Year: 2011-2012
DanceForce Member: Mohawk Valley Dance Partnership
Artists: KEIGWIN & COMPANY
Community Partners: Arts in Education Institute, Utica; Hamilton College; Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute, Utica
Audience: 1,235
County: Oneida
The Mohawk Valley Dance Partnership is a consortium of organizations that advances the understanding and appreciation of dance across a broad spectrum of the community and was formed with the vision to enrich people’s lives through dance. Several times throughout the year members of the MVDP meet to discuss our goals, review dance company promotional materials and plan our half-week residency.
In November 2011, the MVDP presented Keigwin & Co during a three-day residency in the Utica area. Events included master classes taught by Larry Keigwin and his company members, a school show for 475 elementary school children and a public performance at Hamilton College. Keigwin and Co arrived on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 and started their residency at Hamilton College with a school presentation of excerpts of “Elements.” At the suggestion of our Arts in Education partner, Serena Belmont, sections that were not appropriate for all the ages attending were eliminated. Later that day members of the company taught a master class for the intermediate dance students at MWPAI. On Friday, November 4, 2011 the company split into groups: one returned to Hamilton College to teach while another group came to MWPAI to lead the repertory workshop. With the aid of the Mid-Atlantic grant, we were able to craft an additional activity for the most advanced students at MWPAI. The impact of this more in-depth experience still resonates with our students who have repeatedly asked if the Keigwin dancers could return for another residency. The attendance for the public performance was not what we had anticipated, but those who came to see the complete “Elements” were clearly delighted with the performance. It was gratifying to hear the enthusiastic applause.