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The Joffrey Concert Group
(JCG) presented In
My Art,
a program showcasing new and
commissioned choreography, on February
20 and 21 at the Alvin Ailey Citigroup
Theater, celebrating the group's 45th
anniversary. The performances were
accompanied by an opening night
fundraising reception supporting the
organization’s Creative Movers
Choreographic Initiative (CMCI).
“For 45 years, this
organization has stood for rigorous
training, bold choreography, and a
belief that young artists deserve both
opportunity and excellence,” said Bradley
Shelver,
Artistic Director and Resident
Choreographer. “As we celebrate the
past, I’m equally focused on the next 45
years. The future of dance depends not
only on innovation in choreography, but
on sustainability in the lives of the
artists who bring that work to life. Our
CMCI is central to that future—it is
about authorship, voice, and giving the
next generation of makers the space to
experiment and to lead.”
Works included two by
2026 CMCI choreographers: Bernard
H. Gaddis’
premiering Stolen
Moments,
a compilation of different works and
duets from other ballets revolving
around relationships, and Clifford
Williams’ By
Any Other Name,
an evocative dance exploring compassion
and love. Also featured was
choreographer Ken
Ossola presenting Of
Light,
his first collaboration with JCG.
Opening the program was Artistic
Director Bradley Shelver’s
choreography, When
the Water Breaks.
Featuring an original score by David
K. Israel,
the work was commissioned by vildwerk.,
a company dedicated to inspiring
environmental conservation awareness
through dance, and was inspired by the
mission of the World Wildlife Fund.
Performers included company dancers
alongside select participants from the
Joffrey Ballet School’s training
programs.
Board Member and
Fundraising Chair Teresa
Lomotan noted,
“Longevity in the arts demands
relevance, courage, and an unwavering
commitment to artistic excellence.
Tonight is not only a celebration, it is
an investment in the future of the
arts.” Director of Grants and
Development Kara
Cea added,
“Foundations want to know there are real
people standing behind an organization,
and your support helps sustain our
dancers, supports new work, and
strengthens everything we do.” CMCI
anchors the Joffrey Concert Group’s
commitment to developing new
choreography, reinforcing its role
within the Joffrey Ballet School
ecosystem and its continued relevance in
New York’s dance community.
Attending were the newly
appointed Executive Director of the
Joffrey Ballet School, Frank
Lee Merwin,
as well as its Dean, Meg
Paul.
Other guests included Chiara
Gorodesky, Lola Koch, Richard Osterweil, and
new patron Barbara
Tober.
The Joffrey Concert
Group, founded in the early 1970s and
incorporated as a nonprofit in 1981, is
led by Artistic Director Bradley Shelver
and serves as the resident dance company
of the Joffrey Ballet School. The
pre-professional ensemble provides
dancers from the School’s year-round
Trainee Program with performance
experience, has toured nationally and
internationally in classical and
contemporary repertory by a wide range
of choreographers, and has seen its
alumni go on to companies including
Miami City Ballet, Boston Ballet,
Complexions Contemporary Ballet, the
Forsythe Company, the Martha Graham
Dance Company, Dance Theatre of Harlem,
and the Joffrey Ballet. For more
information, please visit: https://www.joffreyconcertgroupnyc.com/ |