Discover Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers: A Kalamazoo Performing Arts Gem

Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers Introduce

Welcome to the vibrant world of performing arts in Michigan! If you're a local seeking an enriching cultural experience, look no further than Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers. This esteemed organization is more than just a performing arts theater; it's a dynamic hub for modern dance, education, and community engagement, deeply woven into the cultural fabric of Kalamazoo and Southwest Michigan.

Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers stands as Southwest Michigan's only professional modern dance company, with a rich history dating back to 1981. Founded by the visionary dancer and choreographer Cori Terry, who honed her craft with the renowned Erick Hawkins Dance Company, Wellspring has spent decades introducing thousands to the art of dance. They are celebrated for their unique voice in modern dance, consistently presenting works that are dramatic, impassioned, seamless, compelling, exuberant, and life-affirming. This commitment to artistic excellence, combined with a strong dedication to community impact, makes Wellspring a true treasure for Michigan residents.

Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers is conveniently located within the Cori Terry Theatre at the Epic Center in downtown Kalamazoo. The address is:

Cori Terry Theatre, 359 S Kalamazoo Mall # 204, Kalamazoo, MI 49007, USA

The Epic Center is a well-known arts hub, making it easy to find and access. Its central downtown location means it's often within walking distance of many other Kalamazoo attractions, dining options, and public transportation routes. While specific parking details should always be verified closer to your visit, downtown Kalamazoo generally offers various parking structures and street parking opportunities, making it accessible for those traveling by car. The theater itself is designed to accommodate audiences, providing a comfortable and engaging environment for performances and classes. As a venue deeply committed to community, Wellspring strives to make dance accessible to all, reflecting their dedication to inclusivity in their programs and facilities.

Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers offers a diverse range of services, catering to both seasoned dance enthusiasts and newcomers of all ages. Their offerings extend far beyond traditional performances, aiming to engage and educate the wider community.

Professional Modern Dance Performances: Wellspring presents a regular concert season, typically featuring a Fall Concert and a Spring Concert. These showcase original works choreographed by Cori Terry, talented company members, and esteemed guest choreographers from around the world. These performances are known for their poetic and athletic displays of modern dance.
Dance Academy Classes: The Wellspring Dance Academy provides comprehensive dance instruction for both youth and adults. Classes focus on building solid technique and repertoire in a supportive and judgment-free environment. They offer individualized attention in small classes and are committed to making dance accessible to all, including providing scholarships for low-income families and those facing temporary financial hardship.
Outreach and Education Programs: Wellspring is deeply invested in community education. Programs like ABCDance (a former partnership with KRESA's HeadStart) and Ready Movers (a partnership with KC Ready4s) use movement, stories, and music to aid with early literacy development and stress management. They also offer lecture/demonstrations and master classes to further share the art form of modern dance with the community.
Midwest Regional Alternative Dance Festival (RADFest): Wellspring curates and hosts this adjudicated dance festival, which attracts professional and emerging dance artists from across the nation and internationally. RADFest serves as a vital platform for showcasing regional choreographers and bringing diverse modern dance styles to Kalamazoo.
Facility Rentals: The Cori Terry Theatre, a state-of-the-art 4,500 square foot, 120-seat facility, is available for holding performances, workshops, meetings, or classes, offering a professional setting in downtown Kalamazoo's Epic Center.

Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers boasts several distinctive features and highlights that set it apart as a premier performing arts destination in Michigan:

Legacy of Modern Dance: As one of the nation's longest-standing small professional modern dance companies, Wellspring has a deeply rooted history in the art form, tracing its lineage back to pioneer modern dance companies through Cori Terry's training with the Erick Hawkins Dance Company.
Commitment to Accessibility: Wellspring places a high value on making dance accessible to all, demonstrated through their inclusive class offerings, scholarship programs, and outreach initiatives for diverse populations, including those with special needs, as evidenced by positive testimonials.
State-of-the-Art Facility: The Cori Terry Theatre in the Epic Center provides a custom-designed, professional environment for both performances and dance instruction, enhancing the overall experience for artists and audiences alike.
Collaborative Spirit: Wellspring actively collaborates with other professional artists and organizations, including the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra and the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, enriching the local arts community and expanding its reach.
Award-Winning Leadership: Founder and Artistic Director Cori Terry is a recipient of the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs Creative Artist Grant for choreography and Kalamazoo's coveted Community Medal of Arts Award, recognizing her significant contributions to the creative community.
Community Focus: Beyond artistic presentations, Wellspring leverages dance as a tool for education and community advancement, fostering creativity and a sense of belonging among its participants and audience members.

