Choreographer / Dancer Profile
Stephane Andre: (2003: 15th MDF "T", a pas de deux) Stephane Andre is a native of France. After completing his ballet studies at the Paris National Conservatory under Attilio Labis and Roland Duflot he was awarded a scholarship at the San Francisco Ballet School and the Joffrey School.
Mr Andre has danced for many major companies throughout North America including the Joffrey Ballet, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet amongst others. He has danced works of internationally renowned choreographers such as Kylian, Duato, Van Manen, Tetley, Morris and Kudelka. Mr Andre has danced extensively in the Twin Cities since his arrival in 1998. He has danced leading roles with Zenon, Minnesota Dance Theatre, James Sewell and Corning Dances.
Stephane has been teaching ballet for 8 years throughout the world. He is a certified Pilates instructor and soon to be an Instructor Trainer in the Stott Method of Pilates. (updated: June, 2003)
Chris Aiken: (1997: 9th MDF) Chris Aiken is one of the leading dance improvisation artists in America.
John Beasant: (2000: 12th MDF) A native of Denver, Colorado and graduate of the University of Utah with an MFA in dance, John has danced with Danny Burazceski's JazzDance and ARENA dances by Mathew Janczewski since moving to the Twin Cities in 1998. John was nominated by Dance Magazine for best new choreographer of the year at Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC. John is a very intriquing choreographer. His use of modern dance to convey emotion, the flow of line and theme are strong components in his choreography. Other company credits include: Keith Johnson and Dancers, Shapiro and Smith Dance, the Metropolitan Opera, the Colorado Opera, and the Music Theatre of Wichita. John currently teaches for DanceSpace, the Harkness Center for Dance, and Dancewave Inc. in New York City. In addition, he has taught classes and has presented his own work at various universities, festivals, and studios throughout the United States, Europe, and Australia. John has been dancing with Doug Varone and Dancers since 2001.
(updated: August 2007)
Jesse Bethke: (1993: 5th MDF; 1996: 8th MDF) Jesse was artistic director of El Ballet Mexicano in 1993-96. Formerly with Ballet Folkloric in Mexico, he brings a stong sense of Mexican dance to Minnesota. He has strong interest in the arts and has written, composed, arranged and choreographed a full-length Latino concert dance set for orchestra.
Jesse Bethke Gomez (1987) is the President of Chicanos Latinos Unidos En Servicio (CLUES). CLUES provides mental health, chemical health, employment, education and related human services for the Latino community in Minnesota. The agency has been ranked among the top 25 Hispanic nonprofits in the United States by Hispanic Business Magazine. In 2004, he received a Certificate of Achievement as a Kellogg Fellow in the Emerging Leaders in Public Health Fellowship Program from the School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He is a recipient of the prestigious Presidential Scholarship Award-presented to him by U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole, then President of the American National Red Cross. He holds a Master's of Management and Administration degree, with an emphasis in strategic planning from Metropolitan State University. Bethke Gomez is also a graduate of the Minnesota Executive Program for Advanced Strategic Leadership of the Carlson School of Management. (updated: August 2007)
Brenda Buckley: (2000: 12th MDF) Brenda is the artistic director of Scoil Na dtri. The company celebrates Irish dance. On the 12th MDF, Brenda (and choreographer Meryl Kenny) presented 3 works: "Bodhran", "Cry of the Celts" and "Call of the Dance".
Brenda Buckley, TCRG is a master teacher and one of the original three founders of Scoil na dTrí Irish Dance Academy. A native of Minnesota, she began dancing in 1987, worked her way up competitively to the Open Championship level, and earned her TCRG in 1999. Brenda is registered with An Coimisiúm in Dublin, Ireland and the Dance Teachers' Association of North America. The high achievements of the school’s dancers are a reflection of the commitment and expertise of Brenda and her fellow teachers. The TCRG is a teacher's certification from An Comisiun. The exam is very demanding; candidates must demonstrate an ability to dance at a high level, knowledge of the 30 ceili dances and traditional dance tunes, and show that they can teach both ceili and solo steps to dancers of varying levels. Only dancers studying under a TCRG can compete at feiseanna. The TMRF is another teacher's certification from An Comisun. Similar to the TCRG, the focus is strictly on knowing and teaching the 30 ceili dances. (updated: August 2007)
Danny Burazceski: (1992: 4th MDF) Danny is founder/artistic director of JazzDance. His choreography is sought after nationally and has been set on companies such as Boston Ballet. He has also appeared (with his company) at the famous Jacob's Pillow summer festival. Danny continues to lead the dance community in innovative choreography in the realm of jazz dance. Danny Buraczeski: After a career on Broadway appearing in such musicals as MAME with Angela Lansbury and THE ACT with Liza Minnelli, Buraczeski formed the original JAZZDANCE in New York City in 1979. Based in the Twin Cities since 1992, the company performed at leading concert halls and festivals in more than 40 states, as well as in Europe, Russia and the Caribbean. In April of 2005, JAZZDANCE closed its doors with a 25 year retrospective concert at the Southern Theater. Buraczeski is a classic jazz stylist whose work has traced a deep investigation of jazz music, its sources and ongoing evolution. Many of his works for JAZZDANCE were commissioned by presenters around the country including the Walker Art Center, Bates Dance Festival, American Dance Festival, Jacob’s Pillow, the Joyce Theater and the Library of Congress. He has taught at each of the nation’s major dance festivals and has received multiple fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts. Buraczeski was a recipient of a 2003 McKnight Fellowship in Choreography and was a 2004 Bush Foundation Fellow. He was named Artist of the Year in 2000 by the Minneapolis StarTribune. Danny is now an Associate Professor in Jazz Dance at Southern Methodist University’s Meadows School of the Arts in Dallas, Texas. (updated: August 2007)
AnnMarie Carlson Drake: (1991: 3rd MDF) Ann Marie is artistic director of the Mankato Ballet.
