Junior Committee
African & Irish Step Collaboration of Dance & Story Premieres in NYC
This weekend, I had the opportunity to experience a unique collaboration between two dance companies, NYC-based Soul Steps (SS) and Dance Theatre of Ireland (DTI), in Every Little Step...the Rhythm of Hope. Seeing Soul Steps perform on US Embassy supported tour in the Ireland in 2009, DTI Co-Artistic Directors Robert Connor and Loretta Yurick approached DD Artistic Director Maxine Lyle about creating…
Often Seen But Rarely Heard: Dancer\'s Voice Comes to the Fore @ D/NYC Town Hall
Tonight's sold-out Dance/NYC Town Hall at Joyce Soho featured a talented and knowledgeable panel, representing individual dancers, dance companies, and larger institutions, all sharing their particular contributions to increasing the presence of the dancer in marketing today. Moderated by Ellen Bar, Director of Media Projects at New York City Ballet, the panel comprised of Misty Copeland (American…
VIDEO: Britain\'s Dance Leaders Discuss the Future of Dance
It is hard to say whether this is comforting or alarming in its familiarity. It makes one wonder about the possibly intrinsic nature of the field's greatest weaknesses. Knowing that history is a story of action (and not intentions), when and where do we start to work on solutions? [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Gh0ntw4J_eI#!]…
Engaging Dance Audiences Through VTS and Critical Response
How can we teach children--and audiences of all ages--to think through dance? And what is "audience engagement" anyway? We learn and process primarily through visual, auditory, and kinesthetic systems. Visual arts learning privileges one of them, music, another. Dance--ta-da--combines them both. Research shows that learning concepts and content through more than one system provides greater educational…
You Can\'t WebMD \'Creative Bubbling\'
You know that phase of creative bubbling that looks and often feels completely lacking in creativity and forward motion? I feel it mostly in my diaphragm, but it may be different for everybody. I'm currently a little stuck there--but I'm okay with it. I am doing a lot of reading and personal writing and sort of waiting for the "pop." I am processing lots of ideas, opinions, emotions, and dreams as…
Making Room for Creativity
I have watched "Changing the Paradigm," an RSA animated infographic (included below), enough times in the last week and a half that I have begun to hear Ken Robinson's voice in my head. A PhD and recognized leader in the development of education, creativity, and innovation, Sir Ken Robinson is a gifted speaker who illuminates the need for the arts in public education better than anyone I have seen.…
How to Watch a Modern Dance Concert
This video has been blowing up my Facebook newsfeed. To be fair, my newsfeed tends to be a lot of modern dance fans, but I think you'll feel inspired to share this with your friends who have never seen dance, too. It's chock full of hilarious moments (and good advice!). Enjoy. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnX76ZfN-Yw]…
Honoring the Path
Last night, I just attended Visible, a world premiere at Harlem Stage choreographed by Jawole Willa Jo Zollar and Nora Chipaumire. I highly recommend it. What I appreciated most about the work was that it honored history -- black American history and American history at large. It honored how we all came to be here - no matter what our background. The work told a deeply meaningful story: In order to…
