May 2013

I'm having so much fun dancing lately - feeling so grateful and inspired to dance with so many talented people in my travels. Here's an update on my dance experiences since my last post:

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"Disorder" Choreography by Juliette Irons, entitled "Autism".

I'm happy to share rehearsal footage from Juliette's first show in March. It was such a great experience to dance with the cast and perform in a piece with a message about how we define what is "normal".



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I recently was in Los Angeles and took classes with Willdabeast, Tricia Miranda and Miguel Zarate. Each class was high-energy and it was fun to dance with friends I've made the last few years. Shout out to China Taylor, Sean Lew, Vanessa Rae Jamieson and Kiara Gudgeon who were at several of the same classes! Here is footage from Willdabeasts' class at Millenium Dance Complex...there were 5 Elite Proteges in this class working it out!

Thanks to Sean for the cool edit after Willdabeast's class at IDA! I love him.

Thanks to Will for always having such challenging classes...I am a proud "immaBEAST" member. Look out for NEW immaBEAST instructional DVD's in the next few weeks. Can't wait to learn some new combos!

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I also attended JUMP Los Angeles and took class with Teddy Forance and Andrew Winghart on Friday night. Here is Andrew's combo from class...it was great to dance alongside Payton, Sammi, George, Courtney and Hayden again. And Congratulations goes to Andrew who just completed auditions for his show scheduled for July 2 called "Out of Darkness...can't wait to see the show and some familiar faces dancing in it!

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I love to support my dance friends in their endeavours and this month I want to give a shout out to Eryn Waltman and Juliette Irons on their beautiful submissions for the 2013 Ace Awards and to the cast of Shaping Sound for the Premiere of their tour!

     VOTE for Eryn at www.dancemedia.com/v/8419

re(spective)

Choreography by Eryn Waltman, artistic director of Conteur Dance Company. Danced by Kelly Shaw, Mia DiLena, Jenna Tabachnick, Emma Portner, Bianca Melchior, Justin Lopes and Akria Uchida. Videography by Alvin Collantes. ***The following video features experimental concepts and movement in preparation for Conteur Dance Company’s upcoming season. With the development of our world as we presently know it, there comes strong expectations, preconceived notions, and a desire to be socially compatible, which alters the framework of one’s authentic perception of surroundings, of time, of purpose, and ultimately of the self. Such a fabricated conception of life places the individual out of perspective. “To put into perspective” - The act of redefining one’s perception of the simple matters, thereby allowing the individual to first see and then go about gaining a genuine sense of fulfillment in succeeding to accomplish the greater objectives. 

      VOTE for Juliette at www.dancemedia.com/v/8309

Show Excerpts- "DISORDER"

Choreography by Juliette Irons Dancers:Matt Luck, Ryan Spencer, Sara Silkin Excerpts: Chelsea Thedinga, Miranda Maleski, Christian Beasley, Kate Supplee, Jesse Johnson "DISORDER" Based on the neurological phenomenon of Synaesthesia, Juliette Irons just had her first debut full company show march 2013! A exploration through a shift in perception on the world of mental dis[ability]. Using projection and animation, Juliette creates a physical experience for the audience of what the world of Synaesthesia is like, while giving the audience a chance to reach a new state of mind on the topic of "normalcy", and life under the label of a condition or "disorder". Competing at the Ace Awards would be the absolute opportunity of a lifetime for Juliette, as well as her newfound company (Art.uncensored), and could be the kickstart we really need!! Juliette's goal is to change and inspire as many lives and minds through dance as humanly possible!!

Shaping Sound Premiere - May 18, 2013

Congratulations to the Cast of Shaping Sound on their premiere show at the El Portal Theatre! It was a great evening of dance and all the dancers looked amazing. I really enjoyed watching Teddy, Nick, Travis and Kyle (who many of us know from the convention circuit) dance together with their cast of friends. Jamie Goodwin was a stand-out, she is a stunning dancer with amazing flexibility, stage presence and control. Best of luck to the entire cast on the remainder of their tour!

In each tour city, Teddy, Nick, Travis and Kyle host a two-hour workshop limited to 50 participants. There was a thorough warm-up then we were taught the choreography of one of the numbers from the show. It was fun to dance on the El Portal Stage where they danced the premiere the night before.

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While in Los Angeles, I also shot my first video on green screen. I can't wait to share the final product with you when it's complete! It was such a great experience and I learned so much about how dance performance differs from stage to film. A huge thank you to Will and Monique for sharing their vision of dance with me and the opportunity to try something new! Here is a shot of one of the takes of "Subplementum"

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 I continue to take classes at OIP Dance with Miles Faber and Eryn Waltman. Photo credits to @janelledoucet. Hope you can join us on a Monday night between 7-10pm - it's always a fun night of dance!

Lastly...don't forget to check out Brian Friedman's new clothing line called "Brian Says Be Free" and get your gear for summer! Check out www.facebook.com/BrianSaysBFree for updates on the product line direct from Brian.

The countdown to the Pulse in Las Vegas begins... I can't wait to be reunited with Pulse staff, crew, faculty and elites. It's going to be a great summer...hope I can meet up with you somewhere on my journey!