Core Dance
Wake Up to Dance!
Led by established, progressive dance artists, Core Dance’s morning classes are offered to the community Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for $10. Must register and pay online before class time.
NOTICE : Advance registration is required. All attendees must follow the instructions of the class leader with regard to masking. Hand sanitizer is available in the studio and each studio is equipped with a high-powered air cleaner. The HVAC system has also been upgraded to clean and sanitize the air.
Mondays
Amelia Reiser
The Mindful Body
Atlanta based movement artist Amelia Reiser, a native of Oklahoma, started
training at a young age at The Classical Ballet Academy. Amelia went on to attend The University of Georgia (UGA) where she completed a BFA in Dance
Performance in 2011. She spent time living in Ireland after graduation working with local artists through an internship with Athlone Arts and Heritage and collaborated on a dance film with visual artist Lesley Wingfiled titled Waters and the Wild (2011). Over her 25+ years of performing and creating, Amelia has had the opportunity to work with numerous dance-makers and artists including T Lang Dance, Nick Cave, Maryn Whitmore, Erik Thurmond, Christina Noel Reaves, Lesley Wingfield, Emily Christianson, Sara Santamaria, Greg Catellier, and George Staib. Her most recent work includes “Sheltered in Place” (2020) in collaboration with sculptor Sara Santamaria presented by Creatives Project and DriveThru ATL, and “pinion” (2021) a solo work in process shown at Excuse The Art presented by Fly on a Wall. Since 2013, Amelia has been a collaborative company member of Staibdance in Atlanta, GA. In addition to creating and performing, Amelia teaches yoga at Tough Love Yoga and Emory Healthcare, and is a trauma informed yoga and mindfulness teacher working with incarcerated youth through local nonprofit Centering Youth. An avid lover of dramatic skies, wild mountains, and trees, Amelia spends most spare moments in her garden, or escaping the city in search of adventure and wilderness.
Class Description
The Mindful Body is an opportunity to cultivate mindfulness through an exploration of contemporary dance forms meshed with somatic practices. Mindfulness is so much more than attention alone, these practices invite us to discover a sense of connection with those around us, love, compassion, openness, creativity and playfulness. Everything is fleeting.
Tuesdays
Mestre Fran
Capoeira
Mestre Fran (Francisco Da Silva) is the founder of Maculelê-Capoeira. He began Capoeira in 1976 under the renowned Mestre Bradesco. 2022 marks his 20th year teaching Capoeira in the US. He has focused on awakening the talents of his students, elevating the awareness of society, and encouraging the practice of Capoeira as an art, fight, and a means of social, cultural, and athletic integration. Mestre Fran is constantly researching capoeira and improving his style. Today, anyone would agree that Mestre Fran has succeeded in these endeavors. He has taken his passion and shared it with thousands of people all over the world and, unintentionally, Mestre Fran has created a reputation as one of the greatest Capoeira Mestres and maintains international recognition for his accomplishments in the field.
Tuesdays (Jan & Feb)
Tatiane Cristina da Silva Pontes
Capoeria
Tatiane Cristina da Silva Pontes, also known as Lutadora is an Instructor at Maculelê Capoeira, where she has been helping various communities with social projects. She started Capoeira in 2007 in a small city called Goioerê, state of Paraná, Brazil, and soon fell in love with the magic that this beautiful martial art brings. In 2013 Tatiane moved from Brazil to New Orleans to teach capoeira and since 2018 has been located in the Atlanta area to support Capoeira Maculelê programs in Decatur.
Class Description:
These are ongoing classes where anyone can join, no previous experience necessary. It covers all aspects of Capoeira; martial-arts, dance, music, acrobatics, culture, language and more. It focuses on developing the students rhythm, reflexes, balance, coordination and increasing strength and flexibility as they learn. All the necessary skills are taught in class.
We recommend this class for anyone wanting to start in the art of Capoeira. Class prepares each student at their own pace to join into our beginner Capoeira lessons in which they will start getting a better understanding of the art. You will work on basic steps of Capoeira; Ginga, Esquivas, Attack / Defence / Counter-attacks, dance elements, musical skills, and basic acrobatics. Should you wish to go further than just basics, you should then join our Beginner class to start progressing through the different levels of Capoeira. Capoeira is a great form of fitness and exercise that works not only your whole body, but also your mind.
Wednesdays & Fridays
Kristin O'Neal
Contemporary Modern Technique
Kristin O’Neal is a performer, teacher and choreographer residing in Atlanta, GA. She received her MFA in Dance from Hollins University/ADF where she began her research of solo performance and character creation. Her character investigations led to an unfolding series of solos inspired by the lives of her grandmothers, Glenna and Dorothy, as well as aunts and great aunts named June, Helen, Diane, Constance and Nell. Many of these solos live in the repertoire of Sarasota Contemporary Dance in Florida. Early in her career while dancing with Gerri Houlihan, Kristin discovered a love of site work alongside choreographers Dale Andree and Heidi Duckler, which led to performances in various sites, including avocado groves, restaurants, galleries, hotels, and any water resource imaginable. Kristin’s long-time relationship with Andree led her to assist in the operations of Andree’s National Water Dance, which first started as the Florida Waterways Dance Project in 2011. Kristin has worked as rehearsal assistant for many visiting artists at the University of Florida and Emory University and worked as rehearsal director for Core Dance in Atlanta. Kristin teaches varying levels of Contemporary Modern, Movement Improvisation, and co-teaches Contact Improvisation at Emory University with her husband, Greg Catellier, with whom she also collaborates in curious dance-making.
Photo by Paige McFall
Class Description: We will warm our way from the floor activating a strong core and sturdy base towards verticality while exploring every inch of space along the way-- this involves sliding/gliding, folding/creasing, a juicy relationship with the floor, connection to our breath, discovery of weight and weightlessness, swinging, pouring, falling, flying and anything else that may inspire us on the way...and always, musicality!
Geared for the intermediate to professional mover who enjoys deepening and clarifying alignment/technique through somatic lenses.
Directions: Our back entrance is accessible by way of North McDonough Street, at the intersection of Trinity Avenue and the Decatur Square. Look for the entrance between Waffle House and DeWoskin Law Firm. If you get turned around, please call our office at (404) 373-4154.
Parking: Due to the very small nature of our parking lot, Core’s lot is limited to Core staff. Please find on-street parking or take MARTA when attending class. (Free on-street parking is available on Electric Ave!) MARTA’s Decatur Station will plop you down right next to us in the Decatur Square. Visit itsmarta.com for details on Decatur Station and for train and bus schedules.