NJDTE catches up with faculty member, resident choreographer and long-time NJDTE friend Elizabeth Koeppen-Kalosieh about her inspiration, artistic process and experience working with our dancers.
A graduate of SUNY Purchase College, Elizabeth Koeppen was noted as a Principal Dancer and Associate Artistic Director with Parsons Dance Company for 26 years. Below, learn more about her choreographic process with NJDTE dancers for i BALLI di PRIMAVERA.
“The exposure that the NJDTE dancers get from amazing choreographers and companies is what sets this school apart from all others! It is these experiences that prepare our students to have great success in the dance world today.”
–Elizabeth Koeppen-Kalosieh
I am honored to be a part of NJDTE faculty and contributing to preparing these young dancers to pursue their dreams of dancing professionally. I take my position very seriously and I am very passionate about my goal to help them succeed in all their artistic ventures. I also aim to inspire them to be the best individuals that they can be on and off the stage!
The New work for Level 3 and Diamond dancers has been a unique experience as it is the first time I have created a work to present such young dancers, ages 8-12, on the stage! This new work is joyous, driving, and fun for the dancers and will be uplifting for the audience.
My process for choreography comes from experimentation with small phrases, strung together to create sections of a work. This work was inspired by the dancers, and the music I selected.
My inspiration for Warriors was the dancers themselves. Every day in class they worked diligently and were hungry for all the movement that we were exploring, while also having fun. Everyone who walked by my class said "you should make this into a performance piece"- so I did just that. I chose the title from the last song in the piece and because the dancers were truly Warriors during the whole process!
Working with different choreographers and teachers gives dancers the tools they need to be successful in the dance world and beyond – Elizabeth Koeppen-Kalosieh