New York City-based artist Brandon Cournay has shared his artist profile and "week in dance" on Life as a Modern Dancer in previous years. Today Brandon shares about his latest project, Dance Device Lab.
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I am excited to say that earlier this year I launched a new company, Dance Device Lab!
DDL is a service, providing experienced and professional guest teachers and choreographers to studios nationwide. We offer masterclasses, intensives, forums, performance adjudications, and choreography. Our mission is to inspire dancers by encouraging risk taking and thinking creatively and confidently, while empowering their individuality.
I grew up in a small town in Michigan and trained at a local dance studio. We did competitions and conventions but because of our remote location, we did not have access to the fundamentals of contemporary dance, thinking outside the box of what we were given, or creating things for ourselves. I didn’t even take my first modern class until college! DDL provides opportunities for young dancers to have access to these ideas and information.
As professional dancers, we know about all of the hats we must wear to support our love for the arts. We are not just dancers; we are communicators, entrepreneurs, teachers, creators, administrators, and citizens. Because of this, all of our classes and forums provide tools that are valuable to dancers as both artists and citizens and are transferable to both inside and outside of the studio.
Inspiration for DDL struck when I was teaching at an intensive with a few close friends. Each one of us brought something different to the table, but I found one common denominator between us — we were all TEACHING. We were not just throwing our choreography out for dancers to learn, but actually teaching. We were breaking things down for our students, sharing perspectives from our unique paths, and introducing new ideas to dancers that they do not regularly have access to. I thought, we should take this on the road!
DDL's eclectic faculty successfully bridge the gaps between concert, commercial, and theater dance with credits ranging from Broadway to film/TV and concert dance companies from the US and Europe. In addition, our faculty has extensive teaching experience. They work with dancers of all ages and abilities in a variety of settings. Collectively, they have taught at studios, dance conventions, universities, and professional companies.
We had a successful summer creating three different Summer Intensives at studios in the NYC area. We are currently booking weekend workshops for the fall and spring Adjudication Showcases.
Through dance, I truly believe we can have a positive impact on the world.
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Related posts:
Artist Profile: Brandon Cournay
My Dance Week: Brandon Cournay
Speaking as a Teaching Artist: 50 Perspectives
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Life as a Modern Dancer 
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