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SKIN DANCE COMPANY'S 10th SEASON 2012
AT AARON DAVIS HALL A SUCCESS!
Junior Ensemble members: Thai Jiminez & Paulina Librizzi with Principal Cheryl Olivencia
'SKIN'-TTDFC 6th Season is a Great success!
Tina Thompson receives
Carmen De Lavallade
FELLOWSHIP AWARD IN DANCE
Curated/Written by Alfredo Gonzales
Recently, Tina Thompson was designated Guest Teaching Artist at the 2007 New York Dance Festival in Auburn, NY, by festival director Sean McLeod.The festival included two weeks, July 9 to the 22nd, of classes and performance opportunities for participating students, and invited dance companies.As teaching artist at the festival, Tina taught African, Ballet, and Modern dance, as well as a Repertory class for 20 selected students.The Tina Thompson - SKIN was invited to perform, as part of the New York Dance Festival, at the International Stage Performance on July 19, 2007.
On Tuesday July 17th, Lance and Tina drove all the way up to Auburn (five to six hours!), with five TTDT dancers, Alfredo Gonzales, Sara Kapchinske, Jessica Morales, Katherine Evans, and Jamie Weigand.Upon arrival, the TTDT company members were greeted by Sean McLeod, and members of Kaleidoscope, the New York Dance Festival’s resident company.
The TTDT company members arrived in Auburn at 9:30 p.m., and immediately began rehearsals to restage the final section of “Thru” for six dancers.The hour was late, but under Tina’s direction, dancers realized the importance of a clean performance by six dancers, in choreography originally staged for twenty dancers!So, rehearsal went on until midnight.After fierce rehearsal, and exhausted from travel, the Company checked into hotel rooms and ate dinner together at 1:00 a.m.So typical of life on the road!
The next day, Wednesday morning, dancers continued rehearsing the new staging of “Thru” for the 8:00 p.m. performance on the New York Dance Festival’s International Stage.Company members were greeted and welcomed by many dance festival students who observed TTDT rehearsals.The Company was also incredibly honored to meet and speak with Carmen De Lavalade, world famous actress and dancer; living legend of American dance, and world dance history.
Wednesday afternoon the Company traveled to Geneva, NY (25 miles from Auburn) to the historic, and recently restored Smith Opera House, the venue for the International Stage Performance.Built in 1910, the rococo-style Smith Opera House featured red and gold carpeting, and gilded wall sculptures with molded friezes.In addition to the TTDT, the performance program included ten other dance companies, including Kaleidoscope, The Rochester Ballet, and Philadelphia school of performing arts.Altogether, the audience was treated to fifteen ballets presented on the program.The stage was large, perfect for “Thru.”The TTDT dancers received thunderous applause after their performance of 'Thru'.
Carmen de Lavallade (b Los Angeles, 6 Mar. 1931). US dancer. She studied with Melissa Blake and C. Maracci and became a leading dancer with Horton's company in 1950. She was a celebrated beauty and also appeared in films, such as Carmen Jones (1954), and on Broadway. In 1956 she began working with J. Butler, creating roles in several of his ballets, including Carmina Burana (1959) and Portrait of Billy (1960). She also danced with the companies of Ailey, Tetley, McKayle, New York City Opera, and American Ballet Theatre. Her husband, Geoffrey Holder, choreographed several works for her including her trademark solos Three Songs for One (1963) and Come Sunday (1968). In 1970 she was appointed to the Yale Drama faculty to teach movement to actors, and also worked as an actress. She also continued to dance and to choreograph her own work, including productions at the Metropolitan Opera and also Bitter Sweet Love for the Ailey company in 2000. In 1999 she celebrated 50 years of her career in a performance with her regular stage partners, Gus Solomons Jun. and Dudley Williams. In 1954, De Lavallade made her Broadway debut in House of Flowers, and that same year, Alvin Ailey, the founder of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center School, moved to New York City to partner with her in that production.
shares another Great success with honored guest Sean Mc Leod and the KALEIDOSCOPE Dance Company on June 9, 2007 at the prestiguous
Alvin Ailey Citi-Corp theatre.
This nite was geared towards inspiration and loads of intensity from the start. The dancers were all excited and fed off the anticipation as well. Sharing their world of great dedication and artistry was what contributed to the evenings powerful display of talent and magnificence.
Pictured above; Radena Salmon in New York Premiere of Robe
The house was sold out and the audience was anxious to enter once again as they awaited what Tina Thompson's magic has to offer for another season. This year was a little different because of the buzz that was in the air... the Internationally acclaimed choreographer and master teacher Sean McLeod was her Guest!
