New College of Florida

Kathleen Candales is the Artistic Director and Founder of Higher Ground Performing Arts Studio and Performing Company. At her studio, the art of dance, music and theater are instilled in both children and adults alike. She is a certified Florida Public School Teacher with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Dance Education from Florida International University.  Kathleen has studied hip-hop, jazz, ballet, modern dance, flamenco, African and Caribbean dance, salsa, belly dance and choreography.  Besides her extensive experience as a dance teacher, Kathleen, a mother of two, is a professional dancer, choreographer, actress and vocalist.  Some highlights in her career include special appearances in such films and music videos as “The Crew,” “Random Hearts” with Harrison Ford, and “Music of the Heart” with Gloria Estefan and ‘N Sync. She has also graced the stage in such theatre productions as “Mame,” “The Fantastiks” and “Sweet Charity.” This is her second season as a Sarasota Contemporary Dance Teaching Artist.

Natasha Barrera is a professional dancer and performer. Most prominently trained as an internationally ranked ballroom competitor. She has traveled the world to train with the best educators in the field of ballroom dance and to compete at an International Level. Natasha was born and raised in Florida. She was raised by a very prominent ballroom dance family and was exposed to many forms of dance and performance at an early age. Her training consists of ballet, musical theater, jazz and Pilates.  Traveling the world, has exposed her to different Latin styles such as the different varieties of salsa, swing, bachata, tango, hustle, merengue, kizomba, and zouk! Natasha has a passion for sharing her craft with students of all ages and abilities. She is fluent in English, Italian and Spanish.

A multi-generational National Water Dance performance including dance participants from around the world and our very own New College of Florida students in addition to dancers from both Sarasota Contemporary Dance and Sarasota Contemporary Dance Ensemble, a students training dance company for aspiring dancers. This performance is inspired by NWD's call for accountability of our environment.

WE ARE STILL DANCING! Wherever you are on April 18 at 4:00PM EST, alone or self-quarantining with a small group in an open space, we will begin with the shared gesture and end with the shared gesture and your personal movement will fill the middle. We are fortunate to living in the digital age - as we are asked to observe "physical distancing," we are able to close that distance by linking together through social media. This challenge is forcing us to re-evaluate what we are doing and how we are doing it. Let's find that deeper meaning in our dance, whether in a group or alone. We can dance wherever we are and live stream it on Instagram and Facebook. More than ever the world needs our hope and energy. Let's move forward together and flood the social media networks with our dances.

Following a co-taught course in Spring 2019, entitled “Dance, Brain, & Parkinson”, Dance Professor Leymis Bolaños Wilmott and Psychology Professor Peter Cook will host, in collaboration with Parkinson Place, the second annual Dance for Parkinson workshop and conversation that is open to the public. This year we will include New College of Florida student’s findings from their observations and research with participants from the Parkinson Place, as well as last years popular meet & greet overlooking the bay and wood-panel music room with high, fresco-timbered ceilings, burnished wood floor in the elegant early 20th century College Hall, former home of the circus magnate Charles Ringling. Funded by the Mellon Grant and New College. Free and open to the community!

*No prior dance experience necessary

A collaboration between New College, Sarasota Contemporary Dance, and NOW Ensemble. This class welcomes observers as well as movers to join in and experience the beauty and strength of Xiao-Xuan Yang Dancigers. Come dance with us on the New College of Florida beautiful bay front in the elegant early 20th-century College Hall, former home of circus magnate Charles Ringling.

*No prior dance experience necessary

Join NOW Ensemble Artistic Director, composer, and electric guitarist Mark Dancigers on an exploration of ideas about music and dance. Dancigers will use concepts and techniques from his collaboration with Sarasota Contemporary Dance "Dreamfall", and a new world premiere work, to create a participatory and informative audience experience. No musical expertise is required to attend - bring your curiosity about creating music for dance and your open ears!

*Sarasota Contemporary Dance company members will also be in attendance to move and respond to the music created by the community.

*No prior music or dance experience necessary

In the Koski Plaza, Cook Library (New College of Florida)

Come join us for this morning workshop to practice Afro-Cuban dance rhythms, experience Cuban poetry as performed by Leymis Bolaño-Wilmott and the Sarasota Contemporary Dance Company, learn about Cuban-American culture through Ybor City history, and have fun with traditional Cuban stories told with puppets! Free and open to the public.

College Hall Music Room (located at NCF’s Bayfront Campus)

Exploring Urban Styles and techniques in a class setting with a compositional twist, led by choreographer and dancer Kris Powell, also known as Tetris. Kris started his training at Booker High school and received a scholarship to attend the New World School of the Arts in Miami, Florida. Discover Dance is a free event and open to the public. Participants, Observers, Everyone welcome!

College Hall Music Room (located at NCF’s Bayfront Campus)

College Hall Music Room, NCF Bayfront campus

Participants will be encouraged to create on impulse, by responding to music, visual stimulation, and pure kinetic activation.  This “crash course” will provide students with a take home “check list” of basic choreography tools for art making. Director of Sarasota Contemporary Dance and Adjunct Professor of Dance at NCF, Leymis Bolaños-Wilmott will lead the class. Discover Dance is a free event and open to the public.