News 8/1/2018:
I have received a Fellowship Award for Excellence in the Arts (Composing) from Idaho Commission on the Arts.
I have received a Fellowship Award for Excellence in the Arts (Composing) from Idaho Commission on the Arts.
Review: Idaho Dance Theatre moves with unified strength, athletic quality
Published: November 5, 2012
REVIEW
BY DANA OLAND
doland@idahostatesman.com
© 2012 Idaho Statesman
Idaho Dance Theatre opened its 24th season last weekend with three pieces that show the breadth of this contemporary ballet and modern company’s range.
Although missing one of its signature dancers — Yurek Hansen, who left last year at the end of the season — and Gonzalo Valdez, who is out with an injury, this lineup turned in a terrifically energetic performance. It also included the welcome return of the fabulous Alia Kelley.
This company just keeps getting better each season.
Co-artistic director Carl Rowe’s “Four Characters with an Attitude” opened the concert with Rowe’s signature rich, dynamic imagery. Six dancers skittered across the stage, primordial creatures eerily illuminated by Alfred Hansen’s rich side-lighting.
The music was by Idaho’s David Alan Earnest. The synthesized score depicted the four elements: earth, wind, water and fire, the “characters” Rowe highlighted in the choreography.
Earnest’s music used the sounds of each element as the base of its movement.
The first three movements fit together organically, bringing the characters from the ground to standing, costumed beautifully in organic colors.
“Wind” offered some more gorgeous moments playing with the ideas of breath as Kelley, Caitlin Stanley, Lia Marzek and Sayoko Knode moved Eric Glenn and Kaelen O’Shea off stage with it.
“Water” opened with a sensual “duet” by Elizabeth Hensheid with a bucket of water.
The fourth segment, “Fire,” departed from the organic flow of the piece and suddenly the dancers were wearing trench coats, as if in a 1940s film. It was clever and funny but didn’t fit the rest of the piece.
The concert rounded out with IDT’s other creative half: Marla Hansen’s “Chakra,” a piece from 2002, with six powerful movements, each inspired by chakra points on the body, to the Finnish orchestral rock group Apocalyptica and filled with Hansen’s wonderful talent for creating partner moves; and Rowe’s “Rorschach,” originally created in 1999, to music by Dutch composer Erik Visser.
Both pieces celebrate the company’s long history of original choreography. It was especially interesting seeing two of Rowe’s pieces — separated by 12 years — to see how his work has evolved.
Dana Oland: 377-6442, Twitter: @IDS_DanaOland
Published: November 5, 2012
REVIEW
BY DANA OLAND
doland@idahostatesman.com
© 2012 Idaho Statesman
Idaho Dance Theatre opened its 24th season last weekend with three pieces that show the breadth of this contemporary ballet and modern company’s range.
Although missing one of its signature dancers — Yurek Hansen, who left last year at the end of the season — and Gonzalo Valdez, who is out with an injury, this lineup turned in a terrifically energetic performance. It also included the welcome return of the fabulous Alia Kelley.
This company just keeps getting better each season.
Co-artistic director Carl Rowe’s “Four Characters with an Attitude” opened the concert with Rowe’s signature rich, dynamic imagery. Six dancers skittered across the stage, primordial creatures eerily illuminated by Alfred Hansen’s rich side-lighting.
The music was by Idaho’s David Alan Earnest. The synthesized score depicted the four elements: earth, wind, water and fire, the “characters” Rowe highlighted in the choreography.
Earnest’s music used the sounds of each element as the base of its movement.
The first three movements fit together organically, bringing the characters from the ground to standing, costumed beautifully in organic colors.
“Wind” offered some more gorgeous moments playing with the ideas of breath as Kelley, Caitlin Stanley, Lia Marzek and Sayoko Knode moved Eric Glenn and Kaelen O’Shea off stage with it.
“Water” opened with a sensual “duet” by Elizabeth Hensheid with a bucket of water.
