Dancing Alone, Together

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

“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.”

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

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.”

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

“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?” 

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.