About the Course
Halestone’s Modern Company will focus on developing choreographic tools and critical thinking concepts through dance studies. Students will learn composition, feedback techniques, advanced improvisation practices, pedagogical methods, entrepreneurial skills, and be part of producing and performing in various productions throughout the season. In 2023-2024 Modern Company will be directed by our Artistic Director, Kaitlin Pennington.
Halestone Modern Company is open to ages 12 years and up, dancers who have studied at Halestone for at least one year and others by permission/ invitation of the instructor. Dancers must be taking regular technique classes to support their learning in company. There is no audition to participate in Modern Company, however in 2023-2024 students are expected to take the Modern Technique, Contemporary, and 1 additional technique class, as well as the Modern Company class.
Students wishing to perform in Company are expected to enroll in all three technique classes, although in some cases exceptions may be granted. Students who do not wish to be in company are still welcome to register for Contemporary and Modern Technique. Contact Kaitlin Pennington at kaitlin@halestone.com for clarifications and exceptions.
Modern Company members are expected to perform at various community and Halestone performances.
Your Instructor
Kaitlin Pennington
Kaitlin is a Roanoke, VA native and a graduate of James Madison University where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance. Her favorite achievements in undergrad were being a part of JMU's pre-professional dance company, the Virginia Repertory Dance Company, and receiving an undergraduate research grant to experientially study inclusive movement practices in neurodiverse environments. After graduating, she moved to Washington, D.C. to work with Dance Place as their Youth Programs Intern. While living in DC, she performed, taught, and worked with multiple arts organizations throughout the city, most notably Imagination Stage, District Dance Arts and Jane Franklin Dance. Kaitlin is also a co-founder of Coalescence, a platform for emerging interdisciplinary artists to network, create, and show work. As of August 2023, she completed her Master of Arts degree in Arts Administration at the University of Kentucky and is so excited to put the things she’s learned into motion at Halestone. While working on her master’s, Kaitlin worked with Virginia Children’s Theatre in Roanoke as their Resident Dance Teaching Artist and Administrative Assistant, choreographing several productions and teaching a variety of technique classes to youth of all ages. Her favorite classes to teach are modern, jazz, and musical theatre and she enjoys teaching students and adults of all ages!