Now available online Christian Movement workshops

International Christian Dance Fellowship Foundation
Newsletter February 2022

JUST RELEASED Christian Movement Workshops

Online MOVEMENT Workshops - LAUNCHED in Perth, WA

I am so excited to announce the release of three online Movement Workshops called the abc_of dance - a fantastic resource for dancers and teachers looking for Christian based movement workshops. They will introduce trained dancers or beginners to faith based workshops . Also great teaching material for dance ministry teams.

Lucinda Coleman on behalf of fAITHdANCE, responded to ICDFF's call to create online workshops. These workshops follow dance concepts based on the first three letters of the alphabet - A for Alignment, B for Breath, and C for Control - while referencing biblical themes. Congradulations to Lucinda, the dancers and creatives who worked on this project. Well done!

The workshops are NOW available on our ICDFF YouTube channel - for FREE. See below and please 'like', subscribe and share with friends.

God bless, Jenny Dennis, Chair of the ICDF Foundation

Inspiring and watchable online workshops
The integration of dance with scriptures, original music and  beautiful Australian settings makes these workshops so inspiring and watchable. The work is led by a group of young dancers with sincerity and a fresh approach to combining contemporary dance movement with Christian themes.

The Director is Lucinda Coleman a dancer, teacher, choreographer and film maker. Trained in ballet she danced with The Australian Youth Ballet Company and Harvest Rain Theatre Company before pursing contemporary forms of dance as part of a Bachelor of Arts in Dance (1995) at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT). This degree was followed by higher studies in dance resulting in a Doctor of Philosophy (Performing Arts) at the Edith Cowan University, WA, in 2017. She founded the dance collective Remnant Dance (2010- 2020) in Perth, where she continues to direct, choreograph, and produce performing arts productions in Australia and Internationally. Currently she is a sessional Lecturer in Performance and an Adjunct Lecturer (Research) at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), WA.

Lucinda also mentors her church dance group fAITHdANCE, featured in these workshops. She came up with the concept (A - for Alignment, B- for Breath and C- for Control) as the beginning for further workshops.

The workshops demonstrate how movement language can be inspired by scripture. The workshops use Release Technique, a great vehicle for exploring the instigation of movement phrases, improvisation and floor work. The movement phrases are initiated internally rather than being externally shaped.

The benefit of this style of dance encourages the mover to find their own language of dance. The movements require the individual to engage with the phrase from a place of sincerity and authenticity. This provides foundational training for a dancer who wants to worship God or share Christian teachings before others.

The workshops are more suitable for contemporary dancers and some parts may be hard to follow. However the faciltators provide some variations to make it easier.

Also, the music and instructions are provided separately so you can exit the video and teach the dance to the music provided more thoroughly.

The music by Joel Waddell and Sarah Christopher is perfect for teaching a class and see below on how to download.

ALIGNMENT – The first workshop is on Alignment a foundational principle in dance and in our Christian walk with God.  It is a good place to start.

BREATH – The second workshop explores Breath.  It is another foundational principle in dance that is sometimes assumed but provides the basis of strength, timing and control.  In many contemporary dance techniques, the breath is critical to the instigation of the movement.

CONTROL – The third workshop is on Control.  The discipline of dance requires control over the body and mind.  The same is true of the Christian walk. The workshop demonstrates a wonderful sense of release that is playful and fun.

Corinne Urquhart, an RAD dance teacher based in Sydney summaries the workshops by saying:
"In response to our living through a global pandemic, these movement workshops end with the theme, Control. The dancers are encouraged to discover how they are responding to concept of Control and the processes of letting go, tilting and trusting, as well as travelling. The dance sequences are all based on relevant scriptures and encourage the dancer to contemplate and reflect on God’s truth and presence whilst dancing. This workshop enables us to reflect on God’s truth, presence and His ability to keep us safe.

All the workshops invite the participants, no matter where they are, to be nurtured and uplifted, and to engage in an intimate way of worship and reflection. Dancing along to these workshops will enrich and inspire you to find alignment with God’s strength and truth."
by Jenny Dennis

ICDF Movement Workshop – A l i g n m e n t
Photograph of dancers (L-R) Sarah Christopher, Samantha Coleman, Claire Forrest, Marcella Teo, Georgina Earl with film editor, Luca Macchiusi, by Lucinda Coleman, on location in Western Australia, ©2022, used with permission.

ABOUT A l i g n m e n t | B r e a t h | C o n t r o l by Lucinda .......are the first series of dance workshops commissioned by the International Christian Dance Fellowship Foundation.

Each workshop explores a movement concept which invites the integration of body, mind, soul, spirit, through learning short dance phrases which culminate in a guided dance. The first workshop explores dynamic and neutral alignment and how the relationship of the skeleton with line of gravity and base of support facilitates freedom of movement and reduces risk of injury. The second workshop explores why the use of breath and correct breathing is important for dancing. The third workshop explores who or what is in control when you dance.

In all the workshops the dance phrases have been developed in response to biblical scripture, as dancers move and pray together.

The workshops are more suitable for people with some experience with contemporary dance. Though you can easily adjust the movement for your level of ability or class situation. I hope you enjoy them.