Tina Thompson and Terry Townsend in WALL 3
Marcos Vedoveto in Company's in WALL 3
Performance evening of Contemporary Fitness Visions 2006
(Click to enlarge)
June 6,2007
Hello, beautiful and talented dancers! You know just a few weeks ago, I brought the multi-award winning International Producer, Choreographer, Director and Motivational Speaker, Sean McLeod, home to New York, as our Special Guest Artist at Ailey, where he presented a retrospective of his more than 20 years of choreography. He worked with not only the Tina Thompson Dance Theater, but he worked with Tina Thompson the person. While here, he reinforced the good work that we are doing at the Tina Thompson Dance Theater, and he loved his stay with us. Sean McLeod was so impressed, he recently called to restate his invitation for the company, and any other dancers who would like, to join us at this summer's New York Dance Festival!
You know, I have been ready for a change for sometime now, a real change that allows me to be as free as the dances I create. Our time with Sean McLeod has been profound, my time with Sean has moved us both, and I want to share my growth with all of you! My company, and my students!
I personally am going to the Festival, as Sean and the NYDF Committee selected me as a 2007 New York Dance Festival Artistic Fellow, having been selected to receive one of three Artistic Fellowships this year. This opportunity could really change all of us.
As you know, Mr. Sean McLeod recently worked with us for a few weeks in NY and really helped us to see possibilities. You may have also heard, among his many endeavors, that he is the Executive Producer of the NYDF. Mr. McLeod thought that many of you were very talented, and hoped very much that you would be able to make it this summer. What's more, the Tina Thompson Dance Theater has been invited to perform in the New York Dance Festival's prestigious International Stage, and Carmen DaLavallade Awards event July 18 at the famous Smith Opera House!
HIGHLIGHTS!
Some of the individuals you may have the opportunity to work with at the 2007 New York Dance Festival will be Carmen DeLavallade (Legendary Icon of Dance), Sean McLeod (International Producer and Choreographer, who is also a multi-award winning personality), Sarah Stackhouse (Legendary Dance personality of the Limon Dance Company and special guest dance faculty), Jim Donovan (Multi Platinum Recording Artist & Original Member of Rusted Root), Jacob Mora (Artistic Director, Moraporvida Dance Company, Denver), Jaqueline Scafidi (critically acclaimed dance personality of the NY Metropolitan Opera, and Feld Ballet), Patricia N. Nanon (Founder of the Yard), Paul L. Johnson (NYU musical director & critically acclaimed Off-Broadway composer), Andrew Carter (Director, NYC Dance and Movement professional), Alexander Cowings (NYC Professional Tap Sensation), Gregory Livingston (International Master Teacher and professional choreographer and dancer from Frankfurt, Germany), and Rick Van Horn (senior editor, Drum Magazine).
Tina Thompson sets WALL3 on Skin Dance Company @ Alvin Ailey studios in New York
Professional concerts for the SKIN-Tina Thompson Dance Company happens once annually and have also shown at NYC venues such as the Tribeca Theatre and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre's Joan Weill Center for Dance. This year's professional dance concert took place at the inspiring Symphony Space, in their 30th anniversary year.
Click on picture's to enlarge
On Friday, July 18th, at the NYIDE auditorium at 93 North Street, Auburn, NY, for the annual "Day In Dance" a wonderful two-part concert was presented that featured the participants of the New York Dance Festival's Dance Intensive in the first half, and works by the International Faculty, the Kaleidoscope Dance Theatre and SKIN- The Tina Thompson Dance Company during the second half.
The International faculty members included: Yesutor Kotoka from Ghana, Lorienne Beals in from England, Brenna McLaud from Vancouver BC, acclaimed international personality and Festival Associate Director Thomas Warfield, 2008 Choreographic Apprenticeship Recipient Jerami Kipp, the multi-award winning Producer and American Choreographer Sean McLeod, African Drum Masters Etsé Nyadedzor and Nii-Armah Oblie from Accra, Ghana and New York City's Tina Thompson- SKIN.
Brandon Ellis, Fanzy TAHA & Itola byrd
Hello, beautiful and talented dancers! You know just a few weeks ago, I brought the multi-award winning International Producer, Choreographer, Director and Motivational Speaker, Sean McLeod, home to New York, as our Special Guest Artist at Ailey, where he presented a retrospective of his more than 20 years of choreography. He worked with not only the Tina Thompson Dance Theater, but he worked with Tina Thompson 
have also heard, among his many endeavors, that he is the Executive Producer of the NYDF. Mr. McLeod thought that many of you were very talented, and hoped very much that you would be able to make it this summer. 
Some of the individuals you may have the opportunity to work with at the 2007 New York Dance Festival will be 
Tina Thompson sets WALL3 on Skin Dance Company @ Alvin Ailey studios in New York
