At the heart of Polaris Dance Theater’s mission is the creation of works that are “visually innovative, athletic, intelligent, emotional, and thought provoking”. The works that will be premiered at this June’s X-Posed Show couldn’t be described more accurately. Original works will be set on the company by Artistic Director Robert Guitron as well as nationally and internationally renowned choreographers Lauren Edson of Trey McIntyre Project, Les Watanabe, and Kemba Shannon.
 
In addition to these guest choreographers, emerging choreographers Chase Hamilton and Yulia Arakelyan will be showcasing their work. We had a chance to sit down with them both and talk about their experience so far and what its been like to set work with the company.
 

Polaris is a huge umbrella sheltering a lot of amazing dance projects underneath. We perform, we teach, we run a unique All Access Program. From time to time we like to catch up with the individuals that dance under our umbrella. Meet Twylo. He is six and loves modern dance and improvisation. Twylo’s name was inspired by Twyla Tharp. Twylo’s moms Nina and Jody have always loved dance and watched the Central Park scene in “Hair” repeatedly for Twyla Tharp’s choreography. “We were looking for a name that we would love to say a million times,” comments Nina.  “We just loved the sounds in ‘Twylo’ We had no idea how appropriate it would turn out to be for our dance lover!”

Polaris: Have you always liked dancing?
Twylo: Yes! Yes! I started when I was 2. Jody made me a ballet barre. I like to dance to musicals and to Star Wars (the soundtrack). My favorite music is classical. And musicals.

Polaris: What made you want to take dance classes?
Twylo: Because I like to dance.

Polaris: What are some of the things you have learned in your dance classes so far at Polaris?
Twylo: A tendu. And the word “improv”.

Polaris: What do you like about taking dance classes at Polaris?
Twylo: Everything. I like the stretching when I walk in the door. And to watch M’Liss and her other students.

Polaris: Does the idea of performing make you nervous or excited?
Twylo: Nervous-Excited. I mean Nervous!

Polaris: Do you want to perform one day on the big stage?
Twylo: Maybe.

Polaris: Who is your favorite dancer?
Twylo: Beginner dancers, like I was when I was two, because they’re working really hard.

Polaris: Besides dancing, what else do you like to do?
Twylo: Drawing and singing.

Polaris: What subjects do you like best in school?
Twylo: P.E. and Lunch/Recess. / My favorite show is the Nutcracker… and Mary Poppins.

Polaris: How did you discover Polaris?
Jody: Extensive internet research! After watching videos of the company, I knew this is where Twylo needed to be.

Polaris: How have you seen Twlyo grow while taking dance classes?
Jody: I can’t believe the amount of choreography that he can remember. He is being held to a high standard while respecting his age. I find that there are usually two kinds of dance classes for his age: one which expects too much, and one which expects too little. M’Liss seems to have found a perfect balance.

Polaris: Has taking dance classes affected his sense of expression, creativity, and self esteem?
Jody: Twylo definitely feels incredibly confident about his dancing and proud of taking classes at Polaris.

Don’t miss Twylo in the Polaris Student and Junior Company Concert on June 3^rd at 4PM and AGAIN at 6PM. BUY TICKETS HERE!

There was an electric feeling in the studio when choreographer Kemba Shannon began rehearsal last Wednesday. This was the fourth meeting she had with Polaris dancers to set her latest piece “No Way Out” – which will be premiered by the company at the  X-Posed concert June 6-16th. Kemba was intent on setting everything right. “This is so different from anything I’ve done in the past,” she said while reviewing the work on video with the dancers.

Kemba’s choreography is fast and that is not surprising. In her manner there is a quality of constant motion. She paces the studio guiding the dancers, marking, humming and demonstrating.  Yet this boundless energy is carefully directed and controlled as magically more and more dance phrases are added.

“No Way Out” is set to music by Portland jazz sensation Esperanza Spalding. The piece – “Chacarera” from the Chamber Music Society album – has a hypnotic undertone that serves to connect Ms. Spalding’s frenetic scatting. It is at once adagio and allegro in its rhythm.  In the same way Kemba’s choreography layers multiple patterns of energetic movement and then converges on one or two dancers.  These moments are like a breath of freedom before the individual dancer is swallowed up by the chaos of the group.

