also co-artistic director of RusticGroove Dance Company, and a professional choreographer and performer. While dancing with The Peter Sparling Dance Company, Farmer received his MFA in dance performance and choreography from University of Michigan. His dance credits include Dance Chicago, Dance in the Desert Festival, Men Dance Michigan and various other festivals. He will be teaching contemporary, repertory at the camp.

“It is important that dancers develop technique and become versatile in dance,” said Gregory Patterson, dance program director and associate professor of dance at Oakland. “Having the chance to meet and work with diverse choreographers from across the nation will provide them with that opportunity and will further their skills and art for the professional world of dance.”

On Wednesday of each week, there will be a “brown bag” lunch where students can meet and discuss the professional world of dance and the current issues and trends with Farmer and Kim.

Patterson said this interaction is a unique aspect of the Great Lake Dance Festival summer program. It allows dancers to get to know choreographers on a more personal level and learn what choreographers look for from dancers.

At the end of each week, a student showcase performance will be given displaying the studies and routines they have been learning in classes.

The program will take place Monday-Friday, July 11-22, starting at 8:30 a.m. This cost is $575 and optional room and meal plans are available at additional cost. To register or for more information, call (248) 370-2030 or e-mail to stapleto@oakland.edu.