Tether + Flow:
A partnering workshop

May 17 + 18 | 10:00 am -1:45 pm

This exciting workshop brings together The Woods Dance Project artists—Natalie Border and Morgan Phillips—for 7 full hours of skill- and artistry-building. Each day will include morning technique class focused on floorwork and various skills to prepare for partnering, followed by a short break and two hours of workshop with this dynamic pair of artists.

About the workshop

This pre-/professional-level workshop is an in-depth exploration of contemporary partner work, emphasizing shared weight, counterbalance, lifts, and responsive connection. We'll focus on cultivating clear communication through touch, timing, and trust, using both structured exercises and improvisational tasks. Expect to explore weight sharing, dynamic lifts, and grounded transitions with an emphasis on safety, adaptability, and creative decision-making. No need to come with a partner—dancers will work in rotating duos and groups. Ideal for dancers looking to expand their partnering toolkit and physical dialog with others.

The DETAILS

Dates + Times

Saturday, May 17, and/or Sunday, May 18. 10:00-1:45pm.

• Each day will begin with class (10:00-11:30am), taught on Saturday by Natalie Border and on Sunday by Morgan Phillips. After class will be a 15-minute break, followed by the day’s 2-hour workshop (11:45-1:45pm), co-led by Border and Phillips.

Location

Performing Dance Center: 3310 S 2700 E, Millcreek, UT 84109

Structure

• Workshop participants are required to take the full day of class + workshop. Taking the morning class will ensure that dancers are prepared for the demands of the afternoon’s partnering session.

• Participants may take one or both days. If you can’t make it on Saturday, Sunday’s material will be fresh so that you can jump in for the second day and won’t be behind.

• Dancers are welcome to come solo to the workshop. Partnerships will rotate throughout each day.

• Please note: Morning class will also be open for drop-in for dancers not taking the workshop, but class may be capped if we reach capacity through workshop registrations. Workshop participants are guaranteed class!

• The workshop portion of the day is not open for drop-in. Preregistration is required.

Level

Classes at The Woods Dance Project are designed for pre- and professional-level dancers. Dancers well into their university studies in Contemporary/Modern dance are usually a great fit for our classes, as are freelance/professional dancers. Participants in this workshop must be at least 18 years of age and personally identify as dancing at a level congruous with this description.

Cost

BOTH DAYS, MAY 17 + 18:
• $90 (Includes class both days plus 4 hours total of workshop)
• Early bird: $80 for both days, if paid in full by Monday, May 5th, 11:59 PM MST.

SINGLE DAY, MAY 17 or 18:
• $50 (Includes class and workshop on either Saturday or Sunday)

DEPOSIT:
• A $35 non-refundable deposit is required at the time of registration to secure your spot in the workshop for one or both days. The remainder is due by no later than Thursday, May 15, after which your spot will be released to the waitlist. To receive the early-bird price (available to those taking both days of the workshop, only), the remaining total must be received by May 5th.

PAYMENT METHODS: You will be directed to payment on the registration’s confirmation page.
• Venmo is the preferred method of payment. This method requires the lowest service fee. Low fees will help us to keep bringing you great classes and workshops!
• Credit cards and other online payment methods are accepted through Stripe.

REFUNDS:
• The $35 deposit is non-refundable.
• Full refunds, less the $35 deposit, are available for those who request a withdrawal from the workshop in writing by no later than Friday, May 16th at noon.
• Illness: If you wake up sick and contagious on 5/17, Saturday morning, please contact us so we can work with you. Partial refunds due to illness will be considered on a case-by-case basis. We appreciate you keeping our community safe by staying home if you are unwell. Please contact us right away by emailing thewoodsdanceproject@gmail.com.

Waitlist

Once we meet our max enrollment, interested dancers will be added to a waitlist. On May 15th, any unpaid enrollments will be forfeited and opened to the waitlist.

Work Study

Two dancers participating through work study will receive $40 off their tuition. The early-bird dates apply (save an extra $10 if paid in full by May 5th). Work study duties will include sweeping before and after the workshop portion, assisting in tidying up the studio at the end of the day, and taking occasional brief videos throughout the workshop (to be shared with The Woods afterward).

TO REGISTER FOR WORK STUDY….
Please email your interest with an attached resumé (.pdf) to thewoodsdanceproject@gmail.com by Thursday, May 1st. Two participants will be selected and notified on Friday, May 2nd. Confirmation of intention to participate must be received by May 5th. If work study goes to someone who has already paid in full, the $40 will be reimbursed.

Register for Tether + Flow

Click the button below to register for one or both days of the workshop and submit your deposit or payment in full.

Pay Your Remaining Balance by May 5th (early-bird), or no later than May 15th!*

Venmo (preferred): @the-woods-dance

Stripe: Secure Checkout

*Please be sure to register before submitting payment.

Contemporary Floorwork with NATALIE BORDER | Saturday May 23

The body as a vessel for the emotional enables us to perceive our inner world and to connect with the outer world. The structures stored in body memory are an essential basis of our experience of self and identity: each person’s individual history and idiosyncrasy is expressed in their bodily habits and behaviors. Following this idea, the main focus is preparing our physical and mental body.

The warm-up revolves around spiral movements to open energy pathways, stimulate the lymphatic and nervous system, and increase the range of motion and functional strength inspired from Yoga, Pilates, and the Alexander Technique method. From there, we’ll dive into dance sequences that emphasize dynamism, texture, and musicality. Floorwork will bring us deeper into spatial awareness, working as individuals and as a group. The last part of class will be deconstructing the choreographic sequences, finding other possibilities that invite theatrical images, highlighting our freedom and personality through improvisation tasks.

I invite dancers and movers to join in this playful, challenging, and curiosity-driven experience, where we build and explore together. Let’s unblock new movement pathways and celebrate the strength that comes from our stories and memories.

Contemporary Floorwork with MORGAN PHILLIPS | Sunday May 24

This intermediate/advanced contemporary floorwork class is designed for dancers ready to deepen their relationship with gravity, momentum, and dynamic transitions. Rooted in release technique and influenced by elements of martial arts and improvisation, the class emphasizes efficient pathways in and out of the floor, spirals, inversions, and fluid weight shifts. Through both phrase work and guided exploration, dancers will build strength, coordination, and an intuitive sense of flow. Focus will be given to finding a sense of calm and relaxation in the body while building momentum. Be prepared to play, slide, and discover new ways of moving with power and ease.