Koresh Dance Company

Photo: Gabriel Bienczycki KDC Booklet 17-18 Conferences.indd 1

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k Koresh Dance Company is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Artistic Director & Founder, Roni Koresh Executive Director, Alon Koresh School of Dance Director, Nir Koresh Assistant Artistic Director, Melissa Rector

Roni Koresh,

Artistic Director & Founder

2002 Rittenhouse Square Philadelphia PA 19103 215.751.0959 koreshdance.org

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Roni Koresh is an Israeli-American choreographer whose work presents “a wealth of

Artistic Director & Founder

forceful invention” (Art Burst Miami). Koresh has established a repertoire of over 60 works “rang[ing] from intimate to high-voltage” (Northwestern Press). He develops 2 to 3 new works each year including commissions for notable companies across the country. His work has been supported by Pew Charitable Trusts, the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Jerome Robbins Foundation, among others.

Koresh’s work represents his experience of both Israeli and American cultures. Born and raised in Israel, he received early dance training from his mother, a folk dancer in the Yemenite tradition. He then joined Martha Graham’s Batsheva 2 Dance Company before enlisting in the Israeli army. Koresh integrates each of these influences into his choreography, which draws its strong sense of humanity, sweeping circle patterns, military precision, and Middle Eastern flavor from his life in Israel.

In 1983, Koresh moved to New York to study at Alvin Ailey, solidifying his strong foundation in ballet, Horton and Graham techniques. He soon began performing with Shimon Braun’s Waves Jazz Dance Company in Philadelphia, where he studied Luigi Jazz and developed the muscular isolations and periods of continuous movement that define his style today. At this time, he also began to draw from club dancing, hip hop, and pedestrian gesture. A consummate observer and movement chameleon, this prolific choreographer builds his movement repertoire from any genre that can best make his point clear. Undefined by any one school of movement, Koresh calls his style simply “Dance.” “If a movement fits, I use it,” says Koresh. “It is about using movement to communicate, not about adhering to a particular style.” And communicate it does, leading audiences to laughter, tears, and awe within a single program.

Committed to exploring human relationships, perception, and change, Koresh produces 3 contemporary dance that is highly technical and deeply resonant, acclaimed by critics as both innovative and accessible. “Athletic, exuberant, [and] disciplined” (Cincinnati Enquirer), Koresh choreography displays a quick wit, “big-heartedness, and … humor” (Reading Eagle).

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About Koresh Dance Company was founded in Philadelphia in 1991, and is widely recognized for its superb technique and emotionally-compelling appeal. Renowned for their powerful stage presence and high-energy style, Philadelphia’s Koresh Dance Company has been hailed as a vital force to both national and international stages.

The company presents biannual home seasons as the resident dance company of the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, and has toured in over 38 states and 7 countries. The Company’s interdisciplinary foundation promotes high-speed attack and gestural diversity drawn from Graham technique, Luigi jazz, classical ballet, hip hop and Israeli folk dance.

Guest choreographers including Donald Byrd (Spectrum Dance Theater), Ohad Naharin (Batsheva Dance Company), Robert Battle (Battleworks/Alvin Ailey), Itzik Galili (Galili Dance) and Paul Selwyn Norton have produced works for the company. Whether it is at home for the Company’s bi-annual home season, across the country or internationally, their reputation for passion and outstanding technique attracts a continually increasing audience and regularly results in soldout performances.

Koresh Dance Company is supported in part by the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, Dance/USA Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the William Penn Foundation, Pew Charitable Trusts, and the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation.

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“it’s all dance, and it’s all art” —Dance Magazine

“fresh, urgent, and deeply persuasive” —LA Times

“both comical and visually stunning” —The Dance Journal

“fluid elegance, cunning strength, and uncanny storytelling” —Westchester Community College News

“Earthy, folk-dancey, emotionally direct, physically intense, and ostentatiously eccentric.”

– The New Yorker

KORESH CHOREOGRAPHY IS IN DEMAND Commissions by professional companies have included works for MADCO, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Giordano Dance Chicago, GroundWorks Dance Theatre, Las Vegas Contemporary, Odyssey Dance Theatre, Spectrum Dance Theater, the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, Dance Celebration, and St. Louis’ New Dance Horizons series.

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“Philadel

What the Critics say about Koresh Dance Company

ACCLAIMED ARTISTRY “It’s all dance, and it’s all art.”

– Dance Magazine “You know you’re seeing art when it has that kind of staying power.”

– Broad Street Review “Those of us who critique the arts go wild with delight when an artist we’ve been watching for many years creates a work that transcends all he has done before.”

– Philadelphia Inquirer “The expression and performances proved fresh, urgent and deeply persuasive.”

