"I was first involved with Summer Stages as a student,
then as a Choreographers' Fellow and most recently as an Artist in
Residence. This is the only program I know of that supports artists
at every stage of their journey. Summer Stages offers a community of
multi-generational, top-notch artists sharing valuable information,
gorgeous spaces to work in, and the time needed to allow ideas
to incubate and develop. Over the past ten years, the program
has continued to expand and improve, without losing its commitment
to innovation, experimentation and the vital dialogue between
dancers, dance-makers and audiences. It's a true gem."
–Rashaun Mitchell, Summer Stages Resident
Artist '10, Merce Cunningham Dance Company Principal dancer
About the Workshop
About being a Choreographers’ Fellow
About being an Artist in Residence
About the Workshop
I have thrived as a dancer at Summer Stages, being nurtured and
challenged by outstanding faculty who have afforded me unparalleled
opportunities, not only within the Workshop, but beyond in the professional
dance world”
—Sasha Peterson, Workshop 2011, 2010, 2009
"Summer Stages has given me a rare opportunity to dance
with, learn from, and observe incredibly talented choreographers and
instructors. The professional level of artistry offered to students
my age is unique. I've worked directly and intensively with choreographers
who usually work with professional dancers, and learned parts of complex
pieces that were part of their actual repertoire. Needless to
say, this sort of experience has been totally inspiring for me as
a dancer and empowering for me as a budding choreographer."
— Hope Cooper (Contemporary Dance Intensive, 2011) Summer Stages 2, 2010, 2009
“Summer Stages is a special three-week festival where dancers,
choreographers and the icons of dance find a nurturing place that
exudes the history of dance, but has an clear eye to the future. I
have been fortunate to participate in the Workshop since the beginning,
and have been thrilled by the development and metamorphism of this
special program for all dancers.”
—Marilyn Showstack (Workshop 1996-present)
"Summer Stages gives me a taste of what the professional dancer's
life is like. As hard as it was a times,
I feel like I have the capacity to become what it takes to be professional.
At the moment I'm not sure exactly what style or company I'd like to
be a part of, but I feel prepared for anything."
—2011 Workshop
“Summer Stages gave me a stronger sense of myself as a dancer.
Whether we were working on ballet or
modern, I was receiving constant feedback and was able to build on
my skills. Each class and teacher brought their own unique atmosphere
and personality. Overall Summer Stages gave me confidence and the ability
to become comfortable in my own personal dance quality and style. I
can not thank them enough for the experience!”
—Amelia/ Laura Estrada, Workshop
2010
"I feel like, for the first time, I understand how I can improve as a dancer,
particularly from Dan Wagoner and Risa Steinberg's classes."
—Marissa Molinar, Workshop 2009
[In a letter of appreciation to former Summer Stages resident artist, Stephan Koplowitz} "I wanted
to thank you immensely for recommending Summer Stages to me. ... I was challenged technically and rhythmically
by Germaul Barnes' repertory... and technique classes were top notch! "
—Lindsay Newton, Workshop 2009
"Thank you for the amazing time I had at Summer Stages. I learned so much over the three week
program....Teachers were so nice and encouraging, inspiring us to reach for the best all the time. You
have created such a nuturing environment..."
—Johannah Mosley, Workshop 2009
"I've learned so much about the dance world and opportunities within it to connect and share. My
eyes have been opened to many different programs and companies. The performance series rocks."
—Carly Sinn, Workshop 2009
“…An amazing experience! I had a wonderful time dancing, making friends, learning and
living. You truly have created a warm, welcoming (and intense!) program that I feel very lucky to have
been a part of Summer Stages. It is still hard for me to fathom that I worked with so many talented
people in such a short period of time! I feel so grateful to have had this opportunity.“
—Lisa Rothstein, Workshop 2008
“I like the dynamic here – it’s more like the set-up of a real dance company.
After coming here, I have more of a feel of what it’s like in the real dancer world, and I like that a lot.”
—Khalif Diouf, Workshop, 2004-2006
“Summer Stages is indeed a familial feeling, both because it gathers diverse generations
of dancers together with dignity and because it incubates artistic ambitions. Summer Stages encourages
an intimate relationship with the larger dance world through their pre-performance rehearsals and
post-show discussions, and it knits the local dance community closer together through its classes and
concerts. If you haven't already, I encourage you to find how many ways you can fit into this community
and discern the Summer Stages Dance difference for yourself.”
