Faculty Spotlight

In March 2011 the 15th Annual Internationales Solo-Tanz-Theater Festival in Stuttgart, Germany awarded First Prize for Choreography to frequent Peridance Guest Artist, Sidra Bell for the solo Grief Point. Dancer Moo Kim from Korea was awarded First Prize for Performance in Grief Point. The solo will tour Germany in November 2011 and have its South American debut in Brazil in April. Congratulations from everyone at Peridance Sidra!

 For more on Sidra Bell and her workshops at Peridance Click here.

Watch the winning solo below. 

Grief Point, A Dance Work by Sidra Bell

Buglisi Dance Theatre Repertory Workshop & the Table of Silence Project

Be a Part of a Historic Event!

Next week Peridance is excited to have Jacqulyn Buglisi, Artistic Director of Buglisi Dance Theater in the studio. Jacqulyn and some of the company’s dancers will lead a workshop, which will begin with a short ballet barre, followed by improvisations that explore dance as a language that enhances dramatic focus and expressiveness. 

Buglsii Dance Theatre's Table of Silence Project Workshop at Peridance Capezio Center will provide dancers with an opportunity to share in BDT's creative process through the style and movement vocabulary that will be used in the Table of Silence Project 9/11, a site-specific performance for 100 dancers commemorating the tenth anniversary of September 11th. Emphasized are focus and the dramatic use of opposition onstage, as well as performance elements and techniques to enhance a dancer's communication with the audience.

Workshop participants may be asked to perform in the historic Table of Silence Project 9/11 event on the Josie Robertson Plaza at Lincoln Center, Sunday morning, September 11th. This poignant, 12 minute ceremonial event - creating a peace labyrinth - will culminate symbolically at 8:46 a.m. with the dancers encircling the Revson Fountain, raising their arms in a universal gesture of peace.

Buglisi Dance Theatre Repertory Workshop

Aug 29, 2011 - Sep 2, 2011; Mon - Fri
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM 

Click here to register. 

For more information on Buglisi Dance Theatre visit their website.

Featured Workshop

Lydia Johnson and Company are at Peridance next week for a Repertory Workshop.

June 27-July 1, 11:30-1:00pm

Photo by Kokyat

Jessica Sand has been a member of Lydia Johnson Dance (LJD) since 2004 and has originated major roles as well as serving as a costume designer and rehearsal directory for the company. She was generous enough to share some of her experience and wisdom from her time with LJD.

Where are you originally from?
I grew up in Iowa and went to college at Texas Christian University

What drew you to work with LJD?
I grew up training primarily in ballet but fell in love with modern dance when I went to college. Lydia's movement is grounded in ballet vocabulary and aesthetics, but she also incorporates the weightedness and momentum that I find so fulfilling in contemporary movement. The fusion of the two is really satisfying.

Photo by Kokyat

Do you remember the first moment you met Lydia or the first day you worked together?

When I first moved to New York a friend of mine was dancing with LJD and arranged for me to come to a rehearsal as a sort of informal audition. Lydia was creating new material that day and I really enjoyed her process-- she explored ideas with focus and enthusiasm, and was open to her dancers' input. Between the originality of the movement and the atmosphere in the studio, I knew I'd found something really special.

What is your favorite memory from rehearsal with LJD?
I love creating new movement one on one with Lydia. She has a remarkable ability to choreograph movement that's truly well suited to the individual dancer she's working with, and being a part of that is really exciting.

Photo by Kokyat

What do you always have in your dance bag?

M.E.L.T. balls, foot tape, and arnica massage oil

What advice would you give to dancers interested in dancing with LJD or a similar company?
I think that, while being technically strong is obviously important, what really makes a dancer stand out and what Lydia really appreciates in her company members is their ability to let their personality show through their dancing. Not in a flashy, "look at me" way, but in the honesty and nuance of their movement. Lydia's work tends to have a large gestural component to it, which I often find gives the choreography the feel of a conversation. When you can find that element of conversation and make it true for yourself, it gives you the freedom to really speak through your dancing.

What would you say are the "trademark" moments of a class or rehearsal with Lydia?
A lot of Lydia's work has themes of community, and that definitely carries over to rehearsals and classes. Everyone in the studio is a respected member of that community and while we're all working towards a common goal, no one is expected to sacrifice their individuality in the process. When you take away the idea of one interpretation of the movement being right or wrong you gain the freedom to really experiment and take risks. That open mindedness fosters an environment in which there's a lot of respect and support, not to mention a lot of friendship and laughter. It's a really refreshing way to work and learn.

Read a review of LJD's last show by Philip Gardner here.

To register for the workshop click here.

Gallim Dance Residency

Don't miss out on this opportunity to work with one of New York's most original and innovative choreographers!

**** ATTENTION DANCERS ****
Due to circumstances beyond our control Andrea Miller/Gallim Dance Residency has been postponed until further notice. Please keep following up with us about a new starting date which will be advertised on our website and Facebook soon. We apologize for the inconvenience!

Peridance is pleased to announce Andrea Miller's Gallim Dance as the first company in residence at the new 13th Street space!

3 Week Residency
Oct 26, 2009 - Nov 13, 2009; Mon - Fri

Andrea Miller will select 6 dancers to participate in the full residency which includes 3 weeks of daily technique and repertory classes and daily rehearsals with the company. The 6 chosen dancers will have the possibility of performing with the company on Nov 10 at Jazz at Lincoln Center and MUST be available October 26 - November 13 , Mon-Fri 11:30-3:30pm for ALL rehearsals related to the performance. *2 additional dancers will be chosen from class and will be considered for the full residency .

***AUDITION LOCATION HAS CHANGED***
The Company will hold an audition at City Center for the participants of the full choreographic residency on Sunday, October 18th from 6:00-9:00pm.
Click Here for directions.
$5 audition fee applies

Daily Company Classes: Mon-Fri 11:30-1:00 DROP-IN CLASSES ARE PERMITTED
Daily Company Rehearsals: Mon-Fri 1:00-3:30 ONLY FOR FULL RESIDENCY PARTICIPANTS

Pre-register for Company class now at PERIDANCE.COM.


Check out this video of Gallim Dance in Miller's Blush