Five College Dance Department Newsletter 2007–2008

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Five College Dance department newsletter 2007–2008

Six Fabulous Fall residencies!

he FCDD hosted six exciting choreographic residencies fall 2008. Students performed work by George Balanchine, Ron K. Brown, Richard Jones, José Limón, TMark Morris and Rosangela Sylvestre. Silvestre

The renowned Brazilian choreographer Rosangela Silvestre was in residence at Smith College this fall teaching her technique and creating a new work on FCDD students. Since its beginning in 1982, the Silvestre Technique has become increasingly practiced outside of Brazil. This residency provided a rare opportunity for students to work directly with the creator of the technique they then performed. Body Universe, danced in the Smith College faculty concert, merged technique with spirituality.

“It was an honor to work with Rosangela,” said Bethany Louisos (UM ’09). “It’s rare to find a choreographer who humbles and inspires you, grounds and transports you, terrifies you and makes you laugh, and gives you as many questions as answers. From the minute she walked into the room we were engaged by her powerful spirit, and next by her infinite ability to express and share her connection to dance and the universe.” Louisos described the Silvestre Technique as “a graceful balance of the physical and the spiritual, combining strength, flexibility and discipline with meditation, elements of nature, connectivity and Re Dance Building, Hampshire College www.fivecolleges.edu/sites/dance balance.” Concludes Louisos, “It was a personal revelation [and a] culmination of what I love Five College Dance Department tur most about movement, fitting like a glove around my muscles and my mind.” n Se n Amherst, MA 01002 893 West Street (413) 549-3600 r v

Mark Morris and George Balanchine ic e Req e n i p s i r C n o J

Mark Morris’s Canonic Studies and Concerto Barocco, by the legendary George Balanchine, u e graced the Mount Holyoke and Smith College fall faculty concerts. The dances were double st e d cast and performed on both concerts, providing the dancers a chance to study the works from inside and out. Mark Morris company member Marjorie Folkman reset this comically Body Universe, choreographed by musical piece on MHC and SC students over two intensive weekends. Rosangela Sylvestre.

Canonic ≤ Studies, choreographed by Mark Morris, staged by Marjorie Folkman, rehearsals Amherst, MA 01002 Nonprofit Org Permit No. 21 directed by Candice Salyers. U.S. Postage D I A P

Editors: Merli Guerra (MHC ’09), Daphne Lowell (FCDD Chair) • Additional help: Betty Thurston (FCDD), Kate Neal (MHC ’09) • Designer: Robyn Cutler, Five Colleges, Incorporated

FCDD Student and Alum News

Christiana Axelson (MHC) performed at the Time Based Art Festival in Portland, Oregon, with Zoe Scofield and Juniper Shuey (the dance company in a Dave Mathews video). After visiting India, Nepal and Sri Lanka for three months, she performed in New York and Seattle.

Pele Bauch (HC) performed her first solo show,-ism, at Joyce SoHo during July 2007.

Illana (Berman) Krechmer (HC) is working as an ac- tress and Pilates trainer.

Nicole Bindler (HC) last year created PIA MATER, performed at Mascher Space Co-op to sold-out audiences. This fall she spent two weeks in Japan “I was particularly impressed with Marjorie throughout lighting and the costumes. … The movement and the dancing with Corrie Befort the whole process,” said Kate Abernethy (MHC ’08). “Her music came together so well. … It looked incredible.” at the Venue SuperDelux patience and humor … made what could have been a in Tokyo. This year she’ll stressful situation enjoyable and fun.” Kate explained offer a six-week “Self Care University Dancers that “as a personal fan of rhythmic accuracy, I found my- for Dancers and Yogis” workshop series, perform self enjoying the specificity of movement accompanied The University Dancers concert this fall featured three with Mascher in their Influx with counts and the intricate canons.” master works. Ronald K. Brown’s Exodus, restaged by Ar- Series, and teach with Cyrus cell Cabuag, was a percussive, high-energy dance fusing Kambatta in Seattle. Victoria Simon, ballet mistress for the George Balanchine ballet, hip-hop, West African, and modern movement to Tovah Bodner (UM BFA) Trust, set Concerto Barocco one weekend. FCDD dancers showcase the world’s many cultural perspectives. Tears of performed in Dancestrava- enjoyed learning this ballet, which explores the choreo- Joy, choreographed by internationally famed choreogra- ganza 2007, an annual June graphic possibilities of portraying music through dance. pher and former UMass professor Richard Jones, was re- gala in Providence, and is constructed by UD alums to honor the work of their men- the artistic director of The “I’ve done a few Balanchine ballets before,” said soloist tor. Paul Dennis, Limón dancer and UMass Dance faculty Robin’s Egg and dance educator for the Jacqueline Alex Kamerling (SC ’11), “… but dancing Barocco was a dif- member, set José Limón’s modern dance classic There Is a M. Walsh School for the ferent experience. It’s so demanding musically. It was an Time. This deeply moving work is based on Ecclesiastes: Performing and Visual Arts, enormous challenge to dance.” Watching from the audi- “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every pur- Pawtucket, Rhode Island. ence one night, Kamerling remembered “being blown pose under heaven … ” n

Kimberly Brandt (HC) and away at how beautiful everyone looked onstage with the Walsh Hansen had a showing of their video 50 MPH at the Bronx Academy of Arts & Dance.

Nick Brentley (AC) performed with the Philadel- phia-based Tania Isaac Dance Company at Jacob’s Pillow and the Bates Dance Festival before returning home to Washington, D.C. as a “suitor” for a production of Kiss Me, Kate at Toby’s Dinner Theater. He is a motivational dance- party instructor for NYX Entertainment Co. and a member of the Lesoles Dance Project.

Melissa Briggs (SC) premiered Book Dances, a site-specific production that traveled through a 19th- century Brooklyn church. The sold-out run received a great review in the New York Times. She now teaches dance in New Mexico.

