Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Three Reasons To Come To Class

By: Jillian Greenberg

Your alarm goes off. You blink with weighted lids. Blankets cradle you like a warm hug. You can feel the chilled air coming from your window. Your body is heavy and happily limp. Your eyes are begging to be shut. And for that split second you think, “Well, I could sleep for another hour if I skip dance class…” WAKE UP! The benefits of moving and grooving are going to impact you for years to come.  

BUILDS BRAIN POWER According to a study done in The New England Journal of Medicine, dance can help boost your hippocampus in your brain, which is the control center for your memory! In late adulthood the hippocampus has been seen to shrink and cause dementia but studies show that with dance your hippocampus will be exercising along with your body keeping it healthy for years to come. In this study it was also found that dance is a great way to exercise the brain because it allows our neural synapsis to find new pathways to solve problems and coordinate movements. Building new neural synapsis paths keeps the brain active and ready for tasks to come.

RELIEVES STRESS A study done for A Journal of Applied Gerontology showed that musical accompaniment and partner dancing can be a large stress relief for the mind. Both dancing and music releases endorphins, which gives the body a natural high. In dance because it is a performing art endorphins along with adrenaline is secreted in the body allowing the mind to reach a unbelievable sensation, more intense some may say then just a workout or even drugs.

STAND TALLER Dance has been proven to help relieve depression, build confidence, and improve posture. The social interactions, learning new skills, and sharing time and experiences with others all contribute to building awesome self esteem reducing depression. Also having knowledge on good posture can prevent kyphosis letting you stand tall and strong for many years to come.

Dance feeds the mind, body, and soul. The studio is a place where there is only one focus: being an artist.  A place to do the impossible, creating magic and becoming a chameleon. You can be something bigger then yourself or a better version of yourself when you dance. Then, when its over and you whip the sweat off your forehead, you can smile because you just did something that no other person can do. You created a master piece that will never be replicated again, and what’s better then getting to make new art with your body as the canvas over and over again.



Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Our multi-talented faculty's upcoming engagements-FALL 2013

Peridance's faculty is multi-talented! Don't miss the following exciting shows and film screening!


SHOWS
Brice Mousset's company Oui Danse is presenting it's new production "French Amour" Sept 12, 13 and 14 at Danspace NYC. French Amour (world premiere) is an interactive human, theatrical, and dance experience meant to awaken the senses and pique the curiosity. French Amour takes place in a retro-French setting with all the glamour and allure of a timeless romance. Within a 360° dance installation and an open wine bar, the audience is invited to spy on different short love stories between couples at varying stages of their relationships. Mousset and company invite you to follow the dancers’ stories and write the words with them.

For more info click on the following link:
http://www.danspaceproject.org/calendarandtickets/detail.php?id=229







Sue Samuels and Jazz Roots have several performances, don't miss them below!

BOB - Thursday Sept 12th, 7pm
Artistic Director Sue Samules will be hosting this evening and discussing how dance effects people with special needs.
Jazz Roots will perform "Listen"
http://bobtheshow.com/
Tickets $30 at either smarttix.com or phone 212 868 4444
Facebook page
Early bird discount tickets

Tri Art Festival, San Pedro L.A. - Sat September 21st
Jazz Roots will perform a 30 minute set.
http://triartsp.com/

FAB (Fourth Arts Block)Festival - Sat Sept 28th
Come and see Jazz Roots perform "Take 5"
https://fabnyc.org/FAB_Festival.php

Sunday October 20th -  An Evening with Jazz Roots Dance Company and Friends at Broadway Dance Center, with cocktail reception.  6-9 pm
Donations accepted!

Azul Dance Theatre/ Yuki Hasegawa is scheduled to perform in the following events in the fall.

1) 2013 Dumbo Dance Festival at John Ryan Theater
September 28th Sat. at 9:00pm and 29th Sun. at 5:00pm

2) 2013 Wave Rising Series at John Ryan Theater
October 31st Thur. 7:30pm/ November 2nd Sat. 7:30pm/ November 3rd 4:00pm

3) American Dance Guild 2013 Festival at 92nd street Y
November 7~10th (The show time/dates will be announced, soon.)

