DanceAspen Premieres 2022 Winter Program

Dance Company Goes Global and Stays Local

With Performances Created By Three International Choreographers and Two Local Choreographers

Aspen, CO (Feb. 15, 2023) DanceAspen’s new WINTER PROGRAM will premiere on March 17 and 18 at 7:30 PM at The Wheeler Opera House with innovative choreography, emotional artistry, and unmatched athleticism. The contemporary dance performances will debut creations by three notable, world-renowned choreographers Penny Saunders, Yin Yue, and Sebastian Kloborg. In addition, local, aspiring in-house DanceAspen choreographers Matthew Gilmore, Madeline Scott, and Blake Krapels will present new works.

DanceAspen is established as a fresh new voice in the next generation of contemporary dance, known internationally in the dance world, and locally in the Roaring Fork Valley. Executive Director of DanceAspen, Laurel Jenny Winton states, "We are pulling choreographers from all corners of the globe with this new WINTER PROGRAM. Integrating these international creatives with our local creatives is the next step in the evolution of DanceAspen."

The March performances will feature the work of international choreographers Yin Yue, Penny Saunders, and Sebastian Kloborg. Penny Saunders is currently an artist in residence at the University of Southern California Kaufman School of Dance as well as an adjunct assistant professor at The University of Utah School of Dance. During DanceAspen’s recent residency with Saunders at the University of Utah, Saunders created the piece entitled ‘In Mind’ which will debut in the upcoming shows. The performances will also feature works by Yin Yue, an internationally recognized performer, choreographer, and the founder and artistic director of YY Dance Company. Yue’s piece ‘Ever After’ will showcase her signature FoCo Technique™ which represents a dynamic fusion of Chinese dance, folk, and contemporary movement. A native of Denmark, choreographer, and freelance dancer, Sebastian Kloborg often shares the stage with his fiancé Maria Kochetkova, a world-famous ballerina. Together, the couple trained the DanceAspen dancers and created Kloborg’s piece for DanceAspen.

Rounding out the internationally known choreographers, the evening of dance will include new works created by DanceAspen company members. Matthew Gilmore, a seasoned DanceAspen dancer and choreographer will present his fourth work for the company. His previous works for DanceAspen have been audience favorites. Madeline Scott is developing an innovative, artistic dance film shot at the Hotel Jerome’s Bad Harriet speakeasy, entitled ‘Paradise’ after the concept known as the ‘Paradise Paradox’ which embodies the complicated relationship between a wavering status of mental health paired with the revered lifestyle in the mountains. A recent addition to the dance team, Blake Krapels worked collaboratively with his fellow dancers to develop his first piece for the company entitled ‘Where We Once Were.’

IN-HOUSE CHOREOGRAPHY

DanceAspen fosters a unique atmosphere of creativity and collaboration providing space for company members to take on a variety of roles. The company seeks out artists who can do it all - perform, choreograph, manage, and direct. Since a dancer’s performing career can often be short due to the intense physical demands, DanceAspen gives its artists the opportunity to extend their careers with involvement in other equally important and fulfilling roles. For example, in addition to her position as company manager, Kaya Wolsey also performs, choreographs, and directs the company’s marketing strategies. While most dance companies completely outsource their choreography, DanceAspen turns inward towards a talented pool of dancers to help build out their performing repertoire. A great example of this is their recent winter pop-up series in different venues around the Valley. All the DanceAspen artists had a hand in bringing the holiday-themed event to life, from the initial concept to the costume design and choreography.

For the March 17 and 18 performances, tickets run $35-$65 for reserved seating, on sale at the Wheeler Opera House Box Office (970.920.5770/aspenshowtix.com). The Wheeler Opera House is located at 320 E. Hyman Ave., Aspen, CO.

Links to purchase tickets at aspenshowtix.com:  tickets on March 17, 2023, and tickets for March 18, 2023

About DanceAspen

The Vision at DanceAspen is to create a thriving resident dance company that cultivates relationships among local artists and other arts organizations through the dedication and collaboration of high caliber performing arts in Aspen and the greater Roaring Fork Community. The Mission at DanceAspen is to enrich and strengthen the Roaring Fork Community’s arts presence through locally based curations of high-caliber dance. History: DanceAspen was founded in 2021 when the global pandemic disbanded the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet performing company, which had been a major presence in the global dance scene for 25 years. This was a significant loss not only for the community but also for the artists. The dancers banded together to fill the void left behind and create a new company, from this, DanceAspen was formed. In just a few short months after its inception, DanceAspen held its inaugural performance at the Wheeler Opera House in September 2021. The story of DanceAspen quickly made its way through the dance world, inspiring choreographers to donate their work to the company. The community support grew and DanceAspen was able to begin fundraising to pay the dancers and administrators for their time, talent, and efforts in putting together this fantastic show. One year later, the company performed at Vail Dance Festival. For more information about DanceAspen, visit www.danceaspen.org