—Karen Krolak, Workshop, 2006/Artistic Director of Monkeyhouse
“After I graduated from The Boston Conservatory, I began to dance and teach professionally
in the area, but unfortunately there aren't many places where one can take classes that are
challenging and new . Summer Stages provides people like me with an amazing opportunity to learn
from legendary master dance teachers. I have learned or re-learned dance techniques that are
NOT offered anywhere in the Boston/Cambridge area.”
—Jimena Bermejo, Workshop, 2006
About being a Choreographers’ Fellow
“The set up at Summer Stages is ideal for creative work.
We have afternoon access to studio spaces to work on our own or we
can take advantage of daily dance classes available to us, but can
use our time in any way that serves our process. It is an ideal
combination of enough structure to push us, but enough freedom to
allow us to each have our own process at our own pace.”
—Kelley Donovan & Dancers, kddcompany.wordpress.com (CPF 2011)
“To me, Summer Stages Dance represents that best of what a
dance community can be. It is an open,
kind and adventurous environment. I was so pleased with how focused
and curious the students were. My cast was willing to experiment with
new ideas and different ways of performing and creating. It was truly
beautiful to watch a group of dancers from such diverse training backgrounds
work together without judgment or competitiveness. I'm really in awe
of how Richard and Amy create such a positive, healthy environment
for young dancers.
"For my own artistic development, Summer
Stages offered a lovely mix of freedom
to pursue my own creative process, while
also providing the energy and support of a festival atmosphere. Everyday
I had the choice to attend a technique class or workshop, to work independently
in a studio, to converse with other fellows, faculty and resident artists,
or to simply sit at Walden pond and think. Richard and Amy understand
that every artist has their own manner and pace of working and they
were very flexible and attentive to everyone's needs.
"I've been
lucky to return to Summer Stages several
times, first as a performer, then as an independent researcher and
finally as a Choreographic Fellow. Each time, I've left the festival
feeling energized and re-interested in my dancing and dance making.
There is a contagious sense of excitement about the artistic process.
That's why I keep coming back!"
—Dorian Nuskind-Oder,
Choreography Fellow 2010
“I’m really eager to not make the same dance every time
but to create something that is unique to the moment. Summer Stages
offers two integral things that allow me the opportunity to try. The
first is the gift of time and space, away from NYC. This gives me mental
space to think, write, listen, and work. I have time to walk and bike!
Secondly and hugely, is the opportunity to work with such talented
and willing dancers. Their creative contribution is immense and really
energizes my imagination. They try and trust and seem to have a good
time which creates an easy and open environment to explore in. It makes
me realize how important art is as we develop in our own lives because
this young and amazing group is smart, sensitive, and able to work
together. These dancers remind me how important dance is in education
and society.”
—Daniel Charon,
Choreographic Fellow ’09
"I have rarely had such fine artistic mentorship as I had at Summer
Stages Dance. That deep concern for each
individual artist is unmatched in the dance community. "
—Ian Spencer Bell, Choreographers' Project Fellow '09
“I have come to Summer Stages 2008 as a choreographic fellow and I have to say that this opportunity could not have come at a better time. You see I amongst (what is it now over 8 million?) other New Yorkers am trying to make ends meet and more specifically pave my way as an artist. It seems at times that dance gets put on a back burner, yet new work is generated and performances have been accomplished. Before you know it, a year has come and at what point did you even get a chance to reflect and understand any sort of creative process?
" …[Here] at Summer Stages Dance at Concord Academy,
Amy and Richard have created a place where the possibility to do so
not only exists, but is the driving force for this program. I find
that I am surrounded by artists of every type all at different points
in their career. Here, your artistic voice wants to be heard no matter
what your background may be.”
—Cara Surico, Choreographers' Project Fellow, '08
“I felt very lucky to work with a group of Summer Stages dancers so open and willing to experiment within themselves at great depth. The group of fellows became quite a supportive environment for exchanges, insights and examination of my own biases.
"Summer Stages allowed me to take a more objective look at
creative processes."
—Esteban Donoso, Choreographers' Project Fellow, '08
“The dancers…I got to work with were so dedicated and enthusiastic about the work, there was no way we couldn't love the experience of making a piece. Somehow, amidst classes, rehearsals for repertory, and ice cream at Bedford Farms, our cast had enough energy at the end of each day to find their way into the work -- to deepen their understanding of their individual place in and ownership of the piece. The ongoing dialogue with directors Richard and Amy, the resident teachers, fellow students, and choreographers was invaluable both in refining the piece from the choreographic standpoint and giving the students the benefit of other perspectives on their performance. By the end of the three weeks I think we were all proud of the work we'd done.”
