Partnering and Improvisation with Braeden Barnes
Location: The Ruth Page Center for the Arts | 1016 North Dearborn St. Chicago, IL 60610
Partnering and Improvisation class is a key focus, fostering connection and collaboration between dancers. The class also explores the relationship between body awareness, fluidity, and expression, helping dancers connect with both their own movement and their partners.
Braeden Barnes, a native from Chicago, Illinois, received his training from Faubourg Ballet and San Francisco Ballet school. Braeden was then accepted into the Joffrey Ballet training program under the directors Alexei Kremnev and Anna Reznik. He has worked professionally with Balletmet, Joffrey Ballet Chicago, Ron de Jesus Dance, Billy Elliot the Musical, Cocodaco Dance Project, C5, Nevada Ballet Theatre and Visceral Dance Chicago. Braeden has performed both nationally and internationally. He has worked with choreographers such as James Canfield, Paul Vasterling, Danielle Agami, Kevin O’Day, Mónica Cervantes, Marguerite Donlon, Matthew Neenan, Lucas Crandall, Nick Pupillo, and Yoshito Sakuraba.
Braeden is an award-winning choreographer. His choreography has been featured in such cities as Chicago, Las Vegas, New York City, and Atlanta. Among these places, his work has won the first place audience choice award at REVERBDance Festival in New York, as well as first place for best choreography at YAGP. He has choreographed on various companies such as Nevada Ballet Theatre, Cirque Du Soleil, Visceral Dance Chicago, Peoria Ballet, Waterstreet Dance Milwaukee, A&A Ballet, Common Conservatory, Indiana University Contemporary Department and for New Dances: a collaboration between Danceworks and Thodos Dance Chicago.
In 2020, he started his own nonprofit company, Symbiosis Arts, which is based in Chicago. Symbiosis has produced full evening shows in Chicago and Denver and has commissioned choreographers such as Anna Long, Francisco Aviva, Shannan Alvis, Jason Parsons, and Noelle Kayser. For more information, visit symbiosisarts.org.
Join us at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts for Open Technique Classes with the Ruth Page Professional Dance Training Program*, on Fridays at 9:30 am. The class will feature rotating guest artists and Ruth Page School of Dance faculty. Method and technique will vary by teacher.
*Ruth Page Professional Dance Training Program (PDTP) serves as a bridge between studio training and a professional dance career. Dancers train and rehearse daily 9 am - 4 pm, from August – June at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts focusing on refining ballet and contemporary technique in an international environment of performers, educators, and mentors. PDTP is designed for dancers between the ages of 17-25 who have completed high school and are preparing for a professional career. Trainees receive individualized coaching from accomplished faculty and curated international guest choreographers. The Ruth Page Professional Dance Training Program also offers international travel* (when available), limited need-based scholarships, and affordable housing. For further information reach out to the Artistic Associate, Maray Gutierrez at pdtp@ruthpage.org