Please view their website for details:
http://www.azuldancetheatre.com

Marijke Eliasberg and Jana Hicks, co-artistic directors of The Next Stage Project, recently returned from Norway teaching in Stavanger, and teaching & choreographing in Oslo.

The company's upcoming performances will be held:
September 28th at Ready or Not, 100 Grand St.

SCREENINGS
Sidra Bell, choreographed the feature film, TEST directed by Chris Mason Johnson, and shot on location in San Francisco (Release 2013). The "sexy, funny, poignant new film" (The New Twenty) will be screened at the Film Society Lincoln Center Wed, September 11 - 7:15 PM including a live  Q&A with the Filmmaker!

Tickets: $30.00. Includes admission to the Closing Night Party.
To purchase visit: http://www.filmlinc.com/films/on-sale/test

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Interview with Limon Faculty Member Logan Kruger

"One of the greatest challenges we face [in dance] is truly letting go….we are so well trained to DO, that it can be difficult to give in to gravity and let movements happen." - Logan Kruger 

In 2014, Peridance's successful, long-established partnership with the Limon Institute will reach its ten-year milestone. Meet the newest addition teaching Limon technique at Peridance, faculty member Logan Kruger.

-What initially drew you to Limon technique?
I was very lucky to begin studying Limón at a very early age, when I was about 9 or 10.  Since I really grew up with this technique as my "home base" it has always been an important part of my life as a dancer.  I think what's kept me interested in it after all these years is the honesty and potential for risk taking inherent in the technique, as well as the humanity in the work.

-How did you get started teaching Limon technique?
My first experiences teaching Limón came from being a dancer in the company, where we, as dancers, share information and ideas with one another.  That's where my interest in teaching first began, and where I developed an eye for seeing the technique on other bodies.  As my interest in teaching grew I decided to take the Limón teacher's workshop last summer and began teaching at peridance soon after.

-What do you think is one of the most challenging aspects when studying Limon technique?
I think Limón is deceptively challenging.  To a new comer, it can appear very easy.  But, because we work with fall and recovery, suspension and release, you need to have a very strong technical base, otherwise you'll have nowhere to recover to! 

-What advice can you give to those that are unfamiliar or new to the technique?
I would say to trust in your technique enough to be able to fall away from it.  Trust that if you let your head go, you won't fall down.  But if you do fall down, that's ok too!  It's not too far to the floor.  Just trusting in the body's natural ability to interact with gravity.  We do it everyday.
Photo: Yi-Chun Wu
-What advice can you give to those that are currently studying it?
The beauty of Limón is that one can always go deeper.   Challenging yourself to include the focus into the movement will change one's experience so dramatically.  So often, in class we don't give enough thought to our focus, because we're concentrating on learning the exercises, or "getting it right".  But when we include the focus, it helps us to find a more full and connected sense of physicality, and we move away from doing exercises and towards dancing.

-How are Limon classes structured?
There is no codified structure for the Limón technique, so each teacher is free to structure their class how they want.  In order for it to really be a Limón class, it needs to touch on the principles I mentioned above: breath, weight, swing, suspension, fall and recovery, etc.  Personally, I like to try to incorporate those principles with a fairly standard "dance-class" structure, first warming up the spine and breath and the plié, then moving from smaller gestures of the legs (tendus, degagés) to bigger ones (battement), all the while approaching these actions with the Limón principles.  One major difference to the structure of a Limón class to that of a ballet class, for instance, is that we incorporate shifts of weight much earlier on in the class, as well as big movements of the torso. 

-How would you describe the technique and style to someone who has never taken a class?
In the Limón technique we are working in a context which doesn't aim to ignore, or overcome gravity, but acknowledges it and aims to find the beauty in giving into it and resisting it.  We utilize weight, breath and isolations of the body to explore fall and recovery, swing and suspension.  Between the poles of weight and weightlessness there are endless possibilities for dynamic movement.

