Phantom’s 40th season rolls on with an evening of dance, music, and artistic fervor as Vermont’s own Bosse DeBelina Dance Company presents The First One: An Evening of New Dance Works at the Edgcomb Barn on August 22 and 23.
MC DeBelina, founder of the Dance and Movement Center (DAMC) in Montpelier, first met Ann Bosse three years ago when Bosse wandered into MC’s backyard during one of her neighborhood get-togethers. The two hit it off immediately, sparking a friendship and creative partnership that felt like it was 40 years in the making. Their connection is deep, intuitive, and grounded in both artistic trust and personal affection, DeBelina said.
About a year and a half ago, they began working on a collaborative duet, which they performed at The Junction Dance Festival in White River Junction – marking the unofficial beginning of the Bosse DeBelina Dance Company. Since then, the company has expanded to include new members Tai Nixa Peterson, Chloe Shafer, and most recently, Eli Francis.
Each dance piece they create is personal and inspired by their diverse backgrounds. For example, one of Bosse’s newest works is a humorous, high-energy exploration of work, AI, and – possibly – cyborgs. It showcases Bosse’s musicality as she crafts movement that reflects and responds to rhythm and nuance. When developing the piece, she drew on her experience training with the Paul Taylor Dance Company and the lasting influence of a workshop she participated in with choreographer Mark Morris.
One of DeBelina’s works, titled Everything Must Change, is – true to its name – constantly evolving. The piece began as a fast, playful phrase set to a track by Isaac Hayes, transitioned into an exploration of rhythm and line accompanied by a James Blake song, and then two entirely new sections with different music.
The Bosse DeBelina Dance Company will be joined on stage by the Dance and Movement Center’s Adult Performance Workshop. This ensemble includes Andrea Melville, Candace Fugazy, Ingrid Nielsen, and Susanna Noelle (with understudy Rachel Feldman). Their performance marks the debut of the one-year-old studio’s first adult community dance group.
The troupe relishes the opportunity to rehearse and perform in a space like the Edgcomb Barn as part of Phantom’s season this year. “Summer is a powerful season for adult dancers,” said DeBelina. “It’s a time to dig deeper into the creative process and to perform in magical spaces like Phantom Theater. It’s hard to put into words how grateful and honored we feel to be part of this season. Phantom holds a special place in the hearts of Vermont dancers. There’s truly no place like it.”
The First One: An Evening of New Dance Works will be performed at Phantom Theater on August 22 and 23 at 8 p.m. For more information and ticket availability, please visit www.phantomtheater.org.
