Vernacular Dance and Lindy Studies
Residency

Paulette Brockington

Paulette Brockington has been a performing artist in dance companies, theater companies and opera companies. She is a writer/director with a number of works to her credit. A champion competitive dancer, she is known for her versatility, musicality, and creativity on dance floors and stages as a performer and choreographer. She is an intuitive and creative teacher in the classroom.

Ms. Brockington has been a Master Teacher for Michigan State University's Michigan Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program. And remains on the faculty roster in Michigan State University's Theater Department. She was awarded the Michigan Heritage Award for introducing swing dance to the Great Lakes area, been named an Arts Educator of the Year and founded the American Lindy Hop Championships - the world's first of its kind event dedicated to the Lindy Hop. This event launched a Lindy diaspora of events, conventions and workshops across the US and around the whole. She uses knowledge gleaned from working with her swing dance father/mentor, Frankie Manning, Norma Miller, Pepsi Bethel, Tommy Gomez, Lloyd Story, Ronnie Marshall and many more of the dearly departed; and her theater experience to pass on indigenous American forms. She is an inventive teacher who has taught from Japan to Europe.

Click here to see Paulette swing dance.

Residency Options

There are 4 options each in vernacular dance, Lindy, Paulette's own brand of Swing Era Hip Hop or tap in a 1 to 3-day workshop, a residency of 2 or more weeks, or an intensive tailored to meet your needs..

A workshop gives you a less intensive option for students to take part in vernacular dance classes in vernacular jazz, Lindy Hop and/or tap or a combination of the those dances. Workshop classes last for ninety minutes to two hours per session. Students work on technique, history and musicality. Paulette is an inventive workshop teacher who allows the music to drive students and classes for a fun-filled experience.

An intensive covers elements of a number of styles of dance ranging from cakewalk to Ragtime/Swing Era dances like Charleston, swing, fad dances and Balboa to contemporary vernacular dances. An initial session would touch on several styles but concentrate, for example, on the Roaring '20s, Prohibition, solo Charleston and partner Charleston which each student would have to perform accurately by the end of the session. Your option is to pick an area like fad dances or swing or perhaps a time period to cover for an immersive session.

Students taking part in a residency program will learn the fundamentals of, the history of, related dances and the dance’s relationship in society today. Several options are available to interested schools, clubs and associations. All options will be taught by professionals well-known in that field.

A residency in Dance offers an intensive, progressive, introduction to vernacular jazz, tap and/or Lindy Hop. Dance students will learn the original dances along with well known patterns of the early 20th century; learn how to work as an ensemble; learn how to dance to the music; learn each dance’s cultural significance to the period; and, understand the musicality and dynamics associated with each dance learned.

A residency can culminate in a performance. This option can be offered for credit.

Semester of Coursework Culminating in a Performance

Dance coursework will include dance history, dance technique, musicality, working with live music and designing dance for a show rather than just social dancing. In a semester-long course students will touch upon several dance styles but will concentrate on two-three areas to perfect for performance.

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Request additional information by calling 1-313-790-2311