-What are some challenges you face when teaching Limon technique?
I think one of the greatest challenges when teaching dance in any form, is learning how to give the students information in words, when the real truth of the movement is in it's own language.  

-What inspires you as a teacher and artist?
Well, this work inspires me.  It's truly a dream to dance and perform.  I think it's extremely important to pass this legacy on, so, even just doing my small part by performing the work and teaching it when I can, is extremely satisfying to me. 

Catch Logan's class at Peridance, below.

Limón Technique

Intermediate Level
Saturdays, 11am-12:30pm

Starting Saturday, September 7th, Logan's class time will shift to 10:30am-12pm

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

7 Reasons to Get Going with your Application to APAP at Peridance!


Applications to APAP 2014 are open now through September 15, 2013, don't miss your chance to be presented. Apply online today.

Seven Reasons to Apply to APAP at Peridance

  1. Get seen. Agents, producers, presenters will be attending. Show your choreography/company, and get noticed!
  2. Get connected. The conference brings together over 3,500 arts presenters and professionals from around the world.
  3. Get presented. Captivate audiences in our state-of-the-art facility, the Salvatore Capezio Theater in the heart of New York City.
  4. Get access. Gain admission to receptions for artists and presenters, and take advantage of the opportunity to attend APAP|NYC, an exclusive, members-only conference, at a discounted price.
  5. Get publicity. APAP at Peridance participating companies receive the following marketing support:  Association of Performing Arts Presenters showcase listings and e-newsletter advertisements, press releases, promotional videos, online exposure and printed materials. Choreographer/company press materials are displayed in the theater lobby for the duration of the program.
  6. Get booked. Through their participation in Peridance's APAP Showcases, artists have booked The Joyce Theater, Joyce SoHo, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, Dance Salad, teaching engagements and commissions with prestigious companies.
  7. Get perks. Reserve VIP seating at your performance, and receive a 20% discount on Peridance merchandise throughout APAP weekend.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Glimpse of Student Showcase Choreographers/Companies & Works

The Sunday, August 18th Student Showcase at 6pm in the Salvatore Capezio Theater will feature ten choreographers and companies from the diverse talent and professionalism of Peridance students. This Summer's program features a variety Peridance students from our Open Program, Certificate Program and International Students, as well as several repeat performers from past Bi-annual Showcases. Catch a glimpse of the exciting evening below!

Summer 2013 Student Showcase 

Yuika Iso will perform a duet called "Jelly Beans" incorporating actual jelly beans as props.


Eryn Renee Young's company XAOC/Contemporary Ballet will showcase "Redux," an intense, percussive piece with six dancers.


Venla Vuorio will have five dancers perform "Birds of Prey," a mystical, dark work.


Richard J. Scandola's solo, "The Genius Child," instead of music will incorporate spoken word and a live reading of a Langston Hughes poem.


Rachel Hettinger and six artists from SolWEST Dance Collaborative will perform an elusive, illuminating piece /Trans'laSHen/.


Hsiao-Ting Hsieh & Hsiao-Wei Hseih (twin sisters) form part of a quartet performing excerpts of their calming piece entitled "Four Lines."


Photo by Lucas Chilczuk
LorenaEganDance is proud to present excerpts from a new work, "Dixit Dominus."


Photo by Jan La Salle
Megan Dolye and community dance project nyc's "The Prom Piece" weaves songs from pop icons, including a remix of Lady Gaga and music from the cast of Glee.


Christen Svingos presents a daring, sexy version of the Jazz classic "Stuff Like That There."


Aaron Atkins/Ballet Inc. takes the stage with 18 dancers in a piece titled " " -- thoughtfully envisioned with deliberate minimalism.


See photos of participants in the concurrent Faculty Showcases! Spread the word, and support these highly engaged, creative faculty and student choreographers!

