Artist Details
Music & Motion: An Evening with Richard Danielpour
Category: Dance
Artist Biography
Grammy-award winning composer Richard Danielpour has established himself as one of the most gifted and sought-after composers of his generation. His music has attracted an illustrious array of champions, and, as a devoted mentor and educator, he has also had a significant impact on the younger generation of composers. His list of commissions include some of the most celebrated artists of our day: Yo-Yo Ma, Jessye Norman, Dawn Upshaw, Emanuel Ax, Frederica von Stade, Thomas Hampson, and Gary Graffman; the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio and the Guarneri, Emerson, and American String Quartets; the New York City and Pacific Northwest Ballets; and the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia and Stuttgart Radio Orchestras, Orchestre National de France, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, and many more. With Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison, he created Margaret Garner, his first opera, which premiered May 2005 and had a second production in autumn 2007 with New York City Opera. Richard Danielpour’s music is published by Associated Music Publisher, and since 2009, with Lean Kat Music Publications.
Debra Fernandez
A Professor of Dance at Skidmore College since 1991, Debra Fernandez received her B.A. from the University of South Florida where she studied with Haydee Gutierrez, Royes Fernandez, and Chase Robinson. Debra’s choreography, which spans dance, theater, and opera, has been seen in numerous New York venues, including the 2000 Obie award-winning space, Five Myles, as well as MASS MoCA and the Tang Museum. She has worked with the Williamstown Theater Festival for several years as a movement instructor, coach, and choreographer. She is a panelist for The New York State Council for the Arts and is on the board of directors of the National Museum of Dance. She is long-time yoga practitioner and leads workshops throughout the Capital Region.
| Day | Time | Venue | Description | Admission Information |
| Saturday | 8:00 PM - 9:15 PM | Zankel Center, Ladd Concert Hall | Sponsored by: Skidmore College Office of the Dean of Special Programs, Skidmore College Department of Dance and the Adirondack Trust Company This dance and music collaboration will feature the music of composer Richard Danielpour and the choreography of both Ruben Graciani and dancer and Skidmore professor Debra Fernandez. Preludes will be played by pianist Xiayin Wang, and string quartets will be performed by the Hyperion Quartet. Music & Motion is a testament to the composer’s belief in the power of music to sing and dance: “Some of the music will be accompanied by choreographed movement; in other instances, the movement in the music will be inherent and implied. It is inspired by the song and dance that we all witness in everyday life and it is offered, in turn, to the world in a spirit of gratitude.” | ARTSPASS Only |
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