Credits
Directed by Lucinda Coleman
Produced by fAITHdANCE
Filmed & Edited by Luca Macchiusi
Dancers | Facilitators: Sarah Christopher, Samantha Coleman, Georgina Earl, Claire Forrest, Marcella Teo
Workshop Material | Choreography: Lucinda Coleman, Samantha Coleman
Costumes by Emily Grace
Soundscape Composer | Musician | Audio Engineer: Joel Waddell
Musical Collaborator: Sarah Christopher
North & Solace by Pyramid Lake: Simon Bint, Joel Waddell, Chris Field - courtesy of the artists & used with permission
Your Love by Sarah Christopher - courtesy of the artist & used with permission

Commissioned by the ICDF Foundation in partnership with Mount Pleasant Baptist Church and Mount Pleasant College, WA
Funded by the ICDF Foundation with the support of fAITHdANCE collaborators and members of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, WA
All rights reserved © ICDF Foundation, Australia, 2022

ICDFF Movement Workshop - A for Alignment

ICDFF Movement Workshop - B for Breath

ICDFF Movement Workshop - C for Control

A freshness hovers over this production
Many years ago I stumbled upon a group of dancers. Dancers who were Christians. Dancers who asked tough, creative questions. Dancers who stretched themselves both physically and spiritually. Dancers who became a community.

While watching the ICDF Foundation movement workshops I was transported back to that time where young amateur dancers volunteered their time, skill and passion to teach and encourage others. Where other artists, musicians, composers, filmmakers and sound engineers (and many others) joined them to create something wondrous.

Alignment, breath and control aren’t new ideas in dance, they are foundational to all genres, however there is something authentically new about the approach and execution of these workshops. There is a freshness hovering over this production.

Moments of real beauty exist when the dancers balance on the bridge pylons mirroring the strength of alignment or waft in the water like a gentle breath. The hand of experienced creator and director Lucinda Coleman is evident throughout especially in the use of the distinct Western Australian landscape reinforcing the workshop foundations in beautifully clear ways.

While there is no pretence of professionalism there is a fervent attempt to achieve the best result possible with the resources available to encourage, inform and embrace dancers of varying levels of expertise. Watching these young women stretch themselves on so many levels reminds me of both the wonderful history of Christian dance that I’ve been privileged to be a part of and God’s promise to do a new thing in the arts. A promise many have been waiting for.

Sharon Allibone, Past National Co-ordinator of Christian Dance Fellowship Australia

"I loved the integration of dance with the scriptures along with original music and artistic filming, making the workshops most enjoyable to both watch and move to. A great resource for Christian dancers."
Mary Jones, Founder of CDFA (1978) and ICDF (1988)

"A marvellously fresh approach to dance workshops, incorporating landscape and architecture into ideas of Alignment, Breath and Control. Beautifully executed by a group of young talented artists led by the exceptional Lucinda Coleman. Authentically new. "
Sharon Allibone, Past National Co-ordinator CDFA

"Congratulations ICDFF and collaborators! How refreshing to have dance resources available to give people solid, safe, and inspirational dance training whilst also providing encouragement through linking Scriptural references with the movement sequences! Designed for dancers more competent in basic Contemporary Dance technique, those who watch these workshops are sure to be delighted by the outdoor locations, connection with the environment, the positive energy and care with which the instructors deliver the sessions. Enjoy!"
Lucy Jarasius ICDF Steering Committee, Interim ICDF Country Contact for Australia, ICDF Diploma TutorMember, Principal - reIMAGINE Studio: life in abunDANCE!

Samantha Coleman at the ICDFF Project Launch on 5 February 2022.

Music is available to download.
Sarah Christopher: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3eO4YPIjemVAydmUzB22YZ?si=F5bKg0_0T-SFBfBORZhssw&fbclid=IwAR3tdudCftQAfi9akTbOG6MQViHLAheHvw-qFz6z1qyHdrpuC61UUJcg8m4&nd=
Joel Waddell’s band, Pyramid Lake: https://songwhip.com/pyramidlake/pyramid-lake?fbclid=IwAR0C0EeFeXayM3TW2Ec8Xq8Vvz97AnAEHEllZoLclKSxuIP-8Fz09MWwezY

P r o m o t i n g - R e c o g n i s i n g - S u p p o r t i n g

Donations are very welcome
The financial work of the Foundation is supported by donations that covers:

Christian Dance Projects - this year we are supporting Online Movement Workshops;
financial assistance for teachers and participants to attend the International Conference in Sweden in August 2022; and
bursaries for students of the Diploma of Dance Ministry.

Please donate today so we can continue our work.

Donate Now

About the ICDF Foundation
The ICDF Foundation supports the International Christian Dance Fellowship (ICDF) in its aim to serve the movement arts in ministry and mission in a visible, available and relevant way by:
·       recognising excellence in Christian Dance/Movement ministry;
·       raising money for scholarships/special projects;
·       promoting Christian dance/movement internationally.

COUNTRIES INVOLVED WITH ICDF

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International Christian Dance Fellowship Foundation · 46 Milner Cres · Wollstonecraft, NSW 2065 · Australia