Taela Brooks (AC) is a member of Naganuma Dance and does freelance work in New York. She performed with L’Oreal Professionnel, and in Ronald Wyche’s Doo

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• Five College Dance Department newsletter Wop Love. She made her musical theater debut this FCDD Lecture Series: The Arts in Healthcare, summer in Atlanta Theater of the Stars’ production of Dreamgirls. She is also a Indian Dance, and the Brazilian Sylvestre Technique figure skater with Ice Theater of New York. his year, the FCDD created its first Fall Lecture The Arts in Healthcare: Series, featuring presentations by Jill Sonke- Cheryl Brous (HC) is living Henderson, Justine Lemos and Rosangela Sil- FCDD develops partnership with CAHRE in Portland, Oregon and at- T tending graduate school in vestre. Launching the series, Jill lectured on the Arts in Jill Sonke-Henderson, director of the University of Florida Center for the Arts in Health- education. She is also danc- Healthcare movement, kindling interest in using dance as care, Research and Education (CAHRE) (arts.ufl.edu/CAHRE) and assistant director of Shands ing and teaching with a local a means of healing. Justine (a Hampshire alum who trav- Arts in Medicine (AIM) (shands.org/aim), spent three days introducing us to the new and tribal belly dance troupe. eled to the valley from Kerala, India) shared her exciting exciting field of dance in healthcare. Jill’s program brings professional artists into hospitals Willie C. Brown Jr. (UM) current doctoral research on historical aspects of classical to work with patients, staff and families, performing for them and also working with them danced with the Brazz Indian dance. The Brazilian choreographer and creator of directly. Dance Theater in a perfor- the Silvestre Technique, Rosangela Silvestre, spoke to the mance at the WhiteWave FCDD about the spiritual and technical aspects of her work, She shared some heart-wrenching stories from her experiences on the bone marrow Theater in Brooklyn. and the experiences that have shaped her technique over transplant unit. In one instance, a dying boy, excited to be working with the dancer in resi- Julia Brownell (AC) was time. The three lectures gave students a wonderful oppor- dence, urgently asked her to help him find his yellow bird. Over the next few sessions, the admitted to the NYU’s Tisch tunity to broaden their understanding of the importance two climbed through an imaginary jungle to find the boy’s magical bird and then journey School of the Arts Dramatic (and different contexts) of dance across the world. home. In another, she used a series of gentle stretches and breathing exercises to help an Writing Program. older patient feel she was at home by the ocean. Patients’ muscles often stiffen from lying Katherine Buechner (AC) in bed for months at a time, so many of Jill’s exercises involve opening the arms and chest is a first-year graduate and using one’s breath. As the patient’s posture shifted, so did her spirit brighten. student in the Yale School of Sound Design.

Jill’s brief stay in the valley inspired students to apply their artistry to a whole new field. Ana Caban (UM) opened Plans are under way for FCDD students to be able to pursue certification in Dance in Medi- Progressive Body Works cine or Arts in Healthcare through CAHRE. If you’re interested, contact Daphne Lowell. of Miami in 1998, and is now a spokesperson for Pilates. She choreographed Ranjanaa Devi’s 25th and starred in four Pilates programs for GAIAM, Inc. The FCDD celebrates Ranjanaa Devi for her 25 years of col- in 2000. The company has laboration with the FCDD, her leadership and imagination since created a line of Ana in promoting Asian arts, and the 25th anniversary of Nataraj Caban Pilates Fitness–re- Dancers, the company she founded in 1982. To mark the oc- lated products, DVDs and videos that are in stores casion Ranjanaa presented Mudra: The Gesture Speaks …, a and outlets across America. beautiful collaboration of dance, theater, video projection and live music in four scenes performed to a packed house Katharine (Kat) Callard (HC) joined eight others to in Bowker Auditorium at UMass Amherst. Mudra featured bicycle from San Francisco FCDD alumni and students Maura Donahue (SC MFA ’08), to Washington, D.C., to raise

Merli Guerra (MHC ’09), Justine Lemos (HC ’99), Michelle i r money for social justice c Marroquin (HC ’93), Gwyneth Arnold Starr (HC ’08), and Tony t r e b b a r g d r a h organizations across the Silva (UM ’94), musical director, as well as internationally fa- country. The riders — lesbi- mous tabla player Pandit Samir Chatterjee. an, gay, bisexual, transgen- dered, straight and allied cyclists — rode to raise Ranjanaa has enriched the valley with her knowledge of Indian dance and culture through awareness about forms of many channels. As director of the Asian Arts and Culture Program at UMass Amherst, she oppression in queer com- has brought in world-renowned Asian artists, musicians and performers. She teaches classi- munities, while meeting cal Indian dance in the FCDD, and last year taught The Performing Arts of Asia and brought with other marginalized six students and 14 community members to India’s western coast in the JTerm Arts of In- communities such as Native American reservations, dia — Study and Tour. Her company has performed nationally and internationally, including small farmers, homestead n Above: Jill Sonke-Henderson. Right: Ranjanaa Devi. lecture-demonstrations in public schools. Congratulations, Ranjanaa! ranchers, mining towns and Below: Ranjanaa Devi’s Mudra—The Gesture Speaks … low-income neighborhoods.

Mora Cantlin (MHC) accepted the administrative position at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts.

Nichole Canuso (HC) mounted two pieces for a showcase at Joyce SoHo in March.

Yanira Castro (AC) and Company was awarded a residency through Wil- liamsburg Art neXus Inc. (aka WAX) in partnership with the Dance Depart- ment of Barnard College as part of their Sugar Salon program. This summer the performers, designers and Castro will be rehearsing their newest project, Center of Sleep, at Barnard. Her Dark Horse/Black Forest opened at the Roschel Performing Arts Center with costumes designed by Suzanne Dougan, professor of theater and dance at S

Wei ang n Wa i e W o a h Amherst.

