The mission of Oakland Dance Inc DBA Savage Jazz Dance Company is to provide Oakland and the greater San Francisco Bay Area with dedicated dance education and dance performances that explore and push jazz and contemporary music's range of expression, through movement guided by discipline, technique, quality, and philosophy all rooted in contemporary dance.
Savage Jazz Dance Company maintains a rigorous and challenging dance atmosphere, through dance training of the highest caliber, with an emphasis on building the strong technical foundations necessary for today's professional dance world.
Savage Jazz Dance Company maintains a rigorous and challenging dance atmosphere, through dance training of the highest caliber, with an emphasis on building the strong technical foundations necessary for today's professional dance world.
Services
The Savage Jazz Dance Company (aka Oakland Dance, Inc.) depends on the generous support from individuals to develop its artistic vision, to produce exciting and innovative dance inspired by music in all forms, and to continue to provide affordable dance training education, through after-school programs, Summer Intensives, and open classes, to the Oakland community and beyond.
Catch SJDC at Black Choreographers Festival! Celebrating 15 years of presenting the festival with one weekend only! 2 Unique & Dynamic performances! Catch SJDC at East Bay DANCES 2019! This inspiring and festive showcase of local dance companies celebrates the East Bay in all its wonderful diversity.
For the young black men who study dance with Artistic Director/Choreographer Reginald Ray-Savage at Oakland School for the Arts, the experience offers a rare and unique discipline in not only creative movement and performance but how to be in the world. Check out this micro-documentary by Game Changers Fellow Shaka Jamal Redmond about the amazing work of Reginald Ray-Savage!
In its new offering, Savage Jazz Dance Company pays tribute to The Town. Brought to life and developed in Oakland and containing the same intensity, creativity and diversity of life experiences that only a city like Oakland can provide, Sketches of Oakland paints a portrait of what it is to not only be human but truly be alive in The Town.
Reviews (7)
Gina B.
Jan 01, 2013
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Poopie M.
Apr 01, 2011
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First of all, I think it's really interesting that all of these reviews are either one star or five stars. That being said:
The company: Solid, technical dancing to awesome music.
The teacher: Imagine you are in the Dance Matrix, and Savage is Morpheus. He offers you a choice between the blue pill, which allows you stay in your own dance fantasy world where everyone loves your dancing and its ok to be your mediocre self; or, you can take the red pill and see reality in all its harshness...but eventually you learn you have all these cool dance superpowers if you are willing to commit.
The company: Solid, technical dancing to awesome music.
The teacher: Imagine you are in the Dance Matrix, and Savage is Morpheus. He offers you a choice between the blue pill, which allows you stay in your own dance fantasy world where everyone loves your dancing and its ok to be your mediocre self; or, you can take the red pill and see reality in all its harshness...but eventually you learn you have all these cool dance superpowers if you are willing to commit.
Liz M.
Sep 15, 2010
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One of the best dance teachers in the Bay Area (and beyond) Savage teaches ballet-based jazz technique. He is a serious teacher for the serious student (don't show up if you don't want to learn, and if you aren't prepared to take criticism). I took his class regularly for 5 years, and found that his training was such that I could go take any other jazz, modern, and even ballet class with another teacher and be able to keep up with the "professional" students.
His choreography is innovative and inspiring, and his dancers are talented and well trained.
His choreography is innovative and inspiring, and his dancers are talented and well trained.
Y. A.
Aug 06, 2010
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You either love Mr Savage or you hate him.
When I was 18 I took his class and I hated him. I thought he was really "mean".
10 years later I took his class again, and I can't take lessons from anyone else. No one has the same passion and commitment for dance. He pushes you to be better, no matter what your level or experience. If he comes off as harsh, it's usually because he expects more of you. How many of us get that kind of honesty these days? Someone who cares enough to not worry about hurting your feelings?
As long as you respect the class and the craft and give
When I was 18 I took his class and I hated him. I thought he was really "mean".
10 years later I took his class again, and I can't take lessons from anyone else. No one has the same passion and commitment for dance. He pushes you to be better, no matter what your level or experience. If he comes off as harsh, it's usually because he expects more of you. How many of us get that kind of honesty these days? Someone who cares enough to not worry about hurting your feelings?
As long as you respect the class and the craft and give
Sandy C.
May 30, 2010
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I am quite shocked reading the comments. For me, I took years of classes as an adult and only got incremental improvements. Well, 99.999% of adult dance cleasses are not intended to drive and push you to really get better to become a "dancer". Come on, they are adults, they will never get anywhere with dancing! But, some of us would like to be able to do something to be proud of ourselves.... after taking Mr. Savage's class for 2 year, i was doing stuff i NEVER imagine i could do. Its baffling, but I am realizing a whole lot of people do not see it, Mr. Savage is like a Durian
Gregg G.
Feb 14, 2007
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Rob K.
Oct 13, 2006
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Last night I got to see a preview of the SJDC performing "Everthing's Everything featuring the Miles Davis Suite".
Just wanted to say that dance was fantastic, and the music was familiar and fun to hear. Overall a very entertaining performance. I highly recommend going to see them if you get a chance.
I was also fortunate also to meet the artistic director, Reginald Ray-Savage. This guy has a great sense of humor, and I think his jovial nature translates to the good-feeling of the group. You can really see that they love what they do.
Just wanted to say that dance was fantastic, and the music was familiar and fun to hear. Overall a very entertaining performance. I highly recommend going to see them if you get a chance.
I was also fortunate also to meet the artistic director, Reginald Ray-Savage. This guy has a great sense of humor, and I think his jovial nature translates to the good-feeling of the group. You can really see that they love what they do.