For more information or to connect with Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers, please use the following contact details:

Address: Cori Terry Theatre, 359 S Kalamazoo Mall # 204, Kalamazoo, MI 49007, USA

Phone: (269) 342-4354

Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers is an ideal destination for Michigan locals for numerous reasons. Firstly, it provides a unique opportunity to engage with high-caliber professional modern dance right in their backyard, without needing to travel to larger metropolitan areas. The company's commitment to diverse and innovative choreography ensures there's always something fresh and thought-provoking to experience. For families, the Wellspring Dance Academy offers exceptional dance education, fostering creativity and discipline in a nurturing environment, with a notable dedication to accommodating children with special needs, as seen in glowing reviews. The outreach programs further demonstrate their investment in the well-being and development of the community's youth. Furthermore, as a cornerstone of Kalamazoo's vibrant arts scene in the Epic Center, attending a Wellspring event or taking a class contributes directly to the cultural richness of the region, supporting local artists and fostering a thriving creative economy. Whether you're looking to be inspired by a captivating performance, seeking quality dance instruction for yourself or your children, or simply want to support a cornerstone of Michigan's performing arts landscape, Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers offers a compelling and enriching experience for every local resident.

Learn more about Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers by watching this Kalamazoo Lively Arts - Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers: Education video.

Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers Photos

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Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers Location

Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers

Michigan Kalamazoo County Kalamazoo Central Business District South Kalamazoo Mall

Cori Terry Theatre, 359 S Kalamazoo Mall # 204, Kalamazoo, MI 49007, USA

Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers Reviews

In my experience as a former performer and presenting artist with Wellspring Dance Co and RAD Fest, this company does not treat its fellow dance artists (especially first-generation immigrant artists) with much respect.
Jan 06, 2025 · Dmitri Peskov
My daughter has special needs and we were struggling to find a dance class that would fit our needs. We ended up trying Jasmine's Dance Fundamentals class. It did not matter that my daughter was older than the recommended age. Wellspring was very understanding of our situation. I had a conversation with Jasmine about my daughter so she was aware of my concerns. Jasmine was willing to do what was needed to make this a positive experience for my daughter. My daughter participated in the Dance Fundamentals class for a couple years and truly enjoyed herself. It gave her the opportunity to learn about movement, interact with other kids and work on following directions.
Mar 02, 2018 · Kim Roberts
My daughter (now 4 years old) has taken three classes at Wellspring with two different instructors and we've always had great experiences here. We previously tried out a class or two at different dance places and none were the right fit, but Wellspring was perfect from the start. They offer need-based scholarships so the tuition can be very affordable if there is financial need.We wanted her to learn how to move her body and have fun and the creative movement classes are great for that - no emphasis on doing steps the correct way or just dryly learning ballet positions. They teach students first the basics of movement before teaching them a particular style, like ballet or tap. The instructors make classes fun and she's always looked forward to attending.We love getting to see all the classes perform at the recital at the end of the session as there is a wide range of ages of students and dance styles, so the parents and youngest dancers can see what all is offered at Wellspring. The creative movement classes (3 and 4 year olds) are just plain adorable to watch perform - none of them are exactly on with the timing or remembering all of the choreography, but they're so sweet and earnest and it's a really fun experience. I'm happy to get to see my daughter learning new ways to express herself, getting physically stronger, and having fun at the same time. She's now recruited her little sister and they pretend to have recitals at home.
Dec 23, 2016 · Nicole Craig
My 5yo has been taking classes at Wellspring for a year now, and had great experiences. She started with creative movement, attended their week-long camp this summer, and is now taking dance fundamentals. I appreciate the age-appropriateness of the classes, she loves the movement, music, and awesome teachers.
Nov 13, 2017 · Zoe Valette
My daughter has taken classes at Wellspring for years. I value the professional dancers who teach the classes, the beautiful theater in which classes take place, the reasonable prices, and the fact that each child is treated as an individual and encouraged to be the best dancer s/he can be.
Oct 30, 2017 · Michelle Miller-Adams