Olivia D’Ambrosio (AC)

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had a feature role in a new adaptation of Jane Aus- ten’s Pride and Prejudice by Fcdd welcomes new guest artists Catherine Sheehy at the Asolo Repertory Theater in Sarasota, Florida.

Milena Dabova (AC) completed an internship with Wire Monkey Dance and performed in its October production.

Eva Dean (HC) toured BOUNCE with her New York–based company, Eva Dean Dance. They performed at Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor, New York, and Union StreetDance, Brooklyn. Last year she launched the “Repertoire Workshop Series” featuring her choreography and that of Susan Marshall.

Irada Djelassi (UM BFA) and Katherine Hooper d a z a s i f a n (UM BFA) are co–artistic directors of Boston Somatic Dance Company (BoSoma). Meghan Hood Donna Mejia performing Homage Embodied, which she (UM BA), Erika Johnson also choreographed. (UM BFA) and Audrey Lavallee (UM BFA) also dance with BoSoma, Thomas Vacanti (UM) has performed with Ballet Florida, which performed VIBE Tampa Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Ballet Mississippi, Ballet at the Tsai Performance Michigan, North Atlantic Ballet and the National Ballet of Center, Transit at Green Panama. He was one of ten American dancers selected Street Studios, and Ten’s to participate in the Soviet/American Exchange Program the Limit at the Boston Institute of Contemporary sponsored by Jacob’s Pillow. Art. Marilyn M. Sylla (SC, MHC, AC, UM) has performed and Sarah Eley (HC) has danced with Krisen Day in taught African dance and drumming in Brazil, Haiti, West the Hawley Martin Dance Africa and the United States, including at Jacob’s Pillow, Company, and Blaze Dance Omega Institute in New York, the Kripalu Center, Rock- Group. With Blaze, she efeller Center, and California Technical Institute, and in performed in the LiveArts New York City for the Latin American Music Awards. Festival in the Philadel- phia Fringe Fest; at First Night, Northampton and Paul Dennis (UM), former member of the José Limón at Thornes, A.P.E. Sarah Dance Company, has restaged seminal masterpieces of collaborated with drum- Doris Humphrey and Limón at various colleges. mer Katie Koti to create a percussive dance, which Hampshire alum Fritha Pengelly (HC) spent seven years

was performed at the Pa- e d K i v i t t

T dancing with the Doug Elkins Dance Company. She has perMill Studio in Holyoke, Massachusetts. She began Paul Dennis performing Donna Mejia (SC) specializes in contemporary dance, also performed with the Chamber Dance Company, David graduate work in the Exiles by José Limón. traditions of the African diaspora, Arabic American tribal Neumann, and Wire Monkey Dance. Mike Vargas (SC) is a Smith College School for fusion belly dance and new fusion traditions in world dance musician specializing in improvisation and music Social Work last year. electronica. She has worked for Harambee African Dance for dance since 1978. His music has been heard across the

Adrienne Celeste Fadjo Ensemble of the University of Colorado at Boulder and United States and in Europe, Mexico, Australia and Brazil. (UM BFA) celebrated the Colorado College, and is an authorized instructor of the Kathryn Mayfield (FCDD accompanist) and Larry Berger fifth anniversary of her Brazilian Silvestre Modern Dance Technique. (HC technical assistant) have also joined the FCDD. n New York City–based ACFDance Co. with Quin- tennial, an evening-length presentation. Her company performed in COOL NY; Spotlight on Master Classes a festival at White Wave Dance in Brooklyn; the New FCDD Courses FCDD students participated in more than 25 master class- Dance Complex in Cam- es this year in forms ranging from the Limón Technique to bridge; an open rehearsal Fritha Pengelly’s Dancing in Context (HC) explored how the fabric of dance is interwoven hip-hop, Broadway to Bharata Natyam, flamenco to Odissi at the Joyce SoHo; and a with social dance, political movements, cultural bias and personal experience. Donna Mejia’s dance. Thanks to the UMass Fine Arts Center Off Center se- modern dance homage to Mozart at the Abrons Art Integrity in Ethnic/Global Dance Fusion (SC) examined the inevitable transformation of old ries, the Asian Music and Dance Program, the International Center, New York City. and new dance traditions in performance, seeking to define what responsibility choreogra- Festival of the Arts, and the home campus programs, FCDD phers and performers have as cultural ambassadors in a “cut-and-paste” environment. Tom students worked with artists from the Ron Brown, Limón, Erica (Farrell) Lizotte (UM Nataraj, Noche Flamenca, Pierre Rigal, and Steppin’ dance BFA) moved to Phoenix and Vacanti’s Ballet History (UM) explored the history of ballet as a cultural dance form. Daphne performed as a guest artist Lowell’s Contemplative Dance/Authentic Movement (HC) introduced students to this new companies, with Amy Allen (from Wicked), David Dorfman, with Desert Dance Theatre, dance practice that works with discovered rather than prescribed movement and stillness to Jill Sonke-Henderson, Aniruddha Knight and others. n a company cofounded by deepen bodymind integration. UMass dance faculty member Billbob Brown. Other new courses are Rose Flachs’s Classical Ballet Variations (MHC), Donna Mejia’s Tribal Fu- Megan Frazier (SC MFA) is sion: Level Two (SC), Billbob Brown’s Dance Improvisation and Movement Exploration (UM), finishing graduate school Tommy DeFrantz’s Black Beauty: Concert Dance in the Africanist Grain (HC), Jeffrey Bliss’s at Springfield College Community Crossover (MHC) and Fritha Pengelly’s Pilates. n for a master’s in physical therapy. Last year she taught ballet and technical production in the dance Continued on page

• Five College Dance Department newsletter department at Springfield College and produced the Guggenheim and Fulbright student and faculty dance concerts. Last fall she performed 3:00 am with her now 1½-year-old daughter.

