The 7-Day Dance Festival (7DDF) is a creative opportunity for dancers ages 18+ of all styles and levels of experience. Participants can register as an individual or part of a group to create a new piece of dance in just one week! Each year, the new dance works premiere in a culminating showcase that is open to the public.

CLASS SERIES SCHEDULE

Hip Hop/GROOV3 (all levels)

Opus Performing Arts 

Date/Time: August 26 from 12:00-1:00 PM

Instructor: Christine Engelfried

Description: GROOV3 is a one hour, high-energy, dance-til-you-drop cardio funk class with a mission to inspire change and build communities through the power of dance. Simple combinations accommodate all fitness levels, featuring one non-stop DJ set.

Bio: Christine Engelfried began her love of dance at the age of 3. Graduating from Loyola Marymount University with a double major in dance and communication studies, her love of movement continues to inform her life through teaching, performing and processing life and the human experience. Christine enjoys creating a welcoming, supportive atmosphere for all participants; holding space for people to connect to their body, breath and mind and cultivate an inner sense of play, where they can dance, sweat & LIVE. She is a graduate of the summer dance program at the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU, a certified GROOV3 instructor, and is a founding guide for KINRGY, a wellness platform created by Emmy® award winning dancer and artist Julianne Hough to transform your body, mind and energy through innovative dance cardio, fitness and meditation classes. As a recent transplant from Los Angeles to Bellingham she is honored and excited to share in the magic of the 7-Day Dance Festival and this beautiful community.

Pricing: $10-25 drop-in

$20 class pass available to 7DDF participants only

Heels (all levels)

 O-Pole Studios 

Date/Time: August 26 from 6:00-7:00 PM

Instructor: Paige Pimmel

Description: Strap on those heels! Feel your full sexy power! This 60-minute class is going to be sweaty, empowering, and fun! Wear anything that makes you feel comfortable. We will be getting down on the floor, so knee pads might be useful. As for the heels, if you don't have a pair, no worries-just bring your lovely self! Any height of heels work – know your limits.

Bio: Paige is originally from Denver, Colorado. She has been dancing since she was 9, and moved to Bellingham in 2018 to graduate with a BFA in Dance and a Minor in Psychology at Western Washington University in 2022. Paige enjoys exploring the different textures of the natural world around her through movement studies, investigating the textures of mold, fungi, barnacles, eroded rocks, etc. This is her second year with BRD! Paige also performs in drag at Rumors Cabaret in Bellingham under the drag alias, Mold!

Pricing: $10-25 drop-in

$20 class pass available to 7DDF participants only

Contemporary (advanced)

Firehouse Arts and Events Center  

Date/Time: August 27 from 12:00-1:30 PM

Instructor: Diane Williams

Description: A thorough but efficient warmup will leave you feeling activated, grounded and ready to boogie! We’ll work on skill building and a longer phrase, with space and encouragement for personal expression, making choices and exploring musicality. We’ll be doing a bit of floor work as well, so socks and long pants are worth considering. This class is recommended for dancers with at least 5 years of experience in contemporary dance, or related movement forms (e.g. contemporary jazz, lyrical, ballet, classical modern).

Bio: Diane Williams is a movement and visual artist who has been performing, choreographing and teaching for nearly 20 years. She studied Dance at the University of Washington and on scholarship at Western Washington University. She has taught and choreographed for WWU, Whatcom Community College, Pacific Danceworks, Northwest Ballet School, Bellingham Repertory Dance (BRD), and currently at Opus Performing Arts. Diane was a co-founder of BRD in 2006, and danced with the company for twelve years.

Pricing: $10-25 drop-in

$20 class pass available to 7DDF participants only

Line Dance Party (all levels) 

Firehouse Arts and Events 

Date/Time: August 28 from 5:30-7:30 PM

Instructor: Pam Kuntz

Description: Join us for a line dance party with Pam Kuntz! This class will start at the beginner level and move into a more intermediate/advanced level by the end of the 2 hours, depending on attendees. We will move our way through some classic country line dances and some lesser known dances. We may sing and woop along the way, and we will definitely have a good time! All are welcome — no prior dance experience necessary. Drinks will be available for purchase in the Firehouse cafe, and attendees can come and go as they please.

Bio:  Pam Kuntz is an educator, dancer and choreographer living and working in Bellingham, WA. She has been a member of the dance faculty at Western Washington University since 1999, was a founding member of Bellingham Repertory Dance, and is the founder and Artistic Director of Kuntz and Company. She loves line dancing perhaps most of all and can’t wait for this class. So Git Up, grab your Fake ID, and put on your favorite Tush Pushin’ jeans and come to class! (No ID needed - that was a joke. If you don’t understand it then you have to come to class and you will!)

Pricing: pay what you can ($10-25 suggested)

Yoga (all levels) 

Opus Performing Arts  

Date/Time: August 29 from 10:00-11:15 AM

Instructor: Christine Engelfried

Description: Experience a well-rounded practice with mindful movement, stretch and breath to help you release tension, restore energy, and help you feel ready to return to your day. (Note: Students should bring their own mat for the class.)

