Email
Print
FeedThe organically athletic Lehrerdance returns to UB
An eclectic array of upbeat tunes coupled with earthy jazz, modern, and ballet motifs creates an intricate scene as dancing souls leap through the air, showcasing the “organically athletic” style know as Lehrerdance. Since 2007 the ambiguous Buffalo based dance company founded by choreographer John Lehrer has been intriguing audiences locally and nationally with its distinct artistic aesthetic.
“There are two words that I use to describe Lehrerdance: organically athletic,” says Lehrer. “The style is a combination of many different dance forms, such as modern dance, jazz dance, I also throw in gymnastics, break dancing and hip-hop … It’s all very well blended together so the athletic beats are very organic. It’s the approach and foundation of modern dance but with the athleticism and high-level technical virtuosity of jazz.”
Every piece in the Lehrerdance repertoire offers one ambiguous performance after another with diverse musical numbers raging from Paul Simon to Yo-Yo Ma to accompany the ever-changing choreography.
And having developed a twelve-piece repertoire over the course of three years, Lehrer has a hard time choosing his favorite stating that he does not have just one favorite but there are some that he likes for certain reasons like “Bridge and Tunnel” and “A Ritual Dynamic.”
“Bridge and Tunnel” resonates with Lehrer’s high school years in Queens, while his distinct choreography is featured throughout his works, but is especially emphasized in “A Ritual Dynamic.” The first piece created for the dance company, he used it to introduce his “organic athleticism” to the world and his dancers as a statement of what Lehrerdance is.
Trying to keep Lehrerdance relatable to the audience, Lehrer has his dancers interact and relate to one another as well as make a connection with the audience, but due to his dynamic choreography not all dancers come packaged in what he calls a “cookie-cutter dancer.”
“Many companies try to hire dancers that all fit into a look, the dancers that I try to hire would never-ever be put together. I have dancers that were strictly trained in modern dance, jazz dance, then I have professional break dancers, people that were gymnasts, people that are figure skaters; they all have a unique style about them, their raw abilities are very different, but what sets us apart is that they all do my stuff better than anybody in the entire world.”
The dynamic dance company will return to the University at Buffalo’s Center for the Arts form October 8 to 10, after a year of touring the country. For more info, visit www.lehrerdance.org.
