NBDT's Performance with the Long Beach Opera
"...The choreographic aspects, often reminiscent of the sorts of figurations seen on Egyptian monuments, were superbly executed by Nannette Brodie and the Nannette Brodie Dance Theater..." - David Gregson, Opera West
NBDT Performing in Long Beach Opera's 'Akhnaten'
On March 19th and 27th, we performed in Philip Glass' "Akhnaten" with the Long Beach Opera! It was such an incredible experience, not only did we get the experience of performing with an opera company; we also got to perform with a live orchestra! We also received great reviews in multiple papers and blogs; it was such an exciting experience.
The Terrace Theater was beautiful and we felt very fortunate to perform at such an amazing and huge venue! We definitely enjoyed our experience with the Long Beach Opera and hope to have another opportunity to work with them again!
Thank you to everyone who came out to support us and the Long Beach staff for being supportive and helpful during this experience!
NBDT's Teaching Tour to Ojai
Ojai, CA
Nannette and NBDT members Teresa, Alicia, and Erica had the privilege of teaching for NBDT's annual residency in Ojai, CA the week of Wednesday, March 30th thru Friday, April 1st. Dance Director, Kim Hoj, of Nordhoff High School, is the organizer and master planner. Every year we are brought out to Ojai with fundraising money that is raised by Kim, her committee of parents, the Rotary Club of Ojai, and other Ojai businesses. The community makes in-kind donations; the Oaks Spa in town donates rooms and meals in return for teaching dance/performing for their guests as well.
Nannette helping a student stretch.
This year Nannette was a bit busier in Ojai as she was commissioned by Nordhoff High School to set three dance pieces on the ensemble students. These pieces, "Misadventures of Madeline," 'Sygnex 2" and a third section of "Almost a Waltz" were all set on the Nordhoff dance students and will be performed in their spring dance concert. NBDT and Nordhoff students will share the stage in "Misadventures of Madeline" and "Almost a Waltz.” Nannette has been up to Ojai on three separate trips in the last few months carefully choreographing and setting these pieces keeping in mind that NBDT will be placed in these works for the May 14 & 15 concert at Matilija Auditorium located in the center of Ojai.
Alicia teaching class.
Nannette was the first to arrive to the Nordhoff residency on Wednesday to clean and review all of the dance pieces. Teresa and Alicia joined her late Wednesday night and began teaching on Thursday.
On Thursday morning, Teresa taught creative movement to the first/second grade elementary students at Topa Topa and Alicia taught the first/kindergarten students. That afternoon included a Modern Level 1 Master Class for the high school students as well as the community of Ojai at Nordhoff High School. After the Level 1 class, Erica taught a Modern Level 2 that was open to all.
Nordhoff High School's dance program has been doing a great job including the community and creating a yearly dance concert. They are truly developing into well rounded dancers. Thanks to Kim Hoj and other incredible people, the dance students of Nordhoff have the opportunity to study with many professionals and participate in many out of town dance festivals.
On Thursday morning, Teresa taught creative movement to the first/second grade elementary students at Topa Topa and Alicia taught the first/kindergarten students. That afternoon included a Modern Level 1 Master Class for the high school students as well as the community of Ojai at Nordhoff High School. After the Level 1 class, Erica taught a Modern Level 2 that was open to all.
Nordhoff High School's dance program has been doing a great job including the community and creating a yearly dance concert. They are truly developing into well rounded dancers. Thanks to Kim Hoj and other incredible people, the dance students of Nordhoff have the opportunity to study with many professionals and participate in many out of town dance festivals.
Nannette getting ready to teach
After a full day of teaching, NBDT returned to the Oaks Spa to present an informal lecture demonstration on how choreography is developed. Erica, Teresa and Alicia's improv skills were put to the test and Nannette kept the audience’s attention with simple and fun explanations on the choreographic process. NBDT also demonstrated sections from "Tango Pointe" and "Body 2". The audience was entertained and educated and they had the opportunity to participate in their chairs in a small improve as well. The guests greatly appreciated all of the insight and asked many questions regarding our work.
Erica strolling through town
The next day, Nannette and Erica taught a "dancers stretch" class for the guests of the Oaks Spa and were also asked to stay and help team teach a second 'Mind-Body" class along with Nancy, an instructor at the Oaks Spa. The guests were thrilled to point their toes and partake in a dancers’ work-out. Erica and Nannette then had a chance to relax and enjoy the Spa's amenities after a healthy lunch. It was a beautiful and sunny day, Nannette hit the pool and joined in on a water aerobics class and Erica took a small nap in her room. They later had a chance to stroll thru town, eat frozen yogurt, purchase agave and other yummy products at the health food market and brainstorm ideas for the upcoming performance in May.
Beautiful studio at Thacher
The last class of our trip took place at Thacher Private School in the hills of Ojai. Galia, who is the director of dance at Thacher, had heard we were coming up and wanted us to teach her advanced students a Modern Master Class. Nannette and Erica taught together in the school’s beautiful studio overlooking the mountains of Ojai. Thacher dance students rocked! Galia also asked Nannette and Erica to watch her students perform their latest work and to give her feedback. We walked over to their state of the art Performing Arts Center where we could see the lovely formations, spacing and groupings of her work.
After sharing thoughts and ideas, Nannette and Erica were gratefully thanked and presented with the opportunity for all of NBDT to come back in November 2011 to set a work and perform at Thacher! We are very excited!
After sharing thoughts and ideas, Nannette and Erica were gratefully thanked and presented with the opportunity for all of NBDT to come back in November 2011 to set a work and perform at Thacher! We are very excited!
Nannette and Erica with the Thacher Dance Students
As members of NBDT, we look forward to our Ojai trip, not just for the slow paced beauty of the town, but the artistic aroma everywhere you go. The people of Ojai are so welcoming and supportive of the arts. They bind as a community and produce many art festivals and events and they always treat us like rock stars. We will be performing at Matilija Auditorium in Ojai May 14, 7pm and May 15, 2pm.
We cannot wait for our trip and another wonderful weekend in Ojai!
We cannot wait for our trip and another wonderful weekend in Ojai!
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