After mastering the art of classical ballet at the famous Kirov Academy in Washington, DC (now UBA), Philip began constructing his own teaching method based on the work of Agrippina Vaganova and heavily influenced by his mentor and Master Teacher, Vladimir Djouloukhadze. His evolution in teaching classical dance was paralleled by his creation of a unique style of jazz and lyrical dance. Performing modern works with Beverly Cordova Duane and Second Wind Dance Company opened up a new awareness to movement and kinesiology that compliments his classical technique. Philip had to retrain his body to move organically by completely deconstructing his technique. During that process he learned to move through space and feel deep within himself the origins of the movements. Philip uses a holistic approach to teaching; He believes that dance can heal and that a non-competitive, self-challenging attitude leads to a fully realized artist. Through the practice of Yoga and meditation, Philip began to integrate concepts of mindfulness, awareness, and non-judgment into his own quality of movement and in the teaching of others. It is the integration of these experiences that has molded the artist and teacher he is today.
Upon leaving the Komische Oper Tanztheater of Berlin, Germany, Philip established his own dance education center, The Philip Deal Dance Center in his hometown, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Philip served as Artistic Director of the Center from 1999 to 2003. He has traveled nationally with Dance Educators of America and Dance Masters of America teaching and judging at their regional and national conventions. Philip has also taught at STEPS on Broadway in New York City for their Young Dancers summer program. Philip has continued to teach by free-lancing at several schools, successfully preparing students for competitions, pageants, as well as professional and college dance programs. Recently, Philip has focused on his practice as a certified Yoga instructor and has been creating new choreography and setting original works on professional dancers, students and dance studios. Much of his time is now spent preparing for his new show, "Beautiful Mistakes," to premiere Fall 2005.
Philip is available for master classes, choreography, and private coaching, and group Yoga exercise. Contact us for scheduling and pricing information.
