Michelle Dorrance Takes the Pillow by Storm

Photo by Christopher Duggan

by Nicole Harris 

This summer Michelle Dorrance took the Pillow by storm.  Again.

Now, anyone who has ever talked tap dance with me knows that I am a huge Michelle Dorrance fan.  I think her work is thought provoking and technically inspiring.  Most people will tell you that she's one of the hardest working people they know, not to mention humble, generous and sweet as can be.  I am honored to have been one of a relatively small number of people who had the opportunity to see both last year and this year's Jacob's Pillow concerts.

Last year Michelle was the recipient of the Jacob's Pillow Dance Award.  With the award money she created a brilliant evening length work alongside musician Toshi Reagon and co-choreographers Derick K. Grant and Dormeshia Sombry-Edwards.  The overall work was beautifully crafted, visually stunning and musically captivating.  On top of that, each individual piece had the strength and integrity to stand alone.

Michelle and Nicholas in The Blues Project.
Photo by Christopher Duggan.

Much like last year, this year's show sold out weeks before Dorrance Dance hit the Massachusetts border.  I purchased the last available ticket and convinced my friend Patrick to come up from New York to go with me.  We drove out to western MA and ogled over the incredible landscape the Pillow calls home before we were ushered into our seats at the Doris Duke Theatre.

ETM: The Initial Approach was created by Michelle and Nicholas Van Young and performed by Michelle, Nicholas, Warren Craft, Karida Griffith, Demi Remick, Caleb Teicher, Leonardo Sandoval and b-girl Ephrat "Bounce" Asherie alongside musicians Donovan Dorrance, Aaron Marcellus and Greg Richardson.  One of the things that amazes me about Michelle is her ability to train so many talented dancers.  Her company, Dorrance Dance, has had more members than I can count over the last few years.  But instead of the work turning into a generic mash of talented tap dancers, her shows always maintain a true sense of "Michelle" while she simultaneously coaxes her dancers to find their own personality and voices within the work.

Nicholas Van Young in "ETM: The Initial Approach";
photo Christopher Duggan

Nicholas Van Young, a brilliant tap dancer and choreographer in his own right, has been cooking up some amazing electronics that he calls his "Compositional Tap Instrument."  If you saw Dorrance Dance here in Boston back in 2012 then you saw Nicholas' first solo using the ingenious tap board technology.  Not only can he change the sounds of the taps as they are amplified but he can record, loop and playback  phrases in real time while he's dancing.  This is the basic concept used in ETM: The Initial Approach.  Only image it being done with a whole ensemble of dancers and you might begin to get the idea of the sort of night we were in for.

Throughout the evening all lines were blurred.  Tap dancers played the drums, musicians looped and played back their riffs while accompanying their recorded selves, your traditional metal on wood tap sounds turned into electronic noises of every variety and the stage was constantly transformed as tap boards were moved in and out of the space in very well choreographed transitions.  Just when you thought that the electric tap boards were all you were going to get Michelle and Nicholas dug into their STOMP background and dancers were using metal grating and lengths of chain to create additional music.  It was an all out carnival of music and dance that you really didn't want to end.

Michelle Dorrance in "ETM: The Initial Approach";
photo Jamie Kraus, courtesy Jacob's Pillow Dance

While last year's show The Blues Project had a very clear setting and style for the entire evening, ETM ran the gamut of emotions.  There were definitely technical and sonic through lines to the evening but what really held it together for me was the sense that this show was incredibly personal.  Every person on that stage was going through something that we were simply being given the gift to catch a glimpse of before it moved along.

My favorite piece in the show was a duet performed by Demi and Caleb.  It had all the intimacy you find in a modern or contemporary duet with the quiet intricacies of two talented young tap dancers.  Personally, I often struggle with how to take the compositional tools I use in modern and transfer them to tap and I feel that Michelle accomplished this perfectly during this gorgeous duet.