Becca Gardener (HC) dances with Ballet Ariel in Denver. They performed at the opening of the Museum of Contem- porary Art, followed by The Nutcracker and the Spring Show. She has also been dancing with and teaching master classes regularly for the Denver Independent Choreogra- phers Project.

Cass Ghiorse (HC) joined Dance Alloy Theater (DAT), Pittsburgh’s premier modern repertory company, in the fall of 2000. With DAT she has worked with E i r

c Pilobolus, Kevin Wynn,

o g g e n p o h l l h o p n e g g o Stephen Keoster, David Shimotakahara, Mark Taylor and Beth Corning, among others. She can Constance Valis Hill (left) and Wendy Woodson. currently be seen in Nike. com’s new ad campaign I onstance Valis Hill (HC) received a 2007 Gug- Feel Pretty. genheim Fellowship to support the completion Serena Hadsell (UM) has C of her second book-length study, Tap Dancing in danced with Sonia Plumb, America: A Twentieth-Century Chronology and Cultural His- Christine Cali, Audra tory, 1900–2005. Carabetta (UM) and Billbob Brown’s Chaos Theory Dance Company, Wendy Woodson (AC) received a Senior Scholar Ful- as well as with Linden bright award in 2007 to travel to Melbourne, Australia, Tree Dance Company. She where she created several dance and video works as art- has studied with Robert ist in residence at the Victorian College of the Arts and at Moses, Augusta Moore, Monash University. Academy of Ballet SF, and Jody Weber. She earned a master’s degree in dance/ Two Bessies, a Tony and movement therapy from Antioch New England the African American Graduate School and has Arts Alliance Awards worked as a therapist/ teacher at the Community Therapeutic Day School in Lexington, Massachusetts.

Norah Haldeman (HC) is on the dance faculty at Ohio State University.

Alec Hammond (AC) was the production designer for 12 Miles of Bad Road, starring Lily Tomlin; and The Night Watchman, starring Keanu Reeves. She currently works as the Yasuko Yokoshi (HC alum, above) was awarded a 2006 Bes- production designer for sie for her choreography of What We When We at Danspace The Box. Tarja Martikain- en (AC’05) is also working Project. This is Yasuko’s second Bessie. on this film, assisting the costume designer. Jawole Willa Jo Zollar won a Bessie for Walking with Pearl — The Southern Diaries. Jawole first created this mond Ballet’s A Rose for Miss Emily, which de Mille choreo- Above: Roseangela Jeff Janisheski (AC) was one of the producers for piece on FCDD students during a National Collegiate graphed on Gemze in 1970. Sylvestre. the NY Butoh Festival Choreographic Initiative grant-funded residency several in October 2007. He years ago. Both an homage to Primus and incorporating “I found that when you teach this material fully and hon- and Yanira Castro (AC) her Buschache, Jawole’s Walking has introduced audienc- estly and don’t cut corners, the singers, the actors and the collaborated on a piece es all over the country to Primus’s work. dancers involved love it and they work very hard to get it performed at the Japan [right] … Dances are very ephemeral. I do remember the spe- Society, receiving positive notice in The New Yorker. Gemze de Lappe (SC faculty emerita) won a Tony Award cial nuances and acting points.” As she coaches new dancers Last year Jeff worked with this year for her skills as both choreographer and repitit- in the great choreography of the past, Gemze says she is also Classic Stage Company in eur. Gemze, who danced in the original productions of looking to train people to carry on in her tradition. New York. deMille’s Oklahoma!, Carousel, Brigadoon, Robbins’s The Jane Jerardi (HC) pro- King and I, and many others, is treasured by the theater FCDD guest artist Rosangela Silvestre’s recent work, duced Chance, a video community for her ability to replicate for future genera- Guide, set on Muntu Dance Company of Chicago, was dance that will appear on tions the great choreography she witnessed firsthand. Six nominated for the Best Choreography Award and the the sides of buildings in decades since she began her career, she is still teaching Black Excellence Award in Dance by the African American and around Washington, the legendary work she participated in and keeping it Arts Alliance, a national organization that recognizes excel- D.C. This public art project will be presented at four alive. She recently coached the American Ballet Theatre’s lence in film, writing, dance, theater and the visual arts. n sites. presentation of de Mille’s Fall River Legend and the Rich- Erika Johnson (UM) is

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studying for her doctorate in physical therapy at UMass Lowell. She per- Meet the New FCDD Dance forms with BoSoma Dance Company and was an Production Assistant apprentice and company member with Bennett Dance Company, Cam- The FCDD is delighted to welcome Gwen Niven (left) into bridge, Massachusetts. our newly created staff position. Gwen, a recent Hampshire alum (May ’07), will be our first dance production assistant, Jennifer Kayle (SC MFA), working with Jean Baxter (FCDD) and our home campus assistant professor of dance at the University of technical staff to help coordinate and produce our 20-plus aley Morgan

Iowa, made 11 new works H concerts a year. in the past two years, receiving some nice press and performing at Joyce Soho and ADF. She received more than FCDD Scholarship to Perry Mansfield $20,000 in grant money and commissions this Performing Arts School FCDD news: year, one project taking her to Arizona, another Thanks to a generous anonymous grant, the FCDD now offers scholarships (full tuition plus to St. Petersburg, Russia. travel) to two FCDD students annually to attend the Perry Mansfield Performing Arts School Jennifer was co-creator in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Auditions are held each November for these grants. Con- and faculty member at the annual Movement gratulations to Lila Dodge (SC) and Amy Ciaramitaro (UM), who won the scholarships for leaps Intensive in Compositional summer 2007, and to Rose Abramoff (AC) and Crystal Menninga (MHC) for summer 2008. Improvisation, in which Candice Salyers (SC MFA) performed. and Anne Kenney (AC) was UMass Announces the Sankofa Dance the costume designer for The End of Cinematics, by Project and NYPOP (the New York Mikel Rouse, at the Brook- lyn Academy of Music in bounds October 2007. www.bam. Professional Outreach Program) org

