choreography:
Risa Cohen

composer:
Jean Sibelius

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)

 Founded by Andrew & Cheryl Rist in 1992, Ballet Minnesota is the sponsoring organization of the Minnesota Dance Festival. The company has an annual season consisting of a fall concert, the annual Nutcracker, Capital New Year, Youth Concert Series, Minnesota Dance Festival, Minnesota DanceCamp & Mississippi River Tour. The company is a paid professional company.