Michael Casper: (1997: 9th MDF: "Top Gun") Michael, formerly with New Dance Ensemble, presented a solo titled "Top Gun".
Maria Cheng: (1988: 1st MDF) Maria has an ability to arrive the power of movement by directing our attention to the subtle beauty and expression behind it. A graduate of the University of Minnesota, she is now the director of dance.
Robert E. Cleary: (1998: 10th MDF, 17th MDF) Associate Director: Kanopy Dance Company
Education Director of Kanopy School for Contemporary Dance and Choreography has been dancing since 1982 when he started with the Minnesota Ballet and the Minnesota Dance Theatre. In Minneapolis, he trained under Frank Bourman, David Voss, Loyce Houlton, Bonnie Mathis and Tisha Von Burpee. In 1990, he earned a BA from the University of Minnesota in Dance and Choreography and also a BA in History, 19th Century Europe. In New York, he trained at the School of American Ballet and in Susan Klein-Releasing Technique. Since then he has worked with, and performed for, modern and post- modern performers: Bebe Miller, Bill T. Jones, Danny Ezralow, Paula Mann, Carolyn Brown, Susan McGuire, and Maria Cheng. He has taught ballet and modern dance for Mankato Ballet, Ballet Minnesota, Delange Dance Studio and Kanopy's school. Cleary was a dance faculty member at the Oure Idrætshøjskole in Denmark. He toured his choreography and performed throughout Denmark; and he was a soloist in Nini Theilade's Ballet Schubert , choreographed originally for Massine's Ballet Russe. Mr. Cleary has served as Guest Faculty and Performer at South West Texas State. He annually performs as guest artist/soloist in the Nutcracke r for Ballet Minnesota He has performed as a guest artist/soloist in the Minnesota Dance Festival and with Wendy Hambidge and Dancers in Portland, OR. In Madison, he has danced with Maureen Janson's Smartdance, Wisconsin Dance Ensemble, Connolly Dance Company, and KirOga Theater.
(updated: August 2007)
Artistic Director / Choreographer / Founder / Dancer Profile:
Risa Cohen: (2001: 13th MDF) www.risacohen.com
Risa Cohen moved to New York City after graduating from Towson University in Maryland with a Bachelor of Science in Neurological Psychology. She spent the next five years working with the Margolis Brown Company which relocated to Minneapolis in 1995. As an emerging choreographer, Ms. Cohen focuses on a movement-based vocabulary that combines powerful dramatic intentions with modern dance technique. Ms. Cohen founded Precipice Dance Theater in 1997 and since then has produced dances that address various issues reflecting humanity such as alienation, obsession and oppression. "Babble", which premiered at the Red Eye theater (1999), depicted her experiences of growing up with dyslexia. "Giselle", which also premiered at the Red Eye Theater (2000), examined the underlying impulses and deep obsessions embedded in the classic tale. The third concert,"Unraveled", presented at the Music Box Theater (2000), explored the struggle between feminisim and the Jewish patriarchal tradition. Ms Cohen has also presented works at the Walker Art Center, Southern Theater, and the Loring Playhouse.
In February 2001 Risa was commissioned by Ballet Minnesota to create a new work for the 5th annual Youth Concert Series. The dance, "Finlandia", is an abstract interpretation of the music. Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (considered by many as Finland's greatest composer): was the composer (1890) of this rich piece.
Presently Risa working on her own conert "Self Storage" which will be held at the Southern Theater in June. An excerpt from this new work will be premiered on the Minnesota Dance Festival. (updated: May 2001)
Artistic Director / Choreographer / Founder / Dancer Profile:
Sam Costa: (1996: 8th MDF) Formerly director of Ram Island Art Center in Maine, Sam relocated to Minnesota where he became associate director of Zenon Dance Company. After leaving that position he created 10,000 Dances and taught at Hamline University until his untimely death.
