METTLER STUDIOS, INC. | Tucson Creative Dance Center | 3131 N. Cherry Avenue, Tucson, AZ
SUMMER DANCE
TEACHER TRAINING
Mettler-Based Creative Dance • 2026
An Immersive Training in the Art of Creative Dance
Mettler Studios invites dancers, movement educators, somatic practitioners, and arts educators to join us for an immersive two-week summer training in Mettler-based creative dance — a transformative approach to movement rooted in improvisation, artistic discipline, and the full expression of the human body.
Developed by pioneering dance artist Barbara Mettler, this approach awakens creativity, cultivates kinesthetic awareness, and makes the art of dance accessible to all. Through daily movement studies, group improvisation, relaxation, and reflective discussion, participants will study, embody, and deepen their understanding of Mettler's core principles within a warm and supportive learning community.
At a Glance
📅 DATES Monday – Saturday July 13 – 25, 2026 Sunday, July 20 is a mid-course day off | 🕘 DAILY SCHEDULE 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Includes a 1.5-hour mid-day break Each day: movement studies, relaxation, discussion, and integration time |
📍 LOCATION Tucson Creative Dance Center — 3131 N. Cherry Avenue, Tucson, Arizona | |
Course Structure
WEEK ONE Foundations & Core Material Week One introduces participants to Mettler's foundational principles and core material — exploring the kinesthetic sense, force, time, space, and the organic relationship of movement to sound, environment, and fellow dancers. | WEEK TWO Deepening & Application Week Two deepens the work through extended group improvisation, theme development, and possible practice teaching opportunities — building confidence as both a creative dancer and a Mettler-based educator. |
💻 Virtual Follow-Up Sessions: Three 2-hour Zoom sessions are included after the in-person training to support continued learning, integration, and community connection. Dates and times to be announced.
Your Faculty
This training brings together three accomplished Tucson-based dance artists and educators, each deeply rooted in the Mettler tradition and active in the broader creative dance community.
Mary Ann Brehm Ph.D. | Karenne Koo CMDE | Gregory Colburn B.S. Dance Therapy |
President of Mettler Studios and the heart of this training program. Dr. Brehm has taught at the Tucson Creative Dance Center since 1990, holds a Ph.D. in Dance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and is a former member of the Barbara Mettler Dance Company. She is co-author of Creative Dance for Learning: The Kinesthetic Link and serves on the Board of the International Association for Creative Dance (IACD). | Co-Founder and President of Dancesequences Inc., a Tucson-based nonprofit advancing inclusion through dance. A Certified Mettler-based Dance Educator with 500+ hours of training, Karenne serves on the Board of Mettler Studios and IACD, and has led dance residencies in Vietnam, Indonesia, and Peru. Recipient of the Inaugural 2022 J. Mare Founder's Award from Ben's Bells Project. | A versatile Tucson-based movement artist holding a degree in Dance Therapy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Gregory has performed with leading Tucson companies including New ARTiculations, ZUZI!, O-T-O, and Stories That Soar!, and has collaborated with Movement Salon, a dance improvisation group. He also teaches Bikram Yoga and brings deep somatic and therapeutic insight to his teaching. |
Who Should Attend
This training is open to a wide range of participants. No previous dance experience is required — only curiosity, openness, and a willingness to move. Ideal candidates include:
- Dance teachers and movement educators seeking to expand their pedagogical toolkit
- Somatic practitioners, physical therapists, and dance/movement therapists
- Artists and educators in allied disciplines: music, visual arts, theater
- Students and emerging professionals exploring creative dance as a practice
- Experienced dancers seeking a deeper grounding in improvisational artistry
- Anyone passionate about community-centered, inclusive approaches to movement
Tuition & Discounts
First Week Only | $350 |
Full Two-Week Course | $550 |
IACD Member Discount | −$30 |
Scholarship assistance is available. Please inquire when registering. | |
Housing & Logistics
Housing information is available for out-of-town participants. Please indicate your interest as early as possible to ensure availability. Tucson's summer brings warm desert evenings, lower hotel rates, and a quieter city — an ideal environment for deep artistic work and renewal.
How to Register
Register Online www.barbaramettler.org/teacher-training When registering, please indicate that you are paying for the July Teacher Training. For questions about content, housing, scholarships, or travel: mabdance@aol.com |
Join us in Tucson this summer for two weeks of movement, artistry, and community.
We look forward to dancing with you.
Mettler Studios, Inc. • Tucson Creative Dance Center • 3131 N. Cherry Avenue, Tucson, AZ
Register: www.barbaramettler.org/teacher-training | Contact: mabdance@aol.com | #MettlerDance #CreativeDance #DanceEducation
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