February 17, 2026
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Spring ‘Masters of Dance’ Series Returns to SMC with Free Workshops

Photo: Santa Monica College

The Sessions Bring Free Master Classes from Industry Pros to the Public.

Santa Monica College’s Dance Department will present its Spring 2026 Masters of Dance series with three free workshops led by professional dancers and choreographers.

The sessions are open to the public as participants or observers and will take place at the Core Performance Center on the main campus at 1900 Pico Blvd. Seating is limited and available on a first-come basis.

The schedule is as follows:

Naomi Hutchinson will lead “Dancing Well: Embodying Wellness Through Movement and Mindfulness” on Feb. 26 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:20 p.m. The class combines somatic movement, yoga-inspired exercises, breathwork and meditation to explore physical, emotional and mental well-being in dance. Hutchinson is founder of Healthy+Well and has conducted workshops for Nike, UCLA, CSU Northridge and the National Coalition of Black Women.

Rosanna Tavarez will teach Countertechnique on March 18 from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The method focuses on expansive, fluid movement and spatial awareness through tools related to anatomy, body awareness and mental focus. Tavarez is BFA program director at the CalArts Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance and has performed with Marina Abramović, Ryan Heffington and others, and appeared as a television personality on FOX, E! and Telemundo/NBC.

Sienna Lyons will present a heels choreography class on April 22 from 1 p.m. to 2:20 p.m., covering technique, musicality, performance and confidence in movement while wearing heels. Lyons is head choreographer for Kidz Bop and has worked with artists including JLo, Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift and Britney Spears, and on television programs such as The Masked Singer and The Jimmy Kimmel Show.

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