Modern dance and improvisation class series receives support from Arrowhead Regional Arts Council to host guest teachers from the Arrowhead region.
COLVILL, Minn., Nov. 10, 2026 — Drop In Practice will host Duluth-based dance artist Jane Shockley for a guest dance class on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Colvill Town Hall, 2965 East Highway 61. The class is free and open to adults and older youth of all experience levels and abilities. No registration is required.
Since September 2024, Drop In Practice has offered weekly all-levels modern dance and improvisation classes in Cook County. With fiscal sponsorship from the North Shore Music Association, this year the class series received an Arrowhead Regional Arts Council grant to bring three guest dance teachers from across the Arrowhead region to lead free, accessible dance classes. Shockley will be the first guest teacher, with two more coming in spring 2027.
“With Cook County being so remote, our community has far less access to the incredible diversity of dance and movement artists in Minnesota than those closer to urban areas,” said Rachel Clark, one of Drop In Practice’s regular instructors. “Bringing Jane and other artists up the shore expands access to dance and strengthens the network of dance artists across the rural Arrowhead region. We’re overjoyed to kick off our guest teacher series with Jane, a phenomenal mover and dance educator.”
Shockley brings 45 years of experience as a movement artist in the Twin Cities and beyond, including 27 years as a dance educator at Carleton College in Northfield, MN. Now based in Duluth, Jane’s practice spans modern and jazz dance, improvisation, contact improvisation, somatics and internal martial arts. She is especially interested in how movement can create connection, awareness and unexpected possibilities.
In addition to hosting guest teachers, Drop In Practice offers weekly classes on Thursday evenings from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Colvill Town Hall for 12-week seasons each fall (September–December) and spring (February–May). Each week offers a different flavor with four rotating Cook County-based dance educators: Rachel Clark, Margaret Johnson, Lenna Stever-Sobanja, and Steph Vos. Collectively, their backgrounds span improvisation, contact improvisation, somatics, contemporary technique, performance, and choreography.
Participants range widely in age and experience, from longtime dancers to people trying a dance class for the first time. “I have no dance experience and trying this form of dance has been liberating,” one participant said. Another participant said the class was “such an incredible resource,” noting there aren’t many places in the community “to experiment with choreography, improvisation, and rhythm in a supportive group.”
By offering a consistent and sustainable place to gather, practice, and learn together, Drop In Practice builds community, nurtures lifelong engagement with dance, and supports the development of rural dance educators. Anyone curious to explore movement in a friendly, low-pressure, and playful community is invited to attend Jane’s guest class on Saturday, Nov. 14 or drop in to Thursday’s weekly class, running now through Dec. 3, resuming in February 2027. For more information or to join the email list, contact dropinpractice@gmail.com.
This activity is made possible in part by a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council with funds appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature from its General Fund.
• Guest Dance Class with Jane Shockley Saturday, November 14 from 11 am – 12:30 pm
• Drop In Practice – Regular Weekly Dance Classes Thursdays, 6–7:30 pm through Dec. 3, resuming Feb. 2027
Colvill Town Hall, 2965 East Highway 61, Colvill MN Open to adults and older youth of all experience levels Free, donations welcome, no registration required
