Ariel Rivka Dance to present 12th Season

SHE by Ariel Grossman companyAward-winning contemporary choreographer Ariel Grossman and her company of seven female dancers will celebrate the 12th Anniversary of Ariel Rivka Dance (ARD) with two premieres, repertory and guest artists at Baruch Performing Arts Center in New York City. The program will take place in four performances, Thursday, March 28 through Saturday, March 30 at 7:30 p.m., with a family matinee on March 30 at 11:30 a.m. The two premieres are Mossy and Rhapsody in K, which will feature newly commissioned scores by composers David Homan and Stefania de Kenessey. Live music will be included at all performances.

 

Founded in 2008, Ariel Rivka Dance is an all-female contemporary dance company led by married choreographer/composer team Ariel Grossman (Artistic Director/Choreographer) and David Homan (Executive Director/Composer). Her choreography emanates from a female worldview, often using the lens of motherhood, nursing and child rearing as a platform for emotional yet organized thematic contexts. Inspiration is drawn from the struggles and joys of the human experience. She and the dancers work together to transform these emotions into shapes and stories.

 

“The dance world has been full of male choreographers, for centuries… choreography is yet another lens of expression that has been influenced mainly by men. But I have a lot to say and so do many other women,” said Ariel Grossman. “I am inspired by the juxtaposition of grace and strength, and I choreograph to capture those seemingly opposite qualities. My dancers embody that spirit.”

 

The ARD guest artist program has returned for the company’s 2019 season, with eight choreographers selected via a guest artist application process. Two guest companies will appear at each performance, representing emerging, mid-career and established artists. Season 2019 guests include Alison Cook Beatty Dance (former Paul Taylor Dance Company member), slowdanger, 277 Dance Project, Tina Croll & Co., Mignolo Dance, Beth and Artist, Valerie Green/Dance Entropy and Amanda Krische/Amma. Past ARD seasons have included Seán Curran Company, Carolyn Dorfman Dance, RIOULT Dance NY, Taylor 2, Amy Marshall, Chanel DaSilva, Michael Spencer Phillips and more.

 

Along with presenting accessible, beautiful dance, ARD continues to engage new audiences through education and community initiatives. Ariel Grossman holds a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education and has curated programs that successfully expose all audiences to dance. Using common ARD themes of strength, community and resolve, the dancers and original music provide unique and palpable power to families, students and new audiences alike. 

 

For more information on ARD and its upcoming program lineup, visit www.arielrivkadance.com

 

Photo: Ariel Rivka Dance presents SHE. Photo by Shannel Resto.