– LA Times

KORESH CHOREOGRAPHY “Earthy, folk-dancey, emotionally direct, physically intense, and ostentatiously eccentric” – The New Yorker “Koresh finds the thin line between ‘safe’ beauty and real innovation and boldly, knowingly dances on it.”

– Philly Is Dancing “always hot and hip” – Philadelphia Inquirer “A wealth of forceful invention” – Art Burst Miami

“The finale was typically turbocharged—because when the dust settles after a Koresh concert, you must leave bedazzled.”

– Philadelphia Inquirer “the company’s vast repertoire of work ranges from intimate to highvoltage” – Northwestern Press “Athletic, exuberant, disciplined.

Koresh has always been committed to dance that is accessible.”

– Cincinnati Enquirer “Roni finds beauty in seeing the humanness in each dancer and letting the audience see who they are.”

– St. Louis Jewish Light “Koresh Dance Company … stormed the stage and took no prisoners.”

– Merilyn Jackson, Philadelphia Inquirer “This is an exciting company, with choreography full of surprises and dancers equipped to execute the often-stunning shifts in dynamic and mood.”

– San Antonio Express “raw and provocative, offering layers of complexity and flavor” – Gregory King, thINKingDANCE

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Philadelphia’s most expressive company” - Philadelphia Inquirer

HOW WE MOVE

DANCERS

“A rich, multicultural blend of intensity, physicality” – Alabama Dance Festival

“the compressed push of muscle with the feeling of coiled springs just below the skin … an army of synchronized powerhouses” – thINKingDANCE

“all the finesse and grace of a ballet with the athleticism of an Olympic sport” – Philadelphia Magazine “Koresh trademarks—exciting lifts, athleticism that borders on gymnastics and plenty of passionate partnering.”

– Philadelphia City Paper “If you like your dancing hard, fast and intense, the Koresh Dance Company is for you. … liquidly sensual …, clean, expressive gestures … imparting a richness of movement to the events on stage.

There’s a sheer physical joy to this allegrismo execution.”

– Philadelphia Inquirer “For both Koresh and the … dancers, there are no movements without eloquence. That they are technically superb is a given; what sets them apart is their explosive energy, their big-heartedness, and their humor.”

– Reading Eagle

“such verve and professionalism” – Broad Street Review “Renowned for their precision and their ability to do practically anything” – Reading Eagle “Koresh dancers have long been known for their exceptionally finetoned physiques—and the caliber of their movement execution is simply marvelous, regardless of the technical requirements. It’s as if the outfit has been injected with a jolt of crisp energy.”

– Philadelphia City Paper “They consistently astonish with their skill. When all … of them move together as a unit, they become a single entity, a piece of life moving as if with one heartbeat.”

– San Antonio Express “The dancers of Koresh are technically superb, but even better, they are allowed to be individuals.”

– Wendy Perron, Dance Magazine

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Koresh School of Dance, Outreach, and Community The Koresh School of Dance, established in 1993, welcomes over 5,000 students every year to classes at all levels and for all ages. In 2013, Koresh Dance Company reaffirmed its commitment to Philadelphia by purchasing a property in the heart of Center City. There, the school extends dance education and performance resources to its community by presenting emerging artists in bi-monthly Koresh Artist Showcases and providing professional training and performance opportunities to the exceptional dancers of the Koresh Youth Ensemble. In 2013, Koresh launched the now annual Come Together Dance Festival, which presented 41companies to sold-out houses in its fourth year.

Koresh Dance Company is also committed to communitybuilding and outreach. While on tour, the company provides post-performance discussions, residencies, open rehearsals, lecture demonstrations, master classes and video discussions to its audiences. At home, Koresh Kids Dance brings arts education to economically underserved elementary-school students by partnering with Philadelphia public schools to provide free weekly dance classes, promoting children’s creativity as a conduit for non-violence and forming life goals.

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Koresh Youth Ensemble

School of Dance

Kun-Yang Lin/ Dancers at the Come Together Dance Festival KDC Booklet 17-18 Conferences.indd 11

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Koresh Kids Dance

Fostering Creative Change in Philadelphia since 2006 Mission | Koresh Kids Dance provides high-quality weekly dance instruction to students in Philadelphia public schools. The classes teach students fundamental dance technique while educating the whole person. Koresh educators create a safe space for children to learn to dance, create dance, and to bridge dance with life skills including selfconfidence, discipline, respect, and healthy self-expression. The program culminates with a performance at the end of the year that cultivates teamwork, leadership skills, and a sense of accomplishment.

“In an age where arts programs are being cut left and right from public schools, Koresh Kids Dance is a beacon that provides an important outlet for young students, fostering their creativity, communication, and critical thinking skills.”

– Philly Is Dancing

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Education, Outreach & Residency ON TOUR

Serve Your Entire Community!

The goal of a Koresh residency or workshop is to reach out to multiple facets of your community, connecting with new members or deepening existing relationships. We look forward to working with you to develop a tailored workshop best suited to your community, and to building new interest in dance and culture through innovative approaches to outreach and education.