Bio: Christine Engelfried began her love of movement at the age of 3. She graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a double major in dance and communication studies.  It was in her teaching and performing that she found yoga as a place to practice mindfulness & injury prevention. Christine enjoys creating space for students to connect to their body, breath and mind; to be able to pay attention to that which is always there - breath, thoughts, sensations, to experience their innate wholeness, ease and sense of well-being. She is certified at the 500-hour level with YogaWorks, a Restorative Yoga Teacher, Reiki Master and an Urban Zen Integrative Therapist completing clinical hours with UCLA patients, and is a founding guide for KINRGY, a wellness platform created by Emmy® award winning dancer and artist Julianne Hough to transform your body, mind and energy through innovative dance cardio, fitness and meditation classes. As a recent transplant from Los Angeles to Bellingham she is honored and excited to share in the magic of the 7-Day Dance Festival and this beautiful community.

Pricing: $10-25 drop-in

$20 class pass available to 7DDF participants only

Pilates (all levels) 

Opus Performing Arts (map)

Date/Time: August 30 from 6:00-7:00 PM

Instructor: Tatyana Stahler

Description: Join Tatyana for Pilates fundamentals that emphasize spinal mobility, core strength, and balance in a relaxing and welcoming environment. Incorporating breath work as a foundation to movement, this class will focus on stability and mobility while providing options for all levels of movers. (Note: Students should bring their own mat for the class.)

Bio: Tatyana Stahler is a mover, educator, dancer, and artist originally from central Washington, now a proud Bellingham community member. She is a graduate of WWU with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, with a focus in Health and Fitness Specialization. Tatyana also holds her Master of Education, Adult and Higher Ed which allowed her to dive deeper into education and wellness practices. Heading into her ninth season with BRD, Tatyana is honored to continue her time dancing and moving with the company. Throughout her time in BRD, Tatyana has appreciated working with amazing choreographers and dancing alongside many talented movers.

Pricing: $10-25 drop-in

$20 class pass available to 7DDF participants only

Ballet (intermediate) 

Opus Performing Arts 

Date/Time: August 31 from 10:00-11:30 AM

Instructor: Celeste Hartsook

Description: An intermediate, classical ballet class geared toward dancers with 3+ years of ballet or other classical dance forms. Expect a traditional ballet barre and center. 

Bio: Celeste Hartsook began dancing early on, but detoured and returned to ballet at 11, receiving her primary training with Ballet Arts Academy in Spokane, WA under Dodie Askegard, Sarah Donnaly, and Peggy Goodner-Tan. Throughout high school, she performed with the school's regional youth ballet company, dancing works choreographed by the Ballet Arts faculty as well as special guest choreographer, Charles Askegard (New York City Ballet). Her training was inspired and expanded by experiences attending summer programs with Summer Dance Lab, American Ballet Theater, and Paul Taylor Dance Company. Celeste continued dancing at Western Washington University as she earned her Sociology degree, including participation in a residency with the Martha Graham Dance Company. Celeste performed with Bellingham Repertory Dance (BRD) from 2017-2019, and currently teaches at Opus Performing Arts.

Pricing: $10-25 drop-in

$20 class pass available to 7DDF participants only

Contemporary Jazz (intermediate) 

Opus Performing Arts  

Date/Time: August 31 from 5:30-7:00 PM

Instructor: Erin Keeney

Description: Let loose and dance to footloose! Jazz technique progressions, grounded contemporary movement, and a whole lot of fun is what you’re going to get out of this class. Let’s DANCE!!!!

Bio: Erin began dancing in Vermont, where she grew up, experimenting in the styles of ballet, jazz, tap, musical theater, hip hop and contemporary. She has earned her BFA in Dance from Western Washington University with a minor in Arts Enterprise and Cultural Innovation with the hopes of creating a life-long career in the dance industry. She creates works inspired by characters or archetypes, stories and powerful music. Erin looks forward to her time dancing, creating, and expanding relationships in the collaborative dance community of Bellingham.

Pricing: $10-25 drop-in

$20 class pass available to 7DDF participants only

Groovy Warm Up (all levels) 

Opus Performing Arts  

Date/Time: September 2 from 12:00-1:30 PM

Instructor: Juliette Machado

Description: Join us for a groovy, pre-show warm up! This class will include follow-along sequences and improv prompts to help you feel embodied, warm, and ready to perform. Based in contemporary dance forms, we will get low and into the floor, as well as up and out to feel our edges.

Bio: Juliette is a dancer, multi-media artist, and nonprofit leader. Her short films have been selected to screen at festivals throughout the United States, as well as internationally in Vancouver, Scotland, and Portugal. Juliette earned her BFA in Dance from Western Washington University and received the Outstanding Graduate Award in 2014. She has trained in ballet and contemporary dance techniques. She is adjunct faculty for Whatcom Community College’s dance program, and Executive Director for Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth (BAAY).

Pricing: $10-25 drop-in

$20 class pass available to 7DDF participants only

Performances: September 2 at 5:00 & 7:30 PM at New Prospect Theatre 

TICKETS; $8.00-$15.00

7DDF SHOW TICKETS

Date:  August 25, 2023- September 2, 2023

Location: Opus / New Prospect Theatre

207 Prospect StreetBellingham, WA, 98225

Click here for more information