The Dance Company Conservatory (TDCC) owned by Laurie Langolf and Jessica McPhail has been serving Port Huron, Michigan, and the surrounding area since 1983. We interviewed the educational Director Brandon Harneck for this article.
Brandon grew up dancing at The Dance Company Conservatory as a child before pursuing his BA in dance at Grand Valley State University. As an undergrad, he had the opportunity to perform the works of many guest artists such as Julie Blume, Autumn Eckman, Lauren Edson and Lizzie MacKenzie. While in Grand Rapids, Brandon also performed with Dance in the Annex, Momentum, Opera Grand Rapids, The Grand Rapids Symphony and the West Michigan Youth Ballet.
He later spent two years dancing professionally with Thodos Dance Chicago in Illinois where he had the privilege to tour and perform contemporary and historic works by notable choreographers such as Bob Fosse, Ann Reinking, Sybil Shearer, Lucas Crandall, Brian Enos, Kristina Isabelle and more.
In July, 2015, he returned to his home studio to teach full-time and to help provide new opportunities to dancers in the area. Brandon is a passionate educator and choreographer, having created many student and professional works throughout Illinois and Michigan. Brandon currently serves as the community outreach coordinator as well as a full-time dance instructor at The Dance Company Conservatory.
TDCC’s mission is to provide excellent dance education in a positive learning environment. In addition to year-round dance classes, they host master classes and intensives, as well as produce full-length ballets, all of which are open to young dancers in the community. Brandon and the studio owners constantly strive to provide their dancers the tools they need to succeed.
In Brandon’s opinion, their studio is different than others because, they emphasize to their students and parents the importance of developing strong dance technique to support their performance. They offer a number of non-recital ballet, pointe, jazz and acrobatics classes that give their students focused time to develop the muscles to support the skills they are trying to achieve. Other studios get caught up with the end result . . . the theatrics, the costumes, the make-up, the competition. At TDCC, they are focused on journey of growing as an artist.
As far as his proudest moment as a coach, Brandon believes nothing is better than the elusive “Ah-Ha!” moment where a student, after months of struggling, finally gets it. Brandon spends a lot of time talking about the pelvis and spine, which can often times go right over his ballet students heads. But there is always that moment, a pulled-up pirouette or a solid developpe, when the kid finally feels the correction.
The biggest mistake Brandon sees dancers make is when they don’t do their “homework.” When they walk out of class, the corrections he has given evaporate and the students revert to slouched texting posture. The students who excel are those who continue to think about their dances, their classes and their corrections. It is frustrating when you see a dancer come in week after week making the same mistake. That shows Brandon that they are not internalizing what is being said.
TDCC’s goal for this year is to raise the bar of expectations for the students. It is important to keep students motivated. They did this in a number of ways this year. In November, they hosted a movie night where they showed some classical, contemporary and commercial works that professionals in the real world are performing. In December, they brought in two guests for their winter intensive. Students had the opportunity to schedule private lessons and get one-on-one with teachers from a different work environment. Finally, in February they hosted a mid-year informal recital at the local college to give their students an additional performance opportunity.
In the upcoming months, they hope to keep students dancing year-round by jumping right into their summer production of Cinderella. Cinderella, a fairy tale in dance, will be coming to Port Huron Northern High School on August 5 at 7:00 p.m. and August 6 at 2:00 p.m. Produced by Bluewater Dance Theatre and choreographed and directed by Brandon Harneck, the ballet production and is open to all local dancers.
The Dance Company Conservatory has been a passionate Cinderella enthusiast over the years and is proud to carry on its legacy in 2016. As a dance school that has catered to the Port Huron area for over 35 years, The Dance Company Conservatory is dedicated to providing exceptional dance education in an affirmative learning atmosphere.
The first production of Cinderella premiered October, 2005 at McMorran Auditorium led by Donna Galbraith and the International Performing Arts Company. The ballet returned in 2006 and 2007. In 2013, a new rendition of Cinderella was choreographed by Pauline Schultz. Cinderella is a community effort that brings together students from various dance studios for the opportunity to perform in a full-length production of such a timeless, magical story line.
The 2016 Cinderella serves to offer the chance to be mentored, perform and grow to local dancers. TDCC’s intensive workshop offers a unique training experience where dancers will attend class, rehearse, and develop their artistry in a focused pre-professional environment while preparing for the performance. It is the hope of TDCC that this family friendly production will help to promote the art of concert dance in the Bluewater area. They open up opportunities to get involved by volunteering, sponsoring, performing or even just attending this production.
Brandon began his training at The Dance Company Conservatory in 2003. In 2012, Brandon graduated from Grand Valley State University with his Bachelor of Arts in Dance.
If you would like more information about The Dance Company Conservatory, visit their website at www.dancingporthuron.com, call them at (810) 364-3122 or email them at porthurondanceco@gmail.com. You can also “Like” them on Face book.
Please post a comment if you have had any experience with Brandon Harneck of The Dance Company Conservatory, Inc.
