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Dancing Alone, Together

5/20/2020

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How MIP® & MIP2® Alumni and Guest Artists are staying moving and motivated at home
By Kaitlyn Esposito
MIP® alumni, MIP2® alumni, and FORCE MAJEURE FESTIVAL Guest Artists share how they are able to stay dancing and motivated while being home.

MIP® & MIP2® Guest Artist Adam Barruch

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“As dancers we have an innate ability to transform conflict--understanding the nuanced energetics involved in transmuting one vibration into another with the power of movement, thought and commitment."

​"It gives me great solace to know that our work, on both a personal and community level, stays relevant in this time. I encourage you to keep your practice alive to help us all align with balance and compassion in our bodies and with each other,” shares Adam.
During this time, Adam has been teaching his three University classes online: Marymount, Fordham, SUNY Purchase. He has also been offering my own Zoom Dynamic Sequencing Classes as well as teaching choreographic phrase work on Movement For Hope's Instagram account. Adam uses his love for movement exploration to stay motivated, “I want to always understand the vehicle I embody and how it relates to the world around me. I am forever fascinated with the incredible intelligence that underlies life and I try to search constantly how to connect and learn from it.”

One of Adam’s favorite MIP2® memories was, “creating an installation for MIP2® at Reeves Reed Arboretum. I remember creating movement sequences based on elemental energy and it was beautiful to see the dancers moving amongst the landscape of the gardens.”

2018 MIP® Alum & 2015 Pre-MIP® Alum Kaitlyn Soloway

“My advice for other dancers during this time filled with so much unknown is to not be so hard on yourself."

"Take time for what YOU need, help others and appreciate even the littlest of things.”
 
Kaitlyn recently graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. She shares, “the incredible professors and peers continue to inspire me and the movement, even miles and miles away, just feels good. I also am taking classes from artists I have danced with before and connect with new ones I have been wanting to learn from. Finally, I am giving my body and mind time to rest, meditate and be with my family.”
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Photo by LeVue Photography
She is “forever grateful for my summers at Movement Invention Project®. The experiences opened my eyes to the endless possibilities that movement can offer. Working with so many talented artists in such an open and safe space allowed me to grow not only physically, but also emotionally. I left each experience with an exciting new energy and outlook, and, most importantly, many lifelong collaborators and dear friends. One of my favorite memories at MIP® was getting the opportunity to work with Stephanie Batten Bland and explore dance theatre work. Her energy was contagious and she brought the unexpected to every class.”

2018-2019 MIP® Alum Trace Yeames

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Trace has been keeping up with his training by taking online dance classes through Zoom with UNCSA faculty, and has been supplementing extra classes with giving myself counter-technique classes.

“Floor barre has proven to be a useful way to work the ballet muscles in any spatial confinements and still be challenged.”

Reflecting on his MIP® experience Trace shares, “I’ve acquired new skills that I haven’t found before: understanding the 9 point improv study from William Forsythe, new floor-work movements, how to use dance theatre structured improv games to create movement for new works, and how to make dance for film."
"These skills have already increased my awareness of the extent of my art form, and made me feel more well equipped to handle the world of dance outside of a BFA.”

2018 MIP2® Alum Mateo Picone

​During the quarantine, Mateo has been continuing his dance training online through Zoom with his dance school, ESBQ, and by weight training. Since participating in MIP2®, Mateo has continued his training at École Supérieure de Ballet du Québec, where he will be graduating from their professional dance study program this year.
 
“My experience at MIP2® has helped boost my creative abilities as well as improve my improvisational skills. I learned more about how to collaborate effectively with other dancers, which is useful when working in a professional environment.”
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Photo by Michael Slobodian
"My favorite memory at MIP2®, was working with Loni Landon and creating a piece to present at the Reeves-Reed Arboretum. I had never danced outdoors on the lawn before and really enjoyed how it affected my senses. It gave my body an abstract sensation and a sense of freedom, which helped in my performance,” shares Mateo.

2019 MIP2® Alum Codelia King

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“Keep the fire and the passion. We are in a dark place at this time in the world and it’s going to be difficult to keep that light inside but that’s the challenge we must accept,"  shares Codelia.

"Artists rise above moments like these because we are fighters and we must fight to keep the beauty of hope and art alive.”
She currently attends the SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance, and her most recent project was performing in the Senior Project Showing of “Essence,” a piece choreographed by Faith Mondesire.

2020 FMF Guest Artist Brandon Coleman

​“During this time I’ve been taking class on IG Live with a variety of dance artists. I love being able to connect with so many different teachers and mentors from around the world. I’ve also been teaching my own classes via zoom and Instagram live. While physical distancing, one project I loved contributing to was Bolero Juilliard with Larry Keigwin and Keigwin + Company. The project was a virtual dance featuring over 100 Juilliard students and alumni,” shares Brandon. Most recently he was a performer in Punchdrunks Sleep No More in New York City.
“What if it’s a gift?” 
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Brandon’s favorite quote is by Dr. Robert Glover: “What if it’s a gift?”
“This presents the idea that anything that happens in your life (good or bad) is some form of gift in disguise. As undesirable as this time is, what if it’s meant for us to reset and redefine the goals we have? What is this time allowing us the space and time to find? These are the questions that motivate me to keep researching and discovering more about my life and dancing.”
For more information visit www.movementinventionproject.com or email mip@njdte.org.
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ALUMNI CONNECTION - MICHAEL WANG