Monday, August 12, 2013

Modern Technique Workshops You Simply Can't Miss

This week is our busiest week of Summer Workshops. Register for Modern Technique, including the work of masters like Trisha Brown and Sean Curran!


"Discipline is freedom" - Sean Curran


Modern Workshop with Sean Curran
Aug 12, 2013 - Aug 16, 2013; Mon - Fri 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM


An Irish step dancer as a young boy from Boston, Massachusetts Séan Curran was a lead dancer with the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, an original member of the off-Broadway hit Stomp, and his dances have been seen at the New York City Opera, Broadway’s Playwright Horizons, Utah’s Rurie Woodbury Dance Theater, Sweden Skanes Dance Theater, Pittsburg Dance Alloy and a long list of College/University’s pre-professional programs.

Enrich your understanding of action, phrasing and timing from this esteemed choreographer!

Photo Lois Greenfield




"Dance every day, follow your passion and never doubt your intuition." - Mariah Maloney


Trisha Brown Dance Company Technique and Repertory with Mariah Maloney
Aug 12, 2013 - Aug 16, 2013; Mon - Fri 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM


Somatic-based technique/repertory workshop and safe environment for participants to deepen a daily practice of learning from the body and expanding a range and diversity of motion. Explore Trisha Brown Dance Company's movement style specific to seminal works Set and Reset (1983) and Line Up (1976). 



Mariah Maloney's journey with Trisha Brown has been a life-changing adventure, join her in continuing the exploration!

Photo © 1999 Chris Callis, Mariah Maloney in Five Part Weather Invention

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Summer 2013 Class Changes


Peridance dance classes span Beginner through Advanced Levels! Check out the latest in class changes underlined below or see the Online Class Schedule. Updates effective Summer-Fall 2013.

Ballet

Advanced Intermediate with Stuart Loungway

Mondays & Wednesdays, 2:30-4pm

Tuesdays & Thursdays, 11:30am-1pm
Stuart's last T/Th class will be Thursday, July 25th. Sundays, 10-11:30am Starting July 21st!

Advanced Intermediate Level with Peter Brandenhoff

Mondays & Fridays, 11:30am-1pm

Peter will add Tuesdays/Thursdays, 11:30am-1pm, starting Tuesday, July 30th!

Contemporary

Advanced Intermediate Level with Kristin Sudeikis

Mondays & Wednesdays, 1pm - 2:30pm

Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9pm - 10:30pm
Starting Tuesday, September 3rd, Kristin's T/Th classes will shift to 8:30-10pm. Her M/W classes will continue as usual.


Advanced Intermediate Level with Adam Barruch

Mondays, 10-11:30am
Adam's last class will be Monday, September 16th.

Advanced Intermediate Level with Greg Dolbashian

Fridays, 10-11:30am
Starting Tuesday, September 3rd, Greg's class schedule will shift to Tuesdays & Thursdays, 11:30am-1pm!

Beginner Level with Shelly Hutchinson
Fridays 9-10:30am
This new class starts September 6th.

Advanced Intermediate Level with Shannon Gillen
Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10-11:30am
Intermediate Level Mondays, 1-2:30pm
Shannon Gillen is moving to Germany, her last class will be Thursday, August 8th.


Hip Hop
Advanced Beginner Level Stiletto Heels with Jessica Castro
Fridays 2:30-4pm
Beginning September 13th!

Jazz
Advanced Intermediate Level with Ashley Carter
Wednesdays 11:30am - 1pm
New class starting September 4th!

Advanced Intermediate Level Contemporary Jazz with Marlena Wolfe
Sundays, 11:30-1:00AM
Starting September 8th!

Modern
Advanced Intermediate Level with Marlena Wolfe
Tuesday and Thursdays, 10:00-11:30AM
Starting September 3rd!

Zumba
Open Level with Sifa
Fridays 6:30-3pm and Sundays 4-5:30pm
Starting today, August 7th, Sifa's classes change to Wednesdays and Sundays from noon-1pm. Friday class is canceled for the week.