Artistic Director / Choreographer / Founder / Dancer Profile:
Suzanna Di Palma: (1993: MDF / 2003: 15th MDF: "Tientos" & "Alegrais")
Website: Zorongo Flamenco
The vision for Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre come from Artistic Director, Susana di Palma. She is unparalleled as a performer and choreographer, both in the United States and abroad. Ms di Palma receives widespread acclaim for her daring and sumptuous choreography, imbuing jewels of literature (from where she gets much of her inspiration) with the freshness, candor and immediacy that only flamenco can bring.
Susana di Palma studied Spanish dance from childhood, primarily in Madrid, with maestros Manolete, Tomas de Madrid, Carmen Mora and Merche Esmerelda, and in Sevilla with Enrique "El Cojo" and Manolo Marin. After living and working in Spain with such companies as La Singla and Rafael de Cordova among others, in "tablaos" in Madrid and numerous festivals throughout Spain and Europe, she returned to the United States.
Her original theater flamenco choreographies have been awarded grants from the McKnight Foundation, Minnesota State Arts Board, National Endowment for the Arts, Bush Foundation, and Jerome Foundation, among others. She is the 1999-2001 recipient of the McKnight Artist Fellowship for Choreographers through the Minnesota Dance Alliance. She recently performed Garcia Lorca's 'Blood Wedding' Ms di Palma resides in Madrid and Minneapolis.
These full-length works, along with the many smaller works, designate di Palma as an outstanding and unique visionary force in Spanish dance in the United States.
(updated: March, 2003)
Michael Engel: (1992: 4th MDF) Formerly a member of New Dance Ensemble, Michael in an independent choreographer.
Allan Fields: Alan is presently artistic director of Minnesoa Ballet located in Duluth, Minnesota. Since becoming director he has expanded the school, changed the company name from Duluth Ballet to Minnesota Ballet and improved not only the company but its performance oppourtunities. Alan was formerly a dancer with the Cleveland / San Jose Ballet under the direction of Dennis Nahat.
Dancer / Choreographer Profile
Penny Freeh (2003: 15th MDF) Penny has lived in the twin cities since 1994 when she relocated from New York City to join the James Sewell Ballet where she continues to dance. Her choreography has been presented by James Sewell Ballet, Ballet Builders (NYC), and Danny Buraczeski at the Illusion Theater. She has received commissions from the MN Orchestra and 3 Legged Race's Blizzards 2001 & 2002. Her newest work will be performed by the James Sewell Ballet for their Spring Season. (updated: June, 2003)
Wynne Fricke: (1996: 8th MDF) Wynne is a graduate of the Tische School of Arts in New York. She has a wonderful sense of design and movement which she brings to her works. Wynn has resided in Minneapolis since 1991, danced with Zenon Dance Company for nine years and founded her own company Borrowed Bones Dance. She taught on the dance faculties of Winona State University, the University of Minnesota and St. Olaf College and currently teaches at Macalester College in St. Paul, MN.
Robert Gardner: Robert was formerly with the Joffrey and Cleveland Ballet. As choreogapher in residence for the Minnesota Ballet (Duluth, MN) he has created many new works for the company.
Eddie Gasper:
The following is a bio from the Gasper School of Dance (Fargo, North Dakota):
Eddie Gasper came to the area as Director/Choreographer at Minnesota State University, Moorhead. He has been commissioned by the New York Metropolitan Opera Ballet Company, worked through the League of Regional Theatre and was guest artist/instructor in various universities and organizations. Eddie was also Bob Fosse’s assistant for over a decade working with him on and off Broadway and in Hollywood. In London, he choreographed at the Palladium for the BBC’s Talk of the Town. On Broadway, he choreographed Fig Leaves are falling, with Barry Nelson and Dorothy Loudon, and appeared as lead dancer in Can Can, Sweet Charity, West Side Story, Irma la Douce, Music Man, and Guys and Dolls. Eddie has directed night club acts for Juliet Prowse and Jedy Carne, and has also directed Ginger Rogers, Phil Silvers, Donald O’Connor, Agnes Moorhead, Kathryn Grayson, and Howard Keel, to name a few. He has had the pleasure of working under the direction of Jerome Robbins, Agnes DeMille, Michael Kidd, and Onna White. Locally, Eddie was the former co-Artistic Director/Choreographer for the Red River Dance and Performing Company from 1978-1995 and directed the main-stage musical at Trollwood Performing Arts School from 1981-1991. (updated: March 2009)
Kathy Gasper:
The following is a bio from the Gasper School of Dance (Fargo, North Dakota):
