Embodied Art is the knowledge encoded in our bodies and beings, taught and learned through personal contact with teachers and our own embodied experience. Let’s ground ourselves in our bodies, beings, voices and visions to reinforce the full spectrum of our lives. Through these actual, not virtual, experiences, we will find balance, connection, joy and sanity.

The College of Embodied Arts is committed to:

The transmission of knowledge body to body, generation to generation, as in, “I learned it from some — body. A person I know.” Learned what? How to crush garlic, knit, spit a cherry pit, play pat-a-cake, sew a seam, play an instrument, throw a boomerang, sing a song. We accomplish this through transmitting knowledge person to person in the age old tradition of oral cutltures, using methods that include embodied, experiential, and kinesthetic learning.

Jeanne Christopherson (BFA Drama/Dance,and Masters in Performance, Culture and Education) has taught, choreographed and performed dance in many formats for 30 years in Montana, New York, and California. She performed with Contact Collective, Nancy Meehan Dance Company, Judy Padow Dance Company and Serge St. Juste’s Nago Dancers in New York City. During her 10 year residency in New York, she founded the Grand Street Settlement Children’s Dance Company and currently directs Nefertiti’s Dozen Performance Group.

In her eighteen years on the faculty of CSU Chico she has served as the advisor of the Chico State’s Acrobatic Club, the African Diaspora Organization (TADO), Envy Hip Hop Club and the Pan African Union. She serves on the Kinesiology Department Diversity Committee, the Board of Trustees for Chico Women’s Club. and Board of Directors for College of Embodied Arts under Ecospirit, Inc. She also teaches community classes for all ages, and directs UNPLUGGED ARTS, a summer performance arts camp for children.

Her classes cover cultural dance and music from the Caribbean and Africa, Yoga classes, Contact Improvisation partnering, dance for children, Reiki attunement trainings, and Massage for Friends and Family workshops, all adapted to the age and experience of each student

CURRENT CLASSES / info 530 345-6324

CHOREOGRAPHY CLASS “The Art of Making Dances”

Sundays 3 to 5 pm at Yoga Center of Chico, 250 Vallombrosa September

Choreography is composing with movement.  Like writing a poem, a story, a book, a painting, a sculpture, a quilt, a song or a symphony.  The moving body is the material, the “stuff” of which a dance is made.  It exists in the mutable moment in which the movement is executed.  It is contained in the mind, heart and the cellular memory of those dancing.  It is magical, profound, validating and engaging, both to do and to watch.

We all have bodies, we feel our own and have interpreted those of others since the moment of our conception.  Integrating this with our words, perceiving and describing, making choices about what and how to express . . . . this takes training and practice.

This course is designed to get everyone started on this fascinating path of expression.

DANCE FOR CHILDREN  TBA 

Class will teach dance using contemporary, balletic and ethnic technique, as well as the art of making dances, to combine movement skills with creative expression / taught by Jeanne Christopherson                           

AFRO-CARIBBEAN DANCE
Available in Workshops

This class will introduce you to folkloric dances from Haiti and Cuba. It is designed to connect you to the rhythm of live drum accompaniment and the feeling of being part of dancing in community. These dances have come from the human impulse to move, express, connect, evolve and . . . . party. Together. Whether you are experienced or just starting out, this is a welcoming place to come to and participate. It will also really get you in shape and open your body up to the “full spectrum” of movement.
Taught by Jeanne Christopherson

CONGA DRUM INSTRUCTION
by appointment
Rafael Street Studio – 2647 Rafael Street, Chico CA

Class teaches technique for  conga drum and associated percussion instruments (bell, shekere, maracas, etc.) from Afro-Caribbean percussion while learning folkloric rhythms from Haiti and Cuba. Many of these rhythms accompany specific dances, including Rumba, Salsa, Yanvalou, Congo, Nago and others. Most combine bell patterns and stick parts with hand drumming to create an integrated orchestra.  You may bring your own drum or use ours.
Taught by Jeanne Christopherson

SUMMER WORKSHOP

UNPLUGGED ARTS! Performance Arts Sleepover Camp

For children age 8 to 13 years                                                                                                        Six days at Enchanted Ridge, 1540 Vilas Rd., Cohasset, CA                                    June  2022

This Workshop combines a creative performance workshop for children with a conscious, sustainable, creative environment.                                                      Students work on an original show while gaining experience, skills and ease in the performance disciplines of music, dance and theater.                                              Children improve movement skills through the study of dance technique, using their own ideas to create a performance using movement, acting, live music, percussion, and fantasy play.                                                                                          This is an opportunity for children to work imaginatively and non-competitively with each other. The week will culminate in a performance for friends and family.

In addition to the performance project there is water play, artwork, costume construction, and free time. We draw on the abilities, skills and interests of our participants. Our schedule allows for mentoring with our talented staff, and down time to catch up with ourselves, listening to our inside voices.

The meals we serve are wholesome, fresh and vegetarian. To maximize concentration, imagination and embodied reality, this will be a screen free environment.

STAFF

DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER – Jeanne Christopherson

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR – Robin Blue

MUSIC DIRECTOR –  TBA

ART DIRECTOR – TBA

ASSISTANTS – TBA

TUITION: $400.00 (includes all instruction, food, costumes, production costs and admission)

*Ask about family discounts and partial scholarships

Session is limited to 20 children