I am always a fan of Ephrat, who is also an incredible choreographer, and her duet with Michelle towards the end of the show was another highlight for me.  Ephrat filled the show with a contagious sense of playfulness and her movement was a natural fit for Michelle's full bodied tap choreography.

I was a bit disappointed that we didn't get to see more of Nicholas tap dancing and towards the end I was beginning to tire of some of the vocals.  But across the board I give this latest Dorrance Dance adventure a HUGE thumbs up.  I just wish the didn't sell out so quickly so more of you could get the chance to see it.

Hey Michelle!  Come up to Boston more often, okay?

Happy Birthday Michelle Dorrance!

by Nicole Harris 

Photo from Jacob's Pillow by Christopher Duggan

This summer I traveled to the extreme ends of Massachusetts in search of brilliant tap dancing, and brilliant tap dancing is exactly what I found.  (Along with a whole lot of adventure, but that's a story for another time.)  I want to tell you about my first stop:  the gorgeous Jacob's Pillow to see Michelle Dorrance's The Blues Project.  A recipient of the 2013 Jacob's Pillow Dance Award, Michelle created this new work using members of her company, co-choreographers Derick K. Grant and Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, and a brand new score byToshi Regan. 

Anybody who has had a conversation about tap dancing with me in the past five years or so knows that I am a big fan of Michelle and her work.  This show did not disappoint.  It was beautifully danced, creatively envisioned and intelligently constructed.  I have been talking to and interviewing people from the show this summer and will hopefully have some interviews for you soon!

I would like to wish Michelle a most wonderfully happy birthday this month.  Take a minute to learn more about her and her work here.  And don't miss an opportunity to see the woman in action if you find one!

Happy Birthday to the rest of our September birthdays...

Valerie Perrine, Beyonce Knowles, Mitzi Gaynor, Mariah Steele, Tony Waag, Lola Falana, Michelle Dorrance, Sarah Friswell, Sabrina Bryant, Frederick Ashton, Wade Robson, Olivia Scharff, Ashley Chandler, Juliet Prowse, Lawrence Leritz, Deborah Kerr, Anne Howarth, Tanya Rivard, Lewis Glass, Allie Fiske, Monica Clary, Jesse Chase, Cathy Jo Linn, and Dita Von Teese.

Getting to Know Felipe Galganni

by Nicole Harris
Earlier this summer I spent some time in New York City working on Tap It Out with the amazing Lynn Schwab and the folks from the American Tap Dance Foundation.  While there I had the opportunity to get to know an brilliant young tap dancer and a all around fabulous guy, Felipe Galganni.  Since moving to New York from Brazil three years ago Felipe has been busy teaching, choreographing and performing all over the city.  While in town I got to see the premiere of his piece "Reverie in Rio", performed by Felipe himself alongside Lynn Schwab and Chikako Iwahori and singer Jackeline Ribas.  Here is a little conversation with Felipe about his work, moving to the United States and dancing in a foreign language!  Also, Felipe celebrated a birthday last week, so make sure you send your love!

 NH:  Who are your favorite choreographers (tap & otherwise)?
FG:  Chikako Iwahori, Brenda Bufalino, Max Pollak, Lynn Schwab, Michelle Dorrance. I love Bob Fosse.

NH:  I know that meeting Heather Cornell had a big influence on your life.  What is it about her work/dancing that speaks to you?
FG:  I met Heather in January of 2010. I am from São Paulo (BRA), and she was teaching a workshop in Rio, so I flew to take that.  São Paulo is not the most tap dancing city in Brazil so every time someone came to the area I tried to go.

When I met Heather I instantly felt in love. Her kindness, humbleness and the way she talked about tap dance and music inspired me so much that I decided I wanted to take her summer intensive, here in NY.  I think it's a Master thing, this power of inspiring people! Two months before I come I decided to sell my car and move to USA. Here I am since then.

NH:  I know you grew up studying other forms of dance besides tap.  Do you still take any of those classes?  Do you feel like having studied jazz etc. has had an effect on your tap dancing?

