Six-week students at the ADF take 3 two-hour classes a day, four days a week; two of these classes can be technique and the third a composition or repertory class. Students audition for the repertory classes with ADF faculty the first weekend they arrive, and work intensely for the next six weeks in creating a new work with the faculty or in learning past repertory. In this video you will catch a glimpse of Ming Lung Yang and Ursula Payne’s repertory showings.

One quintessential element of ADF are hand-painted and brightly colored school buses. With the exception of an occasional break-down, these buses, affectionately named “Tank” and “Gentle Beauty”, take students to and from classes and dance performances. CyberDance rode the bus to learn about scholarship students’ favorite aspects of the festival. Since ADF would not thrive without the generous donations of patrons and businesses, the students say a huge “thanks.”

Now in it’s sixth year, the 60-credit MFA offers students an opportunity to immerse themselves for six weeks in the legendary international community of the ADF, followed by an intimate learning atmosphere at Hollins University in Roanoke, VA. Few graduate programs can provide students with a wide range of experiences, opportunities, and imaginative approaches to thinking about dance. CyberDance was able to capture an MFA showing earlier this summer. Be sure to catch the last two MFA performances of the summer at the Reynolds Industries Theater, July 23-24.

The Four Week School immerses students in an intergenerational and international community of dance, providing a fun yet intensive program of study designed to meet the needs of mature students ages 12 to 16. Students take three classes a day, four days a week, and participate in special workshops and classes offered by guest artists on Wednesdays and weekends.

In 1997, Ghanian choreographer and dancer Oh! Nii Sowah participated in the ADF’s International Choreographers Residency. Since then he has helped numerous students from Ghana attend the Festival. As chair of the Dept of Dance at the University of Ghana in Accra, he shared with CyberDance both his stories and wisdom.

In an effort to make the performing arts accessible to as many groups as possible, ADF developed Experience Dance – ADF’s complimentary ticket program. Through Experience Dance, the ADF distributes complimentary performance tickets to organizations that work with individuals, families, youth and seniors in need and who otherwise could not attend performances. Interested nonprofit organizations, as well as businesses and individuals who would like to help fund the Experience Dance program, are encouraged to contact Sarah Tondu, at (919) 684-6402 for more information.

Just over 30 years ago the American Dance Festival came to Durham, North Carolina. Not long behind came faculty members Natalie Gilbert, John Hanks, Gerri Houlihan, and Khalid Saleem. Summer after summer these faculty members have come to the ADF to partake in a cultural exchange that goes beyond the mere sharing of ideas. Teachers become mentors, and students expand their horizons. For their dedication to their art form and teaching for over 25 years, the ADF would like to thank and honor these four faculty members.