Hannah Margulis-Kessel The Sankofa Project celebrates African Roots in Ameri- (HC) was accepted into the master’s program in can Dance through intensive summer study and choreo- the School of Education graphic residencies at UMass Amherst, accompanied by at University of California performances and events highlighting through dance Berkeley. the diversity of the world in which we live. The project Eddie Kim (AC) directed was begun in 2007 with grant support from the UMass Medea at the Here Arts President’s Office and additional financial support from Center in New York in Au- the UMass Amherst Provost’s Office. The word sankofa gust, working with several invokes a belief that we must go back and reclaim our other AC alums including past so we can move forward; so we understand why and Marina Libel and Liam O’Rourke. how we came to be who we are today. Activities began in 2007 with the restaging of acclaimed modern choreogra- Erika Kinetz (AC) has pher Ron K. Brown’s Exodus with the University Dancers, published in Newsweek UMass Amherst’s touring company. We are thrilled to and the New York Times, writing on politics and have George Faison directing our summer intensive in tourism in Southeast Asia. 2008 and are every excited to present his Respect Project in partnership with STCC in May. We eagerly await our Zoe Klein (HC) performs and teaches internation- work with Chuck Davis in 2009. Find out more at www. ally with her partner, sankofadanceproject.com. Dave Paris (HC), as PARA- DIZO DANCE, combining acrobatics and salsa. They performed Eireann at the New York Salsa Congress in August 2007, and at the Cuba Libre nightclub at the Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City. Zoe performed a new solo combining acrobatics, Afro-Cuban dance and personal narrative at the Dumbo Dance Festival; plus Sleepers, Dave’s and Zoe’s acrobatic dance interpretation of Walt Whitman’s poem.

Maryanne Kodzis (SC) teaches ballet, dance history and dance kine- siology at Dean College, and choreographs for its dance company. With Tom Vacanti (SC MFA), she is co–artistic director of Pioneer Valley Ballet and its Nutcracker. She was a guest at Smith College in 2006.

Mabel Lajes (AC) is the literacy chair at the Bos- Continued on page Above and center: Exodus choreographed by Ronald K. Brown, restaged by Arcell Cabuag, performed by Sankofa Dance Project.