Kathy Gasper has an impressive classical background complimenting her appearances on the Broadway stage, television, cabarets, regional theatres, and summer stock productions. Kathy has been a soloist and principal dancer with the Milwaukee Ballet, Weisbaden Ballet, Illinois and Chicago Ballets, the Florentine Opera, and the Chicago Opera Ballet. She has been an instructor/guest artist at several universities and has produced creative “in-school” programs that are applied today in Michigan, Florida, Minnesota, and North Dakota. Kathy’s professional musical comedy roles include Lola in Damn Yankees, Gladys in Pajama Game, Rose in Bye Bye Birdie, Gypsy and Dainty June in Gypsy, Ado Annie in Oklahoma, and Miss Hannigan in Annie. She has been privileged to have studied and performed under outstanding choreographers Lupe Surrano, Luigi, Jamie Rogers, Madame Clistove, Ellis DuBoulay, Peter Genaro, and Ron Fields. She was assistant choreographer for the Doc Severinson & Brothers and Sisters nigh club act at the Plaza Hotel in New York and Hawaii. She has also choreographed summer stock productions, industrials, commercials, and major dance works for several performing groups, including the Merion Cole Ballet. Kathy was the former artistic director of the Red River Dance and Performing Company in Fargo, ND, and choreographed and was the director of the dance department at Trollwood Performing Arts School from 1981-1993. (updated: March 2009)
Matthew Gasper:
The following is a bio from the Gasper School of Dance (Fargo, North Dakota):
Matthew Gasper has been dancing since the age of twelve with one of the top regional dance companies in the country. Under the direction of Kathy and Eddie Gasper, he honed his talents as a dancer, teacher, and choreographer. At the early age of 18, he choreographed his first musical, Jesus Christ Superstar at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota. Immediately after high school, Matthew joined the Cleveland San Jose Ballet Company, the fifth largest company in the United States at the time. He quickly worked his way up from trainee to soloist, dancing principal roles including Nutcracker, Rodeo, Coople, Swan Lake, and Blue Suede Shoes – a ballet set to the music of Elvis Presley. In 1999, Matthew moved to New York City to work with dance legends like Luigi and Denis Nahat, and to begin his career in musical theatre quickly securing roles on- and off- Broadway, including Appleamondo’s Dream, Thorougly Modern Millie, Fiddler on the Roof, Guys and Dolls, and others. After suffering a knee injury in “Millie”, Matthew moved to Los Angeles, teaching and choreographing with regional dance and theatre companies in California. Currently Matthew lives in Fargo, ND as a Master Teacher at Gasper's School of Dance and Performing Arts. His goals are to continue to build on the reputation of the school and the dance company established by his parents Kathy and Eddie. (updated: March 2009)
David Gordon: (1989: 1st MDF) David
Heide Hauser Jasmin: (1998: 10th MDF, Chair Concerto) Heidi is the artistic director of Nancy Hauser Dance Company located in Minneapolis, MN. The modern company, founded by Nancy Hauser (Heidi's mother) continues to produce an annual season of modern works. Heidi has also developed a cross cultural exchange progarm with the Osaka area of Japan. Heidi presented the solo "Chair Concerto" on the festival.
Choreographer / Artistic Director / Dancer / Founder Profile"
Matt Jenson: (2003-04 MDF15 & MDF16) Matt Jenson (artistic director of New and Slightly Used Dance) has presented work many places locally including MN Dance Alliance Studio 6A, the Red Eye Theater, the Walker Art Center and the Southern Theater and in New York at Dance Theatre Workshop's "Fresh Tracks Series", HERE and in Dance Space's "In the Company of Men" Series. Recent projects have included two collaborations: "The Road to Compostela" with early music ensemble The Rose Ensemble and "Travel Home" with visual artist Diane Katsiaficas and students from the Dance Program and Visual Arts Department at the University of Minnesota. Matt has served as choreographer for four main-stage productions at the Children's Theater. His work has been supported by the McKnight Foundation, the MN State Arts Board and the Jerome Foundation. Matt is currently on the faculty of the University of Minnesota Dance Program and the Children's Theater Company. Since 1999, Matt has performed with Sturat Pimsler Dance & Theater. (updated: March, 2003)
Matt Jenson, Teaching Specialist for the Dance Program, teaches DNCE 1001 Modern Dance Technique 1. Matt is the artistic director and choreographer of New and Slightly Used Dance, a modern dance company that has performed throughout Minnesota as well as in Wisconsin and New York. As a freelance choreographer, Jenson has created commissioned dances for the Weisman Art Museum, The University of Minnesota Dance Program, Minnesota Dance Theatre, Dance Space’s In the Company of Men Series, the Perpich Center for Arts Education/Arts High School, Mankato State University and others. He has supplied the choreography for five main stage productions at the Children’s Theatre in Minneapolis, the nation’s largest theatre for children. Jenson’s work has been supported by the McKnight Foundation Fellowship for Choreographers, a Minnesota State Arts Board Fellowship for Choreographers, a MSAB Video Documentation Grant, Target Stores and the Dancer Pool Fund through the Minnesota Dance Alliance from the Jerome Foundation. Jenson currently serves on the faculties of the University of Minnesota Dance Program and The Children’s Theatre Company’s Junior Conservatory Program. Jenson graduated in 1995 with a BFA in Dance from the U of MN Dance Program.
