Casia Vengoechea, [Dancer]

Norbert de La Cruz

 

BIO: Casia Vengoechea, a native of Staten Island, New York, attended the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts in New York City. In 2008, she was named a Level I youngARTS Award winner in Modern Dance by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts. She has performed internationally, studying at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, performing repertory of Ballet Jazz de Montréal, and training with the Nederlands Dans Theater in The Hague. In 2009, Casia danced in an installation series at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and in 2010 performed in the premiere of a piece by Luca Veggetti as part of the 2010 Works & Process Series at the Guggenheim Museum of Art. She has worked with Margie Gillis, Desmond Richardson, and Paul Lightfoot and has performed works by Alonzo King, Marie Chouinard, José Limón, Lightfoot León, Martha Graham, Jiří Kylián, and Crystal Pite, and was featured in the New York Times for her 2010 performance of Merce Cunningham’s “Summerspace.” She recently danced in the 2011 Greenwich Music Festival, and will be soon performing in the Deloitte Ignite Contemporary Arts Festival of the Royal Opera House in London. Casia will be entering her fourth and final year at The Juilliard School this fall.

• "Casia Vengoechea is one of the first peers I met in high school as a freshman. What made her stand out to me was her unique physical gift. However, at the time she did not know how to go about using it. The summer before sophomore year, she went to Argentina, the homeland of her parents, and took class with Julio Bocca and came back a beast. Her improvement in just one summer, was night and day. Senior year, she had to make the most dramatic decision of a young dancer's life. After winning the YoungArts competition with Level 1, she had to choose between  Harvard University and The Juilliard School. It was a choice between dancing or not. I am happy that she has chosen dance. I would say that she was born to dance. To me, she is a beautiful creature within movement. Now a much more mature dancer, she has grown into her body and is really starting to understand her qualities within. She inspires me with her presence as a close friend, and her presence on stage! She is currently a senior at Juilliard and I cannot wait to see her in this year's upcoming performances. I know that she will go on to be one of the most captivating dancers in the growing dance world."

 New York Times review featuring Casia Vengoechea

Melissa Hough, [Dancer]

BIO:Melissa Hough, Soloist; Melissa Hough was a bronze medal winner in the 2005 Helsinki International Ballet Competition, a jury award of merit winner from the Jackson International Ballet Competition in 2002 and a senior outstanding dancer at New York City Dance Alliance in 2002.  She trained with The Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington D.C. and has danced professionally with BalletMet, M & Company, and Boston Ballet, where she reached the rank of principal in 2009. She joined Houston Ballet as a soloist in 2010.   Her classical repertoire includes Nicholas Sergeyev's The Sleeping Beauty, Mikko Nissinen's Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, James Kudelka's Cinderella, Rudolf Nureyev's Don Quixote, George Balanchine's Rubies, Ballo della Regina, and A Midsummer Night's Dream, to name a few.  Her contemporary repertoire includes such works as Jiří Kylián's Petite Mort and Falling Angels, William Forsythe's In the middle, somewhat elevated, and Twyla Tharp's In the Upper Room.

• "Melissa Hough is a competition dancer turned ballet master. I love this ballerina because she gives her soul in a pointe shoe. Now, that doesn't mean a beautiful line, but movement through those beautiful lines. I appreciate her "attack" on the ballet technique. Her performance is extremely physical and beyond frail like many other ballerinas that are and were in the industry. Hough is breathtaking because she dances on her own, and the accompaniment of a male partner does not distinguish her talent, nor ability. From classical, to contemporary, she is a leader in physical movement. Her move from a Principal dancer in Boston Ballet, to a Soloist in Houston Ballet, shows her commitment to life. She moved to a new company because of her new husband who she supports and loves, even though she already was contingent with a balanced career. Her aggressive attitude towards movement is admirable in a way that inspires motivated dancers. Movement based, Hough embodies the soul of a passionate dancer. Her most inspirational moment for me, was performing in William Forsythe's In The Middle Somewhat Elevated. Her attack and precision defines the importance of a dancer knowing their temple." 

