Happy Holidays and New Year from NBDT 01/02/2012
 2011 was extraordinary. It was a year of vibrant dance performances, the creation of new works, tours within California, amazing collaborations, the premiere of the new So-Cal Dance Invitational, and inspiring outreach to youth in our community! Thank you to all of our supporters and fans! We have many new and upcoming projects and performances for 2012, so stay tuned and keep checking for updates! 1 Comment Only two weeks away.... 09/13/2011
 The So Cal Dance Invitational is not far away and we feel so privileged and excited to be performing with so many talented and incredible companies from around the area. There will be ten companies performing from around the Southern California area and they are: BODYTRAFFIC, Domino Affect Dance Company, Fuse Modern Dance, Jazzworks - Long Beach, Kenneth Walker Dance Project, motion/TRIBE, Movement Theatre CoLab, Nickerson-Rossi Dance and Regina Klenjoski Dance. For more information on the companies, their Artistic Directors, ticket information or the Invitational in general, please visit the website: www.socaldanceinvitational.org We hope that you will join us on September 30 and October 1 at 8 pm for a two nights of dance that should not be missed! Gearing up for the So Cal Dance Invitational 08/24/2011
 Photo by Steve Shea The So-Cal Dance Invitational is a concert directed by Nannette Brodie and produced by the Golden West College Dance Department. The Dance Invitational Concert has been well received the past six years, hosting companies such as Nannette Brodie Dance Theatre, Jazzworks—Long Beach, Luminario Ballet, Donna Sternberg & Dancers and Bare Dance from California. Out of state companies include Nevada Repertory Dance Theatre, Kelly Roth and Dancers from Nevada, Scorpius, Dulce and Conder Dance from Arizona. This season we are excited to invite professionals exclusively from Southern California in an effort to produce an eclectic concert filled with local companies and to create a non-competitive concert where dancers of all genres/styles can collaborate, meet and network. There will be two outstanding evenings of choreography from leading dance companies in Southern California. which include performances by the GWC dance faculty, Nannette Brodie Dance Theatre, Marie De La Palme’s Motion/Tribe, BODYTRAFFIC, Nickerson-Rossi Dance, Regina Klenjoski Dance Company, Domino Affect Dance Company, Fuse Modern Dance and other invited guests. This collaborative project will help benefit the Golden West College Dance Department and their future efforts to produce quality dance performances, fund educational outreach projects and student scholarships. Tickets are on sale now at www.occtickets.com, we will be posting more information very soon, so keep checking back! Hope to see you all soon! NBDT is getting ready to head to Las Vegas 07/19/2011
 In less than two weeks, we are heading to Las Vegas for the annual Dance in the Desert Festival. Not only are we very excited to perform in this year's festival, we cannot wait to see all of the incredible works that everyone will be bringing. This year we will be taking four pieces to the festival. On Friday evening we will be performing a brand new work, “Vigor",choreographed by company member Stephanie Maxim. The light-hearted “Holiday” will be performed for the Saturday matinee, and on Saturday evening “Émigré” and “Al A Fosse” will be performed. Joining NBDT on stage this year will be companies and dancers from Arizona, California, Nevada, New York City and Utah. The Dance in the Desert Festival will occur on July 29 at 7 pm and on July 30 at 2 pm and 7 pm at the College of Southern Nevada, Charleston Campus in the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre. Tickets are only $10 for General Admission and $8 for Students and Seniors. For more information please check out the festival website: http://sites.csn.edu/finearts/dancefestival/index.html NBDT is going to Ojai 05/09/2011
 “In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines, lived twelve little girls in two straight lines…” begins the story of Madeline, the precocious, vivacious character beloved in the many stories published by Ludwig Bemalmens starting in 1936. “The Misadventures of Madeline” will be presented by the Nordhoff High School Dance Program along with twenty other dance works at the upcoming Spring Dance Concerts on Saturday , May 14 at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, May 15 at 3:00 p.m. at Matilija Auditorium. The theme of the concerts is “Once Upon A Time: Stories, Voices and Dances of the Past.” The concert will include a 1920’s set of tap work to the Charleston and octher 1920’s music and an African dance about the values of honor and love choreographed by teacher Kim Hoj as well as ten student choreographed works about stories ranging from child abuse to bullying to friendship and the power of overcoming adversity. The Nordhoff Dance Program includes 59 dancers ranging from beginners to advanced experience as performers.  