FG:  I grew up dancing samba like most Brazilians. And academically taking jazz, later tap, ballet and contemporary. I was never a strong ballet dancer but I feel it was very important to develop some basics,  like turns and balance. And even to "awake" the upper body as a tapper.

 
NH:  You recently told me a wonderful story about your first pair of tap shoes and your subsequent first tap class.  Can you share that story here?
FG:  Sure! When I was 14 years old I got some money from my family as a birthday gift. So I decided it was finally my chance to buy a pair of tap shoes. I was always putting them on to "practice" and even to do performances at school. Without having ever taken class at that point.  

So when I was 15, I finally find a school that I could go by myself and take a tap class. I remember it was not very affordable for my family, but they know I really wanted to do that. So they supported me.  When I got in class the teacher came to me and asked: "have you ever tap danced before?" and I said , very confidently "YES!"..."oh, so please show me your favorite step"... And I started my very unique style of tap. Later on she told me that it was the most funny experience she have ever had.  Her name is Valeria Petroni, and she was an amazing instructor for those first tap years. I am very thankful of all I learned from her.

 NH:  Can you tell me about the tap community in Brazil compared to New York?
FG:  As I mentioned before, I am from São Paulo and the tap dancing scene is pretty small in there. I was always traveling to another cities, or bringing people to teach me and my tap friends.  New York tap community is big!  Just so you have and idea, in Brazil I had situations that I had to explain to people what tap dance is.  The community is growing though. Go Brazil !!!
 

NH:  It has now been three years since you moved from Brazil and in talking to you you would think you'd been speaking English for much of your life.  Can you tell me about teaching in the early years in New York when your English was much shakier?  What sort of tools did you use to communicate in moments where language failed you?
FG:  I remember the fist class I taught here in US. It was for Lynn Schwab at Steps. It's hard when you have to communicate in a foreign language to native people, and explain stuff that you're so use to in your first language. It was a little frustrating, but I had to work on that, not been afraid to say the words wrong, and also asking the students in the class and learning from them.
 
But honestly my English still pretty shaky, and sometimes language does failed on me. Like in today's class the only way I found to tell my students what I wanted to express was "imagine you're wearing a baby diaper" and then later on I said "put your diapers on"... and of course by the end of the class I reinforced: "Don't forget your diaper for next week". LOL. It's fun!

Upcoming Events

UPCOMING EVENTS 

by Aisha Cruise

July is the time of cookouts, fireworks, and fabulous outdoor dance.  Get out and see some of these performances!

June 15- August 23 

Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival

Jacob's Pillow is in full swing, and with performances Wednesday through Sunday every week this summer, we're spoiled for choice with amazing companies.  So here are some of the better kept secrets about performances at the Pillow.

Inside/Out

The Inside/Out series takes place on the Henry J. Leir stage Wednesday-Saturday at 6:15pm every week of the festival, and it is completely FREE!  In case of inclement weather, the event is moved to a small indoor performance space, so be sure to call ahead if it looks like rain.  

Under 35 Fridays

At every Friday performance, a limited number of tickets are sold to individuals under 35 for just $19.  Tickets sell out fast, so if there's something you're dying to see, call the box office to reserve your tickets ASAP!

July 6th @ 8pm
"Transitions" - An Evening of Tap Dance
Hey New York!  Don't miss another chance to see the amazing Ryan Casey along with Kelly Kaleta and a host of lovely ladies at the Marjorie S. Dean Little Theatre!

July 8th-13th
Tap City
It's that time of year again when tap dancing takes over New York City!  There are tons of events from boat rides to talks to performances for you to take in.  You might even catch our own Nicole Harris tapping in Times Square on Saturday, July 13th!

July 25th - August 3rd
Tap the Yard 2
Join Michelle Dorrance, Derick Grant, Jason Samuels Smith, David Parker and so many more wonderful rhythm makers on Martha's Vinyard!