(Updated from the University of Minnesota Department of Theater Arts and Dance Website on August, 2007.)
Lise Houlton: (1997: 9th MDF)
* Excerpt From Minnesota Dance Theater & School Website: Daughter of MDT&S founder Loyce Houlton, now guides the Minnesota Dance Theatre into the future. A native of Minneapolis, Ms. Houlton was a member of the Stuttgart Ballet, the New Amsterdam Ballet and the American Ballet Theatre. She danced such principal roles as Nikiya in La Bayadere and Cinderella, and leading parts in ballets choreographed by Anthony Tudor, Kenneth MacMillan and Glen Tetley. She began her career with MDT creating many roles in the Houlton repertoire. Ms. Houlton has worked closely with Mikhail Baryshnikov, Natalia Makarova, Rudolf Nureyev, Gelsey Kirkland, Marcia Haydee and numerous others. Lise also holds the position of adjunct faculty member at the University of Minnesota where she teaches ballet. In addition to her work as teacher and coach, she has choreographed several works for MDT including Sidetracks, House on Fire, Alchemical Wedding and Rumblings. (updated: August 2003)
Loyce Houlton (1990: 2nd MDF) Loyce founded the Minnesota Dance Theater in 1961. Over the years she became internationally known for her choreography, setting works for companies such as the Berlin Opera, American Ballet Theater and Pacific Northwest Ballet.. Some of her works include "Knoxville: Summer of 1915", "Carmina Burana" and "Ancient Air". Upon her death, Mike Steele of the Star Tribune called her a living legend. Loyce Houlton presented her famous pas de deux "Wingborne" and "Slaughter on 10th Avenue" on the Festival. (updated: August 2003)
Emily Johnson: (MDF15: 2003) Emily Johnson is a director/choreographer/curator, originally from Alaska and currently based in Minneapolis. Her company, Catalyst, has performed since 1998. Johnson works to make deliberate meaning, random association, and powerful movement the essential aspects of dance pieces that are thought-provoking and entertaining.
Myron Johnson: (1989: 2nd MDF) Myron is the founder / artistic director of "Ballet of the Dolls", a company he founded in the 1980's. His works are not only musical and intriguing but have a stong sense of purpose and dynamics which sets him apart as a gifted choreographer.
* from the website: Myron Johnson is one of this country's most inventive choreographers, with nearly 30 years' experience in dance, theater and mime performance and production. As a child he studied at Minnesota's Children's Theatre Company and School. At age 19. he studied in Paris under the celebrated mime Marcel Marceau, and with Mme. Janine Charat and Ren Bon. He pursued further studies at the New York Conservatory of Ballet and the Minnesota Dance Theatre, and founded Ballet of the Dolls in 1986.
(updated: August 2003)
Jim Lieberthal (1998: 10th MDF) Jim is an independent choreograher who has an ability to create unsual movement, Jim has also created works for people in wheelchairs. Jim presented his classic solo work "Albatross".
Shen Pei: (2000: 12th MDF) Shen Pei, the artistic director, is an internationally renowned choreographer form China. Shen presented an original work "Flying Aspara" on the 12th MDF.
From an article about Shen Pei: (By the Advisory Committee of the Chinese Heritage Foundation)
The Chinese Heritage Foundation honors Shen Pei as the first Chinese Minnesotan of Note, for her great impact on the dance world in MInnesota and beyond, her dedication to Chinese culture, and her profound influence on young artists in the community.