Melissa Hough: Houston Ballet

•  one of the greatest dance reels compiled by a dancer herself.

Linda Celeste Sims, [Dancer]

BIO: Linda Celeste Sims began her dance training at Ballet Hispanico School of Dance and is a graduate of LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts.   In 1994, Mrs. Sims was granted an award by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts.  She has been highlighted in the “Best of 2009” list in Dance Magazine, and has performed as a guest star on “So You Think You Can Dance”, “Dancing with the Stars” and “The Today Show.”  She has also made guest appearances at the White House tribute to Judith Jamison, Youth America Grand Prix, Vail International Dance Festival, and galas in Budapest and Vienna.  Mrs. Sims joined the Company in 1996, and was named Assistant to the Rehearsal Director in June 2010.

• "Ever since I have started dancing in High School, Linda Celeste Sims has been my first love in the dance world. Not only is she stunning, but to see someone's passionate soul flourish through their movement EVERYTIME she performs, is not only a talent, but a rigorous gift. I was extremely excited after seeing her perform in an Ailey gala and was even more excited when I realized that she graduated from the high school I had been currently attending! I view Sims as a goddess on stage. She understands time and space. Her acute musicality and strength are only additional elements to her performance attributes. Out of the entire Ailey company, I feel that Sims is the most apt to a virtuosic quality. Her versatile qualities should make her a dream for many choreographers. Naturally beautiful and gifted, her passion is helped by dancing with the man she is in love with for life. There isn't anything like dancing with the one you chose for life."

Linda Celeste Sims: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre

•  Linda Celeste Sims performs "Fix Me Jesus" from Alvin Ailey's Revelations with her husband, Glen Allen Sims.

Isabella Boylston, [Dancer]

BIO: Born in Sun Valley, Idaho, Isabella Boylston began dancing at the age of three. While training at the Academy of Colorado Ballet, she won the gold medal in 2001 at the Youth America Grand Prix Finals in New York City. In 2002, she began training at the Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton, Florida, on a full scholarship. There she performed numerous leading roles, including Medora in Le Corsaire, the pas de trois from Paquita, Lise in La Fille mal gardée and the Sugarplum Fairy in The Nutcracker.
Boylston joined the ABT Studio Company in 2005, the main company as an apprentice in May 2006 and the corps de ballet in March 2007. Her repertory with the Company includes the Ballerina in The Bright Stream, Moss in Cinderella, Aurora in Coppélia, an Odalisque in Le Corsaire, a flower girl in Don Quixote, the second girl in Fancy Free, the peasant pas de deux and Moyna in Giselle, a Harlot in Romeo and Juliet, Princess Florine and the Fairy of Fervor in The Sleeping Beauty, the pas de trois and the Polish Princess in Swan Lake, the Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, the lead in Theme and Variations and roles in Ballo della Regina, Birthday Offering, Brief Fling, Désir, Everything Doesn’t Happen at Once and From Here On Out.
She created leading roles in Lauri Stallings’ Citizen, Alexei Ratmansky’s Dumbarton and Christopher Wheeldon’s Thirteen Diversions.
Boylston won the 2009 Princess Grace Award and was nominated for the 2010 Prix Benois de la Danse. She was promoted to Soloist in June 2011.

• "I discovered Isabella Boylston on YouTube, randomly, as I was looking up dance videos for inspiration. Unlike my other posts, I do not know her personally. However, she helped change my perception on ballet technique, and I started working towards a better approach to the form. I do not have the best body for dance, but because Boylston's work is extremely clear on her facility, I was able to understand how to apply the movement to my body. I love her because she is as light as a feather when dancing. Her thought behind the movement is direct and effortless. I have not been graced with the opportunity of seeing her perform, but I am more than willing to spend any amount of expensive ticket money to. If she can move me through a moving image on the internet, then she can do a billion times better at a live performance. I think the ABT recognizes her light because so far, she has been in each level of the company for one year. Now, I think they will keep her as a Soloist for a little bit, to not scathe the beautiful Misty Copeland who should be a Principal by now, but I absolutely cannot wait until she is a Principal! Boylston is a true breath of fresh air."

