The York Dance Company, initiated by York Dance and Yoga Instructor Michelle Scurlock Jensen, is in its second year at York. Already, the twenty three company members are preparing for the 2015 Dance Concert on Wednesday, November 11th.

“Dance Concert 2015 also features the Advanced Dance class and guest performers from Northern Illinois University Dance Department,” said Jensen.  

Jensen began the company as an extension of the Dance Program created by Anna Sapozhnikov, another Dance Instructor at York. Jensen envisions YDC as a platform in which students can experiment with choreography and apply the skills they learned within dance classes at York.

Moreover, YDC offers a unique environment in which students of all expertise can work together to create pieces in genres of dance ranging from ballet to hip-hop to contemporary.   

“YDC offers a place for every student: a beginner dancer, an experienced performer, or someone who enjoys movement in a non-competitive environment,” said Jensen.

Jensen started dancing at a young age and went to University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign where she received a BFA in dance. After graduating she spent a year dancing in New York City and returned to Chicago, as a professional dancer with several modern dance companies. Later, she returned to school and earned her K-12 Dance Certification from University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.

“Since, I have added several wellness based certifications including Yoga, Yoga Sculpt, Barre Method, and Self-Defense. I am fortunate to make dance a full time career: teaching for York PE and Performing Arts Departments, directing YDC, teaching group fitness classes at Chicago Athletic Clubs and dancing professionally for Kate Corby + Dancers in Chicago,” said Jensen.

Lastly, YDC will showcase their dances at the York Dance Company Showing 2016 on Tuesday, March 8th.

“I would love to see the audience’s full of York students, staff, and families,” said Jensen.