InnerSpark offers an exciting, preprofessional, collegiate-level Dance Program designed for students who are interested in pursuing a college degree and/or a professional career in dance. All dancers who apply to the program should have prior experience of at least two (2) years of technical training in ballet or modern dance. The Dance Program is designed to give students the tools and education they need to explore different styles of dance technique. Students are also provided with a stimulating environment in which to begin the creative choreographic process. All dancers are required to participate in mandatory ballet and modern technique classes as well as improvisation and composition classes. Repertory workshops and seminars as well as master classes and rehearsals with guest artists round out this powerful four-week curriculum.

Dancers will enjoy master classes and performances by guest artists in a variety of dance genres, such as Chinese, Flamenco and African Dance. They attend lectures on topics ranging from injury prevention and anatomy to dance history. Dance students may take field trips to dance events in the Los Angeles area. The program culminates in a demonstration of works that have been developed over the course of the program.

Dance Program applicants should be aware that this is a very strenuous and comprehensive program, largely centered on technique classes and creative work taught by professional teachers and guest artists. The program is intense and students are expected to be fully engaged in the entire curriculum. Students must arrive at the school in good shape, free from injury or illness and ready to work hard in a challenging environment. Applicants who cannot commit to the entire four-week program will not be admitted.

All students take a 1.5-hour ballet technique class four days per week. The class focus is on correct placement and alignment as well as agility and strength. Students are given the right tools to use in correcting potentially harmful habits. Emphasis is placed on proper work ethic and the fundamental basics that provide for the longevity of an artist’s career. Performance quality and work ethics are also stressed. There are opportunities for pointe work and/or ballet technique for students who have been on pointe for a few years.

Students take a 1.5-hour modern dance technique class four days per week. During the four-week course they study differing styles of contemporary dance.

Study in improvisation is used to stimulate the creative process by allowing the movement to come through in its most original and immediate response. Improvisational skills will be discussed and demonstrated. Students will be challenged to solve problems through their improvisation and collaboration.

In contemporary repertory the dancer learns original choreography. This two-hour class is held twice each week for all students. Students may learn original choreography or modern repertory from the contemporary dance field.

Composition is a very important element of the program for all InnerSpark Dance students. In Composition Class, which is held twice each week, students engage in creative problem solving to build a foundation for choreographic expression. The class develops each student's confidence and self-awareness, and allows dancers to discover their own unique ways to move.

Held three days each week, these classes are led by some of the finest commercial dancers, teachers and choreographers in California.

Students take a weekly mat class based on the theories and principles of Joseph H. Pilates. The class teaches young dancers how to develop core strength and techniques to maintain a healthy body and prevent injuries.

The Anatomy course is organized through a themed approach to the skeletal and muscular systems relevant to efficient posture and body alignment for dance. Each class session presents the students with anatomical information about the structures relevant for discussion on injury prevention, increased body awareness, and stretching and strengthening integration. The class utilizes seminar, demonstration, small group discussion, and experiential movement experiences to offer a multi-faceted approach to the material.

As a part of each summer session performances and lectures by special guest artists, choreographers, and companies are scheduled. Recent guests include Alonzo King and LINES Ballet, Bill Evans, The Joe Goode Performance Group, Gregory Dawson from Lines Ballet/Dominican University of California, Donald Byrd/The Group, the Cerulean Dance Theatre Double Dancing, The Changing Systems Performance Group, choreographer Garth Fagan, Helios Dance, flamenco artist Juan Talavera, dancer/choreographer Jonathan Lund, Alice Lo, Diavolo Dance Company, and the Marla Bingham Contemporary Ballet.

Sylvia Palmer-Zetler, Chair of the InnerSpark Dance Department, is a former member of the National Ballet of Canada where she worked with world-famous directors and choreographers including Celia Franca, John Cranko, Hanya Holm, Fredrick Ashton, John Harte and Erling Sunde. Sylvia was the recipient of two grants from the Canada Council of the Arts for the furtherance of the Dance Arts. Ms. Palmer is the Director of the Black Mountain Dance Centre in San Diego, and the Artistic Director of Southern California Youth Ballet. She is on the Governing Board of Cecchetti USA where she is a Fellow and an Examiner. She holds a Masters Degree in Creative Teaching Techniques, and she is a Certified Teacher of Benesh Dance Notation. Ms. Palmer’s students grace the stages of major companies throughout North America, and the world. She teaches ballet technique, pointe, variations and ballet repertory at InnerSpark.

Krenly Guzman has performed, taught, choreographed and adjudicated for dance festivals in the United States, Mexico and South America. He has performed with Jan Erkert & Dancers, Mordine and Company Dance Theater and served as Associate Artistic Director of Lucky Plush Productions from 2003-2006.

Gregory P. Dawson studied and performed with Dance Theatre of Harlem, Theatre Ballet Canadien, Oakland Ballet, Berkeley Ballet Theater, Sacramento Ballet and the San Francisco Opera Ballet. Mr. Dawson joined Alonzo Kings LINES Ballet in 1987 and remained in the company through 2005. Currently he teaches and serves as resident choreographer for Alonzo Kings LINES Ballet BFA and Professional Programs. He premiered his Company Dawson Dance at InnerSpark in 2008. He feels well prepared to pass on his knowledge to the next generation of young dancers.

Damien Davis teaches hip-hop, funk, and thrash. Damien has appeared as a dancer and choreographer in film, television, video, and the stage. A very popular teacher and choreographer, Damien teaches at the Santa Monica Dance Center, Moro Landis, The Edge and Pasadena Dance Theatre, in addition to being a faculty member at Santa Monica College.