The Purchase Dance Company is thrilled to debut the next generation of leading dance artists during their fourth New York City season at New York Live Arts. Cast members are selected from the highly competitive Conservatory of Dance BFA program at Purchase College, SUNY, which, according to The New York Times is “one of the country’s most highly regarded dance conservatories.” Don’t miss these promising young performers in two highly virtuosic programs of contemporary and classically based works by acclaimed choreographers and talented new voices. Showcasing the dynamic range of the company, this exciting season reflects the Conservatory’s stature as a leading center for world-class contemporary dance training.

Program:

We continue to shine a spotlight on female choreographers with Helium by choreographer Ana Maria Lucaciu.  Commissioned for the Purchase Dance Company in the fall of 2018, Helium explores how the focus of a dancer affects the rest of the group. The piece is set to late nineteenth century piano music and the many dynamic changes inform distinct narratives.

We are delighted to present a brand new contemporary work created specifically for the Purchase Dance Company by celebrated Conservatory of Dance alumnus, Roderick George, whose professional credits include The Forsythe Company and Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet. Entitled Unprotected Set, the powerful original work will explore race relations and the immigrant experience through a vocabulary that blends classical ballet, hip hop and breakdance, and modern/contemporary dance.

We round up the program with Songbook, by esteemed Conservatory of Dance Faculty member and former New York City Ballet soloist, Bettijane Sills.  Songbook is a delightful new pointe work set to a lively mix of show tunes with accompaniment by Conservatory of Dance pianist Colin Rose and Conservatory of Music vocalist Samara McLendon with percussionist Martine Mauro-Wade.

As a highlight of the program, two graduating seniors will perform solos choreographed, or re-staged, for them by prominent guest choreographers. Symara Williams will perform Loose Cage, Blue Rib by Bessie Award-winning choreographer Jasmine Hearn, and Kristina Diaz will perform an excerpt of Blush by Guggenheim Fellow Andrea Miller. As a special bonus, Kristina Diaz, an award winning, graduating senior will make her New York City debut, and present the engaging That Part of the Day When.

Performances will take place at New York Live Arts on Wednesday, May 22, Thursday, May 23, Friday, May 24, and Saturday, May 265 at 7:30 p.m. New York Live Arts is located at 219 West 19th Street, New York, NY 10011.