• Five College Dance Department newsletter Authentic Movement Prac- setts Academy of Ballet and ton Preparatory Charter titioners, held at Hampshire concluded their summer teach- Public School. She recently College in June 2006. She also ing at the Connecticut Concert brought a group of eighth- FCDD taught Authentic Movement Ballet’s summer intensive with grade students to her alma (AM) at the Center for the technique and pas de deux mater to tour the theater Faculty, Contemplative Mind in Society classes. and dance department Summer Faculty Development Paul Dennis (UM) directed and see a current produc- Conference in August 2006 and Staff, the White Mountain Sum- tion. 2007. She continues to teach mer Dance Festival in 2007 at Musicians contemplative dance/AM with Springfield College reconstruct- Tiffany Langlois (UM) Alton Wasson at Hampshire ing, directing and performing has been living in Florida, College summers and in their works by Ted Hershey, Laura going to school for es- News training programs for adult Glenn and Anna Sokolow. In thiology (skin care), and professionals from around the addition to setting José Limón’s working in a spa and for a Wendy Woodson (AC) wrote country. There Is a Time and teaching the plastic surgeon. She has and directed a full-length Jim Coleman and Terese new NYPOP course at UMass, kept up with the dance movement/theater/video Freedman (MHC) are on Paul was invited to tour The world: she has been to piece entitled Veronica’s Fold. It sabbatical this spring, restag- Traitor with the Limón Dance several auditions and is premiered at the Ko Festival of ing works on companies in Company, beginning the hoping to return to New Performance in July at Amherst Wisconsin, Utah and Rhode tour at the Fine Arts Center at York City soon. College and was shown again Island. They’ll present a concert, UMass Amherst. This spring he Audrey Lavallee (UM) at A.P.E. in November. The piece including their newest work, will reconstruct Ted Shawn’s dances with the Boston- was created in collaboration based BoSoma Dance with the performers (all Five Company. She also is an College alums): Peter Schmitz Wilson to develop a program Water collaboration with UK administrative assistant for (MFA SC), Marina Libel (AC), called the Sankofa Dance musicians Maggie Cole (piano), Global Marketing at Idenix Lisa Biggs (AC), Candice Project, celebrating African Miranda Fulleylove (violin) and Pharmaceuticals. Salyers (MFA SC) and James roots in American dance, for Sebastian Comberti (cello). The Emery (MFA SC). AC alumna which she will serve as artistic program included a premiere Brandye Lee (SC) was in Kathy Couch designed the director. Only five such grants of Nordstrom and Brown’s Hartford recently perform- set and lights. Wendy received were awarded throughout newest duet, T.O.E. Dance, set ing in The Lion King with an Amherst College Faculty the Commonwealth. Peggy to music of J. S. Zamecnik. The three other FCDD alumni Research Award to develop this also obtained resources for performance took place at in the cast/orchestra: one work. She also completed two an exciting new course, New Bush Hall in West London. They from MHC and two from video pieces: Rachel’s Call (with York Professional Outreach also performed T.O.E Dance at UM. AC alumna Rachel Tischler) and Program, NYPOP/Dance, which Colby Sawyer College, in New Nerve, a documentary about brought students to New York Hampshire, in the spring. Anne MacRae (AC) is the play development associ- Australian medical anthropolo- to meet with alumni and other Cathy Nicoli (HC) was again ate/Sloan project manager awarded a Hewlett Grant from for the Manhattan Theatre Hampshire College to support Club. her research in autobiographi- Alchemy, set to a musical Labor Symphony on students at cal dance composition. She score by MHC music professor Springfield College; restage Do- Tara Madsen (SC) is in her spent the last two summers David Sanford, in April at the ris Humphrey’s Day on Earth at second season dancing in in Nova Scotia delving into Northampton Center for the UMass Amherst; choreograph the Tania Isaac Dance Com- memoir solo work to premiere Arts. Last fall, Terese restaged Do for UMass Amherst’s Theater pany, performing at Jacob’s in 2009. Based on memoir- Run Run for the MHC Fall Dance Department’s production Pillow; Bates Dance Festival; based choreographic studies, Concert, and this January the of Ondine, directed by Gina Dance Place, in Washington, Cathy taught a new course: PVPA dancers performed Is This Kaufmann; and choreograph D.C., and Aaron Davis Hall in Moving Memoirs: Composing Desire, restaged by Jim. Terese a new work on the local dance New York City. She is also a Yourself Through Choreogra- is now on the executive board company Dance Connect. certified Gyrotonic instruc- phy. She spent her sixth year of ACDF as vice president of Rodger Blum’s (SC) dance/ tor at The Balance Point in at Bearnstow Arts and Nature policies and procedures. Next theater video Embrace was Philadelphia. Retreat in Mt. Vernon, Maine, fall, Terese will become the MHC shown this past year at the Michelle Marroquin (HC) where she is co-director of the Dance Department chair and FAIF International Film Festival teaches Gyrotonic and day camp, which focuses on Jim will be FCDD chair for the in the Mann Chinese Theatres, Gyrokinesis movement reclaiming the heart in arts, next three years. Hollywood, California. Last nature and special education. techniques at Move- gist Dr. Lenore Manderson. professionals in the field to Rose and Charles Flachs (MHC) year he created a one-act This year, Cathy also enjoyed ment Resource Studio in learn how to transition into the presented their research — The ballet based on an original Susan Waltner (SC) continued her first self-produced perfor- Northampton and yoga professional world. In 2006, Future of Ballet Lies with the fable, Helenia, Angelique, and developing choreography be- mance at A.P.E., which included courses at Hampshire Teaching — and a video showing the Broken Cane and choreo- gun during her sabbatical last Peggy was an invited panelist College. She is performing many FCDD dancers. Currently of their ballet Contra-Diction at graphed a contemporary trio year using the model of Anna for a Dance/USA panel, “From Odissi-style Indian dance at Hampshire and Amherst the 2007 CORPS de Ballet Inter- for current and former gradu- and Lawrence Halprin’s R.S.V.P. the Campus to the Real World with Ranjanaa Devi’s Colleges, Cathy says she’s grate- national Conference at Western ate students entitled Full, which cycles. Last year she performed (And Back Again): A Panel Nataraj Dancers. “It’s been ful for having such amazing, Michigan University. They spent premiered in the spring. Smith with the Dance Generators and and Workshop for Artists.” The an awesome creative talented, fun students with a week at the Pennsylvania College appointed Rodger to began choreographing a work program addressed issues of outlet for me … combining whom to share the experience Academy of Ballet teaching all full professor in May 2007, and for the company during the concern for artists looking to my love of dance with the of dance. levels of ballet, pointe and pas he is now at work on a quartet summer. Other sabbatical work connect to the academic world. devotional aspect of yoga. Daphne Lowell (HC) co- de deux. They then launched for the upcoming FCDD Faculty included studying anatomy This spring she was invited to It’s incredibly challenging hosted/organized the First into directing and teaching the Concert. Rodger continues his from various perspectives, such serve on an external review and technically precise, International Gathering of ballet intensive at Massachu- studies each summer at the as a workshop on connective for the Dance Department at but so beautiful,” she says. tissue with Dean Juhan and a Denison University. Maine Media Workshops and course in exercise physiology. Fritha Pengelly (HC) was a vis- his company, Surviving Jesse Brett Marshall Lefferts Productions, maintains a Web (HC) has found his niche Mike Vargas (SC) collaborated iting lecturer for the 2006–2007 site at www.smith.edu/surviv- making music for dance. with dancer Nancy Stark Smith school year at the University ingjesse. His band, Seed A.I., was last year, and created the of Washington in Seattle. In featured on the NPR All evening-length Exactness of fall 2006 Fritha restaged and Jean Baxter (FCDD) completed Songs Considered Open Mic Weights of Feeling with seven performed in a section of Doug graduate work in information podcast when the song 2D Finnish dancers in Helsinki. Elkins’s Center My Heart for the management at the UMass Is- was picked up from its new He and dancer Olivier Besson Chamber Dance Company at enberg School of Management. album. completed a yearlong project the University of Washington. Additionally, she built a “wiki” Web page for FCDD freelanc- with two 6-hour performances She was also invited to do Dustyn Martincich (SC ers in lighting design and tech of improvisation in Paris, and in residencies at the University of MFA) is at Winona State support for the department’s November, Mike composed an Tennessee and Western Wyo- University, Minnesota, production work, and taught evening-length score for Van- ming Community College, and for a year teaching Dance dance production at UMass couver choreographer Peter to create new work on Chalie Appreciation, Performance Amherst. She is working with Bingham and performed with Livingston and Jeff Curtis in I (voice and movement); the MHC Dance Department Andrew Harwood in Montreal. Omaha. Last summer Fritha jazz; and modern. She is and the PVPA Charter School This summer Mike will teach attended the Rennie Harris also choreographing a new on the development of their and perform at a dance festival Illadelph Legends Festival in work on the students. in Seattle and at a 10-day inter- Philadelphia. performance facilities. Her work national Contact Improvisation Becky Nordstrom (HC) and with local junior high and high Martha Mason (MHC) conference. Billbob Brown (UM) traveled school Girl Scouts continues, took her company, SNAPPY with girls completing two gold DANCE, to southern France Peggy Schwartz (UM) received to London last October to and four silver awards this year. for performances celebrat- a three-year Creative Econo- perform the latest version of Continued on page mies grant from President Jack their Hands and Feet Across the

