Chilean Choreographer, Dancer, and Musician Ivan Korn to Teach at Marblehead School of Ballet Summer Intensive Dance 2016

Multi-talented performer Ivan Korn returns to the Marblehead School of Ballet (MSB) to teach modern dance and choreograph new pieces that will be presented in the Summer Intensive Dance 2016 from July to August at this cultural epicenter in Marblehead, Massachusetts. Originally from Chile, Korn holds a M.F.A in choreography from the Boston Conservatory and has been involved in the Boston dance community since 1998.

Throughout MSB's programs, quality education and individual attention are stressed for all students. The dancers in the Summer Intensive Dance 2016 will learn about dance, music, culture and art, while enjoying their time in Korn's classes.

"I want the dance students to acquire an awareness of musicality. They learn how a particular piece of music informs the dancer about specific counts, accents, tempo, downbeats and upbeats, swing or straight eight notes, and gravity or lightness, as well as translate these musical qualities into dancing bodies. The students have fun dancing and at the same time, they grasp these concepts to further their musical awareness if they want to follow a professional path," Korn explained.

For 13 years, he has been a modern dance teacher and choreographer at the MSB. During his tenure at the MSB, Korn created several pieces that introduced and motivated the students to examine different aspects of concert dance. "Sometimes they explored the raw physicality of the movement or the dramatic tension and release. Other times, the dancers were introduced to extensive detail in a particular musical score," he said.

Off the dance floor, Korn is also an accomplished musician, playing several instruments professionally, including piano, Hammond organ, Rhodes piano, electric and acoustic guitar, and electric bass. He has digested a range of musical styles and traditions from Johan Sebastian Bach to Jimi Hendrix. Throughout his career, he has created simultaneously compositions and choreographed work for performance art pieces.

"Ivan Korn exemplifies the high level training the Marblehead School of Ballet's staff have acquired that is taught to students attending the summer intensive. He is a well-rounded artist -- a professionally trained musician versatile on several instruments, a choreographer and a dancer. His choreography reflects a deep understanding and passion of music and movement," said Paula K. Shiff, said Director Paula K. Shiff, recipient of Salem State University's 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award in the Arts.

MSB is accepting applications for its Summer Intensive Dance 2016 programs for dancers ages 11 and over from July 18 to August 6 and children ages 8 to 12 from August 8 to August 12. International students, ages 15 and above with intermediate level dance training, are invited to apply. Summer Intensive Dance 2016 programs will be held at 115 Pleasant Street in Marblehead, Massachusetts. The summer intensive is sponsored in part by The Ruth N. Shiff Memorial Fund and provides support for the guest teachers and the performance.

For further information about Summer Dance Intensive 2016 and the Marblehead School of Ballet, visit http://www.havetodance.com/marblehead/schedule.html. To register for the program, call the school at 781-631-6262 or send an e-mail to msb@havetodance.com.

Celebrating its 44th year, the Marblehead School of Ballet, founded in 1971 by Paula K. Shiff, has earned a wide reputation for the excellence of its training and integrity of purpose. Classical ballet forms the core of teaching with particular emphasis on correct alignment and development of strength and agility. The sheer pleasure of dance and of music is always central to the classroom experience.

The basic graded program for children includes classes in ballet technique with advanced work in repertoire and pointe. The school also offers a modern dance department, classes for young children in creative movement and classes in improvisation and technique for the older student. A full range of adult classes is offered.

MSB is home to the North Shore Civic Ballet Company (NSCBC). The NSCB gives concert performances and a variety of educational programs for schools; all are suitable for different age groups and levels of development.

For further information, call 781-631-6262, send an e-mail to msb@havetodance.com or visit www.havetodance.com/marblehead. Follow MSB on Facebook, http://on.fb.me/1wh3fnp, and Twitter @LuhrsAssocPress.

Photo Credit: Peter A. Smith