And my personal recomendations for concerts at the Pillow:

July 3-6 @ 8pm, July 6 & 7@ 2pm

Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet

July 10- 13 @ 8pm, July 13-14 @ 2pm

Companhia Urbana de Danca

July 24-27 @ 8pm, July 27 & 28 @ 2pm

L-E-V

July 17 @ 7pm

Reach Outdoor Performance

The Reach program is putting on a totally free outdoor performance, featuring intergenerational dancers made up of professionals and students from Boston University and teens from Cambridge and Boston. Check it out!

July 29 - Aug 1

BOOMTOWN Festival

Multicultural Arts Center, Cambridge

Monkeyhouse loves the BOOMTOWN Festival! We've done interactive performances and workshops at BOOMTOWN in the past, and we're excited to be back again this year!  You can come join the workshop from 5:30-6:30 on July 30 and 31, and be sure to check out the hip hop workshop on Monday the 29, Tango Concert on Tuesday the 30, and DiverseCity Dance Party with MetaMovements on Thursday August 1. 

Do you have an upcoming event you think our folks would like?  Click here to contact Aisha!

Good Things!

It's amazing how many good things we can find if you just stop for a moment and look for them.  We are always excited to share your good things too, so please let us know what sort of stuff is going on in your life!

* Our Production Manager Jason Ries won an IRNE and a NORTON Award for set design for his work on Company One's The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity!  Congratulations, Jason and everyone at Company One!

* Three of our interns, Katelyn, David & Marie knocked 'em dead in Natick High School's production of The Drowsy Chaperone at the beginning of the month!

* Speaking of interns, Laila & Elyssa performed the pieces the created with us at Natick High School last week!  Congrats, ladies!

* Caitlin premiered her piece at Endicot College's Dance Ensemble show last weekend! 

  

*  Courtney has finished her first grad school semester.  She has been such a busy woman!  We're proud of you, Courtney!

*  Blogger in Residence, Ryan Casey, in addition to performing all over the place this month (including two Boston performances!) is graduating from NYU!  Congratulations, Ryan!

* David Parker was awarded the 2013 John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship. The John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship award winners are given the opportunity to use creative freedom to their full advantage. Each year, the winner of this award is given to a person who has moved their profession forward. David's comical but beautiful choreography got him one of the 200 fellowship awards.  

To learn more about David Parker and the John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship, click here!  

* This year, Michelle Dorrance was awarded the annual Jacob's Pillow Award. Every year, one lucky choreographer is given $25,000 to use towards improving their, already amazing, dance company. Michelle is the founder of a tap company called Dorrance Dance, where she was recognized for her classic-modern fusion. To learn more about Michelle Dorrance and the Jacob's Pillow award, click here! 

What are your good things this month?  Share with us HERE! 

Jacob's Pillow's 2013 Award Winner: Michelle Dorrance

By Laila Fatimi

The $25,000 annual Jacob's Pillow award was just given to Michelle Dorrance, who was recognized for her new, but still classic tap pieces. The award is given each year to a more than deserving choreographer who has moved the dance world forward. Michelle Dorrance is known for pushing the envelope on new ideas in the tap world, but sticking to classic technique at the same time. 

In 2011, Dorrance established her own tap company called Dorrance Dance. The ensemble performs a variety of styles, from blues pieces, to comical ones. The rhythms are fast, but musical, and are never off the beat. Dorrance and her company will be performing with Toshi Reagon, a blues musician, at the Jacob’s Pillow Festival starting July 24th and through the 28th.

The award winner is able to use the $25,000 for however they think their company will benefit best from the money. Dorrance will be accepting her award this summer, on June 15th, at Jacobs Pillow where she will also be accepting the other prize connected to the award; a glass sculpture by Tom Patti. There, she will also be performing with American Idol contestant, Aaron Marcellus.

With the Jacob's Pillow award, Michelle Dorrance will push the dance world forward to make it an even more intricate cherished art form.