WHAT'S NEW AT BRYN MAWR THIS YEAR?
We're delighted to welcome some new faculty, returning faculty, new projects and NEW SPACES to Bryn Mawr this year...
Jorge Laico will be working with our ballet students this SPRING, to create a piece commissioned to honor visual artist and friend of the Dance Program, Virginia Clark. Jorge is a native of Manila, Philippines. He was trained in the Royal Academy of Dancing (R.A.D.)syllabus and the Vaganova Method. He has taught in numerous ballet schools in the US for 13 years including the Rock School for Dance Education,North Carolina School of the Arts, University of the Arts, and Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts. Mr. Laico danced professionally for 23 years with companies such as Philippine Ballet Theatre, Atlanta Ballet, Oakland Ballet, Tulsa Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Eugene Ballet, and Manila Metropolis Ballet. He was a guest choreographer for Regional Dance America's Craft of Choreography 2007.
Heidi Cruz will be returning to Bryn Mawr to set a work on our Ballet Ensemble this FALL. Heidi was born and raised in Allentown, Pa. andbegan her dance training at the age of four at The Dolly Haltzman Dance Academy. She went on to study with Suki Schorer at the School of American Ballet and Gloria Govrin at Pennsylvania Ballet. Ms. Cruz received an apprenticeship with PENNSYLVANIA BALLET in 1994 and joined the Company as a member of the Corps de Ballet in 1995. She has had featured roles in works by choreographers ranging from Alvin Ailey to George Balanchine. Ms. Cruz has also premiered works for such renowned choreographers as Paul Taylor and Pennsylvania Ballet colleagues, Meredith Rainey and Matthew Neenan. She began her foray into choreography in 2000, creating work for the PA Ballet's annual fundraiser for AIDs support, 'Shut Up and Dance.' She has received grant support from Ballet Builders, CEC's new Edge Residency, and the NJ State Council on the Arts and has been commisioned to set work on several regional colleges and dance companies.
Becky Malcolm-Naib will be doing double duty this year. In addition to teaching advanced Modern Technique, she'll be teaching a directed study in Anatomy and Physiology for the Dancer in the FALL. Seating is limited, so enroll early. We're also happy to introduce our new skeleton! Becky will no longer have to contend with missing limbs and other idiosyncracies of the old dilapidated model. Naming contest occurs in the Fall! Best name gets a $10 certificate to Common Grounds.
Check out the FACULTY/STAFF page for more info on our talented artists.
TAP DANCE PROJECT
If you are a tap dancer and would like an opportunity to dance at a higher level than we offer in our BMC courses, consider joining a new program in Philadelphia called UNITING COLLEGES THROUGH TAP. Corinne Karon, who has taught at Bryn Mawr for several years, also teaches at the University of the ARts and Rowan College. She is starting UCTT, an enxemble for tap students from college dance programs. Corinne is interested in creating new choreography drawn from her deep knowledge of current and vintage tap and hoofing styles. The plan is to perform the work in the early spring.
Rehearsals will be held on Sundays for 1 1/2 hours somewhere between 12:00 and 3:00 (still to be determined) at the Community Education Center in West Philly near the Drexel campus. It is an easy walk from 30th Street Station. This initiative is free, and the Dance Program can help with train fare.
If you are interested, send your name to Mady Cantor and you will be put in touch with Corinne. We are investigating the possibility of PE credit.
DENBIGH DANCE STUDIO...
Remember the Denbigh Language Lab...or if you're a more distant alum, the Denbigh Dining Hall?? In January of 2009, this space was converted to a second Dance studio.
While not the large studio that we hoped would inhabit the renovated Goodhart space, Denbigh Studio is approximately 48 by 23 feet and now boasts mirrors, portable barres, a sound system and basic theatrical lighting. We also have two small dressing spaces, a bathroom the size of Rhode Island, and an additional small studio space for individual or small group rehearsals. While not large enough for our larger classes, it has already accomodated several courses, extracurricular dance groups, and a student theatre production. Photo to follow soon!
