Studio Notes

The New School students in a work by Juliana May. Photo by Frank Mullaney, Courtesy NYLA. 

Light-Fueled Improv

Sally Gross, a New York–based choreographer and original member of Judson Dance Theater, has been in residence this semester at the University of Wisconsin—Madison, teaching a course that recalls the democratic spirit of Judson: Interdisciplinary Improvisation. Open to students of all artistic disciplines—dance, music, visual art, writing, theater, and film—the course culminates in a final improvisational performance with the light artist Leo Villareal, Dec. 7 at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. See www.arts.wisc.edu/artsinstitute.

New at NYLA

For almost a decade, New York Live Arts (and its former incarnation, Dance Theater Workshop) has partnered with Barnard College to produce the works of cutting-edge choreographers, performed by students who rehearse with the artists throughout the fall. In November, the eighth “Barnard Project” featured dances by Nora Chipaumire, Beth Gill, Juliette Mapp, and Reggie Wilson. This month, NYLA introduces a similar partnership with Eugene Lang College at The New School. Students from the college’s dance program will showcase their own choreography along with pieces by Gill and Yvonne Meier, Dec. 7 and 8. The series will also take place in the spring, with works by John Jasperse, faculty member Neil Greenberg, and a Movement Research artist in residence. See www.newyorklivearts.org.

Two Days, Four Techniques

What exactly are the differences between the Cecchetti, Bournonville, Vaganova, and French styles of ballet? Which is the best fit for your body, and what can you gain from studying each? The French Academie of Ballet invites serious dancers, ages 13 and up, to experience all four techniques during its European Masters workshop, taught by a group of esteemed guest instructors, Dec. 17 and 18 at NYC’s DANY studios. The faculty lineup: Irina Dvorovenko (Cecchetti), Peter Brandenhoff (Bournonville), Raymond Lukens (Vaganova), and François Perron (French). See www.frenchacademieofballet.org.