Collaboration Helps Viewpointe 10 to Soar

It’s easy to assume that the relatively small, non-degree dance program at Harvard could never rival a professional dance company in prestige or caliber. But as the Harvard Dance Program’s upcoming recital, The Dancers’ Viewpointe 10, proves, the program actually provides some of its student dancers with opportunities of which many professionals only dream. The performance, which will run in the New College Theatre from March 26 to April 3, features an impressive repertoire by two of the dance world’s most acclaimed choreographers as well as members of Harvard faculty.

The main highlight of Viewpointe 10 will be a medley of works by Alvin Ailey, one of the twentieth century’s eminent ballet choreographers. According to Harvard assistant dance director Kristen I. Aune, the medley will feature works from all different points in Ailey’s career. Many of these choreographies are rarely performed, and they were hand-selected for Harvard dancers by Sylvia Waters of the Alvin Ailey Dance Company (AADC), Aune says.

“These pieces beautifully showcase our dancers’ talent,” she says. “And together, they’re truly representative of Ailey’s work.”

James C. Fuller ’10, one of the students dancing in the medley, says he is grateful for the chance to perform these rarely-staged Ailey pieces.

“Doing the work of Alvin Ailey has really made me a stronger dancer,” Fuller says. “The medley features a wide range of choreography, and all the pieces have different dynamics. It’s going to be very physical and energetic.”

Additionally, Demetia Hopkins and Tyrone Walker, two professional dancers from AADC’s younger company, Ailey II, will be performing alongside student dancers in the show.

Equally impressive, Viewpointe 10 also features the premiere of a new duet by the legendary Trey McIntyre, which was choreographed specifically for Harvard students.

Merritt A. Moore ’11, one of the dancers in this duet, flew to Boise, Idaho earlier this year to work with McIntyre. She says of her experience with the famed choreographer, “This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Even for professionals in the best dance companies, to have a top choreographer create a solo for you is so rare, and it’s been phenomenal.”

McIntyre had worked with other Harvard students in the past and, according to Aune, he was so impressed by their intelligence and professionalism that he took some time from running his own company, The Trey McIntyre Project, to create a brand-new piece for Moore and her partner in the duet, Kevin Shee ’11.

“[The piece is a] daring work of contemporary ballet featuring very organic, truthful movement. It definitely forces you to explore outside of the box and makes you feel vulnerable, but it’s so much more rewarding that way,” Moore says.

Also on the concert’s program are works by two members of the Harvard Dance Program’s own faculty. Harvard Dance Director Elizabeth W. Bergmann has re-staged her quartet “They Say We Travel the Same Road” for student dancers to perform in the upcoming production. Bergmann, a Julliard graduate who initiated the Viewpointe series ten years ago, said of the all-women ensemble: “[The piece] is about the idea that in life, while we may sometimes fight with the people around us, we ultimately support each other because we all travel the same road... It’s one of my stronger pieces, and it’s great to bring it back.”

Harvard jazz teacher Jodi L. Allen will also be presenting her own piece, entitled “Breathe.” According to Bergmann, Allen’s choreography is sure to be “a really physical, exciting addition to the Viewpointe show.”

As Aune expressed, Viewpointe 10 should give Harvard dance more visibility at the University. “The dance program at Harvard may be under the radar, simply because the Ivy League is known for doing other things,” Aune admits.

But with shows like this year’s Viewpointe, she adds that the program has a real chance to demonstrate its professional repertoire and veritable artistic achievements.

And in preparation for her roles in both the Ailey Medley and the McIntyre piece, Moore expressed a similar sentiment about the quality of Harvard’s dance program at large.

“The opportunities we’ve been fortunate enough to have are amazing. I just can’t get enough,” she says.