With Masterclasses, Jamar Roberts ‘Gives Back’ To Miami Dance

Jamar Roberts, a New World School of the Arts grad originally from Miami, is a sought after choreographer. He returns to Miami on Wednesday to teach open contemporary dance masterclasses. (Photo courtesy of Jamar Roberts)

He grew up in Miami, where he says his training prepared him for a career in dance, and at nineteen, he joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. Now living in New York, Jamar Roberts is a highly sought-after choreographer.

However, he says he’s never forgotten the people and places that helped him climb the dance ladder.

Roberts comes back to Miami to present two contemporary dance masterclasses at Dance Empire of Miami presented by the Angel Fraser-Logan Dance Company.

“it’s so important that I give back to the community in the same ways that Angel and so many other teachers gave to me,” says Roberts, who is a graduate of the New World School of the Arts and Coral Reef Senior High School where he was enrolled in the dance magnet program.

“I remember when I was young, it was really rare for dance companies from outside of Florida, to come to do things like this. I think it’s rare that you have artists – dance artists from New York City – that come south and do this kind of work.”

The kind of work he’s talking about will be two masterclasses on Wednesday, Nov. 12. The first session at 5:30 p.m., is for intermediate dancers ages 8 to 12. Then at 6:30 p.m., the intensive is for advanced and professional dancers ages 12 and older.

Roberts’ return for the masterclasses, which will be held at Dance Empire of Miami, holds special meaning for him.

“I was a student at Dance Empire for a very long time, especially in my teen years and through graduation,” said Roberts, adding that he taught at the school as a teen. “Angel gave me the privilege to be able to explore that aspect of dance. I wasn’t very good when I was that young, but I was good enough to teach dancers who were younger than me,” he said.

The Miami visit is much more than a master class. “Angel and I are always in conversation about what and when can I come and share with students and the community.”

For the dancers coming to his master classes, Roberts said they’ll go beyond steps and techniques.

“For me, in my class, I like to focus a lot on movement quality, you know, not just executing perfectly technical steps, like a pirouette or an arabesque. But a lot of my work deals with taking those foundational elements and moving them in a way that is interesting, that is soulful, that feels organic to the body, that feels like something a dancer can dance in and be expressive, rather than feel like they are being scrutinized or criticized.”

Another goal is to give Miami dancers the same encouragement he received. “Every teacher that I had believed in every student in that class. Not because they believed they would go on to be stars, but that they believed in that person’s individual potential.”

The masterclass aligns with AFLDC’s mission to provide professional-level training and opportunities in the community as well as to champion access to the arts in underserved areas of South Miami-Dade County.

In a prepared release, Fraser-Logan said: “To have Jamar Roberts back in Miami, sharing his knowledge with the next generation of dancers is a full circle moment. Our students will not only learn from one of the most prolific voices in contemporary dance today, but also see what’s possible when local talent is nurtured.

The cost for the master classes is $55 with a discounted rate of $25 available for professional dancers and MDCPS Dance Magnet Students.

Roberts, who is on the faculty at The Juilliard School recently completed a fellowship with the Alvin Ailey Company, for whom he danced for nearly two decades until 2021. The choreographer’s latest work, “Song of the Anchorite” will be a world premiere presented by the Ailey Company at New York City Center on Dec. 16.

His premiere with the New York City Ballet, his third work for the company, “Foreseeable Future,” was presented by NCYB in October.

He is also currently working with New World Symphony to create a commission alongside composer Carlos Simon for NWS’ “American Dance Odyssey” in April.

WHAT: Jamar Roberts Contemporary Dance Masterclass

WHEN: 5:30 p.m., intermediate, ages 8 to 12; 6:30, intermediate/advanced, 12 and older; 8 p.m., question and answer session.

WHERE:Dance Empire of Miami, 8853 SW 132nd St., across from The Falls, Miami 

COST: $55, $25 for professional dancers and MDCPS dance magnet students with ID.  Click here to register.

INFORMATION: (305) 232-5573 or  danceempire.com

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