Jazz Repertory – Eckman

This class will engage its participants in the process of creating a new work that culminates in the opportunity to perform in the Festival Finale. Under the guidance of Eckman, the dancers will create in a fun and engaging climate while implementing improvisational and design tools, vocabulary and structure to facilitate the craft of choreography. This new work will contain both Eckman's phrase work as well as the dancers collaborative input. Through an athletic and invigorating approach, the process will offer a variety of ways to manipulate movement and partner as individuals and in a group. All participants must be enrolled in the Jazz IV class. 

Autumn Eckman is a choreographer, teacher and dancer currently serving as Artistic Associate of Giordano Dance Chicago and Director of Giordano II. She received her classical training from the Houston Ballet Academy. Autumn has danced for renowned companies including Giordano Dance Chicago, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Luna Negra Dance Theater, Lucky Plush Productions, State Street Ballet and the Cangelosi Dance Project. She is a performer for Ron De Jesus Dance and Chicago Repertory Ballet. Autumn has created seven works for the Giordano and has been commissioned by DanceWorks Chicago, Grand Valley State University, Western Michigan University, Northern Illinois University, KRESA, State Street Ballet, Chicago Repertory Ballet, Missouri Contemporary Ballet, Contemporary Dance South, Inaside Chicago Dance, Momenta, NoMi LaMad and the Vittaca Dance Project. Her work has been shown at Dance/USA, Arts Midwest Conference, Midwest RAD Festival, and the Harvest Chicago Contemporary Dance Festival. She was awarded Dance Chicago’s “New Artistic Voice” in 2009, and named as a "standout choreographer” for 2010 in the Chicago Tribune. The Tribune’s Sid Smith highlighted Eckman as the feature choreographer for its 2012 Fall Dance Preview. Autumn has taught at Northern Illinois University and is currently on faculty at several Chicagoland studios. http://www.niu.edu/theatre/faculty/eckman.shtml