BIOGRAPHY
Juan Carlos Franquiz, II was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and is the founder and creator of the project based dance company “Arch Dansé Ensemble.” Carlos received his early training at the Joffrey Ballet Academy at Fort Hamilton High School under the direction of Sabrina Jaafar and is the recipient of the Joffrey Ballet Academy Dance Award along with the Joseph Graffagnino Scholarship. He is an alumni of MOVE |NYC|’s Young Professionals Program under the Direction of Nigel Campbell and Chanel DaSilva. While in the Young Professionals Program he received the 2019 Samuel H. Scripps - BAM scholarship, and the 2019 - 2020 C. Michael Tidwell NEXT Step Scholarship. During which he performed premiere works by choreographers such as Shamel Pitts, Gregory Dolbashian, Antonio Brown, Roderick George and Kyle Abraham. Carlos was also part of the Inaugural Peer Mentor Cohort for MOVE |NYC|. Carlos has choreographed and performed at the BAM Kids Film Festival, York College Youth Dance Showcase and Earl Mosley’s Dancing Beyond; A benefit for Dance Against Cancer which he was selected to co-choreograph for Hearts of Men. He was also selected to choreograph on MOVE |NYC|’s Pre-Young Professionals Program. Carlos also works with the project based dance company known as The Dash Ensemble under the directorship of Gregory Dolbashian. He has received his BFA in Dance at the Conservatory of Dance at Purchase College. While receiving his BFA performed various works by renowned choreographers like MICHIYAYA, Bill T.Jones, George Balanchine, Connie Shiau, Ethan Colangelo. He most recently was seen performing with A.I.M by Kyle Abraham in “An Untitled Love” by Kyle Abraham, and “Someday Soon” by Keerati Jinakunwiphat. Carlos recently completed a new commission entitled “The Seed of Embracement” on the Whim W’Him Contemporary Dance Company based in Seattle.
CLASS DESCRIPTION
In this class we dive into improvisational techniques and methods of composition. There are many influences of Hip-Hop, floor work and contact improvisation within the class structure. In the beginning of the class we will go through an improvisational warm up that challenges you to engage you’re entire body in ways that seem inaccessible. Also building curiosity in movement that takes you in and out of the floor. Within that also gaining an understanding of the outer and inner surfaces of the body. We will then step into some methods of improvisation with the use of a partner in the space. Finding ways to work together to build and create movement authentically with some tools and games that are used in the creative process with The Dash Ensemble. Which were also learned from many other teachers and creators in time.
At the tail end of class we will learn a phrase that will include many components spoken about during the class. At often times we may also take the phrase and manipulate it with some compositional tools that can be used in a creative process. This gives you on open opportunity to build and grow your creative toolbox. The space is open and safe for many questions and moments of growth within your exploration of contemporary movement!