Executive Director Yarden Ronen-van Heerden | Artistic Director Igal Perry
I am sure many of you have heard that the Peridance Contemporary Dance Company is back in action and maybe you have even caught a glimpse of a rehearsal in studio 4. I want to take the opportunity to introduce the company to everyone! The company returns to the stage this season after a three-year hiatus
while Peridance went through a major transition into its new home. Established in 1984, by Founder and Artistic Director Igal Perry. We are so excited, for the first
time in the Company's history, to have a resident performance venue, our
beautiful Salvatore Capezio Theater!
The
identity of Peridance Contemporary Dance Company is shaped by original
choreography, versatile dancers of diverse backgrounds, classical and
contemporary accompaniment, and collaborations with live musicians.
While upholding the elegance and articulation of classical ballet, Igal
has structured the Company to explore and experiment with innovative
movement and design. The Company, featuring 8 highly versatile dancers,
has been rehearsing at Peridance Capezio Center for a few months now, in
preparation for its upcoming debut performances.
Today's Featured dancer is Shay Bares. Stayed tuned to learn about all of the dancers!
SHAY BARES
Shay received his early training at The School of
Ballet Tyler under Kym Lanier. Through workshops, intensives, and
conventions, he was exposed to diverse movement at an early age. In his
youth, he was a member of Ballet Tyler, a local non-profit youth
company, to which he returned for two seasons as Artistic Director. In
2008, Shay joined the Fellowship program at the Alvin Ailey School.
Shay has danced with various modern, contemporary, ballet, and aerial
companies including Kim Robards Dance, Peridance Ensemble, Steven
Petronio Company, Basaran Dance Works, NY2 Dance, and Grounded Aerial.
Shay has taught at workshops and conventions across America, and has won
overall awards at regional and national competitions.
Please
tell us where you are from and something unique about your hometown!
I'm from Tyler,
Texas. It's the rose capital of
the world! Every rose in Tyler has
a fairy in it, and every fairy will grant you one wish, but every wish has to
be for more roses soooo...it's kind of a bummer.
What was
one of your most memorable onstage or backstage moments?
My very first dance
recital when I was nine years old; it was a disco jazz piece. We had Afro wigs,
mine was big and green. In my
excitement, I over fluffed it and accidentally made it kind of loose. When it
came time for the big headroll cannon, my big green wig went flying across the
stage. I danced across the stage,
picked it up, and put it on backwards.
I finished the piece with the tails of the headband dangling in my
eyes. And scene!
How did
you get into dance?
I started dancing at
age nine when my Mom (who danced from [age] 3-18) suggested my older brother
and I sign up. I thought this to be a horrible idea and that dance was only for
girls. My big brother (only a year older but my idol) thought it would be fun,
so I automatically decided dance was the best idea ever! After the first year I
was hooked, and have been shakin’ it ever since.
What’s
your favorite thing to do when you’re not dancing?
When I'm not dancing I
am fashioning. I've been designing clothes since I was young, taught myself to
sew last year, and have been avidly making clothes ever since. I've had work
showcased in a film in Italy and other venues. I plan to make a dance work on
my own incorporating the clothing I've made into a film. Exciting, right?!
What are
your go-to foods/drinks to get through a tough day of rehearsals and classes?
My go-to foods and
drinks to get through class are skittles and Dr. Pepper! Ok I'm kidding! I usually drink coffee and eat
tuna....I have great sympathy for my dance partner...coffee/tuna
breath...yikes! Oh and lots and
lots of water!
 |
| Photo by Krista Bonura |
Did your
family play a strong role in guiding and supporting your career?
As I said before, my
mother started me dancing and was extremely supportive. My dad, however, was the driving force
behind my dance career. I got
burnt out in my mid teens and tried several times to quit, but my dad said I
wasn't giving up my God-given ability because I didn't feel like doing
[it]. So Thankful for him!
What
advice would you give to pre-professionals who are about to enter the
professional world or for young dancers deciding if they want to make dance
their future?
My advice for young
dancers or any dancer at all is: lose the ego. No one wants to work with a dancer, no matter the talent
level, if he thinks he’s Gods gift to dance. Be humble, pay attention, work
hard, and encourage the dancers around you. We're all in this together and need
each other’s support!
Who has
been your most influential teacher or choreographer thus far? Please tell us a
little about why!
Kym Lanier, my dance
teacher at home in Texas. A petite, beautiful red headed woman with the
business sense of a Wall Street mogul. She never let me get away with being
lazy and taught me how to conduct myself in a professional manner. [I] owe her
my career.
What are
one or two things you must have in your dance bag?
In my dance bag there
are always lots of bobby pins (gotta keep up the glamour!) and multiple pairs
of socks. I feel most comfortable
in socks but shred them like it's my job!
Is there a
place in the city you would recommend as a must see or must do (restaurant,
café, park, gallery…)?
My go-to place in the
city? I don't have one location to
visit but adore being in Soho; the fashion is so inspiring and the people seem
so creative. The street vendors with their original work are wonderful, and the
hole-in-the-wall restaurants and coffee shops are so neat. My other go-to place is my apartment in
Harlem. Come visit me and let's
dance on my roof!
