The Choreographer
Barre Talk by Beau Pearson from Ballet West Choreographic Festival
My Purpose as a Choreographer
Choreographing is an extension of the expression of dance. Both dance and choreography provide a daily challenge to become myself, which is a self that evolves each day. As I strive for uniqueness, my choreographic vision is constantly developing. I usually come into a creation with little to no expectations, allowing the music and dancers to lead each movement naturally from step to step. I create evocative, emotion-driven movements on others so that the audience is drawn into the moment, leaving with an emotional response. The spiritual part of dancing plays a huge role in my creative works. If I don’t feel something internally, I don’t create! As an artist, I need to always create something that is beyond what I may think I am capable of, a challenge to what is directly in front of me.
Drawing from the neo-Classical traditions, I use classical ballet technique with high-energy, elegant and visually engaging Contemporary dance styles.
Featuring Artists of Ballet West
University of Utah 2020 Choreography
Below are some ‘behind-the-scenes’ photos of costume, lighting designs, and bits of my choreography for the “Saint-George, The Composer, Fencer, and Creator”, my newest 2020 work. The inspiration for this work came from the music of Joseph Boulogne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, the “champion fencer, classical composer, virtuoso violinist, and conductor of the leading symphony Orchestra in Paris”. Le Mozart Noir composition has a rich, smooth, velvety tone, and ambitious dimensions. The opening melody visualizes movement resembling a violinist, leading into an adagio battle of the fencemen. Throughout my piece, the ballet has an internal light feeling of joyfulness.
Dancers Gabrielle Salvatto (left) and Kyle Davis (right) from Tanz Company Innsbruck in rehearsals.
Arts Festival
“Addison’s new work, yet to be formally titled, comprises two vignettes and pas de deux in a four-member ensemble. Addison meticulously searches for the precise music to convey the emotional theme of her work.”
- The Utah Review
Artists of Ballet West photo taken by Beau Pearson.
Choreographic Festival
“Repeated humming of spiritual hymns throughout the ballet is an homage to the inspiration of the work.”
- Salt Lake Magazine
Photo by Luke Isley of BW artists in Garrett Smith’s Facades.
Upholding Tradition, Defying defining in BW’s Innovations
“The Hunt was the most successful piece in terms of risk-taking and divergence from familiar forms. Addison places live drummer Cameron Hodges onstage, which contributes to a heightened sense of urgency and more physical abandon”
- loveDANCEmore
Creative Virtual Jam Session with Helen Pickett.
Through Helen Pickets YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsHxDAnb3Y3wYjaLTTqeh_A . Helen has created this platform to have “intimate conversations with extraordinary artists about reimagining creativity and supporting and building community”. Many inspiring interviews with creative artists from all around the world.