DanceAbility International conducts dance workshops at the CCP

Alito Alessi and Karen Daly

May 14-18, 2013

Bulwagang Amado Hernandez

CCP Complex

Pasay, Metro Manila

The US Embassy Manila Public Affairs Department and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, through its Cultural Exchange Department bring two dance artists from DanceAbility International to Manila to conduct a workshop this May 14-18, 2013 at the CCP’s Bulwagang Amado Hernandez. DanceAbility International is an organization based in Eugene, Oregon in the USA that seeks to bring people with and without disabilities together through dance.

Coming to Manila are Alito Alessi, Artistic Director and founder of DanceAbility International, and Karen Daly, a DanceAbility teacher, cancer survivor, and wheelchair user. The two will share in the workshop the DanceAbility method as they interact with local dancers, artists and teachers, both with and without disabilities.

On May 14, a one day workshop will be held for students/young artists. Following the workshop will be the four day orientation for teachers/choreographers/dancers happening on May 15-18 at the CCP. The US Embassy Manila Public Affairs Department and the CCP’s Cultural Exchange Department will be bringing in selected regional participants from various local organizations and communities to participate in the five day workshop/orientation.

According to the press release, Alessi and Daly feel honored to have been chosen to represent the United States in sharing the cutting edge of dance and the celebration of diversity. They are the first participants in the Arts Envoy program to hail from a “mixed-abilities” dance company (integrating dancers with and without disabilities.) They will be teaching various dance workshops, organized by the U.S. Embassy. Some of the workshops will be professional teacher trainings, so that local dance educators will be equipped with the skills needed to lead groups that integrate both people with and without disabilities.

The two are also looking forward to promoting cross-cultural artistic collaboration. “The DanceAbility method has arisen from people on several continents,” said Alessi. “I’m excited to both take this information to three new countries and add more wisdom of more cultures to the DanceAbility method.”

DanceAbility International is a nonprofit organization based in Eugene, Oregon. It celebrates the beauty of diversity, by bringing people together, with and without disabilities, through dance. It conducts performances, educational programs, teacher trainings and workshops, worldwide. In its 25 years of activity, it has reached more than a million people in 37 countries. Over 400 people in 25 countries are Certified DanceAbility Teachers. Alessi is a Guggenheim Fellow, Ashoka Fellow, and Fulbright Senior Fellow.

For inquiries:

CCP Cultural Exchange Department 832-1125 local 1708-1709