NBDT performing Almost A Waltz - Photo by Steve Shea “Madeline, “Sygnex 2” and “Almost a Waltz” are three works that were created by master dance artist Nannette Brodie during her three-week residency at Nordhjtoff this January. Nannette’s visit to Ojai and the inclusion of her dance company to perform in the upcoming Nordhoff concert was sponsored by Ojai Rotary and The Oaks at Ojai as well as DANCER, the parent group for the dance program. NBDT will join the Nordhoff Dancers to perform the can-can during “Madeline,” a section of “Almost A Waltz, an exciting Fosse style jazz work and a modern work about the challenges of immigration. Tickets for the concerts are available and can be purchased online at www.nhsdance.com or at the box office one hour before the event. For questions, contact Robyn Halverson at 640-4343 x 1861. -Article written by Kim Hoj Backstage with NBDT 04/27/2011
Featured Profile: Teresa Mitchell Photo by Scott Mitchell Teresa’s love and excitement for dance has followed her throughout her entire life, shaping and molding her into an extremely powerful and passionate dancer. Today she continues to share her gifts not only on stage but within our educational outreach programs as well! Teresa has been performing and teaching with the Nannette Brodie Dance Theatre since 2008. She also graduated from California State University, Fullerton with B.A. degrees in both Dance and American Studies in 2007. Let’s find out more about this very versatile dancer.  Photo by Javier Armijo How and why did you get into dance? Did you always want to be a modern dancer? I started dancing at age 3; I couldn't help but dance! My sister would get embarrassed just going to the grocery store with me, because I would chaîné down the cereal aisle or leap down the frozen food section. I loved to dance, but as a kid I never had a strong desire to perform, it wasn’t until high school that the performance bug got to me. I danced throughout high school performing at assemblies, rallies, concerts, football games, etc., but I never thought I would really dance after high school. A friend encouraged me to peruse dance as a major in college so I decided to attend CSUF. My placement assessment was terrifying… it consisted of ballet and modern…NO JAZZ! I started crying, I was just about to leave and change my major when Debra Noble, a teacher at CSUF, convinced me to stay and tough it out. Four and ½ years later I graduated but didn’t realize until after I had graduated that I really always wanted to be a modern dancer.  Body of Water 2 / Photo by Javier Armijo How long have you danced with NBDT and how did you come to dance with us? I started dancing with the company in October of 2008. I started dancing with them by responding to a Craig’s List ad looking for after school dance teachers. Nannette asked me to come audition for the job by taking class with the company. Of course I was again…terrified. I hadn’t taken class in almost a year and let alone with a professional dance company. I must have okay, because Erica, our rehearsal director, told me I could come back to take class any time I’d like. I jumped on the chance to dance again! I was back the next Monday and Thursday, after about a week and ½ they needed a dancer to dance in a kids show and I officially had my first performance with NBDT. Who has been your biggest inspiration or greatest influence in choosing to have a dance career? Debra Noble and Robin Kish. Both of these women have been amazing inspirations to me when it comes to dancing and both were some of the first modern dance teachers I had at CSUF. Debra is beautiful and graceful and never let me give up on myself even when I have had to face hard truths. Robin is amazingly strong and gave me a chance when others would not. Being able to continue to dance however is only possible because of my husband Scott. He is an amazing photographer and is supportive of everything we do!  Teresa performing in Body of Water 1 / Photo by Javier Armijo What do you find is the biggest challenge and/or biggest reward in having a dance career be part of your life? Challenge: Time! There is never enough time to dance, cross train with Yoga/Pilates, perform, promote events, etc. I would love to have more time to devote to dancing. Reward: Performing! I love being on stage and the thrill of showing the audience all you got! There’s nothing like the butterflies you get in your stomach right before the curtain opens. What is your favorite NBDT piece to perform and why? Body of Water I – This is the first piece I got to have an original role. Nannette began crafting this piece four months after I joined and this was the first time, in a professional company, I got to be there for the creation for a piece. It was extremely exciting!  Teresa dancing with NBDT at Megan's Wedding What is your favorite NBDT memory? It’s hard to think of just one! I love all the traveling I have done with NBDT, but I think my favorite memories may just be the simple friendships that I have made while dancing with these amazing dancers. Going to baby showers, wedding showers, eating birthday cake, and performing at three weddings in the last two years. Yeah, those are some of my favorite memories. What do you look forward to in the coming season? Ojai! Everyone in Ojai always makes us feel so welcome and appreciated. There is nothing like performing for an audience that is as excited to see you as you are to perform for them. March was a whirlwind month... 04/14/2011