ing its 10th anniversary. pany in New Haven and hosting ages Festival in Williamstown, and was rehearsal director for Group in Seattle; taught dance Integrated Teacher Training a dance/art festival. Massachusetts. David Dorfman during his ap- at the Creative Dance Center, and now works for Leap in San Kelly (Parsley) Maxner (SC) pearance as guest choreog- which she helped to start; and Francisco. Natalie Neckyfarow (SC) and Marina Reti (AC) was costume worked in Washington, D.C., rapher. was a member of the Left Field Sara Towber (SC) performed designer for the Juilliard Opera directing Haroun and Sea Dance Collective, which per- Layard Thompson (UM BFA) “ballet” in the Columbus Theater’s production of Idome- Candice Salyers (SC MFA) of Stories; performed at the forms throughout Seattle in participated in his third Solo Day Parade with the Italian neo. She also designed for the produced Belief (is a persistent Visual Theater Festival in Balti- theaters, warehouses and pub- Performance Commissioning group Studio Festi. She is Aspen Opera Theater’s produc- angel), a concert of solo works more; choreographed a world lic spaces. She is now studying Project with choreographer now working with Headless tions of Eliogabalo, Carmen, and by Salyers and others. She premiere on the Turkish State for an MFA in choreography at Deborah Hay, and presented Whorse Dance Company, her Cosi Fan Tutte and for Columbia has toured with Li Chiao- Modern Dance Company; Sarah Lawrence College. his adaptations of her works and is currently on faculty at first serious dancing since Stages’ A Flea in Her Ear. Ping Dance and was one of in a series of concerts in Los the North Carolina School a knee injury in May 2005 12 dance artists selected for Lauren Sprance (UM BFA) Angeles and at the Gershwin Loren Robertson (MHC) is of the Arts. This spring he while performing in South the firstN ew England Dance danced for the Regent Seven Hotel, New York City. program manager at Counter- and his wife, Mollye Maxner, Pacific. She also pursues act- Lab, a program from the New Seas cruise line, traveling to PULSE, an arts organization- Sara Towber (SC) is pursuing performed at Joyce/Soho ing prospects in theater (both England Foundation for the the Caribbean, Tahiti, French performance venue providing acting work, and has done and traveled to Moscow to musical and non) and film, Arts’ National Dance Project Polynesia, the Mexican support and low-cost resources several print jobs including a perform in the Moscow Dance and was in several off-Broad- (NDP), which provides a free Riviera, New Zealand, and the to emerging artists in San Fran- cover for Pilates Style. Theatre Festival, where there way plays, but the highlight of eight-day residency and entire coast of South America. cisco. She dances with Paige was a memorial service for her year was playing the role professional development Starling Sorvillo/blindsight, Arlene Steiner (UM BFA) Christina Tsoules (SC) is the Melissa Hayden. of Lainey in an independent opportunity for New England and researches sound/video/ artistic director/choreogra- new assistant professor of feature tentatively titled 1957: dance artists. dance at Wake Forest Univer- Bessie McDonough-Thayer performance work of her own. pher of Tandem Dance Inc., A Sci-Fi Movie Musical. She is sity in Winston-Salem, North (SC) is dancing-collaborating She is also an independent Karen E. (Scanlon) Brown premiered Pinch, performed still teaching Pilates/personal Carolina where she teaches with Elena Demyanenko of videographer and video edi- (UM) taught a master class by Billbob Brown, in London. training privately. modern, composition, the Stephen Petronio Co. (HC) tor for artists in the Bay Area. as part of the UMass Dance This year she was a guest improvisation, 20th-century and Jen Rosenblit (HC). She Wendy Osserman (SC) per- Loren and Ashley Hunt’s video Department’s Alumni Fridays artist of Concord Academy’s dance history, and a crazy had a show at Dixon Place and formed in a new dance work Youtube: A Mediated Community Series. Summer Stages. She received course called Movement for also performed at Hamp- with music by jazz violinist, won best documentary in the an Emerging Artist Award Gretel Schatz (UM) is in her Men — all men, all Wake For- shire College for Friends and composer and singer Rosi FCDD Student Film and Video from Green Street Studios, 11th year as the director of the est scholarship athletes. Family Weekend. She is the Hertlein and commissioned Festival in May 2007. and collaborated with dance program at the North- founder of Guerrilla Dance, by the Wendy Osserman Machushla Hill, Tanja London Jennifer (Rockwell) Edwards field Mount Hermon School in Julie Weismantel (UM BFA) is an ad hoc group of musicians Dance Company. Said Debo- and the Dana Hall School (UM BFA) danced in Dracula, Gill, Massachusetts. She spent teaching and doing research and dancers that produce a rah Jowitt, Village Voice, May Dance Department. She is a Romeo and Juliet, A Midsum- her sabbatical last year dancing, at George Mason University, community-based, family- 30, 2006 “… Veteran New York certified personal trainer of mer Night’s Dream, and Agnes making choreographic work for where she is also dancing friendly and free arts event on dancemaker offers insight into the Boston Sports Clubs in DeMille’s Rodeo with the video, traveling, and spending again. Nantucket each August. This emotions. … Powerful stuff.” Wellesley and Watertown, Metropolitan Ballet of the time with her three children. past year Candice Salyers teaches dance at Step by Step Letitia J. Smith Williams Kara O’Toole (MHC) is the Twin Cities (Minnesota) during (SC MFA) danced as a guest, Ingrid Schatz (UM BFA) is a Dance Studios in Waltham, (SC) retired from the Univer- director of VELOCITY, one the 2006–2007 season. and Kathy Couch (AC) helped dancer and choreographer and sets choreography on sity of Colorado Boulder. She of Seattle’s largest dance with sound. Emily Rosenberg (AC) won a with the Boston-based local community drama and received many awards for her schools. fellowship from the American Kinodance. In May, at the Tsai dance programs. contributions to the Colorado Heather F. McLean (UM) has Stephen Petronio (HC) and Antiquarian Society to con- Performance Center, the group dance scene, including the been owner/instructor of the Jillian Sweeney (SC MFA) company performed at the duct independent research performed the multimedia Governor’s Award for Excel- Creative Edge Dance Studio choreographed and per- UMass Amherst Fine Arts at the Victoria and Albert Mu- performance piece Denizen, lence in the Arts, and a fea- in New Hampshire for more formed Salad Days (or days Center and at Joyce Theater seum in London; she will be which the Boston Globe called a turette in Dance Magazine. than 15 years. of youth and vigor), a duet in New York City. Stephen working on costume design “breathtaking synthesis of live performed with Tara O’Con. Abigail Yager (MHC) Zeina Nasr (AC) is in residence received great press for his and performance. and filmed dance.” Schatz also completed her MFA through for a year at Amherst College New York concert. performs with Wendy Jehlen, Sarah Szemreylo (UM) has Jen Rosenblit (HC) premiered Hollins College/ADF and as a Copeland fellow, working Nicola Hawkins Dance Co., and been teaching ballet at the Jelena Petrovic (MHC) an- BottomHeavy Productions’ has been assistant profes- on the creation of original Paula Josa-Jones/Performance Dance Kraze Dance Studio in nounced the birth of her son newest work, Underbelly and sor of dance at Ohio State songs and improvisational Works, and works with at-risk Ellington, Connecticut. She in May. Superfly Afterthoughts, fol- University. music performance. Her fel- youth in south Boston. is also a massage therapist, lowed by a special guest ap- lowship is part of a residency Ryan Platt (AC) is now a Ph.D. personal trainer and adminis- Jewel Younge (AC) is a pearance by Kimberly Brandt Cristina Septein (AC), in entitled Art and Identity that candidate at Cornell. He won trative assistant at the fitness professor at Olive Harvey (HC). The piece will also be collaboration with Emily Al- includes artists from different a prestigious DAAD fellowship center Cardio Express. College, where she has been performed at the Movement pren (AC) and Aaron Wilton, cultural perspectives. for dissertation research over a key player in revitalizing the Research’s Open Performance choreographed If You Look Nicole Tesson (MHC) com- the next one–three years in theater program. Linalynn Natter (UM) at Dance Theater Workshop. Long Enough, which was pre- pleted a year abroad studying Berlin. He is studying the legacy presented new choreography sented by the South Pleasant at the Laban Centre, London, Marlena Zahm (UM BFA) of the avant garde on contem- Rain Ross (MHC) choreo- “well balanced with silliness Street Company at the Dance working with international worked in the production porary experimental theater graphed a new piece based and seriousness” at a Full Circle Theater Workshop in New artists such as Gary Lambert department of Dance New and dance. on the paintings of Leonora Dance concert at A.P.E. Theater, York City. Andrew Sloat (AC) and Melanie Clarke and dance Amsterdam in New York City, Carrington, working with a Thornes Market in Northamp- Marta Renzi (HC) had a designed the show. education leader Valerie and is now a member of the composer and a set designer ton. She is now working with screening of her dance video Preston-Dunlap. She is a certi- hip-hop company Dance for their December show. She Julia Skloot (HC) danced the Clark Dance Theater Com- Porch Stories at the Moving Im- fied Pilates trainer through Catalyst. She also teaches at also danced with Toni Pimble, for the Crispin Spaeth Dance

