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ARCH Program - Dance with Joppa Whitehead


  • Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center 2410 Wickham Ave Newport News, VA, 23607 United States (map)

ARCH Program

In the Summer closing our Bridges season, we are offering a set of three-day summer camp intensive sessions in poetry, dance, and storytelling. In the ARCH (Artistically Raising Children Higher) Program, kids ages 9-15 will learn 24 hours worth of intensive camp instruction by award-winning performers. Whether your child is new to these disciplines or has years of experience, they will gain valuable knowledge from these creative professionals. Each camp will end with a video, showcasing the participants’ achievements.

Program Details

  • Dates: Three Sessions - Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday

    • Session 1: Poetry with Nathan Richardson - Tuesday, June 22 - Thursday, June 24

    • Session 2: Storytelling with Stephanie “Steph Love” Lask - Tuesday, June 29 - Thursday, July 1

    • Session 3: Dance with Joppa Whitehead - Tuesday, July 6 - Thursday, July 8

  • Times: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

  • Location: Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center (In-Person Only)

  • Cost: $50 per session

    • Register for all three sessions by June 15th for only $140

  • Ages: 9-15 years old

  • Registration Deadline(s): Varies by Session

    • Session 1 (Poetry) and Discounted Registration Deadline: June 15

    • Session 2 (Storytelling) Registration Deadline: June 22

    • Session 3 (Dance) Registration Deadline: June 29

  • Camp Director: James Cooper

  • Instructors: Nathan Richardson, Stephanie Lask, and Joppa Whitehead

Additional Details:

Bring bagged lunch. Morning and mid-day snack provided. Registration includes a camp t-shirt.

 

About the Instructor:

Joppa Whitehead

Joppa Whitehead trained with Andrei Yemelianov at Academie De Ballet, where she performed Variations from Markintanka, Swan Lake, and Giselle. She also competed, receiving High Gold performing a variation from Don Quixote. In 2009 she joined Virginia Ballet Theatre, where she performed in The Nutcracker, Graduation Ball, La Sylphide, and Paquita, as well as two original pieces by Joni Petre Scholtz. Alongside VBT, she was also able to dance with Todd Rosenlieb Dance Company, which is a Hawkins and Graham-based Modern company, where she worked with former Eric Hawkins company member, Todd Rosenlieb and former Alvin Ailey member Ricardo Melendez. Additionally, Miss Whitehead has performed in the International Tattoo, Virginia Musical Theatre in Oklahoma, Lyric Opera Virginia in King and I, and Virginia Symphony Chorus to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Stravinsky in Les Noces. Additional choreographers, she’s worked with Elbert Watson, Ryan Corriston, David Keener, Janelle Spruill, and Angela Brown Myers, and danced alongside company members from Louisville Ballet and Ballet San Juan.