020811_HighSchoolDanceFestivaltrue1334616740577webdzndance, concert, dancers, dancing, choreography, playhouse, arts, stage, artisticHofstra University's Department of Drama and Dance Presents Its First High School Dance Festival/Hofstra_Main_Site/Home/News/PressReleases/Archive/020811_HighSchoolDanceFestivalprpgse1297189419062webdzn1297192620280Press Release Sub TitleFeb. 21 and 22, 2011Press Release TitleHofstra University's Department of Drama and Dance Presents Its First High School Dance FestivalPress Release Date2011/02/08Hofstra CategoriesHCLASSTUDENTCULTURALFACULTYCOMMUNITYGinny GreenbergUniversity Relations202 Hofstra Hall(516) 463-6819prpgse@hofstra.edu/More About Hofstra's Department of Drama and Dancehttp://www.hofstra.edu/Academics/Colleges/HCLAS/DD/index.html/Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY … Hofstra University’s Department of Drama and Dance is offering high school students the opportunity to take two days of dance classes with Hofstra’s accomplished faculty. This inaugural High School Dance Festival will culminate with a studio performance on the Hofstra campus. The Festival is scheduled for February 21 and 22, 2011. Times are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday and 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday (a picnic dinner will be provided). The fee to participate is $25 per student.

To register or for more information contact Jean Benincasa at jean.benincasa@hofstra.edu or call (516) 455-3111.

Both days will feature four classes taught by professional choreographers who serve on the Hofstra faculty. They include Amy Marshall, who will teach modern dance; Jason Melms, who will teach ballet; and Devin Pullins who specializes in jazz and hip hop.

Marshall is the artistic director of the Amy Marshall Dance Company. She has previously performed with Parsons Dance Company and Taylor 2. She choreographs, teaches and performs in New York City as well as nationally and internationally.

Melms has performed across the U.S. and in Europe with Joffrey II, Eglevsky Balley, Virginia Ballet Theatre and the New York Baroque Dance Company; among others. His teaching credits include Hofstra University, NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts Summer Program; USDAN Center for the Creative and Performing Arts, Eglevsky Ballet, Ballet Tech and the Peridance Center.

Pullins has performed with Donald Byrd/The Group, Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, Elisa Monte Dance Company and Vortex Dance Moscow, as well as with recording artists Destiny’s Child, Diddy and Brandy. He has been a choreographer  for So You Think You Can Dance in Russia, Israel and Dubai. He has taught in New York City, nationally and internationally.

For more information on Hofstra’s Department of Drama and Dance visit www.hofstra.edu/drama-dance .