Shen Pei, a native of Nanjing, China, immigrated to Minnesota in 1993, at the invitation of the Chinese American Association of Minnesota Chinese Dance Theater (CAAM CDT) to assume the role of artistic director. She brought with her decades of experience and an international reputation as a dancer, choreographer, theater artist, theorist and educator. Many of her award-winning choreographed works, such as Plum Blossom Triolet, have been performed throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia. Another acclaimed work, Picking Tea, is widely credited as the dance that founded the South Yangtze School of Dance. During her ensuing 12-year sojourn here, Shen has transformed the dance landscape in Minnesota by introducing a beloved Chinese art form to a cross cultural audience, she has inspired a new generation of Chinese dance artists. (updated: March 2009)
Marius Petipa: Marius Petipa was born in 1819 in France. After studing dance and dancing in France he was invited to go to Russia. This was a moment of fate for the dance world. This allowed Petipa to be in the right place, with enough funds and a gathering of very gifted composers (Tchaikovsky, Minkus and others). With Petipa came the Classical era of ballet. He is responsible for creating the great masterpieces which are the foundation of the classic ballet. He collaborated to create "Swan Lake", "Sleeping Beauty", "Nutcracker" and many others. The festival will present one of his greatest accomplishments: "La Bayadere". The fourth act "Kingdom of the Shades" will be presented. This act is one of most beautiful dances in all of dance history. Guest artist Oksana Konobayeva will dance the lead role partnered by Ballet Minnesota principal Kirill Bak. The pas de trois will be danced by Ballet Minnesota dancers Svetlana Gavrilova, Melanie Hughes and Brianna VandeVelde. Come see this classic masterpiece. (updated: May 2001)
Choreographer / Dancer Profile
Aparna Ramaswamy: (2003: 15th MDF: "Chaaya / Shadow") Aparna has performed Bharatanatyam in the Twin Cities from a young age and has been studying with Ms Alarmel Valli, the world's leading exponent of the Pandanallur style of Bharatanatyam, since the age of eight. She has been awarded several honors, including a McKnight Artist Fellowship for Dancers, a Jerome Foundation Travel Study Grant, and a McKnight Artist Fellowship for Choreography. She was named the "Best Dancer" in the City Pages "Best of the Twin Cities 1999," and was named one of "One Hundred People to Watch" by Mpls/St Paul Magazine (February 2000). Most recently, in 2002, she received an Arts and Religion in the Twin Cities grant, a Neighborhood Arts Project Grant from the City of St Minneapolis, and a two-year Choreography Fellowship from the Bush Foundation. Aparna is a 1997 graduate of Carleton College, with a degree in International Relations and Political Science.
(updated: March 2003)
Choreographer / Artistic Director / Founder Profile
Ranee Ramaswamy: (2003: 15th MDF: "Aavya") A native of India, has been teaching and performing Bharatanatyam in the Twin Cities since 1978. She has had the good fortune to train under Alarmel Valli, a leading exponent of the Pandanallur style of Bharatanatyam, which requires grace and subtlety of expression. Ranee has received many grants and fellowships in the recognition of her dancing, choreography, and tireless work with Bharatanatyam in the Minnesota area, including 12 McKnight Artist Fellowships for Choreographers, two McKnight Artist Fellowships for Interdisciplinary Artists, a two-year National Endowment for the Arts Choreographer Fellowship in 1994, a Bush Fellowship for Choreography in 1996, a 1998 LIN (Leadership Initiative Neighborhood) Grant from the St Paul Companies, and a 2000 Minnesota State Arts Board Choreography Fellowship. Throughout her career, Ranee has collaborated with celebrated artists of diverse backgrounds and disciplines, such as poet Robert Bly, Jazz musician Howard Levy, Milwaukee-based African dance troupeKo-Thi Dance Company, and Deaf actress Nicole Zapko.
(updated: March 2003)
Choreographer / Artistic Director / Founder Profile
Doris Ressl: Biography (2001: 13th MDF: "Fragrant Memories")
PHOTO PAGE: "Fragrant Memories"
Doris Ressl, artistic director of Ressl Dance! and choreographer, began her dance career in Chicago where she received a BA in Dance from Columbia College, was a member of 627 Performance Space, the Chicago Dance Medium, and an independent choreographer. After receiving an MFA from Smith College, she joined the University of Minnesota, Duluth Department of Theatre. Ressl teaches during the summer at the School of the Minnesota Ballet in Duluth. She just completed a one year teaching contract at Radford University in Radford, Virginia as Assistant Professor of Dance. A recipient of state and local grants, including a McKnight Choreographer's Fellowship and Arrowhead Regional Arts Council Artist's Fellowship, Ressl presents her work throughout Minnesota. In 1996 Ressl choreographed for the Minnesota Ballet's "Choreographer's Conference" and in 1999 for their "Seven Choreographers Plunge." In 1999, Doris was selected as a finalist for Artists & Communities: America Creates for the Millennium, funded by the National Endowment for the Arts. (updated: August 2003)
Byron Richards:
Andrew Rist: (1-19th MDF)
Andrew is founder/artistic director of Ballet Minnesota and Minnesota Dance Festival. He likes to focus upon collaborations with composers as well as story ballets. The company, Ballet Minnesota, besides producing the Festival also produces the Youth Concert Sereies, Summer Tour and the annual Nutcracker. This year Andrew will present a children's story ballet: "The Sorcerer's Apprentice". The musical score is by French composer Paul Dukas. The score was first performed in1897 at the Societe Nationale. (updated: May 2001)
Cheryl Rist: (1-19th MDF) Cheryl is director of the Classical Ballet Academy, official school of Ballet Minnesota. Each year Ballet Minnesota restages a Classic Ballet for the festival. Cheryl has been responsible for resetting these classics which include "Swan Lake", "Paquita", "Les Sylphides" on the festival. This year Cheryl chose to set the great classic "La Bayadere" which premiered in St Petersburg, Russia in 1877. The opening scene of Act II, which will be presently on the festival, is considered by many to be one of classical ballet's greatest choreographic moments.
