Ballet is classic. It is a foundation of all dance. But ballet does not have to be old.
Cover photo illustration provided
Xtraordinary Philadelphia dance company to take stage at Wells College
Xtraordinary Philadelphia dance company to take stage at Wells College
That is the philosophy behind a new dance company called BalletX. Based in Philadelphia, BalletX uses the long-established dance technique to create fresh, edgy choreography.
The company will bring that combination of the modern and classic to Cayuga County today when it performs three original pieces at Wells College.
Matthew Neenan, a founder and co-artistic director of BalletX, said this week that he and co-founder Christine Cox started the organization in 2005 after realizing there was a void in the region for contemporary ballet.
Many people associate the genre with the stereotypical ballet dancer wearing tutus and leaping to Chopin or Tchaikovsky. Neenan, who is a longtime dancer with the Philadelphia Ballet, said there is more to the style than that.
“I think there is a stereotype that ballet can be boring,” said Neenan, during a phone interview from Boston. “But it can be edgy; it can be sexy, and it can be very human.”
Friday's program will feature three pieces that will touch on different emotions and energy levels, he said. The opening work will be light, crisp and showy as dancers depict a love story to Mozart string quartets. There will be a much more sombre, meditative piece set to the music of Irish singer and songwriter Sinead O'Connor.
The featured dance, titled “Steelworks,” is set to original music by Anna Clyne. Neenan said the choreography and score are loaded with kinetic energy and unconventional themes, making it a crowd favorite.
BalletX often uses contemporary or even pop music works that are not usually associated with classic ballet. The challenge in choreographing to these pieces, Neenan said, is keeping yourself from getting caught up in lyrics or the melody. You have to listen even deeper than that, he said.
“The dance should really be like another instrument to the music,” he said.
And like a Stradivarius, ballet's richness and depth have allowed it to stand the test of time.
“People love seeing that long line (common in ballet dancing),” Neenan said. “It's very clean, and crisp and clear.”
Christopher Caskey
253-5311 ext. 282
christopher.caskey@lee.net
If you go
What: BalletX
When: 7:30 tonight
Where: Phipps Auditorium, Wells College,
170 Main St., Aurora
Cost: $10 general admission, $5 students
For reservations: Call 364-3456
Info: Visit www.wells.edu or www.BalletX.org
The company will bring that combination of the modern and classic to Cayuga County today when it performs three original pieces at Wells College.
Matthew Neenan, a founder and co-artistic director of BalletX, said this week that he and co-founder Christine Cox started the organization in 2005 after realizing there was a void in the region for contemporary ballet.
Many people associate the genre with the stereotypical ballet dancer wearing tutus and leaping to Chopin or Tchaikovsky. Neenan, who is a longtime dancer with the Philadelphia Ballet, said there is more to the style than that.
“I think there is a stereotype that ballet can be boring,” said Neenan, during a phone interview from Boston. “But it can be edgy; it can be sexy, and it can be very human.”
Friday's program will feature three pieces that will touch on different emotions and energy levels, he said. The opening work will be light, crisp and showy as dancers depict a love story to Mozart string quartets. There will be a much more sombre, meditative piece set to the music of Irish singer and songwriter Sinead O'Connor.
The featured dance, titled “Steelworks,” is set to original music by Anna Clyne. Neenan said the choreography and score are loaded with kinetic energy and unconventional themes, making it a crowd favorite.
BalletX often uses contemporary or even pop music works that are not usually associated with classic ballet. The challenge in choreographing to these pieces, Neenan said, is keeping yourself from getting caught up in lyrics or the melody. You have to listen even deeper than that, he said.
“The dance should really be like another instrument to the music,” he said.
And like a Stradivarius, ballet's richness and depth have allowed it to stand the test of time.
“People love seeing that long line (common in ballet dancing),” Neenan said. “It's very clean, and crisp and clear.”
Christopher Caskey
253-5311 ext. 282
christopher.caskey@lee.net
If you go
What: BalletX
When: 7:30 tonight
Where: Phipps Auditorium, Wells College,
170 Main St., Aurora
Cost: $10 general admission, $5 students
For reservations: Call 364-3456
Info: Visit www.wells.edu or www.BalletX.org
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