SARAH'S SUNDAY SCOOP FROM february 2nd, 2016
By: Sarah Trested
Photo: Maggie Zhao
Kun-Yang’s originality and spirituality resonates deeply within his work, his classes, his dancers, and within himself. His sense of soul and physicality has created a company unlike any other that I’ve experienced. His ability to cross cultural, physical, and spiritual boundaries pushes us (dancers, students, and audience members) all to understand movement and our own bodies on a more intellectual and spiritual level. I find that many choreographers chose to focus on the shapes, lines, turns, and tricks in movement; while others focus on the soul and simplicity in movement. KYL/D is, in my opinion, one of the few companies that has managed to create a beautiful and impactful company with phenomenal legs, lines, and shape while maintaining a strong relationship with spirituality, simplicity, and the body.
As part of my internship, I have the opportunity to participate in and experience company classes and rehearsals.
How this comes through in his work:
How this comes through in his classes: Kun-Yang’s CHI Awareness classes begin with a deep spirituality of your body, time, and space. Over the course of the class, this spirituality builds into rigorous movement that challenges the dancer’s body and soul.
How this comes through in his dancers:
KYL/D dancers are some of the most aware, alert, and beautiful dancers I have ever seen. I find that Kun-Yang looks for so much more than physical abilities when choosing his company members, he looks for dancers that have a deep connection with the body, soul, space, and time. (Listen more about how he chooses his dancers: https://vimeo.com/176533617)
How this is present within himself:
From the way he leads rehearsals to even the way he walks and talks, it is clear that there is a deep spirituality within Kun-Yang. I am captivated by his ability to translate what he does in the studio to the outside world. The way Kun-Yang walks and talks is with a great sense of awareness; you will never see him walking around slumped over or dragging his feet. Kun-Yang has a super human ability of appearing calm and determined, regardless of what may be going on in his head.
THE BEST WAY TO UNDERSTAND KUN-YANG’S ORIGINALITY AND SPIRITUALITY IS BY JOINING US FOR OPEN COMPANY CLASSES SATURDAY’S 12:30-2PM AT OUR HOME: 1316 S. 9TH ST. PHILADELPHIA PA 19147. SEE YOU THERE THIS SATURDAY!
AND… see the company in action! Check out our upcoming events such as our home season at Prince Theater by clicking HERE
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