(updated: May 2001)
www.tudance.org
Choreographer Profile
Uri Sands: (2003: 15th MDF: "Work XIII") Uri Sands is currently a principal dancer and choreographer with the North Carolina Dance Theatre in Charlotte, NC. He has recieved consideragble recognition as a dancer and choreographer both locally and nationally. His choreography fuses classical elegance with edgy contemporary action, pulsating intensity with poetic lyricism. He has also been a principal dancer and resident choreographer with the Minnesota Dance Theatre in Minneapolis, MN. He continues to choreograph and appear as a guest artist with "Complexions" under the direction of Dwight Roden and Desmond Richardson. He was a principal dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre for five years. As a principal dancer with that company his repertoire included works by Alvin Ailey, Talley Beatty, Donald McKayle, Ulysess Dove, John Butler, George Faison, and Judith Jamison among others. He previously danced for two years with Philadanco in Philadelphia, and with Miami's Fredrick Bratcher Contemporary Dance Theater. In addition to several film and television credits, Uri has taught dance and performed extensively throughout the United States and Europe. (updated: March 2003)
Choreographer / Artistic Director / Dancer / Founder Profile
James Sewell: (MDF 4 / 2003: 15th MDF: "Whaling Waters")
Website: www.jsballet.org
Since 1993, Minnesota's James Sewell Ballet has performed an average of once per week at more than 200 venues in more than 40 Minnesota communities, 25 states, and Bermuda. It is the company,s mission to create and perform an engaging repertoire based in the ballet idiom in an effort to broaden audience access to dance and to advance the art form. The organization defines its artistic product as a valued and meaningful experience shared between artists and audiences. The essential elements of the product are the choreography of Artistic Director James Sewell, performances by the dancers, the process of education, and the engagement of audiences. The company performs biennially in St. Paul, annually in St. Cloud and Rochester, and on tour throughout the United States. (updated: March 2003)
Casandra Shore: (1998: 10th MDF) Casandra is the founder/artistic director of Jawaakir Dance Company based in Minneapolis, MN. She has studied Middle Eastern dance for over 20 years and is widely considered one of the premier performance artists in this dance art form.
Robin Steihm: (1990: 2nd MDF) Robin began her trainning under Loyce Houlton. Since she has emerged in her own right as a choreogapher. She founded "Moving People Dance Company" in the 1990's. She has toured to Japan and Russia.
www.universaldancedestiny.com
Dancer / Choreographer / Director / FounderProfile"
Edna Stevens Talton (2007: 19th MDF), Born and raised in Liberia, Africa, Edna Stevens Talton has loved dance since she was a child. African dance, used to celebrate, honor, glorify, uplift and express feelings, played a major role in Edna's heritage and culture.
When she was crowned winner of her school's annual Liberian Pageant shortly before relocating to the United States in 1981 at the age of seven, she was told her energy and talent blew the audience away. It was then that Edna knew dance was her destiny.
Before moving from New York to the Twin Cities in 2002, Edna expanded her African dance knowledge to Hip Hop, Reggae/Dancehall, Rhumba, Salsa/Mambo, Meringue, Eastern/Single-X Swing, Eastern Triple-X Swing, Swing Hustle, Cha-cha, Waltz, Tango, Techno, House, Modern, Jazz, Tap, and Funk/Alternative.
Edna now runs her own dance company offering classes in Hip Hop/ Reggae Dancehall, Breaking, traditional and social African, Latin for teens, and private ballroom dance instruction at the Capri Theater located at 2027 West Broadway in Minneapolis.
Edna has taught and performed oversees as well. Some of her past dance credits and achievements include:
- Dancer for MTV
· Live performance on BET
· Appeared in over 10 music videos for such well-known artists as Faith Evans, Donnell Jones,
Wu-Tan Clan, The Fugees, Lil'Kim, Michael Jackson and more
· Oversees dancing in a group representing the United States for "The World Culture Expo 1998"
in Korea
· Dancer in a TV series in Japan
· Opening performance with former dance group for "The Reggae Tamika Awards,"
held in New York
· Independently contracted as a dance instructor/choreographer/teaching artist/performer
for schools, theaters, business corporations, and more
· Enfinity Dancers founder and choreographer
Dancer / Choreographer Profile"
Deborah Jinza Thayer (2003: 15th MDF), Deborah Jinza Thayer has been performing and choreographing in multidisciplinary work for over ten years in New York City, Washington DC metro region, and Minneapolis. A native New Yorker, she graduated from John Hopkins University and received an MFA in Dance from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. Since relocating to Minneapolis in 1997, she has been presenting her Movement Architecture which constructs imagery by blending dance and theater in strutured enviorments. She has twice been a semi-finalist for France's Renocntres choreographies internationales de Seine-Sait-Denis (Bagnolet). She currently teaches technique and composition at Zenon Dance Company and School in Minneapolis. (updated: June 2003)
Choreographer Profile:
Colleen Thomas: (2003: 15th MDF), choreographer, has danced with the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, Bebe Miller Company, Nina Weiner Dance Company, Donald Byrd/The Group, the Kevin Wynn Collection, Sung Su Ahn and Miami Ballet, among others. She currently performs with Bill Young and Dancers and has collaborated with Mr. Young as co-choreographer on numerous projects. Her work has been seen in Slovakia, Hong Kong, Estonia, Taiwan, Brazil, Venezuela as well as in New York City, Raleigh, California State Long Beach, and the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. She is an Associate Professor at Long Island University.
