Trina Parks

Trina Parks
Palm Springs, CA, USA
Memoir, Dance/Movement, Acting, Choral/Vocal Music, Ceramics/Pottery, Jewelry Design
English
K-12 Schools, Adult Day Care, After School Program, Assisted Living, College/University, Community Center, Hospital, Independent Living
S.A.G. & A.E.A. UNIONS

2009&2010:(SOLO)GUEST-ARTIST-DANCER, for the "CORNUCOPIA",CONCERT/FUNDRAISERS IN PALM SPRINGS,CA. *2002-2008:FEATURED/SOLO VOCALIST & DANCER, IN THE PALM SPRINGS FOLLIES(CA). 2001: Special Guest Performer@ the Shomburg Center,NY,NY.Tribute to choreographer,Ms.Katherine Dunham. 1997-8&9:Guest Artist-Dancer, in Joan Peters Dance Co., NY, NY. 1984-1991: Guest Sololist-VOCALIST & DANCER, in Chester Whitmore's Dance Co.Los Angeles,CA. EUROPE & THE FAR EAST TOUR. DANCE COMPANIES, as Principal Dancer: -MS. KATHERINE DUNHAM (NY & Europe) -ALVIN AILEY (NY, NY) -DONALD MCKAYLE (NY & EUROPEAN TOURS) -TALLY BEATTY (NY & BOSTON,MASS.) -ELEO PARMERO (NY, NY) -ROD ROGERS (NY, NY)

2012: I am presently teaching 'ethnic' dance (African, Cuban, spiritual & Haitian) to older adults, through the organization EngAGE- I teach at (2) senior sites- Pomona, CA and San Bernardino, CA. I am teaching a different dance piece to each site. The Pomona seniors are learning an 'African' dance, the san Bern's are learning a 'gospel/praise dance which they will perform at the 'senior Olympics’ on September 29th, 2012. 2011- 2009: I taught senior citizens dance & exercise classes at 'The Point', a senior housing complex, located in Palm Springs, CA. I taught (2) different types of classes: one was for seniors that could stand, dance and/or move a little. With some classes I’d start them sitting in a chair and give them 'isolation' exercises, starting from the head, on down to the feet so that they would know where each muscles is and how they could use those muscles every day to keep their body from getting stiff in one place or the other. I would also start the class using the side wall-panel for 'slight' push-ups to strengthen the arms, stomach and back-leg muscles (this may sound hard but it's not, they really appreciated the stretches. Because they used muscles that hadn't been used and it made them feel good about that. I use a different type of technique when teaching seniors, than with any other age group).The other class, I called "the chair" class, which involved seniors that were either in a wheel chair or wanted to sit and do the 'isolation' exercises. 2011: guest choreographer for 'Lula Washington’s' youth concert, Los Angeles, CA. 2010-2011 guest teacher @ Lula Washington’s dance theater- Los Angeles, CA (specialized 'Katherine Dunham' - 'Haitian/Caribbean' dance technique). 2011: guest choreographer for the Hollywood NAACP theater festival, Los Angeles, CA. 2010&2011: guest teacher @ the University of Athens, GA.(teaching the ‘Katherine Dunham',(2) hour workshop). 2009: taught a summer dance program, at Stevenson high school, Stone Mt, GA. 2008-2009: guest teacher, through the Palm Springs Unified Schools (performing arts program) 2002-'08: performing @ the 'Follies’- A (3) hour dancing and singing show, with (16) cast members, 10 females & 6 males that are 57yrs and older. I was a featured vocalist & dancer and also the first African American performer, in the cast, from the 'Follies' 13th season. 2000-2002: taught dance through the Mark Taper Educational Division (dance dept.), Los Angeles, CA.
I STARTED DANCING WHEN I WAS ABOUT 8 YRS.YOUNG AND ACTUALLY STARTED TEACHING DANCE IN 1970. I WAS TAUGHT BY & PERFORMED WITH THE BEST DANCER/CHOREOGRAPHERS, NOT ONLY IN NEW YORK CITY, BUT THE WORLD(SOME I'VE MENTIONED EARILER). I'VE GAINED SO MUCH KNOWLEDGE ABOUT ALL TYPES OF DANCE STYLES & TECHNIQUES. I'VE SUBSEQUENTLY USED MY TRAINING OF THESE DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES.I'VE TAUGHT- MODERN, AFRICAN, CARIBBEAN (HAITIAN), BALLET, JAZZ & BROADWAY-JAZZ, TO ALL AGES GROUPS, FROM THE EAST COAST TO THE WEST COAST. I FEEL, AS LONG AS ANYONE CAN MOVE 'SOMETHING' ON THEIR BODY THERE IS HOPE FOR THAT PERSON TO MOVE EVEN MORE!IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT AGE OR GENDER, DANCE CAN BE A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED STUDENTS, IN MY CLASS, THAT HAVE NEVER DANCED IN THEIR LIVES, BEGIN TO MOVE IN WAYS THAT THEY NEVER THOUGHT THEY COULD. ESPECIALLY WITH ADULTS AND SENIORS, THEY SOMETIMES FEEL THAT THEY CAN'T MOVE AS WELL, ANY MORE.THE WAY I APPROACH & TEACH THE STYLE OF DANCE OR MOVEMENT, IT EVENTUALLY BECOMES SOMETHING THEY ENJOY. MY PHILOSOPHY IS:"IF YOU KEEP MOVING THOES LIMBS, THEY WILL KEEP YOU MOVING"! MS. TRINA PARKS