May brought with it alot of openings and closings. Everything from planting seeds in the garden to contracts closing. I finished the school year with Dutchess School of Performing Arts, I graduated from my MFA program, and I became open and available to some new adventures. Some things I can’t name yet, but get ready!
April 2023 Update
I produced a circus event in Troy, NY as well as a week long spring-break camp, but then I went off on a little personal journey. I followed the matriarchal lines on both of my family sides to homelands in Norway and Slovakia. I needed to be barefoot where my ancestors once were barefoot.
March 2023 Update
I performed this month with Fern Katz at the Simon’s Rock campus of Bard College, and did a whole lot of prep work for some upcoming projects this summer. I also produced a Circus event in Troy, NY, and did some “spring break” teaching! A whole lot of “drawing back before a leap” vibes.
February 2023 Update
I was working, I swear - but I was definitely reeling this month from the premiere of THE BODY SHAKES, a new work I premiered and filmed as part of my MFA thesis project.
January 2023 Update
I spent loads of time on either side of the camera this month. I got to shoot for Emily Wildermuth’s ORANGE project, and also perform for Erick Hawkins Dance - and I premiered a new work at the Arts Society of Kingston which was my MFA thesis piece - it is an immersively filmed work called THE BODY SHAKES.
December 2022 Update
This month I spent loads of time with family and friends - including trees. In fact I got to be a tree. I got to don a full-on tree costume and perform at Sinterklaas in Rhinebeck - no no - I choreographed EIGHT trees (and got to be one of them) to perform at Sinterklaas AND strut down the lane in their parade dancing and bowing for children - stop. pinch me. (pictured: costume in progress, before bark!)
November 2022 Update
November featured a photo shoot with Catskill Mountain Arts ahead of their Nutcracker rehearsal, some movement development with DuoShadow (pictured) out in Boston, MA, as well as more rehearsals (and performance!) with Erick Hawkins Dance Company in Kingston, NY. I also continued research on my new work, THE BODY SHAKES, and began some film based research on movement developed in that direction.
October 2022 Update
October feels so delightfully in-progress. We’re wrapping up THE LEGEND circus show, and kicking off more rehearsals with Erick Hawkins Dance Company for some late/fall winter performances. I also travelled to Atlanta, GA to perform in the Fall for Fall Dance Festival, and started research on a new work THE BODY SHAKES.
September 2022 Update
Same tent - new circus. In September If followed “Lucy” the circus tent from Troy, NY to Sleepy Hollow, and worked for Westchester Circus Arts to bring to fruition their “LEGEND” production - a re-telling of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. I also got to film shoot for ROGUEWAVE’s evening length work “gap junction” under the choreographic direction of Catherine Messina.
August 2022 Update
The highlight for me this month was a new project I’ve been working on in a temporary part time role as the Director of Operations for the Contemporary Circus and Immersive Arts Center. This little circus presenter is trying to bring circus to Troy, NY - right in between NYC and Montreal. We’re crafting two weeks of FREE community circus programming under a circus tent in prospect park!
July 2022 Update
For two weeks in July, I attended Jacksonville University’s summer residency as part of the MFA program I’ve been working on there. The program has admittedly left much to be desired, but the people are rich in spirit and wonderful. If I carry nothing else with me, I will carry them.
June 2022 Update
It was nice to feel “home” in June. I helped to produce the Garage at Chatham’s “backyard” concert series, at the home of Jon and Adrienne Morrell. I worked on several performance productions, taught multiple dance+film workshops, and I returned to New Orleans to work with NOLA Dance Project and The Studio Nola to teach contemporary dance and aerial silks at their summer camps. It’s the 6th year I’ve gone to New Orleans, and being in the home of Diana and Peter Barnitz also, feels like home.
May 2022 Update
May was cool. My garden at home began to bloom, and I watched dancers from Dutchess School of Performing Arts bring their year’s worth of work to fruition at their annual recital. Next year will be a decade of my work with this particular school - and I’m feeling that. I’m feeling the longevity in the best way.
April 2022 Update
This particular month was not about work, but rather, very much about play. I visited Switzerland, a country I’m growing more and more familiar with, and it’s neighbor, Italy - a country that was new to me. I spent time in the Piedmont region, among the moscato grape vines and olive branches. I biked through the hillside and came to understand the hype around Italian bread and pasta. And..I rested. It was nice.
March 2022 Update
I had the honor and pleasure of filming and producing an e-course for Nita Little at the beginning of this month. Spending time in residence with this being, let alone getting to experience their work (amount other artists and creators whom I also deeply respect), was deeply nourishing.
February 2022 Update
February. A confusing month for me year after year - and I still can’t put my finger on exactly why. My biological cycle requires rest and peace during this time. I’m always rather artful, reflective, but also pensive, angry? I managed to make some art, given I’m part of a graduate program working towards an MFA in choreography - but it wasn’t without a proper tousle.
January 2022 Update
It’s January, it’s fresh, it’s a new year. We all know that’s meant to bring so many good, new, refreshing feelings. Somehow I’m feeling thick, feeling heavy. I am having a hard time making art. Winter is always hard. Thankfully, a dear friend came by to make some photographed art together. It was a appropriately a very gray day. It felt good.
December 2021 Update
This month was busy. I performed a work by Katherine Duke on December 11th at the Fuller Building in Kingston, NY, as well as showcased my own choreography, performed by Grace Leedy. Further, I showcased a digital version of my choreography at the RAW dance concept series. Glad to be working, making art and collaborating with wonderful humans.
November 2021 Update
I try to spend more than just this month full of gratitude. The new year is near. This month I made a micro film called “white”, and worked hard to invite my body back into physical practice. I also made a very important dance film capturing a re-imagining of an Erick Hawkins dance work from the 1950’s featuring a sculpture by Isamu Noguchi. We performed in Las Vegas, NV at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas under the direction of Louis Kavouras, and filmed an extended cut at the dry lake bed nearby. We did a day of exploring at the Valley of Fire which speaks for itself.
October 2021 Update
October was a jam-packed month. I kicked things off with a residency at EARTHDANCE with Lokasparśa Dance Projects, and then produced the Inaugural Concert for Festival Theater Hudson featuring a 32 piece orchestra. At the end of the month I offered an open-process showing as part of a new collaborative group called hypha that I have been working with. I’m exhausted but - it feels good to be busy in the earliest months back to freelance life.