WMU News

Frank Chaves gives jazz dance master classes

March 23, 2004

KALAMAZOO--Frank Chaves, choreographer and artistic director of River North Chicago Dance Company, will give four master classes for Western Michigan University dance students during his WMU residency Wednesday, March 31, through Friday, April 2.

Chaves has taught master classes at WMU annually since 1999 and was named an adjunct professor in the Department of Dance in 2001. He choreographed a work on WMU students entitled "Gruisin' Suite" as part of the Great Works Dance Project in 2001.

As artistic director of River North Chicago Dance Company, Chaves has created numerous works for River North Chicago and other companies. He has staged works on ballet companies in the U.S and abroad and has received commissions for staging theatrical works. Chaves has danced with Ballet Concerto of Miami, New York's Ballet Hispanico, Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. In 2000, Chaves received a Ruth Page Dance Acheivement Award for "Mission," co-created with Sherry Zunker in honor of River North's 10th Anniversary.

Media contact: Liz Caldwell, 269 387-5830


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