DID YOU KNOW? • Through numerous teaching, education and outreach programs, Koresh Dance Company serves every level of dancer, from non-dancers to professionals.

• Each year, Koresh Dance Company dancers offer classes and workshops in virtually every style of dance—from Roni Koresh’s favorite, modern jazz, to ballet, hip hop, tap, and more.

• Koresh Dance Company utilizes high-quality behind the scenes video footage to foster long-distance learning techniques that add longevity, depth and flexibility to the outreach experience.

• Through the Koresh School of Dance, and outreach activities in Philadelphia and around the country, Koresh Dance Company serves more than 25,000 students a year with educational programs.

• Each Koresh dancer is an educator specializing in particular age groups and forms of dance. Each workshop activity will be led by a teaching artist who not only dances professionally, but has been selected for teaching excellence and experience working with a given community.

• Our diverse outreach offerings have something for everyone, connecting with established and beginning dancers alike, ages 2 to adult.

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Sample Outreach Offerings ON TOUR

“Forms and Genres” Lecture Demonstration: This interactive assembly program focuses on the many styles of dance, including ballet, tap, jazz, modern and hip hop. It covers the differences and similarities among forms, and dancers perform illustrations of how each genre appears in the Koresh style of contemporary dance. This program has no capacity or age restrictions—invite the whole school or retirement community! Location, length and technical requirements are flexible. (S, U, D, C) Movement & Expression: This small group workshop is ideal for 20-40 students between the ages of 10 and 14 (4th-8th grade). In one session or multiple sessions, students from any level of dance training create their own movement to poetry in a safe and supportive environment. This program increases self-esteem and assists students in making connections between movement and meaning, and connects well with English and literacy lesson plans. Longer residencies may end in a student performance. (S, D) Video & Discussion: Each session uses a high-quality behind the scenes documentary and an in-person meeting to deepen your community’s understanding of dance. Video can be used days or weeks before the Koresh performance to extend your residency. Topics for groups of any size include: • Career Longevity: Company dancers teach about care of the body, safe training, and careeR paths in dance. (U, D, C) • The Finishing Touches: Choreography is only one piece of the puzzle in creating dance.

Artistic Director Ronen Koresh teaches aspiring choreographers about lighting design, musical choice, commissioning scores, costume creation and more! (U, D,C) • Focus on Israel: Artistic Director Ronen Koresh discusses growing up in Israel and how his Israeli roots continue to influence his choreography. (U, C, J) All Level Hip Hop or Stretch & Strengthen Class: This small group workshop is ideal for 20-40 students of all ages and levels. Koresh dancers provide an energetic and fun workout.

Offer it in schools instead of gym class, as a “Power Lunch” in your business district, or a “Dance Workout” at a local gym. A great way to get your community moving! (S, U, D, C)

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Koresh builds community

Dance Technique, Repertory Class, or Master Class: Classes in the signature Koresh style of modern jazz, as well as ballet, hip hop, and tap are available for up to 40 students per class of all ages and ability levels. Company members provide an engaging technique class structured to improve dancers’ precision, flow and musicality through challenging choreography, including repertoire from the attached performance. Material will be adapted for your students to provide an inspiring and challenging experience with the dual goal of building self-esteem and providing a direct connection with members of KDC. (D) Setting Choreography or Creating New Work: Longer residencies may include setting existing Koresh repertoire or creating new work on dancers in your community. This flexible program includes the option to incorporate your community of dancers into the attached Koresh performance. (D) Open Rehearsals: Invite your community to watch the company put final touches on a performance during company or technical rehearsal. Artistic Director Ronen Koresh interacts with the audience and answers questions about the process. (S, U, D, C) Post-Performance Discussions: Invite your audience members to stay after the performance to engage in a moderated Q&A session analyzing the performance and their own responses to dance. The discussion makes use of critical response methods to give the audience a better understanding of the choreography and its execution. (S, U, D, C) Israeli Experiences: In Koresh’s work the use of gesture, movement patterns and musical choice are often draw from his early training in Yemenite folk dance and his on-going connection to the life and people of Israel. If you are interested into delving into this unique aspect of Koresh’s work; classes, workshops and lec/dems can be tailored to highlight the Jewish and Israeli aspects that appear in Koresh choreography. These can be created by partnering with a synagogue or your Jewish Community Center (JCC) or for those in your community interested in learning about other cultures. (C, J)

K KEY: S= K-12 Schools U= University, College or Upper High School D= Dancers C= Community J =Jewish

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Photos by: Bicking Photography Studio, unless otherwise noted KDC Booklet 17-18 Conferences.indd 16

2002 Rittenhouse Square Philadelphia PA 19103 215.751.0959 koreshdance.org

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