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NJDTE ALUMNI CONNECTION - SHANNA IRWIN

4/23/2020

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BY LEANDRA ACOSTA
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Shanna began her training at the New Jersey Dance Theater Ensemble before being accepted to Marymount Manhattan College where she received a BFA in Dance. During her last year of college, she was recruited by Complexions Contemporary Ballet. She spent five seasons with Complexions before joining the Les Ballets Jazz De Montreal in 2019.

We caught up with Shanna to what she’s been up to since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
​"Plans can always change, and finding inspiration right now is all about learning to adapt to the changes"
How has COVID-19 impacted your professional dance career?
At the start of all of this the company I am working for, Les Ballets Jazz De Montreal, had to make a tough decision of sending us to Europe for our seven week tour, or not. The agency, and theaters there confirmed that our first stop, Spain, was safe- so we went. While in Spain, the virus counts were doubling daily, at the end of the fourth day we were notified that some shows within the next week were cancelled, and eventually upon completion of setting the stage, and rehearsals even our first show was cancelled. With this we were told we would go home by the end of the weekend. The next day change plans drastically, Spain would be closing its borders and we needed to leave as soon as possible in order to get back to Canada. We drove through the night, and into the next morning to Paris, France hoping to catch the earliest flight back to Montreal. Through diligent work of the company, and possibly a little bit of luck the entire company made it onto the same flight, and we were home the next day. 30 hours of travel, but all safe! We were placed under a mandatory quarantine for 14 days, and we have been “staying home” ever since. 
"To stay inspired I am taking ballet class every morning. Complementing this I stretch, and do resistance band exercises"
What were your plans before all of this, and how have they been affected by this pause?
The original plan before all of this was to be performing in Europe. Spain, France, Serbia, Italy, and Switzerland. The effect of this pause is world-wide, and experiencing it from different countries confirms the toll this is placing on the world at large. After this tour we were supposed to begin a new creation, have a company gala, and another tour to Israel. All have been postponed. We project to start work again in June.
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What are you doing to keep yourself inspired? 
I have to keep moving! To stay inspired I am taking ballet class every morning. Many classes are offered but currently I am taking classes with Jae Man Joo (NYC). Complementing this I stretch, and do resistance band exercises.  Aside from dance, I am choosing to revisit learning anatomy of Pilates, and the Spanish language. I have to make sure to get outside, because I am 100% solar powered. I draw, catch up with friends, or cook, and my boyfriend is teaching me meditations. I also really like to just lay on the floor- it is healthy to rest! 
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​Please provide some advice for our NJDTE Dancers. 
Plans can always change, and finding inspiration right now is all about learning to adapt to the changes. Whether we are experiencing a pandemic, or not, I think what is most important is to know that each day we have a choice to practice how we react to the evolving world around us. If an emotion you are experiencing will not help, release it from your thoughts.

Shanna will be teaching an Advance Ballet Master Class for NJDTE Sunday May 3rd, 10:30AM! 
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Jose Limon's work "THERE IS A TIME"  is TIMELESS!

4/16/2020

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Courtesy of Dr. Adrienne Stevens
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NJDTE Board Member, Dr. Adrienne Stevens  reflects on performing There is a Time while a student at Juilliard and the relevance of this work today as we face the circle of time.
There is a Time
There is ...
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
 a time to weep and a time to laugh, 
 a time to mourn and a time to dance
​"Take care of your well-being in order to come out on the other end stronger"

Borrowing from Ecclesiastes, or more appropriately from the classic Jose Limón dance, There is a Time, we are living in tumultuous times. As dancers, what can we learn?

​Refocus and stay positive on what you can do to stay energized, centered, and 
taking care of your well-being in order to come out on the other end stronger, more resilient, and more tolerant. Use this time productively and reflect.
​
  • Music is the dancers’ lifeblood. How does music move you now? Can you pick out the different instruments in an orchestration?
  • When is the last time you truly savored the taste and sensation eating a juicy orange?
  • Have you noted the different phases of the moon and the clouds that cross it?
  • How slow can you inhale and exhale? Note how it impacts your mind and heart rate.
  • Can you articulate the muscles in your right foot with the same flexibility as in your left foot?
  • Discover learning something new about your city in the time your great grandparents lived.
  • What new exercises can you do today to stay fit?
  • Sing!
Limon Dance Company Former Artistic Director, Carla Maxwell, comments on Jose Limon. With excerpts of his work.

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​Dr. Adrienne Stevens is a Board member of New Jersey Dance
Theatre Ensemble, and President/Founder of Performing Health®
a company whose mission is to maximize performance and sustain
wellness at every stage of the dancers’ life.

​For more information visit www.PerformingHealth.com

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NJDTE ALUMNI CONNECTION - CONNER BORMANN

4/14/2020

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BY LEANDRA ACOSTA
PicturePhoto Courtesy of Saarländischen Staatsballet
Conner Bormann began his dance training at New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble. Upon graduation, he continued his formal dance training at the Juilliard School in New York City and graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. He has been dancing with the Saarländischen Staatsballett since the 2017-2018 season.

We were able to catch up with Conner to see how he has been doing since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
​

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How has COVID-19 impacted your professional dance career?
I am currently a dancer in the Saarländisches Staatsballett in Saarbrücken, Germany. As of now, all of our training, rehearsals, and performances have been cancelled until the end of April. Luckily, we will still be paid, but it is unclear if the cancellation will extend until the end of the season. ​


​What were your plans before all of this, and how have they been affected by this pause?
​​​​​The company was about to begin the creative process with choreographers Marioenrico D’Angelo and Mortiz Ostruschnjak for a premiere in May, which has unfortunately been cancelled. Before everything was shut down, we were able to premiere a double bill with works by Richard Siegal and Stijn Celis.

"Seeing the performing arts community come together in this time is something that has really lifted my spirits".

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What are you doing to keep yourself inspired?
​

​I am trying to stay aware of what I feel I need day to day. Some days I feel it’s healthier to make a clear schedule and to-do list for myself while other days I dedicate to letting myself indulge in laziness and rest without judgement.
​

When it comes to inspiration, I’ve been blown away by the accessibility of online classes as well as the amount of companies posting free full-length performances for viewing.
​ 



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