SHANA SIMMONS DANCE
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WE BELIEVE
DANCE BUILDS CONFIDENCE

SSD ONLINE STUDIO IS HERE!
Limited Foundation Member Pricing Available...Subscribe today to lock in your rate!

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SSD is pleased to announce a Patreon Page for your class needs! Rotating teachers and company members, Jamie Erin Murphy, Brady Sanders, and Shana Simmons, will guide your movement practice. This online studio is full of unique movement offerings for every level of mover, from introductory fitness, to advanced level modern/contemporary dance. We even have a very specialized tier dedicated JUST to Colorguard!

As part of our mission, education plays a vital role in how we approach dance, lifestyles and healthy living. We are dedicated to encouraging movement for health in all bodies - especially during this time of Covid-19.


You don't need a ton of space in your house or specialized equipment. In each video we will engage with you, educate you, help attain your fitness or dance goals, all while providing fun class experiences.

These classes are therapeutic for not only your body, but your soul!

Check out our Fitness Tiers which provide exercises in Pilates, Yoga Stretch, and Garuda Technique (more details listed in the tiers on the Patreon Page). We offer Dance Technique classes for all levels in our Dance Tier. Dance for Color Guard is a third category we offer, training the specialized dance skills you'll need in the competitive Color Guard world.

We will also occasionally release beautiful dance videos for your viewing pleasure!

If you are interested in working together one-on-one in a small private group of your friends or family members, please email shanasimmonsdance@gmail.com to book.

We know that you're doing this for you, and we're honored to be part of your movement practice.

Looking forward to moving with YOU,

Shana, Jamie, & Brady
TAKE ME TO THE PATREON PAGE! I WANT TO TAKE CLASS!
GREEN= FITNESS CLASS
PINK= DANCE TECHNIQUE CLASS
PURPLE= DANCE FOR COLOR GUARD CLASS
ALL CLASSES ARE 1 HOUR UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED!


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​FITNESS Class Descriptions:

Int/Advanced Modern Technique Class

​Shana Simmons Dance classes will get the body moving. As a teacher, Simmons pulls from her experience with the Graham technique, release style dance, contact improvisation/partnering, and theatrical performance. Classes usually start on the floor for some somatic exercises/warm up. Transitioning into standing material, center combinations test balance, shifting weight, working off center and generating movement from the core. Classes may end in across the floor material or combinations in center.

These classes are geared towards the experienced adult mover and professional dancer. Classes begin with immediate movement and are meant to challenge the body.
Pilates is a method developed by Joseph Pilates that works your core (abs, lower back, hips, thighs, glutes, and lats) and targets muscle groups to develop a lean look and rehabilitate the body. Say goodby to crunches! Instead use Pilates to deeply work all 4 layers of your abs. Oh, you didn't know there were 4 layers?! You need understanding of the core and how to work through stretch and stabilization for strong functional movement, and spinal health. We've got you!
Yoga/Stretch is our own blend of yoga poses and targeted stretching techniques. In this class we will use therabands and matwork to open up the hips, hamstrings, shoulders and full body.
Garuda is a style of exercise based out of London, UK, and developed by James D'Silva. The routines and exercises are limitless and work every area of your body with a focus on bringing your mind back into exercise while making you the leanest and most flexible you have ever been.
CHAIR (seated) classes + Standing Mat Work available in Garuda style!

OPEN Dance Class

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OPEN dance classes focus on basic dance exercises and fun movement flow. Set to fun and inspirational music, these classes are perfect for anyone wanting to try a dance class, but without the pressure of how they look, expectations of technique and intimidation.
Release style is focused on ease of movement and fluidity. Aiming to move with the least amount of tension possible, dancers move through space with efficiency. The dancer-floor connection is really important. These classes are for experienced movers, or intermediate to advanced dancers.
Graham Technique is one of the foundational modern dance forms focusing on using the abdominals and core support for moving through contraction and releasing the spine into extension (sort of an arch position). We work classic ballet lines, so it's great for balance, working on tilts, and classic exercises. This technique is peppered into the release style classes and is geared towards the experienced mover, or intermediate to advanced dancers.​

Private & Private Group Lessons:

Interested in learning in a one-to-one environment? Book a uniquely tailored private lesson today! OR gather a small group together and tailor your own class environment!

Simmons didn't begin dance training until the age of 18. Her love of studying the body and how it moves began at Elon College when she was thinking she'd be a Communications Major. She soon discovered she was born to dance and began training at Point Park University through their Conservatory Dance Department. From New York City to London and back to Pittsburgh, Simmons has trained in the Graham technique, release style dance from Alexandra Beller, David Dorfman and others, and studied choreography, analysis of movement and Cunningham technique during her London years. With a variety of styles under her belt and progressing from knowing nothing about movement to being a professional performer, her experiences have given her the ability to suite your specific needs and meet you where you are.

Whether you're a musician wanting to know more about movement and how it can aid your performance skills, a dancer that wants to increase performance ability, or a beginner who is uncomfortable going to a dance class, Simmons can tailor a program to get your where you want to be!
Current Private Lesson Offerings:
Modern Dance Technique & Performance Coaching
Movement for Musicians
Intro to Dance
Wedding Dance & Choreography

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Creative Performance Workshop
Coming Spring 2021!
​Details on CPW 2020 coming soon...

"Taking CPW 2020 allowed me a safe space to explore a new ideas, take risks, be vulnerable, give myself deadlines and accountability, receive thoughtful and constructive feedback and have fun!"
~2020 Participant
12-week workshop experience with Shana Simmons
~Want to dust off those dancin' shoes and express yourself on stage to a receptive, welcoming audience?
~Nervous about the idea of performing, but really want to put your thoughts and emotions into an artistic creation?
~Want to reassess who you are as a dancer or artist?
- Want mentorship through the process of creating your next piece or shaping your idea into a polished work?
~Just want a great performance opportunity?

This workshop is for you!

CLICK FOR CPW DETAILS & REGISTRATION

UNDER CONSTRUCTION:
​Youth Educational Programming

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CONTACT US & JOIN THE SSD FAMILY!


Telephone

412-303-6406

Email

shanasimmonsdance@gmail.com
  • Welcome
  • Upcoming
  • About SSD
    • PRESS >
      • VIDEO
      • IMAGES
    • OUR PEOPLE
  • Contact
  • Presenters
  • PROJECTS
    • CONSTRUCTED SIGHT: a series of dance for films
    • ELEVATE: a triple bill of female choreographers
    • THE MISSING PEACE (2018) >
      • THE MISSING PEACE BLOG
      • The HOPE Series
    • OBJECTIVE I (2015)
    • PASSENGER (2014)
    • RELATIVE POSITIONS (2012)
    • COLLABORATIONS
    • CHOREOGRAPHY >
      • RED ROVER, RED ROVER
      • GROUNDED IN THE SOIL
      • OF ELEPHANTS AND ASSES
      • DANCING SOLO
      • QUIRKE
      • BITS... PIECES...
      • RESONANT PASSINGS
      • TEA PARTY
      • A-PART
      • WHAT IS YOUR...?
      • CRUNCH
  • DONATE
  • TEACHING
  • Insights & Ink: A Blog
  • AUDITION PGH 2020