Open Level with Leonides Arpon
Wednesdays 6-7pm
Class will soon be canceled, his las class is September 4th!



Friday, August 2, 2013

Take Your Skills to the Next Level in 30+ Intermediate and Advanced Classes

In addition to Beginner Classes, Peridance offers classes for pre-professional and professional students. Take your skills to the next level with these Intermediate- and Advanced-Level Classes.

INTERMEDIATE-LEVEL

Mondays
Intermediate Ballet with Graciela Kozak 1-2:30pm
Intermediate Contemporary with Shannon Gillen 1-2:30pm
Intermediate Stiletto Heels with Jessica Castro 1-2:30pm
Intermediate Ballet with Kenny Larson 4-5:30pm
Intermediate Limón Technique with Alan Danielson 6-7:30pm
Intermediate West African with Marie Basse 6-7:30pm


Tuesdays
Intermediate YOGEA (Vinyasa-based Yoga) with Antonia 9-10:30am
Intermediate Ballet with Graciela Kozak 1-2:30pm
Intermediate Hip Hop with Tweetboogie 1-2:30pm
Intermediate Ballet with Dianna Warren 4-5:30pm
Intermediate Street Jazz with KCDC 5:30-7pm
Intermediate Tap with Aaron Tolson 7:30-8:30pm


Wednesdays
Intermediate Ballet with Graciela Kozak 1-2:30pm
Intermediate Stiletto Heels with Jessica Castro 1-2:30pm
Intermediate Ballet with Kenny Larson 4-5:30pm
Intermediate Limón Technique with Alan Danielson 6-7:30pm


Thursdays
Intermediate YOGEA (Vinyasa-based Yoga) with Antonia 9-10:30am
Intermediate Ballet with Graciela Kozak 1-2:30pm
Intermediate Hip Hop with Tweetboogie 1-2:30pm
Intermediate Ballet with Dianna Warren 4-5:30pm


Fridays
Intermediate Ballet with Graciela Kozak 1-2:30pm
Intermediate Ballet with Kenny Larson 4-5:30pm
Intermediate Street Jazz with KCDC 5:30-7pm
Intermediate Limón Technique with Alan Danielson 6-7:30pm


Saturdays
Intermediate Ballet with Graciela Kozak 10:30am-12pm
Intermediate Limón Technique with Logan Kruger 11am-12:30pm
Intermediate Ballet with Rachel List 12-1:30pm
Intermediate Contemporary Jazz with Ashley Carter 4-5:30pm


Sundays
Intermediate Ballet with Bil Badolato 11:30am-1pm




ADVANCED-LEVEL
Mondays
Advanced Ballet with Igal Perry 10-11:30am
Advanced Limón Technique with Limón Faculty 10-11:30am *class resumes Sept 16th

Tuesdays
Advanced Ballet with Igal Perry 10-11:30am
Advanced Limón Technique with Limón Faculty 10-11:30am *class resumes Sept 16th

Wednesdays
Advanced Ballet with Igal Perry 10-11:30am
Advanced Limón Technique with Limón Faculty 10-11:30am *class resumes Sept 16th

Thursdays
Advanced Ballet with Igal Perry 10-11:30am
Advanced Limón Technique with Limón Faculty 10-11:30am *class resumes Sept 16th

Fridays
Advanced Ballet with Igal Perry 10-11:30am
Advanced Limón Technique with Limón Faculty 10-11:30am *class resumes Sept 16th


Learn more about our other class offerings, which include many Open Classes and workshops with exciting guest artists.

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Four Things You Should Know When Auditioning for PCDC

This August 26-30th Peridance Contemporary Dance Company seeks new male and female dancers to join the Company through their Workshop & Audition. Hear from Artistic Director Igal Perry on what it takes to succeed and more...


