Catskill Mountain Foundation Launches Orpheum Dance Festival

The Catskill Mountain Foundation (CMF) announced today the launch of its inaugural Orpheum Dance Festival at the new Orpheum Performing Arts Center in Tannersville, New York. The theater, designed by acclaimed theater architect Hugh Hardy, provides a rare combination of state-of-the-art proscenium dance stage with splendid acoustics. The festival's centerpiece is a performance by the world renowned Paul Taylor Dance Company on May 22, which complements a larger three-week performance residency by Paul Taylor 2 Dance Company (Taylor 2) from May 6 to May 26, 2013.

Highlights of the residency include two evenings of dance performances accompanied by live music. On May 11 at 7:00 p.m. the outreach and education wing of the Paul Taylor Dance Foundation, Taylor 2, will perform Airs (1978, music by G.F. Handel), Junction (1961, music by Johann Sebastian Bach), Lento Duet (1967, music by Franz Josef Haydn), and Taylor's renowned Esplanade (1975, music by Johann Sebastian Bach). On May 22 at 7:00 p.m., the Paul Taylor Dance Company will perform Kith and Kin (1987, music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart), Scudorama (1963, music by Clarence Jackson), and Brandenburgs (1988, music by Johann Sebastian Bach).

These Orpheum Dance Festival performances launch the Live Music for Dance initiative and feature dances specially selected by dance maker Paul Taylor. Select musical works will be performed for the first time ever with a Baroque orchestra of period instruments. The distinguished orchestra American Virtuosi will provide live accompaniment, conducted by harpsichordist Kenneth Hamrick. This dance initiative will foster collaboration with the festival's guest companies and the Catskill Mountain Foundation's Piano Performance Museum, led by Kenneth Hamrick as Artistic Director, in showcasing dance with live music in various genres.

On May 18 at 2:00 p.m., the Concerts and Conversations series at the Piano Performance Museum hosts Taylor 2 dancers led by Rehearsal Director Ruth Andrien to discuss and perform examples of the "Musical-Choreographic Language of Paul Taylor." Artistic Director Kenneth Hamrick will provide accompaniment on historic instruments from the world class collection of period playable pianos, ranging from the 18th century to the present.

Paul Taylor Dance Company Spring Dance Intensive
As part of the three week residency, from May 11 to 26, Taylor 2 will lead a two week dance intensive for young dance professionals and conduct workshops for local students in the Catskill community. The Spring Dance Intensive provides local dance students and young professionals the opportunity to hone their skills and showcase their talents. Students are required to be of an intermediate to advanced level of ballet or modern dance training.

The intensive classes and workshops will introduce student dancers to the Paul Taylor style through daily technique and repertoire classes. The residency will also include lectures on the history of Paul Taylor's work and his company. Student dancers will have the opportunity to perform side by side with Taylor 2 dancers on the stage of the Orpheum Performing Arts Center on May 25 at 7:00pm. For more information on how to apply and participate in the Young Professionals Dance Program, please visit www.catskillmtn.org.

Complete performance information is listed below, including details on ticket prices and availability. Go to www.catskillmtn.org for the most up to date schedule and to purchase tickets.

About Orpheum Dance Festival
The Orpheum Dance Festival hosts professional dance companies in performance, education and community outreach programs and supports development of new work. This inaugural season, supported by the NYS Council on the Arts and the NYS Presenters Network, represents a broad range of companies including: Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana Dance, one of the nation's premiere flamenco and Spanish dance companies (April 13); Cherylyn Lavagnino Dance with American Virtuosi (July 15-21); BALAM Balinese Dance-Theater (July 1-12); National Dance Institute Mountaintop Residency (July 27); and the newly established resident Orpheum Academy of Dance (May 26).

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