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Published June 10, 2014 at 11:39 a.m.
If your kids like dance — in all its forms — you might want to consider signing them up for a camp taught by Karen Amirault. The Burlington-based dance teacher has led her own eponymous dance company for 30 years.
For the last 20 years, the group — which performs regularly at First Night Burlington, Kids Day and school assemblies — has included teenagers.
Amirault began teaching kids after a show at Georgia Elementary School in the early ’80’s, when the school principal encouraged her to apply to become am Artist-in-Residence through the Vermont Arts Council. Since then she’s been doing residencies in schools throughout the state. When she comes across talented teens she thinks will work well with her current company members, she invites them to try out for her group.
Through the years Amirault says she has seen a change in her students as young people have gotten more access to digital media. Being able to watch dance moves online — especially breakin’ and hip hop styles — fuels kids' interest and makes them more open to trying it themselves, she says.
Amirault's week-long camps give young performers ages 6-18 the opportunity to learn a variety of dance styles. They take place on the Memorial Auditorium stage in Burlington, so participants can really imagine what it feels like to be in front of an audience, Amirault says.
For the last 20 years, the group — which performs regularly at First Night Burlington, Kids Day and school assemblies — has included teenagers.
Amirault began teaching kids after a show at Georgia Elementary School in the early ’80’s, when the school principal encouraged her to apply to become am Artist-in-Residence through the Vermont Arts Council. Since then she’s been doing residencies in schools throughout the state. When she comes across talented teens she thinks will work well with her current company members, she invites them to try out for her group.
Through the years Amirault says she has seen a change in her students as young people have gotten more access to digital media. Being able to watch dance moves online — especially breakin’ and hip hop styles — fuels kids' interest and makes them more open to trying it themselves, she says.
Amirault's week-long camps give young performers ages 6-18 the opportunity to learn a variety of dance styles. They take place on the Memorial Auditorium stage in Burlington, so participants can really imagine what it feels like to be in front of an audience, Amirault says.
This article was originally published in Seven Days' monthly parenting magazine, Kids VT.
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About The Author
Alison Novak
Bio:
Alison is the former managing editor at Kids VT, Seven Days' parenting publication and writes about education for Seven Days.
Alison is the former managing editor at Kids VT, Seven Days' parenting publication and writes about education for Seven Days.
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