NORWICH – Learning difficult choreography and interpretation is often a tedious, time-consuming endeavor for dancers. But somehow, local dance instructor Amber Perkins makes it seem stress free, a member of Perkins’ new dance troupe, The Phoenix Project Danse Theatre, attests.
Oneonta dancer Shannah Kanewas says she never before experienced “how quickly” a choreographer can relay her vision. “Amber always comes in with something in her mind and knows what she wants. We move quickly and use our time wisely. When she finishes her vision, it always comes together for us, too,” the studio teacher and former Alvin Ailey Summer Intensive 2004 participant said.
Contemporary dance at its best, presented by the Phoenix Project Danse Theatre, will be on display at 7:30 p.m. this Friday in the Martin W. Kappel Theater, 27 W. Main St., Norwich.
Audiences can expect cutting-edge choreography and aesthetic elegance from this troupe of mature dancers, many of whom are graduates and/or teachers at the Amber Perkins School of the Arts in Norwich. The nationally distinguished school of dance was founded in 1997 upon the following creed: “To dance outside the box, pushing the creative paradigm of what dance is and what entertainment should be,” its website says.
Chenango County Council of the Arts Director Victoria Kappel said after watching Phoenix’ debut performance two years ago, she found it “quite extraordinary.”
“I have always felt that Amber’s school has been one of the jewels in this area. To see her now having the growth into a professional company is really quite exciting,” she said. “So many people in this area look forward to her recitals every year because they know what an exciting experience that is going to be on a student level. So, if people can just imagine increasing that excitement to the level of a professional company, they know they are going to have a delightful evening.”
The Phoenix Project Danse Theatre evolved under the direction of Perkins three years ago, when the award-winning choreographer decided to showcase her accomplished - and in some cases, professional - dancers who have dedicated themselves to the art form.
“It’s taken a lot of hard work for those involved to get to this point,” she said. “I wanted to be able to create at a secondary level of performance a menu for students who are continuing on to dance. I also wanted to be able to expand my choreography boundaries into a concert setting with complete phrasing and thoughts without restrictions.”
Phoenix Project Danse Theatre’s previous engagements include the Elan Awards in New York City, the Ulster Ballet’s Festival of Dance, Choreofest in Woodstock and the world renowned Williams/Henry Danse Theatre of Kansas City, MO. became This Friday’s production is titled “Premiere.”
The 10-member troupe includes dancer, choreographer and teacher Derek Stratton of Norwich. Stratton has participated in residencies and performed with the Jose Limon Dance Company, Mark Haim and Sankofa Ensemble. He has also been a guest dancer and/or choreographer with the Rochester City Ballet since 2001.
Troupe member Christina Jensen of South New Berlin is currently studying modern dance in pursuit of her bachelor’s degree in arts from University of the Arts in Philadelphia. She has been a guest teacher and choreographer throughout the northeast and participated in residencies with companies such as David Parsons, Alvin Ailey, Paul Taylor and Momix.
Norwich-native Samantha Valishinas began her dance career at the age of two under Danita Schiff and Donna Decker. She attended NYS Summer School of the Arts with the NYC Ballet, the School for Creative and Performing Arts in Cincinnati, Ohio, and SUNY Purchase where she majored in dance. Valashinas went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in English from the State University College of Oneonta. She has performed with the Orpheus Theatre in productions such as 42nd Sreet, Brigadoon and Guys and Dolls.
The performance is made possible in part with funds from the New York State Council On The Arts administered by the Chenango County Council of the Arts.
Tickets are available at Chenango County Council of the Arts Box Office. For more information, call 336-6143.