(updated: March 2003)
Erin Thompson: Erin began her trainning with the Minnesota Dance Theater under Loyce Houlton, After dancing with the MInnesota Dance Theater she moved to New York City where she won a Bessie award for dancer. Upon moving back to Minneapolis Erin danced with Zenon Dance Company. Along with her husband, Byron Richards, they formed the company Chateuse 45.
Lisa Thurell: (1998: 10th MDF, 17th MDF) Artistic Director: Kanopy Dance Company
Executive Director; Education Director of Kanopy School for Contemporary Dance and Choreography serves on the Overture Foundation Advisory Committee. She was Chair of the Dance Program at Oure Idrætshøjskole, Denmark (1997), and Visiting Assistant Professor of Dance at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (1992 and 1994.) She danced with the Martha Graham Dance Company in NYC and at the International Spoleto Festivals in the US and Italy (1991-1994). She was also with Isadora Duncan American Dance and other companies in NYC (1987-1991) She was a guest artist for Wendy Hambidge and Dancers in Portland, OR, and the Minnesota Dance Festival (1995-1999.) In 1997 she toured her choreography and performed throughout Denmark. Her choreography has been presented: in NYC at The Field; Dance Space; Laban Center; and The Goodson Theatre; in Lincoln, NE at the Lied Center; in MN, at the O'Shaugnessy Theatre, St. Paul; and at the Fitzgerald Theatre, Minneapolis. In Madison, her work has been seen at the former Kanopy Performing Arts Ctr.; Isthmus Theatre for CTM Productions; the Madison Civic Center; UW Opera, and UW Music Hall. She holds a Certificate of Completion, Professional Trainee and Teaching Program, Martha Graham School, NYC (1993) and received her MFA in Dance Performance and Choreography with a minor in Asian Theatre from the U-W. Her early training was with Tibor Zana, Lon Gordon, Phil Zarrilli (Asian Theater), Sankararn Nambodiri (Kathakali), Hanya Holm, Nancy Hauser, Phyllis Lamhut, Carol Fried, Diane Gray, Ethel Winter and Yuriko. Honors and awards: soloist for Nini Theilade's Ballet Schubert , Denmark; soloist in Hanya Holm's Rat-a-tat in the UW's National Alumni Concert, nominated for the Bonnie Bird International Choreography Award from the Laban Center for Dance, London (1988), received the University of Wisconsin Outstanding Alumni Award nomination (1996), and The Wisconsin Dance Council's Choreography and Performance Award (1999.) Grants by the Wisconsin Arts Board, Madison CitiARTS Commission; Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission Civic Center Foundation , and the Madison Community Foundation, have supported her choreography and performances for Kanopy Dance Company
(updated: August 2007)
Christopher Watson (1996:) Christopher is artistic director of the Christopher Watson Dance Company resident in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Michael Yonkers: (1991: 3rd MDF) Michael danced with the Nancy Hauser dance company before becoming an independent choreographer. He has an excellent sense of the use of minimal movement which is his forte.
Choreographer Profile:
Bill Young: (2003: 15th MDF) Winner of a 1997 Guggenheim Fellowship, discovered dance through contact improvisation while studying music at Oberlin College. He showed early work in San Francisco, while dancing with Margaret Jenkins, and later moved to New York where he danced with Douglas Dunn, Randy Warshaw, Merce Cunningham (on video). In 1988 he established Bill Young & Dancers, which has been presented in NYC at the Joyce Theater, The Kitchen, Danspace Project, PS 122, and DTW, as well as on repeated international tours, including performances in Austria, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Finland, Mexico, Brazil, Peru, and Venezuela. Combining a deep musicality and sense of structure with a wide range of movement techniques (from Classical to Contact), Young has created over 50 works, noted for their virtuosity as well as emotional range and power; his commissions include new works for the Estonian National Opera Ballet, Pennsylvania Dance Theater, DanceArt Hong Kong, the Wildspace Dance Company (Milwaukee), Teoria de Gravedad (Mexico), Bratislava Dance Theater (Slovakia), and the Madach Theater Dancers (Budapest).
(updated: March 2003)
Kathy Young: (1997: 9th MDF) Starting dance trainning late, Kathy sense of line, musicallity and form allowed her to progress quickly. After dancing with JazzDance, she formed her own company. Her movement is musical, daring and intriguing.