The company clearly enjoys the work. They are pushed to their limit in terms of speed and control in a way that is challenging yet not defeatist. They quickly grasp Kemba’s intentions as they focus to catch every word.

Things change on the fly. A single line forms with one dancer following another in a coordinated flurry of movements to successive counts. Kemba watches and says, “No. Now let’s try that with the front and last person starting on the ’1′ and meet in the middle.” Without hesitation the dancers follow through. “Better,” she says. Then Kemba breaks up the line by instructing the last dancer to crash her way through the others to the front. She enjoys a beat of quiet away from the group before being swallowed up again. There is no way out!

See video from Kemba’s rehearsal here

“No Way Out” will be premier at the X-Posed Concert June 6-16. Tickets are on sale now. click HERE to purchase

At Polaris we believe everyone should enrich their lives through dance. Our studio is open to professional dancers and novices alike. Our Open Adult classes in ballet, modern and aerial are geared for a broad level of experience and the students in these classes come from all walks of life. One of our students – Neha Mittal – was born in India and is an IT consultant. She loves taking dance lessons because, in her words: “office-to-home and home-to-office is NOT a life!” Her enthusiasm is inspiring and we thought we’d share some of her thoughts on how dancing has fulfilled her life. Perhaps you too will be inspired to dance too.

 Q: Where are you from/where did you grow up?
Neha: I am from India and I grew up in a place called Hyderabad.

Q: Was dance ever a part of your life growing up (or something you were interested in?)
Neha: Dance has always been a very big part of my life. It has always given me a sense of happiness, enjoyment, achievement, freedom and peace! It’s something that makes the negative energies go away! Though I never was trained in any specific dance form, I always tried learning from Television and participated in as many dance performances in school and in the community near my home.

Q: What drew you to take classes at Polaris?
Neha: I always wanted to take dance classes and initially joined Polaris to give it a try. As the classes began, I realized how much dancing means to the staff at Polaris. All the teachers and dancers there are like a big warm funny and crazy family… the more I went there the more I felt like a part of it and wanted to remain a part of it. Everything seemed possible there… to learn …to dance… to smile!!! It’s one of the most wonderful things that happened to me.

Q: What is your current job and how does dance fit into your life?
Neha: I am an IT consultant. But office-to-home and home-to-office is not a life I want to lead. Dance is a crucial part of mine… and I would do anything to let it remain a part of me. So I try to juggle and try to make time as much as possible. I do have to give up on a few things…but that is absolutely fine!

Q: What has been your experience taking classes at Polaris?
Neha: I have had a very positive and encouraging experience… Polaris has taught me to look forward…believe everything is possible if we are determined and passionate… My instructor Sarah Lakey has played a big, big role in helping me stick to dancing and encouraging me at every step. Colleen Genuine was wonderful and friendly… Meeting M’liss Stephenson and Amy and Sarah and all others has been inspirational…I only have praises and more praises for Polaris…I want to continue being a part of it in spite of my job and travel!!!

 Q: At Polaris we believe that dance is for everyone, and it’s not out of anyone’s realm to learn how to dance and enjoy it. How has this belief affected your experience at Polaris?
Neha: I think Polaris and I share the same belief!!! I think dancing is something very beautiful when done from heart… Its not about how dancing looks…its about how dancing feels like… its about showing our inner most emotions…about connecting to all the positive energies around us… about being with people we love!!! Its a very diving and sacred thing. That is what I have learned at Polaris and that is what has made me completely fall in love with Polaris and its people there!

Q: How has dancing at Polaris affected your sense of passion, your mood, your well-being?
Neha: Dance is a positive energy…Dancing at Polaris has actually helped me through some very, very difficult times… It has helped me laugh when I felt really lonely and beaten up!!!  People at Polaris were so friendly and caring and telling me all the time I could dance like I always wanted to… I think I would have ended up being very bitter, had it not been for dancing… and Polaris has ensured I have the passion and my dreams intact … I always feel happy and wonderful whenever I am at Polaris and always feel like doing more … Polaris gives me a vision and focus!!

Thank you Niha for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. We hope your words inspire others to bring dance into their lives!!