One Voice (1997)
Back in 1990, Winnipeg-based choreographer, educator, and dance advocate Stephanie Ballard made a solo on me set to Song from the Thracian Plain sung by the Bulgarian State Television Female Vocal Choir. Part of a larger work of Stephanie’s called Continuum, this untitled solo found new life seven years later.
From Stephanie: Peggy Baker is an extraordinary dance artist. A Canadian jewel. Her unique ability to fulfill movement with power and clarity has inspired me since going across the floor with her at the Toronto Dance Theatre studios in 1973. The creative point of departure for this solo for her came from my interest in the Bird Goddess as described by Marija Gimbutus in her book The Language of the Goddess. Peggy was able to embrace the statuesque and spiritual qualities that numerous bird goddess images and stories portrayed. Our creative process embraced primitive and contemporary movement. I loved Peggy’s idea to perform the work in silence - and it worked! - SB
I always loved this solo from Continuum, and wondered if it would stand on its own without music. I planned to include it on a program for which all of the other music was performed live. Stephanie very generously allowed me to premiere the solo - which we titled One Voice - in silence for musicDANCEarray in March of 1997. I was thrilled by performing the distillation of this work, and danced it on a several different programs over the next few years. - PB
"... the dance equivalent of a performance by a legendary singer...her concentrated movements, in silence, invoke a soulful music." Susan Walker, The Toronto Star
related links
To read more about Marija Gimbutus and her book The Language of the Goddess visit The LA Times here.
credits
choreography:
Stephanie Ballard
lighting design:
Marc Parent
dancer:
Peggy Baker
premiere
Santa Barbara, California
February 12, 1997
UCSB HSSB Ballet School
University of California Santa Barbara
subsequent presentations
Toronto
March 12, 14, 19, 21, 1997
Premiere Dance Theatre
musicDANCEarray
Montreal
January 15 - 17, 1998
L’Agora de la danse
un moyen de maitriser le silence
St. Lousi, Missouri
January 30 - 31 & February 1, 1998
Edison Theatre
Margie Gillis & Peggy Baker
media links
See 1997 in the media and awards archive
photography
All photos by Robert Tinker.