On Success

In order to be a really successful performer — dancers need to demonstrate good communication skills, tolerance, good manners, respect and charisma. This is particularly important during auditions and the hiring process. In addition, when hired for a professional Company, dancers tend to stop training, which affects their physical as well as emotional ability to deal with the high demands and stress of being a professional dancer. The best dancers I know train until the very last days of their professional careers. Read more.


Philosophy

My philosophy is to train dancers to be wholesome, so that they can do everything, including tap, including hip hop—forms that give you different approaches to movement. Read more.


Style

My works are very different depending on the music, and I enjoy the challenge of exploring these different ways. I enjoy working with dancers, whom I see as part of the process, and I enjoy discovering things through the choreography. Read more.


Approach

I found that in order for [dancers from different cultures] to interpret my work fully, I had to insist on them finding their own individual voices within the work.  This process has also made me reflect upon my work with dancers here in the States who often face the opposite challenge....(cont.

Don't miss the chance to work with world-renowned choreographer Igal Perry, register for the Workshop & Audition today!

25+ Beginner Classes to Break Into Dance

Peridance is home to all genres of dance and all levels of dancers. Our most popular level is for Adult Beginners, check out the Open Classes for newbies below!

BEGINNER-LEVEL

Mondays
Beginner Jazz with Shelly Hutchinson 9-10:30am
Beginner Tap with Vanessa Martínez de Baños 11am-12pm
Beginner Joneeba African with Djoniba 7:30-9pm
Beginner Ballet with Jose Traba 8-9:30pm
Beginner Tap with Tony Mayes 7:15-8:15pm

Tuesdays
Beginner Ballet with Kathryn Sullivan 8:45-10am
Beginner Hip Hop with Nobuya Nagahama 9-10:30pm
Beginner Tap with Karin Rendelman 11:30am-12:30pm
Beginner Salsa with BAILA Society 7-8:30pm

Wednesdays
Beginner Jazz with Shelly Hutchinson 9-10:30am
Beginner Tap with Aaron Tolson 1-2:30pm
Beginner Joneeba African with Djoniba 7:30-9pm
Beginner Ballet with Jose Traba 8-9:30pm

Thursdays
Beginner Ballet with Kathryn Sullivan 8:45-10am
Beginner Modern with Saba 4:30-6pm
Beginner Tap with Tony Mayes 7:30-8:30pm
Beginner Hip Hop with Nobuya Nagahama 9-10:30pm

Fridays
Beginner Tap with Vanessa Martínez de Baños 11am-12pm
Beginner Popping with Tweetboogie 1-2:30pm
Beginner Joneeba African with Djoniba 7:30-9pm

Saturday
Beginner Ballet with Jose Traba 6-7:30pm
Beginner Joneeba African with Djoniba 2-3:30pm
Beginner Tap with Karin Rendelman 3-4pm

Sunday
Beginner Limón Technique with Becky Brown 11:30am-1pm
Beginner Ballet with Peter Schabel 1-2:30pm
Beginner Modern with Saba 1-2:30pm

We also offer various workshops for Adult Beginners, find out more and see the complete class schedule on our website!

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Faculty Newsflash: Summer 2013

Peridance faculty has been busy this summer!

Tracie Stanfield's company, Synthesis Dance Project, will be performing as featured artists in the Booking Dance Festival in Scotland August 14 - 18. Earlier this summer the company performed in Bryant Park. Wish them luck abroad, and catch them at the Salvator Capezio Theater before they leave!

Brice Mousset has a pipeline of projects for his company Oui Danse, such as dance installations in the Hamptons this August. Currently, he is rehearsing for the Summer Faculty Showcase at Peridance's Salvatore Capezio Theater --save the dates this August 17-18th.

Jose Traba  successfully started a Beginner Workshop at Peridance with a very enthusiastic group, going on now through Mid-August.  In addition, he was invited to teach the company class for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and Master Classes for private schools in the tristate area.

Graciela Kozak was in Mexico for two weeks teaching Ballet at the Flamenco Festival of Iberica Contemporanea, where she met current-day stars of Flamenco, as well as several world-famous Flamenco guitar players. This August Graciela will be part of The Ailey Experience workshop.