In Memoriam: Julius Robinson 1930–2008

ulius Robinson, principal pianist and lecturer in oudovsky, renowned soloist in the historic Ballet de Monte the Smith College Department of Dance, passed Carlo, as well as other New York City ballet masters. Jaway on February 3, 2008, after a brief illness. A superb concert pianist and musician who made a career He also performed as a concert pianist throughout the providing music for dance, Julius joined the department United States, Canada and Europe after studying on full in 1981 with American Ballet Theater and Agnes de Mille scholarship at the American Conservatory of Music, Juil- soloist Gemze de Lappe. Their classes in ballet and Isa- liard School of Music, and the Mannes College of Music dora Duncan technique were beloved for years by Smith in New York. He held a bachelor’s degree in music and College and Five College dancers. studied privately with some of the world’s finest teach- ers, including Adele Marcus, Carl Mosbacher and Mme. During his career, Julius collaborated with some of the great Olga Stroumilo. names in dance, including George Balanchine and Agnes de Mille. Julius toured as conductor/pianist for de Mille’s Heri- Other positions Julius held are: music assistant, Skidmore tage Dance Theatre and was her personal pianist. On Ms. College; musical director, Williams College Summer de Mille’s death in 1993, she bequeathed Julius the funds to Dance Program; artist in residence, National Academy of create two of his three recorded collections of music for bal- Arts in Champaign, Illinois; and musical director of Smith let class, entitled Inspirational Interludes, volumes 1 and 2. College’s Summer Dance Program. He also participated in summer residencies at Wolf Trap Centre of the Per- o s e r m Julius also toured extensively with vocalists from the Met- forming Arts.

l i d a ropolitan and New York City Opera Companies and the New York Quartet under Columbia Artist Management. We all will miss his superb artistry, gentle presence and He earned a reputation for his musical artistry and affinity love for dance. n for dance, beginning in the ballet classes of Vladimir Dok-

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