Rhythm unites dancers from all over the world in this year's New York Dance Festival.
Jason Rearick / The Citizen
Andy Wong, co-founder of DanceArt Hong Kong Dance Company, leads the beginner's modern class during the New York Dance Festival at the New York Institute of Dance Education in Auburn.
Andy Wong, co-founder of DanceArt Hong Kong Dance Company, leads the beginner's modern class during the New York Dance Festival at the New York Institute of Dance Education in Auburn.
The annual two-week event, under the auspices of the New York Institute of Dance Education in Auburn, this year has had a decidedly international feel to it.
Many dancers are from the area, but some come to teach and participate in the festival from far-away countries.
The festival's largest group of international participants arrived in New York last week from Hong Kong.
The professional dance company, DanceArt, formed in 1993 and now is one of the most prominent modern dance companies in Hong Kong, NYIDE's Sean McLeod said.
Andy Wong, resident choreographer for the company, met New York Dance Festival faculty at the American Dance Festival in 1989. Since the creation of the company, Wong has worked to get his dancers the opportunity to teach and participate in this festival.
After 10 years of developing the company, budgeting the trip and collaborating with the two governments, the company finally made it in to participate this year, Wong said.
“Dance is a very inspiring art form. We are all excited to be here; it's important to exchange ideas and see other dancing,” Wong said.
DanceArt members teach modern dance to festival classes.
The seven DanceArt members danced in a performance together Sunday in Rochester. They all graduated from the Hong Kong Academy of
Performing Arts.
McLeod said participants from China, Italy and Africa are also dancing in the festival.
Elie Kihonia, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, has also joined the festival faculty. Kihonia is the founder of Afrika Yetu and UMOJA, an African Arts Company. Kihonia teaches, performs and choreographs multicultural productions internationally.
In addition to the cultural enhancement their presence gives the festival, out-of-town dancers are staying in area hotels for two weeks.
“This is a chance for Auburn to see and experience the world of dance,” McLeod said. “We get to show the area the dance world's biggest features.”
The festival, which started July 10 and runs through July 23, includes a concert series, dance intensive classes, a drum festival and a theater project. Each puts on a variety of programs for the public throughout the festival.
“This is a world class concert series in the Fingerlakes right now,” McLeod said.
Dancers register for the festival but do not need to audition.
“We want to create a welcoming space to everyone willing to be open to learning,” McLeod said.
This week the festival will include about 150 dancers, he said.
Staff writer Kristina Martino can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kristina.martino@lee.net
Many dancers are from the area, but some come to teach and participate in the festival from far-away countries.
The festival's largest group of international participants arrived in New York last week from Hong Kong.
The professional dance company, DanceArt, formed in 1993 and now is one of the most prominent modern dance companies in Hong Kong, NYIDE's Sean McLeod said.
Andy Wong, resident choreographer for the company, met New York Dance Festival faculty at the American Dance Festival in 1989. Since the creation of the company, Wong has worked to get his dancers the opportunity to teach and participate in this festival.
After 10 years of developing the company, budgeting the trip and collaborating with the two governments, the company finally made it in to participate this year, Wong said.
“Dance is a very inspiring art form. We are all excited to be here; it's important to exchange ideas and see other dancing,” Wong said.
DanceArt members teach modern dance to festival classes.
The seven DanceArt members danced in a performance together Sunday in Rochester. They all graduated from the Hong Kong Academy of
Performing Arts.
McLeod said participants from China, Italy and Africa are also dancing in the festival.
Elie Kihonia, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, has also joined the festival faculty. Kihonia is the founder of Afrika Yetu and UMOJA, an African Arts Company. Kihonia teaches, performs and choreographs multicultural productions internationally.
In addition to the cultural enhancement their presence gives the festival, out-of-town dancers are staying in area hotels for two weeks.
“This is a chance for Auburn to see and experience the world of dance,” McLeod said. “We get to show the area the dance world's biggest features.”
The festival, which started July 10 and runs through July 23, includes a concert series, dance intensive classes, a drum festival and a theater project. Each puts on a variety of programs for the public throughout the festival.
“This is a world class concert series in the Fingerlakes right now,” McLeod said.
Dancers register for the festival but do not need to audition.
“We want to create a welcoming space to everyone willing to be open to learning,” McLeod said.
This week the festival will include about 150 dancers, he said.
Staff writer Kristina Martino can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kristina.martino@lee.net
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