Meet more of Peridance's esteemed faculty on our website, and hope to see you in class or at the Showcase!

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Hail & Farewell: Raegan Wood, International Advisor

Congratulations Raegan Wood!
Peridance Capezio Center's International Advisor
on the cover of...
DanceTeacher Magazine

March 2012 issue of DanceTeacher Magazine honored Raegan Wood's
excellence in children's dance education.  

-->
Excerpts
For two years Raegan Wood worked with hundreds of Peridance Capezio Center's diverse group of international students.  For 25 years, she taught dance in the tri-state area and throughout the nation -- in private studios, K-12 public and private schools, preparatory, and community centers, as well as numerous colleges and universities including Barnard, Rutgers University and Juilliard.



Since birth, when her mother went into labor while teaching a class in Graham technique (both parents were dancers), Raegan has been driven to dance.  She was a soloist in the Paul Taylor Dance Company (1982-1989), and after completing her Masters at Temple University she approached Paul Taylor about starting a Youth Program at The Taylor School.



This summer, Raegan now goes on to new adventures at The Taylor School, though her impact and presence at Peridance will be missed and truly felt.



Interested in applying to the International Student Program at Peridance? Learn more about our 3-Step Process.



Read DanceTeacher Magazine's full story on Raegan Wood and see a video of her teaching!







Monday, July 15, 2013

Peridance Contemporary Dance Company Goes to Italy and Israel

Artistic Director Igal Perry | Executive Director Yarden Ronen-van Heerden

Peridance Contemporary Dance Company (PCDC), under the Artistic Direction of Igal Perry together with Executive Director Yarden Ronen, is excited to continue its nearly three decade-long dedication to creating and performing powerful dance that inspires audiences nationally and internationally. This summer, PCDC will captivate audiences in Italy and Israel with a multi-city tour of "Infinity" and other works July 13-25, 2013.

International Tour Repertory


Inspired by the striking images of rural landscapes, frequent in Salvador Dali’s paintings, Igal Perry’s new creation “Infinity” is set to the famous Adagio movement of Beethoven’s “Sonata Hammerklavier”. The work, which depicts the delicate vulnerability of the human image against a background of vast, open spaces, derives its style and timbre from the music’s sustained and often haunting passages.

Altered color balance Dali painting; PCDC performing Perry's "Infinity"
Excerpts from Perry's beautiful “Twilight” are classical in style, where both partnering and movement sequences venture into a realm of deep, expansive movement, ranging in energy from soft and sustained to unexpected, sharp and fast paced sequences.

In addition to the latest repertory and repertory favorites by Igal Perry, the Company will perform works by Ohad Naharin and New-York-based choreographers Dwight Rhoden and Sidra Bell. PCDC’s moving excerpted duet by the Batsheva Dance Company Artistic Director Ohad Naharin is from the work “Mabul” (1992) and a gift to Peridance in memory of Mari Kajiwara.

"Mabul" duet
Complexions Contemporary Ballet choreographer and co-artistic director Dwight Rhoden’s new piece for the Company embodies his unique and dynamic style. This new work, "Evermore," reflects Rhoden and Igal Perry’s long-standing collaboration which has included an exchange of creations on both companies.

Scene from "Evermore"
Follow PCDC's International Tour, or see the Company for yourself!

Save the date for the Company's Workshop and Audition August 26-30th.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Peridance Contemporary Dance Company's Leigh Lijoi


by Thomas Palmer

Meet Leigh Lijoi

Member of Peridance Contemporary Dance Company, lover of parks and chocolate

What is your first memory of performing?
My first memory of performing was my first dance recital at the age of 5.  I was terrified to go on stage and cried the entire day leading up to the performance.  I was a really shy kid growing up (until I got to know you), so the thought of going on stage in front of a lot of strangers was terrifying.  My parents were really supportive and encouraged me to do this one performance so that I didn't let the other girls in the class down.  Needless to say, once I got on stage, I had so much fun and didn't want the performance to end.  I stopped crying immediately, and from that day on, I was set on being a dancer.

