Juilliard School: New Dance Generation

August sees New York's world famous Juiliiard School arrive in Edinburgh with a triple bill of performances introducing the dance stars of tomorrow

Feature by Gareth K Vile | 02 May 2012

There is no lack of ambition in the Juilliard School: their mission states that they aim to attract the most talented performing artists and develop them into the stars of the future and positive advocates for the arts. Their dance company's Triple Bill reflects this vision: a European premier from Alexander Ekman, Netherlands Dance Theatre 2's associate choreographer, a classic from Jose Limon and Nacho Duato's scorching journey into his native landscape, Gnawa.

Reflecting the EIF's renewed enthusiasm for emerging artists, Juilliard Dance not only introduce the talent of their dancers, but provide a brief survey of how contemporary choreography and ballet are coming together. Jose Limon was one of America's twentieth century dynamos: originally training to be a painter, he was inspired by the possibility of expressing a confident masculinity through dance: the selection for the EIF, The Waldstein Sonata, is a rare example of his use of romantic classical music: Limon was a teacher at Juilliard, and his inclusion emphasises his legacy as both an educator and a choreographer who combined technical grace and contemporary power.

Like Limon, Alexander Ekman began as a dancer before moving into choreography: his pieces have been performed as installations in museums, demonstrating how dance is no longer only found in the theatre, but reaches out to other venues and genres. Episode 31, performed here, shares Limon's fascination with tough energy, evoking ritualistic movement and exploiting the young company's traditional technique to showcase their versatility and ability.

Despite being a student company, Juilliard Dance have a tradition of taking on some of the great works in the modern repetoire: they have performed pieces by Jerome Robbins and Merce Cunningham, and have built a reputation for preserving signature choreographies from the American modern dance cannon.

Zack Winkour is one of the young dancers who will be coming across to Edinburgh in August, and he admits that he is already excited. "I've been to the festival two times before: and I am a huge fan of haggis and the National Galleries!" He is certain that Juilliard have something special lined up. He is in two of the pieces – Gnawa and Episode 31, and explains that "the two pieces have a very different attitude. Episode 31 is extremely energetic and very very youthful: it is really fun to do and rigorous in terms of the counting and being all together in very tight units. And it's  very modern and full of energy. And sort of exhausting! Gnawa is very tribal and full of tonnes of energy and precision.

 "I was just talking to another one of my classmates who is coming with me," Winkour observes. "And it is going to be an incredibly physical show: both of the two pieces are very athletic." Since Winkour is due to graduate before his arrival in August, "It will be my last tour with the company. It will be  a nice send off. We are all excited to be performing in the Playhouse theatre: it is three times the size of the one that we have at the school!"

For Winkour, his training at Juliard has been ideal. Apart from the repertoire, he says, "One great thing about Juilliard – the big draw –  is the sheer density of resources and how many bright young talented people who are committed are there. So I have had an opportunity to work with a lot of musicians at the school, which has been really exciting." Inspired by the rigorous training, he has cultivated an interest in choreography, contemporary dance and even directing opera. He already has his own performance company.

It is the same distinctive energy of Juilliard, and the rich pool of talent that inpsired Winkour to audition that promises to make the Juilliard's performance unique. As Winkour concludes, "We are bringing over a show that is full of youth and sophistication!"

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