Isabella Boylston: American Ballet Theatre

Everything Doesn't Happen at Once Duet  : This is one of my favorite duets choreographed by Benjamin Millepied with Isabella Boylston, and Principal ABT dancer, Marcello Gomez.

Chalvar Monteiro, [Dancer]

BIO: Trained at The Ailey School and received a BFA in Dance from Purchase College at SUNY in 2010. Has worked professionally with The Kevin Wynn Collection, Sidra Bell Dance NY, and Elisa Monte Dance. He is currently dancing with Kyle Abraham/Abraham.In.Motion. 

• "Chalvar Monteiro is my hero! I love him so much. He is a performer that you can never expect anything less from. He is always ready to dance, perform, and most certainly, give a show for the audience to remember. I met Mr. Monteiro while in High School through many mutual friends of mine, and was very glad I did. If it wasn't for him, I probably wouldn't be dancing at SUNY Purchase as of now, or dancing at all. Monteiro was bred for dance. His facility is as unique as his physical traits and eccentric personality. He is a very unique package in terms of his work ethic and presentation. I am awaiting his big break into a European company because I feel that is where he will be most appreciated and admired. Please be on the lookout. Thanks."

Chalvar Monteiro's YouTube ACCOUNT

• Chalvar Monteiro in Jolina Javier's "Elan." A Senior Project at SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance. Mr. Monteiro was a freshman here.

Samantha Figgins, [Dancer]

• "I had the pleasure of meeting Samantha Figgins the semester before I came to SUNY Purchase for Dance, and instantly fell in love with her. Her vibrant personality and outgoing spirit makes any environment pleasurable. What is interesting about Figgins' dancing, is that her natural energy is inverted, and she becomes a dynamic force on stage. Her choices and artistic components within a piece's concept, molds a stark image for the audience. Figgins is one of those dancers who you cannot tear your eyes from once she steps on the stage. I look up to her in many ways as possible. I also admire her extreme versatility. She can perform Hip-Hop, Ballet, African, and Modern dance extremely well.  Figgins comes from a family of performers/ ARTS supporters who all indefinitely push each other forward into the winning light. The summer of 2011, she was offered 3 apprenticeships with the Stephen Petronio Dance Company, Dance Theater of Harlem Ensemble, & Complexions. She is now apprenticing with the Complexions Contemporary Ballet Company. Lookout for her! She will be doing everything." 

Samantha Figgins Dance Reel
Samantha Figgins: Complexions Contemporary Ballet

Ellenore Scott [Dancer, Young Choreographer]

BIO: A California native, Ellenore Scott grew up dancing under the direction of Ruth Fisher and her own mother, Michelle Burkhart, at Dancenter, a local dance school offering a diverse class schedule introducing Ellenore to hip hop, ballet, jazz, tap, modern and choreography. Ellenore then became a dance instructor for 3 years at Dancenter while she joined the Santa Cruz Ballet Theater Company. Moving to New York in pursuit of a professional dance career, Ellenore was accepted into Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, also known as “The Fame School” as a dance major and became a scholarship student in the Fellowship program at The Ailey School. Ellenore attended dance programs at American Ballet Theater, Dance Theater of Harlem on scholarship, The Juilliard School, Joffrey Ballet, Complexion on scholarship and TAKE dance. While in school, Ellenore was working with choreographers such as Earl Mosley, Christian Von Howard, Nathan Trice, Pedro Ruiz, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Jessica Lang to name a few. In 2006, Ellenore received the opportunity to assist choreographer Earl Mosley on setting "Saddle Up!" on the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. In 2007, Ellenore became a company member of both the Von Howard Project and nathantrice/RITUALS while still in school. In 2008, Ellenore graduated from Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art & Performing Arts with Honors and received Honorable Mention and a New York Regional Award from the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts. After graduation, Ellenore signed on to be a part of the world premier work entitled "The Only Tribe", conceived by sculptor Roland Gebhardt and choreographed by Peter Kyle. In 2009, Ellenore performed with emerging choreographer Jill Sigman with jillsigman/thinkdance, as well as Pedro Ruiz for the Latin Choreographers Festival as a soloist. That same year Ellenore was a Finalist on the prime time television show "So You Think You Can Dance" and became America's 4th Favorite Dancer. Since then, she has performed on the 82nd Annual Academy Awards, Dancing with the Stars, One Life to Live, The Ellen Show, The View and has appeared in numerous print and commercial advertisements. She also has signed with MSA Talent Agency of New York City, under the direction of Lucille DiCampli. In 2011, Ellenore will set a new work on the graduating class of LaGuardia High School, premiering in June. Ellenore is thrilled to be a part of the New York City dance community and lives to dance!

