Who is writing this blog?

I am Thomas Fant; a twenty-one year old modern dancer from Norfolk, Virginia with the opportunity to spend four weeks this summer dancing in Rochester, NY and Manhattan, NY.

Currently I am a dancer with Todd Rosenlieb Dance, a local modern dance company performing an original repertoire of works by Todd Rosenlieb and Ricardo Melendez, Erick Hawkins, Bill Evans, Jon Lehrer, and Kathy Brenner, as well as classical and contemporary ballet repertoire. The company blends classical and modern forms, the "downtown" spirit, hints of pop culture, and a keen sense of musicality to present a style all its own. An ecclectic sensibility allows for the use of a diverse music palette that ranges from Brahms to Rufus Wainwright.

I believe expression through movement is the most basic and instinctive form of communication, without which beauty cannot be experienced ocularly. Dance is the tool to accomplish this. For some reason modern dance, unlike theater, classical music or literature, is often thought of as fleeting, ephemeral, disposable. But just like any art form, modern dance has a heritage that can, and should, be kept alive. José Limón believed this, and expressed these views through his company. I have been given the chance to learn from his successors, and from the knowledge I will have gained I will have the opportunity to share his dance technique, repertory, and philosophies with subsequent generations of dancers; not only through the preservation of his teachings, but also by incorporating his teachings into contemporary technique.

What's this campaign about?

For two weeks the José Limón Dance Foundation will host an intensive dance study at SUNY College at Brockport. Focusing on the individual, the summer residence offers Limón technique class every day, plus repertory workshop sessions including Limón repertory, ensemble works and solos, new repertory works, performance techniques, principals of the technique set forth by José Limón, composition, somatics, and many more. Special evening activities and individual coaching are also offered throughout the two weeks, and the residency concludes with an informal presentation of repertory and composition.

Toward the end of the summer, the José Limón Dance Foundation will host a two week teaching workshop at NYU Steinhardt examining the use of Humphrey/Limón principles in contemporary dance training. Over the two week workshop each participant will find an individual approach to Limon-based teaching. Classes will consist of daily technique classes, an exploration of the underlying principles, phrases from repertory (contemporary and classic) and the use of rhythm and music in Limon classes. Participants have opportunities to present class materials and contemporary dance phrase sequences based on Limón principles.

Where do you fall into play?

With the help of generous supporters I will be able to raise the funds to realize my goal of taking over the world dancing with this world-class company for the summer. As idealistic as this website makes the fund raising process seem, it isn't solely up to you (nor would I be so idealistic to think it would be), as I plan on raising money on my own, as well. But for those who participate in the fund raising process there are special "perks" I am willing to offer for different levels of contribution. Feel free to check the sidebar to the right to view all the different levels.

• Currently I have raised $450 from teaching a musical theatre camp; I hope to raise more in the proceeding months!!

I will chronicle my time in residency in a special Dances with Lemons blog, chock-full of stories, photos, videos, songs, movement scores, and notes from the intensive workshops. I hope to interview Carla Maxwell (artistic director), Roxanne D'Orleans Juste (artistic associate), and outstanding members of the Limón Dance Company, as well as tell you all the behind-the-scenes happenings!! As project backers, you'll have a stake in my process, with opportunities to make requests of my documentation, learn about and even ask questions of The Limón Dance company and modern dance in general. You’ll also get regular updates about my month-long experience and receive personalized thank-you's featured in the blog. I will literally be taking you all to New York with me. I really need your contributions to get me there!!

How it all breaks down

The three-thousand dollar amount I am trying to raise will go toward multiple different causes to aid in realizing my goal:

• $790 - Tuition for summer residency at SUNY Brockport
• $790 - Tuition for teachers workshop at NYU Steinhardt
• $630 - Housing & meals @ residency at SUNY Brockport
• $660 - Total Transportation (trains, planes, automobiles)
• $130 - Meals for teachers workshop at NYU Steinhardt

If there are any funds that take me past 3,000 dollars, I plan to put them toward the quality and production of my self-made video documentary and my self-made Limón technique and composition tutorial DVD.

I know three thousand dollars seems like a lot of money for four weeks of dance education, but take a look at the programs schedules:

East Coast (SUNY Brockport) Residency:

• 09:00-09:50  Yoga / Ballet / Breath Work / Pilates
• 10:00-11:45  Limón Technique Class
• 13:00-14:30  Limón Repertory / Solo Voice
• 14:45-16:15  Limón Repertory / Duets & Trios / New Repertory
• 16:30-17:30  Principles of Limón Technique / Elements of Style
• 19:00-20:30  Lecture on José Limón & Doris Humphrey / Film Showings

 

Teachers Workshop (NYU Steinhardt) Residency:

• 10:00-12:00  Technique Class
• 12:00-12:45  Principles Sessions
• 12:45-13:30  Lunch and Journal Break
• 13:30-15:00  Afternoon Workshop
• 15:00-16:30  Afternoon Workshop
• 18:00-19:30  Observation at Peridance