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.  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!  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!  In less than two weeks, NBDT will be performing onstage at the Terrace Theater in Long Beach, with the Long Beach Opera for their performance of Philip Glass' Akhnaten. This opportunity has been beyond incredible and we are very excited to have been given this chance to perform with the world renowned Long Beach Opera. Our rehearsals have been going well and it has been wonderful to see the opera coming together piece by piece. We have also had a lot of fun working with the singers and the Long Beach Opera staff, who are clearly passionate about their work, and that passion will be very visible in the final project. Philip Glass' Akhnaten had it's world premiere, in a production by Achim Freyer, on March 24,1984. Akhnaten is the third in the Glass' trilogy of operas about men who changed the world in which they lived through the power of their ideas, Akhnaten's subject is religion. The Pharaoh Akhnaten was the first monotheist in recorded story, and his substitution of a one-god religion for the multi-god worship in use when he came to power was responsible for his violent overthrow. The opera describes the rise, reign, and fall of Akhnaten. The opera is very unique in that it is sung in four languages Egyptian, Akkadian, Hebrew, and English with English Supertitles. We hope that everyone can make it! For more information please visit the Long Beach Opera website: http://www.longbeachopera.org/2011-season/akhnaten  Teresa Mitchell / Photo by Scott Mitchell Dear 2011 GWC Professional Invitational Concert Dancers, Choreographer's and all Participants, Thank you so much for attending and making this year's concert our best yet! We were so pleased with all thirteen dance companies; every piece performed was beyond expectation. Thank you for all of your hard work,support and help in bringing dance to our community. This concert was a success because of you and your dedication to the art of dance! We would like to express a very special thank you to Orange Coast College's Dance Department and Technical Crew. Brock and Quintan, you both made this concert run smoothly and flawlessly and it is always a pleasure to work with you. Seth from GWC, thank you for the Body of Water set design and for hauling it to yet another stage for NBDT. To all of the dance students at Golden West College who helped usher, pull curtains set up displays, we couldn't have done it without you. Thank you to Steve Shea and his dance photography skills, we appreciate your talents. Be sure to look out for his 2011 GWC Invitational photos posting at www.sheaphoto.printroom.com. The photos will be under the gallery titled GWC and the password is bustamove. Thanks to GWC dance faculty Jeff Hendrix, as well, for filming both performances, DVD’s will be coming to each one of you soon.  Master Class with Kenneth Walker Thank you to Anandha Ray of Moving Arts Dance, Kenneth Walker of Kenneth Walker Dance Project and Andy Vaca of Jazzworks - Long Beach for taking the extra time, reaching out and teaching some inspiring master classes. We had over 50 students of all levels and ages in attendance. These classes were a great way to start off the festival weekend. Also a thank you to Sarah Melli, who kicked off the festival for NBDT with a master ballet class, it was a great way for us to get ready for the weekend! Han and Dance Asylum dance studios thank you for taking a chance on us, opening your doors and helping us out! We loved your space, teachers and your vibe. We would like to acknowledge The Lab in Costa Mesa for helping with publicity, Koji and Zinpagu Restaurant for hosting our Friday night cast party and Peter and Robert of Mesa Restaurant for hosting Saturday's cast party. Koji, Peter and Robert thank you for your hospitality, care and support of the arts in your community, we would love to party with you again soon!  NBDT / Photo by Liz Thompson Lastly and most importantly we would like to thank our fans, family and audience! We definitely can't do it without you. We are so greatly blessed with a giving, helpful and supportive extended community who donate their skills, time and talents to our cause. Please stay in touch with us via Facebook and our blog www.nannettebrodiedance.org as we would love to share stories, pictures and every one's upcoming performances. We hope that you enjoyed your time with us, made some new friends, networked and witnessed some amazing dance. Until next year, Nannette Brodie GWC Director of Dance |
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