Faculty News

Korhan Basaran, Peridance Contemporary teacher has a piece premiering December 15^th “The Second Elegy: Fall of a Swan” will be performed by Shay Bares & Korhan Basaran at the Cunningham Studio. Korhan will also be performing as Drosselmeyer in Igal Perry’s original Nutcracker.

Marijke Eliasberg is currently teaching and choreographing in the Netherlands. She is choreographing a new commissioned piece on the 2nd year teacher department of the Theaterschool/Amsterdam School of Dance and teaching Master Classes at Codarts Rotterdam and Studio K'dans in The Hague! She will be back at Peridance Saturday, Dec. 18th 3pm and has a new class starting Tuesday, Dec. 21st 11:30-1pm!

Peridance teachers, Dana Foglia, La Jon Dantzler, and Joanna Numata are participating in the creation of “cy.clo.thy.mi.a.” a new dance show by The United Project. The performances are Dec. 12^th and 16^th at Manhattan Movement & Arts Center. For more information www.manhattanmovement.com/calendar or 646.385.8493.

Anabella Lenzu is celebrating her 20th anniversary of teaching and the 5th anniversary of her company Anabella Lenzu/DanceDrama throughout 2011! She feels that she has come very far in realizing her dream to form a company that has a unique dance language. She also has an upcoming show, Association of Performing Arts Presenters (APAP) 2011 Conference at New York City Center, January 9^th 2011.

Wes Veldink has been away teaching in Italy and Finland. While away he shot a dance short film in the south of Italy that will be submitted to dance on film festivals this coming year. He also choreographed Gwyneth Paltrow, Leighton Meester and Garrett Hedlund for the feature film "Country Strong" which has a limited release Dec. 22^nd and wide release Jan. 7^th.

Guest Teacher Kota Yamazaki

Take a "Fluid" Technique Class with Guest Teacher Kota Yamazaki!

Apr 19, 2010 - Apr 23, 2010; Mon, Wed, Fri
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

What is Fluid Technique?

Kota Yamazaki states: In this class, dancers use their sensibility and awareness for small vibrations happening within joints or muscles as body moves. Exercise such as shifting contact-points between feet and floor continuously will result in increasing dancers’ awareness for vibration which travels from feet up through body. Floor and center exercises are aimed at releasing muscles and joints so that the coordination of whole body will become smooth. These ideas will make complicated physical and spacial movements more available to the body.

Originally from Japan, Kota formed his New York based company, Kota Yamazaki/Fluid hug-hug, in 2002. The company has performed at the Melbourne International Arts Festival, PICA/TBA Festival, NUS for the Arts, DTW, 92Y Harkness Dance Festival, Painted Bride Art Center, Dance New Amsterdam, and the Columbia College Dance Center. Kota is a recipient of the New York Dance and Performance Award (Bessie Award), which he received for his collaboration with Senegalese choreographer, Germaine Acogny.

Guest Teacher Hollywood at Peridance for 4 classes ONLY!

Hollywood will be guest teaching at Peridance Capezio Center!

March 13th at 6:30pm - 8pm
March 14th at 4:30pm - 6pm

Hollywood has choreographed and danced in several videos, tours, and stage performances for artists such as Busta Rhymes, Chris Brown, Daddy Yankee, Day 26, Lloyd, Donna Summers, and T-pain. His experience has lead him to teach all over the U.S. and Europe for different dance studios, companies and events; including, workshops, master classes and private lessons.

Hollywood's class will focus on grooving and musicality with an emphasis of stage performance and video prep!

Gaga Technique with Ariel Friedman

GAGA technique with Ariel Freedman
Jul 9, 2009 - Jul 11, 2009; Thu, Fri, Sat
Time Varies (see below): -

Thursday, July 9th, 2:30pm - 3:45pm
Friday, July 10th, 3:30pm - 4:45pm
Saturday, July 11th, 3pm - 4:15pm

Gaga technique was developed about 20 years ago by the now Artistic Director of Batsheva Dance Company, Ohad Naharin. Two decades ago, Naharin was creating choreography for the company when he sustained a serious bodily injury. "Gaga" was a way for him to begin dancing once again while paying special attention to areas of the body that needed it. It uses an imagery based method of teaching to create bodily sensations. (i.e. tiny ants crawling all over your body, ice cold water rushing off your limbs, etc.) It helps the person to listen to what the body needs by feeling from within rather than relying on mirrors to contrive the body from the outside.

Gaga offers a new way to reach a deeper knowledge and understanding of one's self via the body and its movement. The technique requires the participant to be alert, quick, flexible, imaginative and dexterous in the use of his or her body. Yet, one need not be a professional dancer to benefit from the tools imparted when learning the Gaga movement language.

Essentially, Gaga increases one's understanding of the body’s weaknesses and strengths, as well as its response to them. Through Gaga, one works to breakdown physical barriers to reach a greater comprehension and control of instinctive movements. Via Gaga one is able to de-construct the decisions of the conscience and sub-conscience. Ultimately, Gaga empowers the experiences of pleasure, stillness, positivism, and happiness. The Gaga movement language is a tool that can be utilized by dancers and non-dancers alike.

Ariel Freedman was born in the USA in 1983, studied at The Julliard School, danced at Mikhail Baryshnikov's Hell's Kitchen Dance and at Aszure&Artists Company, joined the Batsheva Ensemble in 2006 and the Batsheva Dance Company in August 2008.

Below are some more detailed articles on Gaga technique:

Dance in Isreal Posts by Deborah Friedes

Dance Spirit Article by Kathryn Holmes