Dance Students from Hartt to Perform at Festival in Amsterdam
Almost every year for the past 12 years, Hartt Professor Stephen Pier has brought a group of Hartt dancers to Amsterdam for the events. This year's trip is from July 10-29.
Pier is also director of dance at The Hartt School, and will be a guest master teacher at the Henny Jurriëns Studio’s Summer Intensive, where Hartt students will also participate.
The festival and summer intensive feature some of the foremost dance makers in Europe and the world. The students take daily classes and workshops with some of the leading contemporary dance makers and their company members. Throughout their two-week stay, students are immersed in the cultural splendor of one of the most vibrant cities in Europe and have the chance to meet and work with other dancers from around the globe. As Pier describes, “the experience is deeply rewarding for them on many levels and the student comments exude the wonder and joy that this kind of experience can bring.”
Pier also shared some of past participants' reflections, ranging from “life-changing” to “the most incredible experience of my life.” Students further their confidence, and “reaffirm [my] belief in the importance of being open-minded. I left Amsterdam excited to return to school, eager for the chance to apply all that I have learned into my studies, and enthused to share it!"
The Amsterdam trip will also be the culminating experience for Pier’s summer endeavors. Over the course of June and early July, Pier will make appearances at the Hamburg Ballet Gala (where he was a soloist for the company for many years), as well as coaching and working with the Ballet Rambert in London and the Royal Danish Ballet in Copenhagan.