Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Epsilon Kappa Omega Chapter, and Black Arts MKE present ‘I AM. Master Class Dance Camp’
Staff Photo
On June 24, 2022, nine Milwaukee-area students completed the I AM. Master Class Dance Camp and received Certificates of Achievement. The dance camp was a 5-day immersive dance experience for middle and high school students interested in careers in dance. I AM. Master Class gave local youth exposure to instructor James Gilmer, an accomplished black artist with the internationally acclaimed African American dance company –The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Students attended classes from 9:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m. each day. The classes included rigorous warm-up exercises, in-depth training in various dance techniques, and the study of choreography from “Revelations,” the iconic dance created by Alvin Ailey. “Revelations” is currently featured in nearly all of the performances of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
On the final day of the dance camp, the students performed an excerpt from “Revelations” for family, friends and members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., in Studio 4A at the Marcus Performing Arts Center. James Gilmer also performed a solo dance to “Cucurrucucu Paloma” by Caetano Veloso.
The I AM. Master Class Dance Camp was a collaborative project between Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Epsilon Kappa Omega Chapter, and Black Arts MKE.
Pictured are (top row, from left) AKA members Barbara Wanzo, Cherise Easley, Jemina Johnson, Monique Meese, Elaine Walker, Philip Blank, Jill Gilmer, Jamisha Matos, Ramona Dicks-Williams, Cathy Wanzo, Ashley Jordan, Jenelle Elder- Green, Rebecca Owen, (bottom row, from left) Chianna Wyse, Josie Nygard, Brooklyn Easley, Alannah Meese, James Gilmer, Samira Aden, Christina Wyse, Alaya Browning-Wright, Morgan Coleman-Rainey, and Fairen Bennett.
