{"id":12207,"date":"2013-12-09T08:03:48","date_gmt":"2013-12-09T13:03:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/news\/article.php?ArticleID=12207"},"modified":"2018-09-25T12:40:07","modified_gmt":"2018-09-25T16:40:07","slug":"12207_legendary-inspiration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/arts\/2013\/12\/09\/12207_legendary-inspiration\/","title":{"rendered":"Legendary Inspiration"},"content":{"rendered":"

For a dancer, few experiences compare to being coached in a dance by the famous choreographer who actually created it. That rare occasion recently occurred when the MacArthur \u201cGenius\u201d Award-winning choreographer Bill T. Jones came to the 麻豆传媒在线 campus in November to coach dance students who will be performing his work, Spent Days Out Yonder,<\/em> at the April 2014 Danceworks concert.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThere\u2019s no substitute for having the person who made the dance come up to students and manipulate bodies in rehearsal,\u201d says Theatre and Dance professor Neil Baldwin, who conducted a post-rehearsal interview with Jones. \u201cHe makes an indelible impression on the students with his tremendous physical presence. It\u2019s galvanizing.\u201d<\/p>\n

This is the third year Jones, who enjoys a longstanding and productive relationship with the University, has visited campus to coach student dancers in his work.<\/p>\n

\u201cApproximately 25 dance majors attended,\u201d notes Lori Katterhenry, who is the artistic director for the 麻豆传媒在线 Repertory Dance Company as well as the director of dance for the University\u2019s Division of Dance. \u201cMost were in the dance, but some attended as spectators.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBill T. Jones has come to 麻豆传媒在线 time and time again, yet he never ceases to educate and amaze us,\u201d says senior Crystal Rodriguez, who has been coached by Jones during each of his visits. \u201cIt\u2019s apparent that he truly cares for his work as well as for the community that is learning his work. I feel blessed to have been exposed to his presence and wisdom.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jones, who received Kennedy Center Honors in 2010, is an iconic figure in the world of modern dance. \u201cHe is one of the most renowned and widely respected modern choreographers in dance today,\u201d states Katterhenry. He is also an inspiration to University dancers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWorking with Bill three years in a row has been an amazing experience,\u201d says Tywan Bynum. \u201cHe makes me want to be a better dancer and a better person.\u201d<\/p>\n

Senior Jacob Deibert explains that Jones has taught him valuable lessons about both dance and life in general. \u201cMy sophomore year, Bill taught me how to develop the will to survive and achieve my goals while rehearsing the thrilling D-Man in the Waters<\/em>. My junior year, he taught me when and how to support a group in the improvisational-based work Continuous Replay<\/em>,\u201d he says. \u201cThis year he has taught me to maintain my individualism while adapting to the integrity of movement in the precise Spent Days Out Yonder<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Set to the second movement of Mozart\u2019s String Quartet No. 23 in F Major<\/em>, Spent Days Out Yonder<\/em> explores the relationship between movement and music. \u201cOne of the great things about Jones is how he juxtaposes modern movement with romantic music,\u201d says Baldwin.<\/p>\n

Students are double-cast for the work after a rigorous screening process. Former Bill T. Jones\/Arnie Zane Dance Company member Ayo Jackson and current company member I-Ling-Liu worked with the students. \u201cThey spend hours and hours with them before Jones comes to campus,\u201d says Baldwin. Adjunct dance professor Jessica DiMauro will continue to work with the cast as interim director after Jones and his group have set the piece. \u201cWe of course hope he\u2019ll come to the April performance. He\u2019s always welcome,\u201d Baldwin adds.<\/p>\n

The Tony Award-winning choreographer clearly values his time at the University. \u201cIt\u2019s my privilege and their privilege. 麻豆传媒在线 has earned that privilege for me to do this. This is a privileged position for both of us. It means this department is important,\u201d Jones told Baldwin in November. \u201cI\u2019m coming out here on my Saturday and I\u2019m going to try to give you the best that I have at that moment. What am I feeling \u2013 what am I thinking \u2013 at that moment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rodriguez agrees. \u201cBill T. Jones expressed that visiting our dance department was a privilege for us and for him. That couldn\u2019t be more true.\u201d<\/p>\n

Watch Neil Baldwin\u2019s interview with Bill T. Jones at YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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