The fourth segment, “Fire,” departed from the organic flow of the piece and suddenly the dancers were wearing trench coats, as if in a 1940s film. It was clever and funny but didn’t fit the rest of the piece.
The concert rounded out with IDT’s other creative half: Marla Hansen’s “Chakra,” a piece from 2002, with six powerful movements, each inspired by chakra points on the body, to the Finnish orchestral rock group Apocalyptica and filled with Hansen’s wonderful talent for creating partner moves; and Rowe’s “Rorschach,” originally created in 1999, to music by Dutch composer Erik Visser.
Both pieces celebrate the company’s long history of original choreography. It was especially interesting seeing two of Rowe’s pieces — separated by 12 years — to see how his work has evolved.
Dana Oland: 377-6442, Twitter: @IDS_DanaOland
Press Release for upcoming premiere of "Elements" with Idaho Dance Theatre
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Boise Composer Writes New Piece for Idaho Dance Theatre
Boise, ID – October 17, 2012 - Boise composer David Alan Earnest was commissioned by, and has composed a new work for, Idaho Dance Theatre. The 20 minute, all electronic, studio produced, piece is based on the four Elements: Earth, Air, Water, and Fire. Carl Rowe, co-artistic director of IDT is doing the choreography.
This will be the sixth collaboration between Earnest and IDT.
The premiere performances by Idaho Dance Theatre will be November 2-4, 2012. You can find more info, including ticket info, on IDT’s website at www.idahodancetheatre.org/
For a preview, you can listen to the music on Earnest's web site at www.davidalanearnest.com/songs
Earlier this year, Caritas Chorale in Sun Valley premiered another piece by Earnest, the epic, 50 minute choir and string orchestra piece on the history of the Nez Perce, Nez Perce: Promises, to enthusiastic acclaim.
Upcoming on May 3-4, 2013 is the "official" premiere of Turbulence, a concert overture for the Boise Philharmonic Orchestra. It will be performed on the regular concert series in Nampa and Boise.
David Earnest is an Idaho native, Boise based composer, and owner of Dave Earnest Audio. In addition to commissioned concert works, the company specializes in audio production and composing for TV, Radio, Film and Video. Please visit www.daveearnestaudio.com for more info.
Contact:
Dave Earnest
2720 W. Lemhi Boise, ID 83705
208-447-9713
dave@daveearnestaudio.com
www.daveearnestaudio.com
Follow on Twitter @dearnestaudio
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Boise Composer Writes New Piece for Idaho Dance Theatre
Boise, ID – October 17, 2012 - Boise composer David Alan Earnest was commissioned by, and has composed a new work for, Idaho Dance Theatre. The 20 minute, all electronic, studio produced, piece is based on the four Elements: Earth, Air, Water, and Fire. Carl Rowe, co-artistic director of IDT is doing the choreography.
This will be the sixth collaboration between Earnest and IDT.
The premiere performances by Idaho Dance Theatre will be November 2-4, 2012. You can find more info, including ticket info, on IDT’s website at www.idahodancetheatre.org/
For a preview, you can listen to the music on Earnest's web site at www.davidalanearnest.com/songs
Earlier this year, Caritas Chorale in Sun Valley premiered another piece by Earnest, the epic, 50 minute choir and string orchestra piece on the history of the Nez Perce, Nez Perce: Promises, to enthusiastic acclaim.
Upcoming on May 3-4, 2013 is the "official" premiere of Turbulence, a concert overture for the Boise Philharmonic Orchestra. It will be performed on the regular concert series in Nampa and Boise.
David Earnest is an Idaho native, Boise based composer, and owner of Dave Earnest Audio. In addition to commissioned concert works, the company specializes in audio production and composing for TV, Radio, Film and Video. Please visit www.daveearnestaudio.com for more info.
Contact:
Dave Earnest
2720 W. Lemhi Boise, ID 83705
208-447-9713
dave@daveearnestaudio.com
www.daveearnestaudio.com
Follow on Twitter @dearnestaudio
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