Summer Workshop 2025

A NOTE FROM DOUG

The Company is back this summer with a fresh, flexible format while continuing to offer the same extensive range of classes we’ve provided for 25 years. This year, our two-week workshop gives you the option to immerse yourself in either both weeks or just one, allowing you to tailor your experience to fit your schedule and budget. Each week is slightly different to change things up a bit. But no matter how you dance with us, you’ll be part of a welcoming community of like-minded artists in a safe and equitable environment. We can’t wait to dance with you this summer!
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IMPORTANT DATES

March 17: Registration Opens
April 4: Early Bird Tuition Ends
May 12: Last day to Register
May 13: Final Payment Due
June 2-6: Summer Workshop Week One
June 9-13: Summer Workshop Week Two

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REGISTRATION AND PARTICIPATION INFORMATION

Acceptance is on a first-come, first-served basis, with limited availability. Your spot will be confirmed once your registration and tuition payment are complete. We advise not purchasing a flight to NYC until after your registration and payment have been completed.
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TEN-DAY SUMMER WORKSHOP

June 2-13, 2025 | Monday-Friday | 10:00-5:30
Early Bird Tuition (for payments made by April 4, 2025) | $1,000 
Full Tuition | $1,100 

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FIVE-DAY SUMMER WORKSHOP

June 2-6 OR June 9-13 2025 | Monday-Friday | 10:00-5:30
Early Bird Tuition (for payments made by April 4th)| $525
Full Tuition | $575 

All payments include a $50 non-refundable registration fee.

REGISTER HERE

Please email summerworkshop@dovadance.org with any questions regarding the registration process. 

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SCHEDULE WEEK ONE | JUNE 2-6

10:00-12:00 Morning Technique with live music
12:15-1:45 Repertory | Creative DEVICES | Contact Improvisation*
1:45-2:45 Lunch / Open Rehearsals
2:45-4:15 Repertory | Creative DEVICES | Contact Improvisation*
4:30-5:30 Evening Activity

*Participants will be divided evenly in groups and each group will have five repertory classes, three Creative, and two Contact Improvisation.

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SCHEDULE WEEK TWO | JUNE 9-13

10:00-12:00 Morning Technique with live music
12:15-1:30 Phrasework: Skills for Learning and Embodying Material
1:30-2:30 Lunch / Open Rehearsals
2:30-4:30 Repertory | Creative DEVICES*
4:45-5:30 Evening Activity

*Participants choose either Repertory and Creative DEVICES.

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COURSE OFFERINGS

Morning Technique
This highly technical, movement-based class explores the line of human movement and its impact on the broader dynamics of dance. Focusing on the expansive use of the back and limbs, students will dive into DOVA’s style with an emphasis on breath, strength, dynamic lyricism, and musicality. Each day, a different company member will offer their unique approach to the work, sharing personal insights and techniques that help them successfully embody the movement.

Choreographic DEVICES with Doug Varone
Varone will emphasize compositional structure and explore new devices for expanding and inventing material. A large body of material will be created, varied and manipulated both in and out of the studio, pushing towards the development of a new work utilizing the material built in class. Week two will delve deeper into the art of creating.This is for participants seriously interested in choreography. 

Repertory
This class will spend short intense spans of time exploring excerpts (i.e. duets, trios, etc.) from a variety of pieces, offering an overview of Varone's work. Through this investigation, the class will experience the wide range of movement dynamics, emotional nuance and spatial architecture inherent in Varone's choreography. Week two will focus on larger dances in the repertory, challenging spatial and musical awareness. 

Contact Improvisation (WEEK ONE ONLY)
We’ll use this time to investigate the principles inherent of Contact Improvisation - listening, weight sharing, falling - and then layer them into the other modern dance practices being shared in this DOVA intensive. Focusing on duets, we’ll structure the working time with prepared exercises, guided improvisations, and open jam sessions.

