« See all theatre and the arts

NY choreographer here for Serenade

22/Nov/2011

Comments:

Choreographer Eve Lawson with dancers (front to back) Mia Thompson, Rebekah Conry, Rhianna Isard and Samuel Maxted. Choreographer Eve Lawson with dancers (front to back) Mia Thompson, Rebekah Conry, Rhianna Isard and Samuel Maxted.

WAAPA'S classical dance program students are feeling rather privileged indeed.

The revered institution has secured New York choreographer Eve Lawson to work with its second and third-year students for the WA premiere of George Balanchine's Serenade, being performed as part of the multi-billed 2011 dance season finale dubbed Summerdance.

It's something of a double coup for WAAPA and its young dancers - the impressively credentialed Lawson is a former principal dancer with Miami City Ballet and ballet mistress of Dance Theatre of Harlem, Dutch National Ballet and Norwegian National Ballet, while Balanchine is regarded as one of the greatest choreographers of the 20th Century.

What's more, only the world's elite dance schools are granted permission by the Balanchine Trust in New York to perform the great's works.

“The standard of technique required to dance a Balanchine ballet is very high - in this way, his works can be seen in the way they were intended: with a sophisticated level of musicality, precision and an understanding of the Balanchine style, which is copyrighted,” Lawson, an invited repetiteur for the Balanchine Trust, told Community.

“A work such as Serenade is an ideal first Balanchine ballet for an institution such as WAAPA.”

Created in 1934 to Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings, Balanchine's Serenade is an iconic work that introduced the choreographer's neo-classical ballet style to the world.

“Balanchine was able to take the art form of ballet - classical technique - and the 'look' of choreography and transform it in such a way that didn't look like a museum piece,” Lawson said.

“He made his ballets relevant, fresh and timeless.

“His choreography for Apollo, from 1927, for example, looks as though it could have been choreographed yesterday.”

Following her WAAPA engagement, Lawson will stay in Perth to stage Serenade for West Australian Ballet's annual Ballet at the Quarry event in February, featuring several WAAPA dancers.

Summerdance is at WAAPA's Geoff Gibbs Theatre, Mt Lawley, until November 26.

Emilia Vranjes

Bookmark and Share

What Do You Think?

Share your thoughts in 60 seconds!

Members : login to comment


 

Thursday 17 May 2012

  • Min 8°C
  • Max 21°C

Friday

  • 8 - 21°C

Saturday

  • 9 - 23°C

Most Popular Articles


community digital epaper link

Latest Competitions



Win a share in $20,000 of Coles groceries Go>:


driveway comp

Fuel up with Driveway Go>:



Win a double pass to Bel Ami  Go>:


Win a romantic getaway for two at Fremantle's finest!  Go>:


Win a double pass to the Good Food & Wine show Go>:


Win tickets to FRAGILE  Go>:



Featured Video Clips


2012 RAAF Pearce Air Show promo



Community Newspaper Group Photographer Jon Hewson goes for a spin in a P/C-9A Hawk to help promote the 2012 RAAF Pearce Air Show on May 19 and 20. Video, images and editing by Jon Hewson.



Circus performer Brenna Day



Circus performer Brenna Day talks about her career and upcoming performances in the Perth International Burlesque Festival. Video, images and editing by Matthew Poon.


See more videos 

Search
email subscribe link
Deliver our newspapers linkCommunityPix banner linkSolahart