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.