Happy New Year!!!
AND I am working on two big projects. One is Martha Graham Dance Technique Level 3 and the other is creating "Suite of Dances - From Canticle for Innocent Comedians". The work Martha created in 1952, "Canticle for Innocent Comedians", the company revived in 1960's and then 1987, my first year with the company. Yuriko put this work together. She invited some of dancers who danced this work, brought them to the studio, taught us what they did, and remembered. It was a beautiful experience with many dancers that you admired and saw on video. I danced Chorus who danced interludes to 8 elements. and Also I got to dance a section called "Stars". I danced with Mario Camacho who now teaches in Holland.
I am very anxious and excited about this work. I am working with 2 composers Kathryn Swanson and Lief Ellis. I remember this beautiful chorus/group dances. Sometimes I teach this group sections for repertory classes. Once I put shorter version together, and it was about 10 mins of dancing. If you are interested to see it, please let me know!!!
Oh well, I am now off to observe Tamisha's rehearsal. Have a wonderful day everybody!!!
I posted on Jan.1, 2024 this year! I will try to post more regularly this year is my goal this year!!!
So at the Hartt School, first 2 weeks of January is usually Winter break, but selected dancers are back working with 2 choreographers. This year, these wonderful artists are here with them. Tamisha Guy and Robert De La Cruz III.
Choreographers came to the school, gave auditions, Freshman class to Senior class - all of them took this audition, casted them. Just like any other companies. Selected dancers come back right after Christmas, to attend this Spring Repertory Workshop. You will take warm up class- usually ballet. then rehearsal starts. 6 hours of rehearsal to create new works. This is how "you" as a professional dancer will experience when you start working with the company. No academic study but DANCE, practically DANCE ALL DAY. You will learn how to take care of yourself - over all area. Food, Body, Mind... yes Mind! you have to remember all new movements and counts and patterns and, and...
A native of Trinidad and Tobago, began her formal dance
training at Ballet Tech, under the direction of Eliot Feld. Later she
attended Fiorello H. La Guardia High School, and SUNY Purchase
College as a double major in dance and arts management.
In 2013 Guy graduated with honors from SUNY Purchase College
and joined the Martha Graham Dance Company shortly after.
In 2016 Guy was selected as one of Dance Magazine' Top 25 to
Watch and she also received the 2016 Princess Grace Award.
In 2017, she was named one of the Best Dancer's of the Year by
Dance Europe. In 2021, she received the 2022 Vilcek Prize for
Creative Promise in Dance. Tamisha currently dances with A.I.M,
under Artistic Director Kyle Abraham, which she joined in 2014.
Born in the Philippines and raised in Los Angeles, California,
Norbert De La Cruz III is recognized for his versatility in performance and choreography. His movement practice is shaped by his
training experiences from the Gabriella Foundation, LA County High
School for the Arts, Marat Daukayev School of Ballet, received a B.F.A. in Dance from the Juilliard School followed by and M..F.A. in
dance from Hollins University.
Professional, Robert has performed as a soloist with the
Metropolitan Opera's production of Aida, Aszure Barton & Artists
in Germany & Australia(Blue Soup & Busk), Balletto Teatro di
Torino(Italy), Joe Goode Performance Group, Sydney Skybetter &
Associates, Santa Clarita Ballet, Lustig Dance Theatre, Boca Tuya,
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet and Complexions Contemporary Ballet.
This is just an introduction so please visit their website!!!
So
They are creating!!! Norbert is creating a beautiful Contemporary Ballet on point, and Tamisha Contemporary Dance. Their movements are so interesting!!! Their use of weight, arms, backs..... ONLY IF I WERE YOUNG DANCER...
I didn't take any pictures during work, but after open rehearsal,
2 choreographers spent a little time with guests. Many questions
from guests, and Norbert and Tamisha's response was great!!!
Dancers wanted to know too. So we had a lunch with
choreographers.
Dancers had questions. Senior dancers, off course are curious
about HOW, What, and so on. It was nice to hear dancers'
interests and their responses.
BE KIND
Both of them, expressed, as a human, you need to be kind.
Kindness is something we forget when you are in hard time, or just forget in any time. You can not try to be nice/kind but you need to practice KIND BEING. so that it will penetrating.
Both of them, as I watched the rehearsals, never raise their voices, give dancers time to digest/respond and give them some room to experience.
Beside beautiful movements, it is great to watch them work.
Norbert has to leave so I took this picture! Everybody's face describe their happiness and appreciation!!!