What is your favorite snack?
Chocolate. No question. A little piece of dark chocolate makes the day so much better.

What song is most played on your iPod?
Picking just one song is hard because my iPod gets so much use, but currently I've returned to listening to a lot of my favorites: Iron and Wine, Postal Service, James Vincent McMorrow, Ray LaMontagne, Dave Matthews...and the list goes on.

Where do you go/what do you do in New York when you have a day off?
If the weather is nice, I love to get lost in Central Park.  There is no better escape from the craziness of the city then being right in the middle of it surrounded by so much peace.  I also really love spending time walking along the water, reading a good book, or taking some time to journal. Otherwise, if I find myself with some extra time in my day, I like to put my head phones in and just walk to wherever I need to go, no matter how far it is.  There is something really interesting about being closed off in my own world with my headphones and a good song, while also being able to see and experience so much around me.

Do you have any quotes/ words that you live by?
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

"Everything happens for a reason."- I've learned that sometimes the opportunities that present themselves in life may not always be what I think MY ideal is at the time, but end up being exactly what I need to be doing and where I need to be spending my time.  I think the key for me is remembering to be open and receptive to what comes my way.

What is your favorite thing about PCDC?
I love that each dancer in the company brings their own personality and style of dance.  No two dancers are alike, and I think that creates a really unique experience in the studio.  The creativity is present, the love for dance is abundant, and most importantly, we all have fun spending time together and creating new work.

What are you most excited for with PCDC this summer?
We are all so excited to be leaving for Italy and Israel this weekend! The opportunity to dance as a part of these festivals while representing PCDC is truly an honor. 

See the full PCDC summer schedule!

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Meet Maddie McPhail PCDC Member

It's exactly 10 days until Peridance Contemporary Dance Company goes on International Tour (Italy & Israel July 13-25). Meet one of the lovely lady PCDC members:

Maddie McPhail


List of favorite things:
-Dancing
-camping
-Traveling
-Exploring
-Rock n Roll
-Old movies
-Childhood memories
-Performing
-Creating
-Water sports
-The cold side of the pillow
-Laying in bed during thunderstorms
-Waking up in the middle of the night and realizing you have so much more time to sleep.

First memory performing:
I must have been 5 or 6. I was a little sugarplum in Oregon Ballet's Nutcracker. My group went on stage and some of my peers weren't in their correct spots so I bossed them all around on stage. I'm glad people thought it was cute because looking back on it I'm super embarrassed and feel really bad.

Favorite snack:
Bananas with peanut butter

What is the song most played on your iPod?
I don't think I have one most played song- most played artist would probably be Led Zepplin though. Then Guns N Roses and Van Halen.

Where do you go/what do you do in New York when you have the day off?
When the weather is nice, I absolutely love being by the water. You can spend years walking around the city and never see all there is to see, so I like to go exploring. I like going to weird places, quiet little cafes, jazz clubs, etc.

Do you have any quotes/words that you live by?
"People will kill you over time, and how they'll kill you is with tiny, harmless phrases, like: "be realistic.""

"The work you do while you procrastinate is probably the work you should be doing for the rest of your life."

"Wherever and whenever you go, leave a gift."

What is your favorite thing about PCDC?
My favorite thing about the company is the true sense of family we have with each other. Coming into the studio everyday, having to be so raw and vulnerable, you get the chance to really see who those people are. Sharing such a deep passion for the same thing and getting to do it amongst these incredible people, you create a bond. I have so much love and respect for each of them and I'll be forever grateful and humbled by them.

What are you most excited for with PCDC this summer?
The tour to Italy and Israel, of course! Firstly, I've never been to either place so that's very exciting. I also can't wait to perform in new venues, with new people and new experiences.

For Tour Highlights & Ticket Information, visit the Peridance Contemporary Dance Company event on Facebook.