Dances By Very Young Choreographers

Returning to Live Arts in 2021, Dance by Very Young Choreographers will showcase the work of dancers and choreographers ranging in age from 6-36, June 5-6, 2021, for invited audiences only (due to Covid-19 limitations). Spearheaded Ellen Robbins, this program has been an opportunity to introduce and empower children to create their own work for over 30 years. Dances by Very Young Choreographers not only focuses on the technical elements of modern dance, but also fosters a space for development of artistic identity and choreographic support.  

Robbins and her students have presented this showcase annually since 1993, previously at Dance Theater Workshop and now the past 10 years at New York Live Arts. This year’s concert will feature:

•  “4 Seasons Suite” with music by Poulenc and choreography by a trio of 6 & 8 year olds.
• “The Game Commences” with music by Dire Straits, and several solos, choreographed by Robbins’ teenage students.
• “Muse” a solo by Guest Artist, Krista Jansen, with music by Elena Kats-Chernin.
• And Giabella Taylor, a graduating senior, who has revisited her first solo “Twisted” with music by Bach (Video Above). The music for the 2021 version is by Zotlan Kodaly. Taylor will be accompanied in both performances by her brother, Jakob Taylor, cellist. 

Each show concludes with a ceremony in which Robbins usually cuts a lock of hair from each of the graduating seniors to signify and honor the close of their longtime teacher-student relationship. For this unprecedented year, the students will also cut a lock from Robbins’ hair.