Joffrey Academy of Dance to Host African Dance Master Class with Andrea Vinson, 1/21

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In honor of DR. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Joffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet, hosts an African Dance Master Class with Andrea Vinson. Well-suited for families, this class is an introduction to African dance and is appropriate for all levels of dance experience. Students learn a variety of traditional African dance steps accompanied by live drummers. The African Dance Master Class takes place on the 3rd floor of Joffrey Tower, 10 E. Randolph Street, on the official MLK holiday, Monday, January 21, 12:00-1:00 pm.

Andrea Vinson, lovingly known to her students as "Mama Andrea," has been in the dance profession for over 25 years. She has performed for numerous venues, including theater, television and film. Presently she is the Associate Artistic Director of Najwa Dance Corps, a teaching artist with the Joffrey's Middle School Dance Club, the lead artist with After School Matters, and a master teacher with Chicago Public School's All City Dance Ensemble. Her teaching credits include colleges, elementary and high school, park districts, arts organizations, dance studios, professional dance companies and theatrical productions.

The African Dance Master Class is $15 per person. Space is limited, so interested participants are encouraged to make a reservation by registering online by Friday, January 18 at joffrey.org/mlk or by phone at 312-784-4600.

The Joffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet, is committed to providing students of all ages, levels and backgrounds who have a desire to dance with a world-class education built on a foundation of classical ballet. Located in the heart of Chicago's theater district, the 20,000-square-foot Exelon Education Center, which is home to the Academy, boasts four state-of-the-art studios in Joffrey Tower. Led by Joffrey Artistic Director Ashley C. Wheater and Academy Co-Artistic Directors Alexei Kremnev and Anna Reznik, the renowned Academy of Dance staff and faculty emphasize the highest caliber of classical ballet training along with numerous other dance disciplines, including jazz, tap, Pilates, hip-hop, African, Latin, contemporary, modern, and various workout classes. Courses range from public "open classes" to Pre-Professional Training and by-invitation-only Trainee Programs for the professional dance student. The Joffrey Academy received the distinguished honor of being named 2010 Outstanding School by the Youth America Grand Prix, the world's largest international student ballet competition. The Joffrey Academy also received the Boeing Game Changer Award in recognition of its efforts to make dance accessible to all. The Joffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet is the only training program owned, operated or endorsed by The Joffrey Ballet. The Joffrey Ballet is not affiliated with any other Joffrey dance training or school program.

For more information on The Joffrey Ballet and the Academy of Dance, visit joffrey.org.