Erick Hawkins Event Soars
by Jean Di Lisio
Having studied Martha Graham’s
modern dance technique at The
University of New Mexico and
personally visiting her New York
studio as the Director of the City
of Santa Fe’s first Arts Commission
Director, I found an immediate
kinship with the Erick Hawkins Dance
Company members. Delighted to
visit The City of Trinidad, birthplace
of their founder, Erick Hawkins, the
8 company dancers attended daily
technique classes held at Kinspire
Dance Studio. Focusing on improving
their modern dance technique, 17
local dancers devoted 8 to 15 hours
daily, learning Hawkins’s approach
to collaborating with musicians,
sculptors and artists to create “shrill
and sensational” masterpieces.
An unusually diverse audience
complimented local dancers as they
narrated their choreographic studies.
One should not overlook the virile
and tenacious style portrayed by
each of the Hawkins’ dancers. Please
enjoy a few highlights of Trinidad’s
first Erick Hawkins Summer Dance
Intensive week from August 1-6, 2016.
Katherine Duke, Artistic
Director – Erick Hawkins Dance
Company: “Simplicity is no easy
matter in developing the technique
of Erick Hawkins. The tools
that fed his creative imagination
were collaborations with artists
and musicians, especially Lucia
Dlugoszewski! Hawkins dedicated over
60 years to formulating movement
theory which embodies the spirit
using the most efficient movement!”
Courtney Robinson (leaping with
Katherine): “The way they (EH
Company members) move is really
inspiring. Since I’m enticed to pursue
a dancing career, each one inspired
me in their own special way,”
Patrick Blaisure illustrates that as a
first time choreographer,
“ you can come up with any kind of
movement and make it look beautiful!
We are amazed by “ the essence
of Hawkins!” “One becomes more
fluid by probing into the extensive
floor work, and especially using your
initiator!” “Through the meter studies
we (dancers) were held accountable
for each movement phrase, often
requiring intense concentration and
efficiency!”
Louis Kavouras, Director of
Dance at the University of Nevada
at Las Vegas thanked the community
for the high quality of the Trinidad
Junior High Theater and appreciated
the special attention of maintenance
staff, Fred Vasquez.
Katherine Duke: “I can’t believe
how sophisticated these students
are!” (regarding Dance Connection
and Kinspire workshop attendees).
As they traverse across floor, Duke
defends Erick Hawkin’s philosophy of
performance : “connect to yourself,
then your audience can connect to
you!” “ These students took in every
thing that I could give and then took
their own dancing to another level!”
Hallie Baca: “The Erick Hawkins
technique is a way to be more creative
in your own choreography. It’s a
different perspective that you never
had before, because you try to find
your vein of emotion!”
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