Phrasework: Skills for Learning & Embodying Material (WEEK TWO ONLY)
This class dives into the exploration of both improvised and DOVA repertory movement phrases, emphasizing fast integration and embodiment of movement material. Through exercises, participants will engage in the process of quickly learning choreography and hone their ability to move with precision and creativity under time constraints. This skill-building class fosters a deeper understanding of how to learn, adapt, and embody movement swiftly, while cultivating flexibility and creative problem-solving in the body. Whether learning a new phrase on the spot or refining a piece from the company's repertory, participants will strengthen their capacity for fast adaptation, artistic interpretation, and physical recall.

Lunch / Company Showings and Lecture Demonstrations 
Throughout the week, the Company will host a series of showings and lecture demonstrations, offering students a unique opportunity to engage with DOVA Repertory and gain insight into the life of the Company. These sessions will feature showings of work from the repertory, followed by discussions where students can ask questions and learn about the creative process, rehearsal techniques, and the daily workings of a professional dance company. This experience is designed to deepen students' understanding of the company's artistic vision while offering practical knowledge about the demands and rewards of a professional dance career.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HOW CAN I PAY FOR THIS PROGRAM?
You can pay for the SUMMER Workshop 2025 via Zelle or check.

There’s no need to reach out—after completing the registration process, you’ll receive an email with payment instructions.

IS THERE A PAYMENT PLAN?
We do not offer payment plans for our workshops. If you are unable to pay the full tuition upfront, you may submit a $50 non-refundable registration fee to reserve your spot until Monday, May 12, 2025. After this date, we will no longer be able to hold your spot until your tuition is paid in full.

WHAT IS THE REFUND POLICY?
The refund policy is outlined below. All refund requests must be submitted in writing to summerworkshop@dovadance.org. 

‍REFUND POLICY FOR SUMMER WORKSHOP 

Cancellation before April 14:
If you drop out of the workshop before April 14, you will be refunded the tuition fee minus the $50 non-refundable registration fee.

Cancellation between April 14 and May 2:
If you drop out of the workshop between April 14 and May 2, you will be refunded half of tuition minus the non-refundable $50 registration fee

‍Cancellation on or after May 3:
We cannot offer any refund.

‍Cancellation for Medical Reasons: 
If you need to drop out of the workshop because of a documented medical situation, an exception to this policy will be considered.

IS THERE A DRESS CODE FOR THE WORKSHOPS?
There is no dress code for our workshop, however we ask that you wear clothes and/or dancewear that don't obstruct your dancing and that you’re comfortable wearing to take class. Good options are sweatpants, tank tops, or long sleeves. We strongly recommend that you bring knee pads as well.

DO I HAVE TO AUDITION?
Auditions are not necessary for admittance into the workshop.  Admittance is on a first-come, first-served basis.

HOW LARGE ARE THE CLASSES?
Class sizes depend on the total enrollment. In past years, technique classes generally range from 20-30 people per class.
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CAN I GET COLLEGE CREDIT FOR TAKING THE WORKSHOP?
We do not offer college credit, however we have been able to work one-on-one with students who have coordinated with their individual universities. We will gladly provide documentation detailing your involvement in the workshop, so that you can negotiate with your college to get credit.

I'M COMING FROM OUT-OF-TOWN. WHEN SHOULD I PLAN TO ARRIVE SO THAT I DON’T MISS ANYTHING? DO YOU PROVIDE HOUSING?
Please plan to arrive at the Hunter College between 9:00am - 9:15am on the first day. Our welcome/orientation activities begin at 9:30am. We do not provide housing for the Summer Workshop.

HOW DO I GET TO HUNTER COLLEGE?

Closest subway stops include: 
6 Train - Stop at Hunter College-68th St (about a 2 min walk from the studios)
Q, R Train - Stop at 63rd + Lexington Ave (about a 5 min walk from the studios)
4, 5, R Trains - Stop at 59th + Lexington Ave (about a 10 min walk from the studios)

Have another question that isn’t answered here? Send us an email: summerworkshop@dovadance.org.

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