12/4/14 O&A Shall We Dance: Mikhail Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland- Nutcracker Grand Pas de Deux

Shall We Dance

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During the Christmas season of 1977, CBS brought his highly acclaimed American Ballet Theatre production of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet The Nutcracker to television. The production has remained to this day the most popular and most often shown television production of the work in the U.S.  Mikhail Baryshnikov performed the title role, with Gelsey Kirkland as Clara.
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11/20/14 O&A Dance: Complexions Contemporary Ballet Celebrates 20 Years (Part Two)- Christina Johnson Interview On Restaging Ave Maria

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O&A NYC video interview with Original Complexions Contemporary Ballet member Christina Johnson on restaging Dwight Rhoden’s duet Ave Maria. The duet was originally choreographed on Johnson and Donald Williams in 1995. American Ballet Theatre soloist Misty Copeland and Complexions Contemporary Ballet Artist in Residence, Clifford Williams will perform the work at the Thursday, November 20 Gala performance.  10392506_10152549376453892_4574420590891863747_n Continue reading

11/14/14 O&A Shall We Dance Friday: Anthony Dowell and Natalia Makarova

Shall We Dance

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These two great artists perform excerpts from three works; Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon, Sir Frederick Ashton’s  A Month In The Country and Act 3 Swan Lake Continue reading

10/21/14 O&A Inspirational Tuesday: Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina

Inspirational-Tuesday

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The extraordinary memoir of Michaela DePrince, a young dancer who escaped war-torn Sierra Leone for the rarefied heights of ballet. Michaela DePrince was known as girl Number 27 at the orphanage, where she was abandoned at a young age and tormented as a “devil child” for a skin condition that makes her skin appear spotted. But it was at the orphanage that Michaela would find a picture of a beautiful ballerina en pointe that would help change the course of her life. Continue reading

9/26/14 O&A Shall We Dance Friday: Eric Underwood

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Eric Underwood is a Soloist with The Royal Ballet. He was born in Washington, D.C., and trained locally under the direction of Barbara Marks. After only eight months (there were no other boys at the school) Eric moved to the School of American Ballet in New York. Continue reading

8/18/17 (Repost) O&A NYC Shall We Dance Friday: Desmond Richardson- Lament and Encore Performance Precious Blood with Carmen de Lavallade

Shall We Dance

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Desmond Richardson is a dancer, co-founder and co-artistic director of Complexions Contemporary Ballet. He has mastered a wide range of dance forms including classical, modern, contemporary ballet and jazz making him one of the most recognized performers of his generation. Continue reading

9/1/17 (REPOST) O&A NYC Shall We Dance Friday: Jennifer Gelfand in Vortex Section from Alvin Ailey’s The River

 Shall We Dance

Jennifer Gelfand performs the Vortex section of Alvin Ailey’s The River. Originally set on American Ballet Theatre in 1970 the work was performed by Gelfand during a tour entitled  Vortex section of Alvin Ailey’s The RiverFernando Bujones and Stars of the Boston Ballet in 1993. The work was set to music by Duke Ellington.  Continue reading