• "Ellenore Scott is a peer of mine who I met in my class at LaGuardia High School. I have seen her grow for 4 years of her life as a spectacular performer. Scott was always at the top of her game, maintaining above average grades and excelling at every aspect of performance. My most vivid memory of Scott, was working with her in our senior year as her partner in a piece entitled, On the TanGo, choreographed by Catherine Brikke. She helped bring out the most enthusiastic part of my performance, being that I was nervous to be in a ballet piece, my fourth year dancing. Her specificity and playful energy will always be noticed on stage. It was great watching her move onto the nationally renowned show, So You Think You Can Dance, where she placed fourth and was able to show the world what she had to offer. I am glad she was given this opportunity because she is a dancer of a special breed. Scott has also choreographed a duet you can find on YouTube entitled, Farther where I am her partner. I look forward to her future endeavors!"

Ellenore Scott's Website

• Ellenore Scott's Beatbox Harmonica on So You Think You Can Dance.

Sidra Bell, SBDNY [Choreographer]

BIO: SIDRA BELL (Artistic Director) is currently an Adjunct Professor at Barnard College (Columbia University) and has a BA in History from Yale University and an MFA in Choreography from Purchase College Conservatory of Dance. She received her formative dance training at The Dance Theater of Harlem and The Ailey School as a full scholarship recipient.

• "Sidra Bell is a choreographer I've had the pleasure to meet through the Purchase Conservatory of Dance. Unfortunately, I have not worked with her, but she is an inspiration to many. A lot of my peers have worked with her and I always witness a sense of growth and new elemental approach to movement. Her works are ALWAYS fantasy-oriented, in that she creates an environment which pulls the audience into the moment she has created. I have witnessed her style change from when I attended LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts until now. In terms of movement, she has a stylistic choice of gestures that cuts and carves through space. Attending a few workshops of hers, I can say that it is a graceful challenge for the mind and body. Her most impressive feature, may be that she has done most of the work of building her company, only until recent. This shows her ability to tackle many facets within the dance world. She has received prestigious awards for her choreography, and has choreographed several commissions for prestigious educational institutions for dance." 

 SBDNY Official Website

• one of my favorite solos I have seen. Variations in III, choreographed by Sidra Bell.

WELCOME!

Hello everyone! My name is Damani P. and I am a senior dance major at the SUNY Purchase College's Dance Conservatory. I started dance at age 14, after studying Martial Arts for 11 years, receiving my second degree black belt in Shotokan karate. I have recently realized that dance is all i have and it is one of the things I'm most passionate about. I love to share videos, pictures, reviews, and my own personal opinions on choreography or dancers who I feel are great figures of the dance world. I also will feature many of my peers whose qualities and self diligence will grant them a place in the dance world. It is always great to get inspired in more ways than one. I would like to communicate that to dancers and non-dancers alike through this blog. It is a beautiful thing when someone can create images, trigger memories, and touch hearts with the only instrument we have been given as human beings... the human body. enjoy!