According to Rachel Holmes, the School Director, Dancers’ Workshop in Jackson, Wyoming, is a place for creativity and exploration. This is seen in what companies they present, the productions they create for the school and for their professional contemporary company, the classes that they teach in their studios and the many classrooms throughout the state of Wyoming. Their students think of Dancers’ Workshop as a second home, a place where they feel comfortable and confident to be themselves.
Their studio is different first of all because of their resources. There is huge support from their community for their organization, and Dancers’ Workshop is able to help families that cannot afford to send their children to dance classes. They have a wide range of classes that they offer to their youth and adult students, and teachers with varied backgrounds. According to Rachel, every company and guest artist that they bring to Jackson works with their students in some capacity whether that is teaching a master class, setting choreography, or giving a lecture.
Rachel loves working one on one with a student and watching how they grow, or introducing something new to students to see their faces light up and aggressively practice. She taught a variations camp this last summer, and it was great to see the dancers watch a professional perform a variation, learn the steps and then make it their own. Students always do better when they have something to work towards.
She believes that dancers do not always take full advantage of the resources that are available to them, and that includes their teachers and directors. Students should not be afraid to ask for help or guidance. According to Rachel, that is why teachers exist, to help students reach their fullest potential and succeed.
Her goals for the school are similar from year to year – to make sure their students receive comprehensive training that prepares them not only for dance but the world, to make sure their teachers have the tools they need to teach, to present guest artists that challenge their staff and students, and to always expand their outreach and what is possible for Dancers’ Workshop as an organization.
Dancers’ Workshop was formed in 1971 in a log cabin in Wilson, Wyoming, as a grass roots gathering place for dance. Their mission is to enrich lives by offering 
excellence and diversity in dance experiences through education, performance, and outreach for students and audiences of all ages.
Dancers’ Workshop is home to Contemporary Dance, Wyoming – the only contemporary dance company in the entire state of Wyoming! It currently has six female members with a woman, Babs Case, as Artistic Director. Contemporary Dance, Wyoming’s repertoire combines contemporary modern dance styles with visual arts, video, and poetry, often working collaboratively with artists of all disciplines from around the country.
Adult Programs
Dancers’ Workshop has several programs at their studio. One of those programs is their Adult Program. Dancers’ Workshop is committed to offering a wide array of fitness and dance classes to adults through offerings such as Salsa, Pilates, Booty Barre, Melt, Zumba, and more. The Adult Program strives to meet the needs of busy adults by offering ongoing classes as well as limited-duration workshops.
At Dancers’ Workshop they offer a dynamic, integrative approach to the art of teaching and practicing Pilates. Their attentive and experienced instructors are trained to provide a workout that encompasses strength and agility to assist clients in achieving their fitness goals. They strive to promote a friendly, open atmosphere for beginning to advanced students. All pilates equipment is proudly purchased through Balanced Body with instructors certified in Balanced Body as well.
The studio offers one-on-one customized workout with your own certified Pilates trainer using various apparatus: Reformer, Trapeze Table, Chairs, Barrels, small balls & fitness circles. Sessions are designed to meet your specific needs, whether it be rehabilitating an injury or building up your personal fitness level. They also offer duet classes which are classes set up for two students or Trio or Quad classes which are for two or three students at a time. Group Reformer Workshops are small group equipment classes integrating strength training, core-stabilization and stretching done on the Allegro 2 Reformers. This is a fun and motivating group workout! Lastly are the Pilates Mat classes which focus on the principals of Pilates: concentration, control, stability, precision, flow and breath.
In addition to the range of Pilates classes, Dancers’ Workshop is presently offering a variety of classes from Modern Dance, Eastern and Western Swing, MELT with Stacy Fisher, Belly Dancing and Break Dancing Workshops.
Dancers’ Workshop offers a Tango Workshop where adults can learn and refine the steps of Tango, how to lead and be lead. They invite their adult students to join them for a Milonga – an event where tango is danced – and to enjoy a full weekend of smooth, romantic, elegant tango style learning the solid connection to make their Tango Practice outstanding! It is an event not to be missed!
Kinder/Youth Program
The curriculum offers classes throughout the year for ages 1 1/2 through 18. Students are placed in classes appropriate for their age group and level. Enrollment is based on two 16-week Semesters during the school year and one Summer Session, during which students have the opportunity to perform in both Winter and Spring annual concerts.
Kinder Classes include a variety of classes for students ages 2-7 Including: Mommy and Me, Kinder Steps, Kinder Tech, Intro to Tech I and Intro to Tech II
Youth Classes include a variety of classes for students ages 8-18 Including: Ballet, Hip Hop, Modern, Tap and Jazz. It also includes Junior Repertory Company (JRC) for 9th-12th graders
Dancers’ Workshop’s Junior Repertory Company
The Dancers’ Workshop’s Junior Repertory Company (JRC) is comprised of 30 of the community’s most committed middle and high school dancers, JRC members devote their afternoons and weekends to rigorously studying ballet, modern, jazz, composition, and theater, as well as rehearsing and preparing for at least three major productions per year.
Dancers’ Workshop values a community of dancers dedicated to enhancing the creative experience of each and every student, parent, teacher, and administrator. They ask that you join them in nurturing a positive experience each and every time you enter Dancers’ Workshop. Dancers’ Workshop is their house of dance. Dancers’ Workshop is your house of dance.
If you would like more information about Dancers’ Workshop, visit their website at http://dwjh.org, call them at 307-733-6398 or email them at info@dwjh.org. You can also “Like” them on Facebook.
Please post a comment if you have had any experience with Rachel Holmes of Dancers’ Workshop.
Written By Cyndi Marziani
Owner
BDancewear.com