—Kimberly Young, Choreographers' Project Fellow, '08
“As I begin my quest of a career in dance this fall, I will
certainly take all of these experiences
and all I learned with me. Thank you again for a great three weeks
of dance.
“Summer Stages provides the complete dance experience for students and professionals alike. It is such a supportive, nurturing and inspiring environment that one hopes to return to summer after summer. No other program is like it."
—Paige Cunningham, Choreographers' Project Fellow, '07
“Summer Stages Dance is a true artistic community. It brings people of all ages, stages of learning and aesthetic beliefs together and encourages rigorous explorations of our art form. The connections I've made with other artists at SSD are real connections, that carry on, beyond the three weeks we stay in Concord. The growth and positive forces you feel at SSD are amazing. I felt so inspired; i felt I could do anything.”
—Anne Zuerner, Choreographers' Project Fellow, '07
“Summer Stages was my dream-I-never-knew-I-had come true. Being surrounded by committed artists on every level, it gave me the sense of a small close-knit community hard to find in our ever-expanding world. I learned an incredible amount about my own artistic process and strengths in this intensive three weeks, that I'm sure will benefit me throughout my career.”
—Charles Gushue, Choreographers' Project Fellow, '07
About being an Artist in Residence
What a treat to be involved in such a fabulous performance weekend
and workshop festival that was not only thoroughly enjoyable, but was
rejuvenating and inspiring! The program has grown into a wonderfully
rich environment –it was intoxicating.
—Heidi Latsky, Artistic Director, Heidi Latsky Dance. Summer Stages Resident Artist 1999,
2002, 2011
"I was first involved with Summer Stages as a student, then as a
Choreographers' Fellow and most recently as an Artist in Residence.
This is the only program I know of that supports artists at every stage
of their journey. Summer Stages offers a community of multi-generational,
top-notch artists sharing valuable information, gorgeous spaces to
work in, and the time needed to allow ideas to incubate and develop. Over
the past ten years, the program has continued to expand and improve,
without losing its commitment to innovation, experimentation and
the vital dialogue between dancers, dance-makers and audiences. It's
a true gem."
—Rashaun Mitchell, Summer Stages Resident Artist
'10, Merce Cunningham Dance Company Principal dancer
"Summer Stages Dance is one of those rare birds, a professional, rigorous, inspiring creative hotbed that treats you like an individual while engendering a vibrant group dynamic. Having taught and performed at Summer Stages for three summers, I can say that the staff, leaders, and students are top-notch, and this is an experience unlike any other."
—Chris Elam, Artistic Director, Misnomer Dance Theater, www.misnomer.org. Summer Stages Resident Artist '09, '08, '03
"Summer Stages at Concord Academy is a flourishing place of
creative minds coming together, nestled in the…relaxing and
beautiful center of Concord, Massachuetts. It was an honor to
be the modern dance instructor for the 2008 Summer Stages family, where
creativity and hard work encourages young artists to develop into a
tour de force."
—Germaul Barnes of Viewsic Expressions (www. ViewsicEx.org), former member of Bill T. Jones/ Arne Zane Dance Company
.“Summer Stages has provided [my company] with the kind of steady and sustained growth that is very rare in American dance. The values emphasized at Summer Stages—supported experimentation, multi-generational cooperation, respect for audiences, inspired teaching and the value of a whole life spent in dance—are values that have shaped and expanded my own and those of my dancers. It has become a second home for us, a place to ground ourselves as a cohesive group, a touchstone.
“There is no other dance festival that I know of which nurtures new work, no matter how risky, and follows through by presenting it sensitively to a willing audience while educating tomorrow’s professionals. Richard and Amy have created the circumstances that allowed me to move ahead as an artist, to grow my work and my company and to establish a base in the Boston area that has been one of the treasures of my professional life.
“Summer Stages in general keeps having the same family of artists back. You get people who started here as students, like Renatta Shepard, who was in one of my pieces that I made for the rep class several years ago, and now [2006 season] she is a Choreographic Fellow. Someday she may come back with her own company! I think they prize this continuity more than any place I have been involved with."
—David Parker, Artist In Residence/Faculty (2000-2007)
