Posted: Mar 12, 2010 at 12:09 PM [Mar 12, 2010]
Everyone from Detroit to Los Angeles is talking about Gina Danene Thompson, leading dance teacher from Ann Arbor, MI. Gina renders quotes from students and critics alike that follow like an inspirational speech, “She shows you how to find the music in your soul and takes you to that place inside of you that we all wish we have; yet, never realized we really did have until she showed it to us. She takes you to another world – and, she even trains Olympians.”
Gina, a Michigan native, moved to California at age 26, to pursue a career in dance. However, it all began when she was four years old, dancing in her mother’s creative movement classes, and, it’s led her to creating Michigan’s leading dance company, PURe (Project Universal Reflection) Dance Ensemble.
“We all have a defining moment, where we decide which road we’re taking – dancing was always my road, my moment was through the dying words of a friend,” says Gina. “Years of training to help define my raw inner talent, music school in San Francisco, teaching at top studios in California, dancing professionally in venues across the country, competing and teaching students who competed across the country, all of it honed my skills. Now, I’m showing my students – all ages, sizes, and types – what it means to really connect with the music, and let your body express itself through dance.”
Aside from her own dance company, Gina trains students through U of M, Ann Arbor’s Recreation and Education programs, and trains the award-winning Ann Arbor Hockettes. She is a choreographer, teacher, and mentor for her students.
“Other dance companies measure you up and down, literally – they need to know whether you’re going to fit into their corps,” says Gina. “For me, it’s typical to have students who don’t fit the traditional dancer type – yet, have passion and talent. These students can move their body to the dance better than some of the best trained dancers I’ve seen – so I put them in my dance company. How do you deny them when they have this athletic and dance potential? I don’t do auditions, I watch the students in my classes, get to know their talents, their character, then I invite them into my company.”
Dancing in Michigan – hip hop, jazz, modern, and many other styles – and the training given by a leading dance teacher right in our backyard; who knew?
More About Gina Danene Thompson: Gina received her dance certificate from San Francisco City College. Her techniques include Graham, Horton based Modern, and Afro Haitian. She also teaches classical ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, and street funk. She has been the Artistic Director of Project Universal Reflection (PURe) Dance ensemble since 2002. In addition to her work as a choreographer and dance teacher, Gina is an exercise instructor for Pilates, yoga, and dance. Gina has directed the Dance Showcase for Ann Arbor’s Recreation & Education Department since Fall of 2007, and will be directing this year’s show on March 25. Gina can be reached at: ginadanene@hotmail.com or 415.994.4244.
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