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Desert Dance Academy - Palm Springs Ballet and Dance Classes Catherine Demonchaux-Botwin - Artistic Director / Owner Classical Ballet, Jazz, Childrens’ Classes, Pilates, Pas de Deux, Theater & Camp Catherine Demonchaux-Botwin, born in Dunkerque, France, moved to the United States and began dance lessons at the age of four. As a young dancer, she was accepted to study under the directors of The Joffrey Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and Ballet West. She also performed principal roles with company Ballet Midwest during the late 1970’s, directed by Barbara Ebert. She opened her first dance studio during college, completing degrees in Art/Dance and in the Science of Nursing as a Registered Nurse. She moved to Palm Springs in 1989, and was appointed by the Governor’s Office, in 1992 to help establish and direct a local Council on Physical Fitness & Sports. She has since offered her time as a volunteer to numerous local schools and fitness events with the Council. Over the past decade, Catherine also directed medical and exercise programs full-time for the Arthritis Foundation, training and certifying over 500 professionals. In 1999, she became a member of Screen Actors Guild after appearing in a national television commercial. Her second dance studio, Desert DANCE Academy offers performing art skills and dance training opportunities to inspire, strengthen and guide almost any age and level in dance. Trina Parks - Actress/Vocalist /Choreographer Dance Teacher & Black Dance Historian. Born & raised in Brooklyn & Harlem, NY. Trina’s a graduate from the NY H.S. of PERFORMING ARTS, majoring in modern dance. (Martha Graham technique). Trina joined the ‘Katherine Dunham’ dance company in 1964 –1966 (when Ms. Dunham was still performing). Trina performed on Broadway and the classical dance stage, in the United States, Europe & the Far East. Trina was principal dancer with the tally Beatty, Donald Mc kayle, Anna Sokolow, Geoffrey Holder & Eleo Parmare, NY dance companies. Trina’s been teaching the special ‘Katherine Dunham (Caribbean/African) & the ‘Graham’dance techniques since 1970. Trina was the first African American, ‘007, James Bond’ girl and the first African American featured performer, in the Palm Springs Follies, (CA) 2002 – 2008. Lois Bondurich - Classical Ballet, Jazz/Hip Hop, Childrens’ Classes Lois Bondurich is formerly from the east coast, Pocono region of Pennsylvania. She has been dancing for 30 years and instructing dance for over 19 years. Prior to moving to the west coast, she performed and toured as Ballet Mistress for Ballet Northeast. She performed and toured professionally in New York, Delaware, Virginia, and Florida. She has received awards in ballet, jazz, and hip-hop and currently at Desert Dance Academy teaches ballet, jazz, hip-hop, salsa, and tap classes. She enjoys encouraging young adult to strive for their very best. Lois joined Desert Dance Academy in 2005 as a dance teacher, and works with teenagers at the Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs.

Styles of Dance

Ballet can serve as an excellent foundation for all types of body movement. It is a very exacting discipline and will make your body very strong. Ballet uses French names for positions and steps. There are three portions to class. First, standing exercises at the "barre", then smaller steps in the center of the floor, and last are jumps and large steps that travel across the floor. For the advanced dancer, special types of class work include "pointe work" for a female, "Pas de Deux" (with a partner), and large jumps and turns for a male. Dress: FEMALE - Pink or black ballet slippers · Pink or black leotards and tights                          Pull hair back  MALE -       Black tights · White T-shirt · Black slippers

Jazz is loved because the dance forms use popular music and allow you to express your own personal style. There is a vocabulary of "steps" in jazz, and a traditional sequence of warm-up exercises. Dance combinations, jumps and turns are then practiced. Lyrical Jazz combines a stronger technical base and combines both movement used in ballet, jazz and modern dance. Dress: FEMALE - Leotards · Tights or jazz pant (any color) · Black or white jazz shoe                          Pull hair back MALE -       Black pants · White or colored t-shirt or Polo shirt · Black jazz shoe

Tap dance is a vibrant form of dancing and is fun to do. Just about anyone can learn to tap dance, although some of the more intricate steps require concentrated practice. You can develop strong legs and feet, back and stomach muscles by tap class, and a good sense of rhythm. Dress: FEMALE - Comfortable fitness clothing · Black jazz shoe · Pull hair back MALE -       White or colored T-shirt or Polo shirt · Black pants · Black jazz shoe

Pilates is a popular form of stretching and strengthening the body, yet was developed almost 100 years ago by Joseph Pilates. It has been used and loved by many famous ballet dancers and gymnasts because it focuses on strengthening "core" muscle groups (back and abdominal muscles). Pilates uses both seated, (with a mat), and standing exercises. It is ideal for strengthening the beginner who is getting into shape, as well as the serious dancer wanting to get even stronger. Dress: Comfortable fitness clothing · Barefoot, soft slippers or sneakers Pull hair back

Creative Dance is designed for the preschool to kindergarten-aged child. This class teaches the young dancer about rhythm and movement, as well as basic ballet, tap and jazz steps. A variety of dance steps, music and activities are used to develop poise, grace, coordination, discipline and music appreciation. Dress: FEMALE - Black or pink leotard · Black or pink ballet slippers · Pull hair back MALE -       Black pants · White T-shirt · Black jazz shoe