5/19/2020

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BY LEANDRA ACOSTA
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Michael Wang was born and raised in New Jersey, where he began his dance training at the age of 16.  He graduated magna cum laude from Marymount Manhattan College, where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance, with a concentration in ballet. Michael has also furthered his training with intensives at Nederlands Dans Theater, Jacob's Pillow Contemporary Program, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Movement Invention Project. He recently joined the cast of Punchdrunk’s Sleep No More NYC. 
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We recently reached out to Michael to see what he has been up to since the start of the COVID-19 crisis.  ​
"I know all too well how hard dancers can be on themselves, but the pressure we place on ourselves often does not serve us."
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How has COVID-19 impacted your professional dance career? 
I recently joined the cast of Punchdrunk's Sleep No More prior to the COVID-19 crisis. It had been a dream of mine to perform in this monumental immersive physical theater production. Due to the circumstances, the show is on hiatus until further notice. I also was to perform in an evening-length show with Megan Williams Dance Projects at Danspace Project's St. Marks Church in late March, and our shows were postponed as well. ​
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What were your plans before all of this, and how have they been affected by this pause? 
I was fortunate enough to learn four roles throughout the rehearsal process at Sleep No More and had just begun performing in the show full time before this hiatus. I had been working with Megan Williams Dance Projects on this production since August, and we were looking forward to sharing this culminating performance we had worked on for so long. We hope to premiere the work in the future, but due to much uncertainty, the date is to be determined. In addition to performing, I was also working to become a Pilates instructor! I had just completed the mat course, and was working to complete the hours for my certification. Thankfully, I am still able to make progress on these hours with self-practice at home, and working with my fellow program participants over video calls.  
 
What are you doing to keep yourself inspired? 
The dance community has truly inspired me with all of the classes, resources, and creativity spreading virtually. I've tried so many new classes, teachers, and styles in my own home! It's been refreshing to immerse myself in something different for my movement practice. We may be far apart physically - but I feel closer to this community more than ever. I am also trying to stay creative in other ways, like singing, playing the piano and ukulele, and painting! It's been really lovely to have time to explore a different side of my artistic self.  

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"The human experience is more than just being happy all the time, and there is value in feeling it all."
Please provide some advice for our NJDTE Dancers. 
Allow yourself to feel your feelings. The whole world is affected by what is currently going on, and I've been really trying to allow myself to feel the spectrum of emotions that this brings up. Although I try to have a positive outlook on life, the human experience is more than just being happy all the time, and there is value in feeling it all. And show yourself compassion. I know all too well how hard dancers can be on themselves, but the pressure we place on ourselves often does not serve us. So be kind to yourself, show yourself some love, especially during this time. 
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NJDTE ALUMNI CONNECTION - JENNY HEGARTY FREEMAN

5/7/2020

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BY LEANDRA ACOSTA
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Jenny Hegarty Freeman began her early dance training in Red Bank NJ, and continued at New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble and the Harkness Youth Ballet, both under the direction of Nancy Turano. She went on to receive her BFA from Marymount Manhattan College and is currently the Associate Director of TAME Dance Academy and is a Company Member with Elisa Monte Dance.  

We caught up with Jenny to see how she has been doing since the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

How has COVID-19 impacted your professional dance career? 
COVID-19 has impacted my professional dance career in a multitude of ways. Beyond canceled / postponed performances, the company I work for has obviously stopped rehearsing in person. We were preparing for our season that was scheduled at the end of this month and very excited, as it was brand new material about a really interesting topic. I was looking forward to diving into new choreography and being on stage again with my peers, but unfortunately we are unable to work at this time. I am optimistic that these particular season performances will be rescheduled for the future, and that our summer plans of touring and performing will still happen. COVID-19 has affected me financially because of work being on hold and also the schools I teach at closing for the time being.  It is all very uncertain time, but I, along with the company, are trying to stay connected and positive.  

"Artists are the very thing the world needs in a time of crisis"
What were your plans before all of this, and how have they been affected by this pause? 
People I work with have been affected by the virus personally and it is a scary time for all. Obviously, day to day life has been shifted and I am finding a new normal. 
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In order to stay inspired, I know that I have to keep moving. I'm inspired daily by how the dance community is coming together virtually. It is overwhelming how resilient our community is and it is amazing to take classes, watch performance and rehearsal footage, and listen to people discuss our art form on social media. Connecting through Elisa Monte Dance's classes, and the companies of my peers has been incredible. Our art is physical, but it is also emotional and mental, too. Knowing that I'm not alone has helped me get by. I have had conversations and engaged in a number of projects with musician friends and other dancers. It's amazing to be able to take part in these things when in a "normal" circumstance I might not have the time. Beyond moving my body and connecting with other artists virtually, I'm making sure to keep a routine, speaking with family and friends often, and then also taking time away from my phone and the computer to connect with my husband and puppy. We have been making some really great dinners that under a normal circumstance we would be rushing home to do!​
What advice can you give to our NJDTE Dancers? 
My advice for the dancers at NJDTE is to not lose heart. Artists are the very thing the world needs in a time of crisis. Your dance and art can be your connection to what is impossible, another world, an escape... but also your connection to what is happening. Dance is human. If you are feeling afraid, use it. If you are feeling positive, share that through your dancing. Things may be daunting right now, but you may be able to help yourself get by and help others along the way if you lean into what you have. Create, Train, and take advantage of the free online classes in the community will help you stay healthy and ready to get back to the studio, but beyond that, you have the opportunity to watch and listen to instructors and dancers you may have never met, or have the chance. 
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Dig into the information at your fingertips and use it when you get back into rehearsals and in person classes. Besides continuing your training, I hope you all make sure to use this time to rest and recharge. The world moves so quickly and there is nothing wrong with pausing. Take a deep breath and don't be afraid to be still for a moment. Find something that makes you happy every day, keep dancing (even in your living room), stay healthy, and be kind to each other. ​
"The bravery was in moving forward, no matter what."  
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