Community Arts Partner – The Creative Advantage

Participant Details

Individual Bio or Organizational Statement: Chris Daigre (that’s deGRAY) has developed a unique dance method combining African, Latin, jazz and modern dance techniques. His integrated approach cultivates strength, agility, balance and tremendous joy. Chris believes that knowing how to infuse movement with breath is a foundation for healthy, active living. He finds that elementary school is the perfect time to instill a willingness to try creative activities. He also loves working with middle and high schoolers, because dance helps teens discover who they are. Over twenty Seattle schools have hosted Chris Daigre’s dance residencies. Chris started dance in his mother’s renowned Ewajo Performing Arts studio, where he became Artistic Director. Later he worked with Pacific Northwest Ballet’s teaching program and collaborated on choreography with musical theater groups. After serving as resident dance teacher for The Bush School from 1998 to 2008, Daigre designed and launched month-long dance residencies for local public schools. These popular programs continue to evolve to meet the specific goals of each school. Through in-school and after school classes, Chris enjoys reaching students who have less exposure to the arts. Chris Daigre was recently awarded a fellowship by the Jubilation Foundation, a national group that supports “individuals with an exceptional talent for helping young people feel fully alive through rhythm.”

Teaching Philosophy + Approach: danceDaigre instructor Chris Daigre works to create an environment where students feel good about themselves so they feel inspired to learn. Explanation is minimized, movement is maximized. The classes build a movement vocabulary that can be modified, combined and expanded to create new routines. Students learn to incorporate breath to maximize movement, stretch and flexibility. They use breath to reset and steady themselves, a skill useful outside of class too. Powerful, clean and diverse music is also integral to his classes. Students learn to articulate the beat internally, marking the rhythm through isolations of the shoulder, hip and rib cage.

Special Skills and Areas of Expertise: Chris Daigre has taught a class for people who are blind and DeafBlind at Seattle's Lighthouse for the Blind for several years. Teaching these students is fascinating because they may use vibrations to feel the movements and the instructor needs to be very tactile in guiding them. It's great to watch their range of motion grow with their confidence and movement vocabulary. Chris has also worked with developmentally disabled students. He finds that all students are able to grow in their awareness of their own body and the rhythm of the music.

Testimonials from Schools: Jeannie Bastasch - P.E. teacher at Greenwood Elementary.
jdbastasch@seattleschools.org wk: 252-1427

Kristin McInaney - Experiential Coordinator at The Bush School.

kristin.mcinaney@bush.edu wk: 322-7978